Aim of Human Creation

One of the great calamities of human life is the lack of insight about the purpose of human creation. So long as man has not come to know 'the goal of life' he would always have to face difficulties. This universal law applies to the affluent too. Ask every wealthy person whether his money always keeps him happy, and his answer would be in the negative. The Holy Qur'an as well the Ahlu'l Bayt ('a) have informed us that the aim behind human creation is to attain Allah's proximity and nearness. And the path that leads one to realize this aspiration is none other than 'ibada. The following verse explains it:

In chapter 51, verse 56, Almighty Allah says:

"And I have not created the jinn and men except that they should worship Me."

Here the aim is indicated as Allah's Worship. But is it the 'final aim of creation?' To answer this we should look at chapter 15, verse 99 of the Qur'an, which says:

"And worship your Lord until Conviction comes to you."

Therefore it is ma'rifatullah that is the end. And the closer one gets to his Lord the better his knowledge of his Creator.
Beautiful allusions are made in the following verses too about the ultimate end of the human being:

1. Imam' Ali ('a) in his famous supplication of Kumayl cries: