MAN’S TRUE PURPOSE IN LIFE

MAN’S TRUE PURPOSE IN LIFE To Elevate Himself M AN attains his highest distinction only when he leads a purposeful life. This characterizes the most advanced stage of human development where man’s personality manifests its unique quality. An animal strives to obtain food; a bird flies in search of a better country when seasons change; a wasp busies itself building its home using tiny particles of earth; a herd of deer takes measures to protect itself from wild beasts of prey. These appear to be purposeful actions. Without doubt arranging for one’s food, clothing and habitation have to be performed; this is bare survival, a level where man and animals are equal. On the other hand, "a purposeful life”, refers to aspects of life beyond common animalism and takes the form of superior humanism. God’s creations fall into two categories: animate and inanimate. Obviously, animates enjoy a certain superiority over inanimates. Animates include the human, animal and vegetable kingdom. Plants possess life, nourish themselves and grow. But animals and men surely represent a higher form of life. What makes man superior to animals? Modern biologists have concluded that it is man’s capacity for conceptual thought that distinguishes him from other life-forms. Animals lack this quality, whereas man is conscious of the fact that he is thinking. He consciously forms a mental plan of action and his everyday actions are self-determined. Many actions of animals may appear similar to those of men, but they all stem from pure instinct. Animals are led intuitively by their desires and their needs in a certain direction. Their actions are governed by environmental stresses from without and physical pressures from within. Using his unique conceptual quality, man can conceive of a higher purpose to his life. It must emanate from his own urge to worship God. Man’s true purpose in life should reflect the higher side of his personality, the superior being that he is. The Quran gives us clear guidance in this matter. Man’s purpose in life is explained in the following words: Man’s life becomes purposeful only when it goes beyond common animalism and takes the form of superior humanism.