DO WE REALLY EXIST ?
Plato, a Greek philosopher said that we are living in a shadow world of appearance . Whatever that means, I’m pretty sure I’m real. My pain is real, my moments are real.
And why are we here, in this very world? Is it true that we are here for absolutely no reason at all? That we are just here by chance?
If this is true, how are we different from animals, trees and other kinds of living things in this world? Do we get to decide to lead and rule this world? Why do we, of all living things, are the ones who want and need to be organised in institutions to make sure we live accordingly?
ARE WE THE GREATEST CREATION?
لَخَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ أَكْبَرُ مِنْ خَلْقِ النَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know. (Al-Ghafir, verse 57)
Allah clearly states that mankind is not the greatest creation. Allah says this to make us understand that we are not superior to others. Mankind tends to be arrogant. Allah wanted to bring us back to our original status, that we are not grander than other creations, and that we are just a small part of a whole series of a vast creation.
وَاللَّهُ خَلَقَكُمْ وَمَا تَعْمَلُونَ
While Allah created you and that which you do? (As-Saffat, verse 96)
The following verse discusses the power of Allah, the One and Only God. That Allah created us because Allah can.
إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُ إِذَا أَرَادَ شَيْئًا أَنْ يَقُولَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
His command is only that when He intends a thing He just says to it, “Be,” and it is. (Yaasin, verse 82)
The fact that we ask ourselves why we are here in this world shows that we are curious. We are curious to know the real reason for our existence, and to find out how to fulfill the purpose of our existence. This insatiable curiosity is our distinguished human quality.
أَفَلَا يَتَدَبَّرُونَ الْقُرْآنَ أَمْ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبٍ أَقْفَالُهَا
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks upon [their] hearts? ( Muhammad, verse 24)
SO WHY ARE WE HERE?
وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَاعِبِينَ
And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play.
(Surah Ad-Dukhan, 38)
This verse states that we are not created in vain. We are not here on this very earth just by chance. Allah is The-All-Wise. Surely, Allah would create us for a reason.
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْاِنْسَ اِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُوْنِ
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me. (Az-Zariyat, 56)
Clearly the reason for our creation is to worship Allah and Allah alone. The topic ‘worshipping Allah’ alone is a big discourse. Do we realise we tend to worship other than Allah?
For example, we fear of losing friends if we don’t join them in the club, mixing with the non-mahram more than we fear of Allah’s clear instruction of avoiding zina (زِنَاء) or adultery. Allah instructed us to avoid zina. Just to avoid it. When we are actually doing zina – it’s even worse.
وَلَا تَقْرَبُوا الزِّنَا إِنَّهُ كَانَ فَاحِشَةً وَسَاءَ سَبِيلًا
And do not approach unlawful sexual intercourse. Indeed, it is ever an immorality and is evil as a way. (Al-Isra’, 32)
WHY CAN’T ALLAH JUST CREATE US IN HEAVEN?
Again, this shows that Allah is The-All-Mighty. Allah can create things in whichever way He likes to.
خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا مَا دَامَتِ السَّمَاوَاتُ وَالْأَرْضُ إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ رَبُّكَ إِنَّ رَبَّكَ فَعَّالٌ لِّمَا يُرِيدُ
[They will be] abiding therein as long as the heavens and the earth endure, except what your Lord should will. Indeed, your Lord is an effecter of what He intends. (Surah Hud, 107)
As The-One-and-Only-Creator, Allah created us in a way that we would be able to appreciate His mightiness and power, so that we will work hard to qualify ourselves for the best rewards that last eternally, which is heaven or jannah.
وَلِلَّهِ مَا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ لِيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ أَسَاءُوا بِمَا عَمِلُوا وَيَجْزِيَ الَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا بِالْحُسْنَى
And to Allah belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth – that He may recompense those who do evil with [the penalty of] what they have done and recompense those who do good with the best [reward] – (An-Najm, 31)
WHAT WE CAN DO?
Simply by obeying Allah. Referring to surah Ali-Imran, Allah has laid down ways to always remember him.
Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding. Who remember Allah while standing or sitting or [lying] on their sides and give thought to the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], “Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You [above such a thing]; then protect us from the punishment of the Fire. (Ali-Imran, 190 and 191)
For every sweat, pain and hardship a Muslim has to go through to find his or her way to Allah, is a big reward. All this will be worth it in the next world of our existence ( Akhirah).
Anas b. Malik reported, “The Paradise is surrounded by hardships and the Hell-Fire is surrounded by temptations.” (Sahih Muslim 2822)
Source: – sunnah.com, quran.com
