I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
Our existence as humans was preceded by non-existence. A fact that cannot be disputed by any sane and balanced mind. Allaah the Exalted says: “Has there not been over man a period of time, when he was not a thing worth mentioning?” Qur’an 76:1. Thus, the journey of every man and woman begins on a blank note. Allaah the Exalted says, “And Allaah has brought you out from the wombs of your mothers while you know nothing.” Qur’an 16:78.
Indeed, man was oblivious of himself, he knew nothing because he was brought forth from a state of nothingness. Hence, inherently, every human is in need of guidance to discover himself and then to understand the purpose for which he was brought into existence. This inherent need necessitates that he be equipped with the tools that will aid him in doing so.
Consequently, Allaah says: “And He gave you hearing, sight, and hearts that you may give thanks (to Allaah).” Qur’an 16:78. These faculties were given to us as convenient tools to help us discover our Creator and to know thyself.
Subsequently, humans were guided to the purpose of their creation by the One Absolute Creator so that they would not have to theorize or postulate the purpose of their existence. Without a guide, the human intellect wanders and eventually gets lost. It only befits the Creator to inform the created why they were created.
Evidently, Allaah the Exalted says: “And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone).” Qur’an 51:56. As bright as the full moon and as clear as the day, the purpose of human existence glaringly stares before their intellect. With all the mechanism set in place, the journey of self-discovery begins in earnest for anyone that desires to fulfill the purpose of his existence.
If man is convinced that all that has been given to him is for a purpose, then he has discovered himself. The intellect for example, has been given so that man can reflect, ponder and then in the final analysis, understand that he is here for a bigger purpose than just to eat, drink and sleep.
Therefore, the intellect has been given for thinking, reasoning and pondering and not for blind-following. And as long as man remains uninformed about himself, about his creator (Allaah), his inner self will be anonymous to him and he will have to live his entire life as someone else. Nature likes not vacuum, once a man fails to discover who is and why he is here, he becomes a reflection of another person and lives in that person’s world. He ends up only owning his body while his mind becomes enslaved.
It is, however, important to note that, the moment man discovers himself, he sets not only worldly targets but also spiritual targets that will be informed by his sincere desire to live up to the purpose of his creation.
Many are living the lives of others and in the process have lost their own individual and unique identities. Their goal is a reflection of others, the personality is confused and then at the end, they ask, “why did I do what I did? Why am I dressed like this? Why am I speaking like this? why….why…why…. keeps dominating their thought process and in the end, they end being miserable and sad.
Do not be anonymous to yourself, discover you.
Arc. Abu Jabir Abdullah (Penabdul), the Founder Darul Tauheed Islamic Centre, wrote from Abuja
