Editing Meaning of life (section)

===Abrahamic religions===
[[File:ReligionSymbolAbr.PNG|thumb|upright|left|Symbols of the three main Abrahamic religions – [[Judaism]], [[Christianity]], and [[Islam]]]]
{{Further|Abrahamic religion}}

====Judaism====
In the [[Judaism|Judaic]] worldview, the meaning of life is to elevate the physical world ('Olam HaZeh') and prepare it for the world to come ('[[Jewish eschatology|Olam HaBa]]'), the [[Jewish messianism|messianic era]]. This is called [[Tikkun Olam]] ("Fixing the World"). Olam HaBa can also mean the spiritual afterlife, and there is debate concerning the eschatological order. However, Judaism is not focused on personal salvation, but on communal (between man and man) and individual (between man and God) spiritualised actions in this world.

Judaism's most important feature is the worship of a single, incomprehensible, [[transcendence (religion)|transcendent]], one, indivisible, [[God in Judaism|absolute Being]], who created and governs the universe. Closeness with the God of Israel is through a study of His [[Torah]], and adherence to its [[mitzvot]] (divine laws). In traditional Judaism, God established a special [[Covenant (Israel)|covenant]] with a people, the people of Israel, at [[Mount Sinai]], giving the [[613 mitzvot|Jewish commandments]]. Torah comprises the written [[Pentateuch]] and the transcribed [[Oral Torah|oral tradition]], further developed through the generations. The Jewish people are intended as "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation"<ref>[[Book of Exodus|Exodus]] 19:6.</ref> and a "[[Light Unto the Nations|light to the Nations]]", influencing the other peoples to keep their own religio-ethical [[Seven Laws of Noah]]. The messianic era is seen as the perfection of this dual path to God.

Jewish observances involve ethical and ritual, affirmative, and prohibitive injunctions. Modern [[Jewish denominations]] differ over the nature, relevance, and emphases of mitzvot. [[Jewish philosophy]] emphasises that God is not affected or benefited, but the individual and society benefit by drawing close to God. The rationalist [[Maimonides]] sees the ethical and ritual divine commandments as a necessary, but insufficient preparation for philosophical understanding of God, with its love and awe.<ref>''Maimonides' Confrontation with Mysticism'', Menachem Kellner, Littman Library. Particularly the parable of the King's Palace in divine worship, in the [[Guide for the Perplexed]].</ref> Among fundamental [[Jewish ethics|values]] in the Torah are pursuit of justice, compassion, peace, kindness, hard work, prosperity, humility, and education.<ref name="Cohn-Sherbok">{{Cite book |author=Dan Cohn-Sherbok |title=Judaism: History, Belief, and Practice |publisher=Routledge |date=2003 |isbn=978-0-415-23661-4}}</ref><ref name="Heschel">{{Cite book |author=Abraham Joshua Heschel |title=Heavenly Torah: As Refracted Through the Generations |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |date=2005 |isbn=978-0-8264-0802-0}}</ref> The world to come,<ref name="Shuchat">{{Cite book |author=Wilfred Shuchat |title=The Garden of Eden & the Struggle to Be Human: According to the Midrash Rabbah |publisher=Devora Publishing |date=2006 |isbn=978-1-932687-31-6}}</ref> prepared in the present, elevates man to an everlasting connection with God.<ref name="Braham">{{Cite book |author=Randolph L. Braham |title=Contemporary Views on the Holocaust |publisher=Springer |date=1983 |isbn=978-0-89838-141-2}}</ref> [[Simeon the Just|Simeon the Righteous]] says, "The world stands on three things: on Torah, on worship, and on acts of loving kindness." The [[Siddur|prayer book]] relates, "Blessed is our God who created us for his honor ... and planted within us everlasting life." Of this context, the [[Talmud]] states, "Everything that God does is for the good." including suffering.

