What is the meaning of life? The role of gratitude and why do humans suffer? What Prhohets syas about it?

> **TL;DR:** The meaning of life in Islam is to worship Allah alone (Qur'an 51:56), achieved through gratitude (shukr) for blessings and patience (sabr) during trials. Humans suffer as a divinely ordained test to purify sins, elevate spiritual rank, and cultivate resilience. Prophets universally taught that both ease and hardship are opportunities for eternal reward when met with faith and submission to Allah's wisdom [HAD1], [TAF1], [RIS2]. ### 1. Meaning of Life: Worship and Purpose The Qur'an explicitly states: > "I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me" (Qur'an 51:56). This worship (**‘ibadah**) encompasses all actions aligned with Allah’s commands, transforming daily life into acts of devotion [TAF1]. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) distilled this into: > "Say: I believe in Allah, then remain steadfast" [HAD3]. Steadfastness (**istiqamah**) means consistent obedience despite circumstances, anchoring life’s purpose in divine servitude. ### 2. Role of Gratitude (Shukr) Gratitude is not mere verbal thanks but: - **Acknowledging blessings**: Recognizing all provisions (health, sustenance) as favors from Allah. - **Action-based obedience**: Using blessings in halal ways and avoiding sin [TAF6]. - **Transformative mindset**: Gratitude amplifies blessings and attracts divine mercy. The Qur'an affirms: > "If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]" (Qur'an 14:7) [TAF6]. Classical works explain that **shukr** elevates humans to **ahsan-i taqweem** (the highest station of excellence), fulfilling their role as Allah’s vicegerents on Earth [RIS2]. Prophet Luqman’s wisdom emphasized: > "Be grateful unto God—for he who is grateful is but grateful for the good of his own self" (Qur'an 31:12) [TAF7]. ### 3. Why Humans Suffer: Tests and Divine Wisdom Suffering serves four primary purposes, as per prophetic teachings: #### A. Purification and Spiritual Growth - Trials expiate sins: The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated: > "No fatigue, disease, sorrow, or distress befalls a Muslim, even a thorn prick, but Allah expiates sins thereby" [HAD4]. - Suffering cultivates **sabr** (patience), a virtue rewarded with Allah’s proximity [HAD2]. Prophet Ayyub’s endurance of illness exemplifies this [YT3]. #### B. Testing Faith and Refining Character Life is a "great examination hall" [TAF1]. Hardships reveal true faith, separating the sincere from the hypocritical. The greater the trial, the higher the reward: > "The greater the tribulation, the greater the reward" [HAD2]. Prophet Musa (Moses) guided his people through suffering to recognize that both ease and hardship are tests requiring gratitude and patience [TAF6]. #### C. Divine Love and Mercy Trials signify Allah’s love: > "When Allah loves people, He tests them" [HAD2]. Suffering redirects humans from worldly attachment to eternal hope, as seen in Prophet Muhammad’s counsel to Umm Salamah after her husband’s death: > "If something bad happens, say: 'To Allah we belong...', and Allah will replace it with better" [HAD6]. #### D. Universal Justice and Wisdom Suffering is never arbitrary but part of a cosmic balance. As narrated by Abu Hurayrah: > "Man’s feet will not move on Judgment Day until questioned about his life, knowledge, wealth, and body" [HAD5]. This accountability ensures suffering is redeemed through purposeful endurance. ### 4. Practical Applications and Benefits - **Modern Example**: A professional facing job loss can: 1. Practice **shukr** by focusing on remaining blessings (health, family). 2. Exercise **sabr** through consistent prayer and ethical job-seeking. 3. View the trial as skill-building for resilience. - **Psychological/Social Benefits**: Gratitude reduces anxiety by fostering contentment; patience builds emotional resilience. Collectively, this creates societies grounded in empathy and mutual support [RIS1], [TAF8]. - **Ethical Clarity**: Suffering dismantles arrogance, as Prophet Luqman taught: reflecting on one’s true needs fosters humility [TAF9]. ### 5. Prophetic Synthesis: Ease and Hardship as Pathways Prophets unanimously taught that life’s duality—blessings and suffering—serves one goal: eternal success. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) encapsulated this: > "How astonishing is the believer’s affair! All his circumstances are good... If grateful, it is good; if patient, it is good" [HAD1]. This transforms suffering into worship, aligning human experience with divine purpose.