Purpose before detail
Why were we created?
Allah created jinn and mankind to worship Him alone. This first lesson begins with the Qur’anic answer, then explains what worship means so it is not reduced to rituals alone.
The concise answer
We were created to worship Allah alone. He is free of need from His creation, while they are in need of Him.
The evidence
Allah says: “I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me” (Qur’an 51:56). The following verses make clear that Allah does not need provision from His creation.
What worship means
Worship includes every inward and outward word and deed that Allah loves and is pleased with: prayer, supplication, reliance, fear, hope, honesty, fulfilling rights, and more.
What changes now?
Begin by asking: whom am I worshipping, why, and according to whose guidance? Knowledge of purpose comes before detail.
Where this lesson begins
- Qur’an 51:56–58Primary reference for this lessonSource
- Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim: the right of Allah over His servantsPrimary reference for this lessonSource