The Jewish mystical [[Kabbalah]] gives complementary esoteric meanings of life. As well as Judaism providing an [[Divine immanence|immanent]] relationship with God (personal [[theism]]), in Kabbalah, the spiritual and physical creation is a paradoxical manifestation of the immanent aspects of God's Being ([[panentheism]]), related to the [[Shekhinah]] (Divine feminine). Jewish observance unites the [[sephirot]] (Divine attributes) on high, restoring harmony to creation. In [[Lurianic Kabbalah]], the meaning of life is the messianic rectification of the shattered sparks of God's persona, exiled in physical existence (the [[Kelipot]] shells), through the actions of Jewish observance.<ref>''Kabbalah: A Very Short Introduction'', Joseph Dan, Oxford University Press, Chapter "Early modern era: Safed spirituality".</ref> Through this, in [[Hasidic Judaism]] the ultimate essential "desire" of God is the revelation of the Omnipresent Divine essence through materiality, achieved by a man from within his limited physical realm when the body will give life to the soul.<ref>Habad intellectual Hasidic thought: source text [[Tanya (Judaism)|Tanya]] I: 36, 49; secondary text ''Heaven on Earth'', Faitel Levin, Kehot publications.</ref>

====Christianity====

[[File:Christ the Redeemer - Cristo Redentor.jpg|thumb|upright|''[[Christ the Redeemer (statue)|Christ the Redeemer]]'' statue in [[Rio de Janeiro]] is symbolic of Christianity,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world/the-new-seven-wonders-of-the-world/story-s994IbVb38xNOwRFjoCr2L.html |title=The new Seven Wonders of the World |work=Hindustan Times |date=8 July 2007 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> illustrating the concept of seeking [[redemption (theology)|redemption]] through [[Jesus Christ]].]]

[[Christianity]] has its roots in Judaism, and shares much of the latter faith's [[ontology]]. Its central beliefs derive from the teachings of [[Jesus Christ]] as presented in the [[New Testament]]. Life's purpose in Christianity is to seek divine [[Salvation in Christianity|salvation]] through the grace of God and intercession of Christ.<ref>[[Gospel of John|John]] 11:26.</ref> The New Testament speaks of God wanting to have a relationship with humans both in this life and the life to come, which can happen only if one's [[Atonement in Christianity|sins are forgiven]].<ref>John 3:16–21; 2 Peter 3:9.</ref>

In the Christian view, humankind was made in the [[Image of God]] and perfect, but the [[Fall of Man]] caused the progeny of the [[Adam and Eve|First Parents]] to inherit [[Original Sin]] and its consequences. Christ's [[Passion of Jesus|passion]], [[Crucifixion of Jesus|death]] and [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]] provide the means for transcending that impure state ([[Epistle to the Romans|Romans]] 6:23). That this restoration from sin is possible is called the [[gospel]].

The Apostle Paul explains the meaning of life in his speech on the [[Areopagus]] in [[Athens]]: "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us."<ref>[[Bible]], [[Acts]] 17:26–27, [[NKJV]].</ref>

=====Denominations=====

The specific process of appropriating salvation through Christ and maintaining a relationship with God varies between different [[List of Christian denominations|denominations]] of Christians, but all rely on faith in Christ and the gospel as the fundamental starting point. Salvation through faith in God is found in [[Epistle to the Ephesians|Ephesians]] 2:8–9<sup>[8] "</sup>For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;<sup>[9]</sup> not as a result of works, that no one should boast." ([[New American Standard Bible|NASB]]; 1973). The gospel maintains that through this belief, the barrier that sin has created between man and God is destroyed, thereby allowing believers to be [[Regeneration (theology)|regenerated]] by God and to instill in them a new heart after God's own will with the ability to live righteously before him. This is what the term [[Salvation in Christianity|saved]] almost always refer to.

In Reformed theology, it is believed the purpose of life is to glorify God. In the ''[[Westminster Shorter Catechism]]'', an important creed for Reformed Christians,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bower |first=John |title=9 Things You Should Know About The Westminster Confession |date=25 March 2021 |url=https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/9-things-westminster-confession/}}</ref> the first question is: "What is the chief end of Man?" (that is, "What is Man's main purpose?"). The answer is: "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and enjoy him forever". God requires one to obey the revealed moral law, saying: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself".<ref name="Westminster">{{cite web |title=The Westminster Shorter Catechism |url=http://www.creeds.net/reformed/Westminster/shorter_catechism.html |access-date=21 March 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080311000717/http://www.creeds.net/reformed/Westminster/shorter_catechism.html |archive-date=11 March 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The ''[[Baltimore Catechism]]'' answers the question "Why did God make you?" by saying "God made me to know Him, to love Him, and to serve Him in this world, and to be happy with Him forever in heaven."<ref>{{cite web |title=The Baltimore Catechism |url= http://www.sacred-texts.com/chr/balt/balt1.htm |access-date=12 June 2008}}</ref>

