What is the purpose of this life? | Mufti Afthab Cassim

The purpose of human life is to dedicate one's existence entirely to the love and service of the Prophet Muhammad, as this devotion constitutes the true essence of life (▸6:31, ▸10:47). This life does not belong to the individual but to the Prophet, and all actions—living and dying—should be performed for his sake (▸12:49, ▸21:30). The source emphasizes that the ultimate goal of creation is the worship and remembrance of Allah, yet many people have become distracted by worldly pursuits, mistakenly believing that life is defined by daily work and material comfort ▸14:39. True success lies in preparing for the afterlife, specifically the grave, which is the inevitable future for every person ▸19:53.

The work stresses the importance of maintaining a firm commitment to the Ahl-e-Sunnat wal-Jama'at, specifically the Maslak-e-Ala Hazrat, while avoiding deviants and those who promote the ideology of Sulh-e-Kulliyat, which suggests that all paths are equally valid ▸41:58. It encourages parents to prioritize the spiritual education of their children over worldly success, ensuring they carry the light of love for the Prophet into their graves ▸23:34. The source also highlights the necessity of standing for the truth (haq) even when it is unpopular, citing the hardships faced by the Prophet and his companions as the standard for those who follow the path of righteousness (▸46:08, ▸47:32).

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Key topics & takeaways

The meaning of life

• The definition of life — the work holds that life is synonymous with the love of the Prophet Muhammad ▸6:31.
• The ownership of life — this life belongs to the Prophet, and one should live and die for his sake ▸12:49.
• The purpose of creation — Allah created humanity solely for His worship and remembrance ▸14:39.
• The danger of worldly distraction — people often prioritize material gain and comfort, forgetting their spiritual purpose ▸3:46.
• The true future — the grave is the actual future for every individual, and one must prepare for it rather than focusing only on worldly education ▸19:53.

Spiritual practice & devotion

• The light of the grave — the love of the Prophet serves as a lamp in the darkness of the grave ▸23:34.
• The importance of dhikr — the remembrance of Allah is the source of true spiritual power and can transcend physical limitations ▸32:07.
• Spiritual exercise before sleep — one should put away distractions, reflect on the past week's actions, and visualize the grave before sleeping ▸40:23.
• The necessity of iman — one must strive to live and die with a strong and firm faith ▸41:58.

The path of the pious

• The status of Barelvi — the term is identified as a nisbat (connection) to the path of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan, representing the true Sunni identity of the current era ▸8:33.
• The example of Ghaus-e-Aazam — Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani is presented as a model of humility and devotion, whose spiritual success began with his mother's prayers and advice ▸27:08.
• The covenant of Ghaus-e-Aazam — the work holds that Ghaus-e-Aazam made a covenant with Allah that no disciple of his would die without repentance ▸37:19.
• The role of Ulama — scholars who stand for the truth are essential for protecting the faith of future generations ▸49:09.

Warnings & conduct

• The danger of Sulh-e-Kulliyat — the work warns against the belief that all sects are equally good, as this erodes the foundation of faith ▸41:58.
• The necessity of naming deviants — the work justifies identifying and naming those who threaten the faith, comparing it to warning someone about a pickpocket ▸43:22.
• The reality of opposition — those who stand for the truth will inevitably face enemies, just as the Prophet and his companions did ▸46:08.
• The value of leadership — the community is urged to value and support scholars who uphold the truth before they are lost ▸50:39.