The Purpose of Creation

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is adapted from a swuhbah from Shaykh Muhammad Nazhim Adil al-Haqqani (q.s.) on the 09^th April 2010. 

Many so-called scholars in Islam reject taswawwuf and thariqa’.  Some not only reject it, they even label it as bid’ah, an innovation.  We have to open our eyes and take a good look at the world around ourselves today.  We have become restless creatures.  We seek solace and peace but cannot find it in the world of technology and entertainment.  Our souls are thirsty for spirituality.  There is an intense craving in many hearts today for a journey of love.  The world of materialistic pursuit is not one that will ever bring happiness to our hearts.  One is never contented or satisfied.  It is a world of mutual boasting and petty rivalry; it is meaningless and empty, and souls can never find rest.  The world of materialism leads to Jahannam; it is Cursed by Allah (s.w.t.). 

Today, many scholars teach only the shell - the external practices and rituals - of Islam.  They only teach the shari’ah, leaving out the essential spirituality, thariqa’, that leads to the state of ihsan, which is the essence of all religious advice.  There is no true Islam without spirituality.  If we just cling to materialism, we will be humbled to dust in our graves.  Allah (s.w.t.) has Placed before us, flowing fountains of knowledge and endless springs of understanding.  But people do not seek understanding from Allah (s.w.t.).  Instead, they ask for dunya from Shaythan and his representatives.  We are running away from these Divine springs and fountains. 

The Qur’an Contains Guidance for every one of us.  It Contains Divine Insight and solutions for tackling all our worldly and spiritual issues.  Not a single person’s guidance, and not a single issue’s solution, is left from this Book, such is its miracle.  It Opens the door for our journey to our final destination, but humanity is clueless as to how to embark on that journey.  Without a guide, he has no idea what his destination is.  Animals have no clue about Judgement Day.  We are noble creatures; it is not befitting that we should descend to such a lowly level.  When Allah (s.w.t.) Announced to the angels He was Creating a khalifah on Earth, the angels had no understanding as to our nature. 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَإِذۡ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ إِنِّى جَاعِلٌ۬ فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ خَلِيفَةً۬‌ۖ قَالُوٓاْ أَتَجۡعَلُ فِيہَا مَن يُفۡسِدُ فِيہَا وَيَسۡفِكُ ٱلدِّمَآءَ وَنَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِكَ وَنُقَدِّسُ لَكَ‌ۖ قَالَ إِنِّىٓ أَعۡلَمُ مَا لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ (٣٠) 

Behold, your Lord Said to the angels, “I will Create a vicegerent on Earth.”  They said, “Will you place therein one who will make mischief therein and shed blood?  Whilst we do celebrate Your Praises and glorify Your Holy (Name)?”  He said, “I Know what you know not.” (Surah al-Baqarah:30) 

Allah (s.w.t.) Raised us as His khalifah, His vicegerent, above all Creation.  That is the position of the crown prince to the King.  That is a Gift that is Azaliyyun Abadiyyun, from pre-eternity, to eternity. It is the Greatest Gift ever Bestowed on any Creation!  We have been Raised to such a special position amongst all of Creation.  We must treasure that Divine Honour, and act according to the exalted status that we have been bestowed with. 

So, how should we act?  How should we behave towards our Lord, Who has Given this unmatched honour?  Allah Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الذّاریَات

وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَٱلۡإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُونِ (٥٦) 

I have only Created jinn and men, that they may serve Me. (Surah adz-Dzariyat:56) 

We are forgetful creatures, so we must remind each other about this constantly.  We have lost our way today, becoming foolish.  We have abandoned the most beneficial acts in life, and have gone in search of meaningless, temporary scraps.  This religion is about advising, so we advise each other about our responsibility to our Lord and to ourselves. 

سُوۡرَةُ الذّاریَات

وَذَكِّرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ (٥٥) 

But teach (your Message): for teaching benefits the believers. (Surah adz-Dzariyat:55) 

Despite taking the mimbar of Juma’ah, week after week, a’immah speak of unimportant, petty things, instead of taking that opportunity to sow realisation amongst the heedless.  There are benefits for believers in preaching the right things.