[[Catholicism]]'s meaning of life is explained in Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 294. The Universe exists for the manifestation and communication of God's glory, while mankind exists for the [[beatific vision]].<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p4.htm#294 Catechism of the Catholic Church 294]</ref> Catechism of the Catholic Church 601 explains the meaning of Jesus' life: to fulfill the Scripture, in particular the plan of salvation.<ref>[http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a4p2.htm#601 Catechism of the Catholic Church 601]</ref>

[[Mormonism]] teaches that the purpose of life on Earth is to gain knowledge and experience and to have joy.<ref name="Gospel Principles">{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng|title=Gospel Principles|website=churchofjesuschrist.org|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190710171937/https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles?lang=eng|archive-date=10 July 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mormons believe that humans are literally the spirit children of God the Father, and thus have the potential to progress to become like Him. Mormons teach that God provided his children the choice to come to Earth, which is considered a crucial stage in their development—wherein a mortal body, coupled with the freedom to choose, makes for an environment to learn and grow.<ref name="Gospel Principles"/> The Fall of Adam is not viewed as an unfortunate or unplanned cancellation of God's original plan for a paradise; rather, the opposition found in mortality is an essential element of God's plan because the process of enduring and overcoming challenges, difficulties, and temptations provides opportunities to gain wisdom and strength, thereby learning to appreciate and choose good and reject evil.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2 Nephi 2 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/scriptures/bofm/2-ne/2 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Moses 6 |url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/eng/scriptures/pgp/moses/6 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=www.churchofjesuschrist.org |language=en}}</ref> Because God is just, he allows those who were not taught the gospel during mortality to receive it after death in the spirit world,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/138?lang=eng|title=Doctrine and Covenants 138|work=churchofjesuschrist.org}}</ref> so that all of his children have the opportunity to return to live with God, and reach their full potential.

A recent alternative Christian theological discourse interprets Jesus as revealing that the purpose of life is to elevate our compassionate response to human suffering;<ref>{{cite book |last=Drake-Brockman |first=Tom |url=http://christianhumanism.webs.com/ |title=Christian Humanism: The Compassionate Theology of a Jew Called Jesus |date=2012}}</ref> nonetheless, the conventional Christian position is that people are justified by belief in the [[Propitiation|propitiatory sacrifice]] of Jesus' death on the cross.

====Islam====

[[File:Supplicating Pilgrim at Masjid Al Haram. Mecca, Saudi Arabia.jpg|thumb|Supplicating [[Pilgrim]] at [[Masjid Al Haram]]. [[Mecca]]]]
In [[Islam]], humanity's ultimate purpose is to worship their creator, [[Allah]] ({{langx|en|The God}}), through his signs, and be grateful to him through sincere love and devotion. This is practically shown by following the divine guidelines revealed in the [[Qur'an]] and the tradition of the [[Muhammad|Prophet]] (with the exception of [[Quranism|Quranists]]). Earthly life is a test, determining one's position of closeness to [[Allah]] in the hereafter. A person will either be close to him and his love in ''[[Jannah]]'' (Paradise) or far away in ''[[Jahannam]]'' (Hell).

For Allah's satisfaction, via the Qur'an, all Muslims must believe in God, his revelations, his [[Angels in Islam|angels]], his [[Prophets in Islam|messengers]], and in the "[[Qiyamah|Day of Judgment]]".<ref>{{qref|2|4|b=y}}, {{qref|2|285|b=y}}, {{qref|4|136|b=y}}.</ref> The Qur'an describes the purpose of creation as follows: "Blessed be he in whose hand is the kingdom, he is powerful over all things, who created death and life that he might examine which of you is best in deeds, and he is the almighty, the forgiving." (Qur'an 67:1–2) and "And I (Allâh) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should be obedient (to Allah)." (Qur'an 51:56). Obedience testifies to the [[Tawhid|oneness of God]] in his lordship, his names, and his attributes. Terrenal life is a test; how one ''acts'' (behaves) determines whether one's soul goes to Jannat (Heaven) or to Jahannam (Hell).<ref>In most English translations of Qur'an 51:56 translates the last word to "worship", but any Arabic (and Urdu) speaking person can confirm that "ABADON" means to follow the Will of Allah (NOT worship). This is relevant because the Will of Allah is not just to worship HIM; to be just and good with humanity is equally important.</ref>{{Citation needed|date=August 2011}} However, on the day of Judgement the final decision is of Allah alone.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://iqra.net/Hadith/judgement.php |title=The Day of Judgement |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530225629/http://iqra.net/Hadith/judgement.php |archive-date=30 May 2013 |work=Iqra.net |access-date=29 October 2013}}</ref>

