Editing Meaning of life (section)

====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.