Earthquakes: Reflections on the Purpose of Existence – Shaykh Dr. Muhammad Fayez Awad

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. And may peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions altogether.

In the midst of the busy routines of daily life, filled with countless concerns, the conscious heart pauses to ask itself:

Why am I here? Why was I created?

Is life merely about eating, sleeping, getting married, working, and enjoying pleasures? Or is there a higher purpose beyond all of that?

Not a Beastly Life

Many people today live as if they were created without a purpose. They chase after desires and forget about the end. But a believer stops and reflects:  

“Was I created like the animals, or did Allah honor me with intellect and soul for a greater mission?”

The Answer Comes from Allah

Allah, Glorified and Exalted, answered this great question in His noble Book:  

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” [Adh-Dhariyat 51:56]

This is the purpose for which we were created: the worship of Allah.  

And worship is not limited to just prayer and fasting — it encompasses total obedience, surrender, following the Prophet (peace be upon him), and walking toward Allah with insight.

The Believer Carries a Mission

The believer lives with this intention. He feels that he carries a mission, is concerned about saving himself and his ummah, and walks a path with clear landmarks.  

But the heedless person is left to himself, wandering among desires, forgetting his Hereafter, and distancing himself from his Lord.

So ask yourself sincerely: Which of the two are you?

A Moment of Reflection

Pause for a moment and reflect on your condition:  

– What is your relationship with your Lord like?  

– How is your prayer?  

– Do you make good use of your time?  

– Do your relationships with your family and relatives please Allah?  

– How do you spend your money? How do you view this world?

You will be questioned about all of this, as Allah says:  

“And stop them; indeed, they are to be questioned.”[Quran, 37:24]

Moments of Honesty

One of the most beautiful moments in a believer’s life is that moment when he sits alone, renews his repentance, draws near to his Lord with a tearful eye, a sincere call, and a renewed drive toward goodness.

I ask Allah to make me and you among those who listen to the words and follow the best of them, and to grant us a good end, and make us among His righteous servants.

May peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions altogether.