The [[Five Pillars of Islam]] are duties incumbent to every Muslim; they are: [[Shahada]]h (profession of faith); [[Salah|Salat]] (ritual prayer); [[Zakat]] (charity); [[Sawm]] (fasting during [[Ramadan]]), and [[Hajj]] (pilgrimage to [[Mecca]]).<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Pillars of Islam |encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica Online |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/295625/Pillars-of-Islam |access-date=2 May 2007}}</ref> They derive from the [[Hadith]] works, notably of [[Sahih Al-Bukhari]] and [[Sahih Muslim]]. The five pillars are not mentioned directly in the Quran.

Beliefs differ among the [[Kalam]]. The [[Sunni]] and the [[Ahmadiyya]] concept of pre-destination is [[Qadr (doctrine)|divine decree]];<ref>{{hadith-usc|usc=yes|Muslim|1|1}}.</ref> the [[Shi'a]] concept of pre-destination is [[Adalah (Islam)|divine justice]]; in the [[esoteric]] view of the [[Sufi]]s, the universe exists only for God's pleasure; Creation is a grand game, wherein Allah is the greatest prize.

The Sufi view of the meaning of life stems from the [[hadith qudsi]] that states "I (God) was [[a Hidden Treasure]] and loved to be known. Therefore I created the Creation that I might be known." One possible interpretation of this view is that the meaning of life for an individual is to know the nature of God, and the purpose of all of creation is to reveal that nature and to prove its value as the ultimate treasure, that is God. However, this hadith is stated in various forms and interpreted in various ways by people, such, as [['Abdu'l-Bahá]] of the [[Baháʼí Faith]],<ref name='Commentary on the Islamic Tradition "I Was a Hidden Treasure ..."'>{{cite web|last=Bahá|first=Abdu'l|title=Commentary on the Islamic Tradition "I Was a Hidden Treasure ..."|url=http://bahai-library.com/abdulbaha_kuntu_kanzan_makhfiyyan|work=Baháʼí Studies Bulletin|access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> and in [[Ibn Arabi|Ibn'Arabī]]'s Fuṣūṣ al-Ḥikam.<ref name="SUMMARY OF THE FUSÛS">{{cite web|last=Chittick|first=William C.|title=The Imprint of the Bezels of the Wisdom|url=http://www.ibnarabisociety.org/articlespdf/naqshalfusus.pdf|work=Ibn 'Arabi's Own Summary of the Fusûs|access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> According to Shaykh [[Ibrahim Niass]], worship of God is closely linked to [[ma'rifa]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wright |first=Zachary Valentine |title=Living knowledge in West African Islam: the sufi community of Ibrahim Niasse |date=2015 |publisher=Brill |isbn=978-90-04-28807-2 |series=Islam in Africa |location=Leiden ; Boston |page=133}}</ref> therefore the perfection of the aspirant's knowledge of God is conditional upon his attainment of ma'rifa.

====Baháʼí Faith====

The [[Baháʼí Faith]] emphasizes the unity of humanity.<ref>{{Cite book |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/bahaism |title="Bahaism." The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language |date=2007 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin Company |edition=Fourth |volume=}}</ref> To Baháʼís, the purpose of life is focused on spiritual growth and service to humanity. Human beings are viewed as intrinsically spiritual beings. People's lives in this material world provide extended opportunities to grow, to develop divine qualities and virtues, and the [[Manifestation of God (Baháʼí Faith)|prophets]] were sent by God to facilitate this.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Smith |first=P. |date=1999 |title=A Concise Encyclopedia of the Bahá'í Faith |publisher=Oneworld Publications |location=Oxford |pages=[https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/325 325–328] |isbn=978-1-85168-184-6 |url=https://archive.org/details/conciseencyclope0000smit/page/325 }}</ref><ref>For a more detailed Baháʼí perspective, see {{cite web |title={{-'}}The Purpose of Life' Baháʼí Topics An Information Resource of the Baháʼí International Community |url=http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-0-6.html |access-date=13 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090829233333/http://info.bahai.org/article-1-4-0-6.html |archive-date=29 August 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>