What is your purpose?

“So, what is my purpose….what drives me?” Human beings have been asking themselves these kind of questions since time immemorial.

We will all ponder questions like these at some stage of our lives, although the timing in every case is specific to the individual.

What is my purpose in life and why am I here? These are conundrums that once confronted with, are difficult to put out of our minds until we come up with a response that seems appropriate – for that time of our life, anyway.

As most of you reading this article are Muslims, in many cases still relatively early on your life’s journey, we will first examine the question from an Islamic point of view.

As Muslims, our ultimate purpose in life is to worship God –  Allah – and to follow the teachings of  The Qur’an and our beloved prophet Muhammad (s).

We should strive to lead a life that is righteous and by fulfilling our obligations to Allah, it means we are also fulfilling our duties to our family, our community and indeed, humanity.

As Muslims, it is also our belief that everything in life is pre-ordained – that is, already written.

However, this doesn’t mean we should be complacent and just allow fate to take its course.

Allah has defined a purpose for our lives and it is our duty as Muslims to fulfill this purpose.

So why are you here?

Definitely, this is a question that overwhelms some people and gives them sleepless nights.

However, once you find the answer, even though the response may change or evolve over time, you’ll find that you will have a more fulfilling, more meaningful and more purposeful existence.

Your purpose in life may have many facets but it should always be in line with your values, your beliefs and your passions.

As previously indicated, defining your purpose in life is a question we must all face at one time or another.

Sometimes, the answer can be quite complex; it can involve a lot of consideration and isn’t something we can always answer on our own, without at least having a discussion about it with someone we respect, who is generally older and has greater life experience than we do.

This may be a parent, a teacher or some kind of other mentor like a counsellor or a life coach.

In terms of our future work aspirations, discussions with people like career advisors and more senior work colleagues and managers will hopefully also help.

A discussion with your religious leader – in the case of Muslims, a sheikh – is recommended, especially if you feel confused or ‘stuck’, spiritually.

Some Handy Hints

If you are currently feeling unsure about your purpose in life, here are some tips from well-known community leader Dean Mousad, co-founder of prominent Islamic charities Brothers In Need and Project Qur’an and director of community-led and purpose-driven business for good Invictus Solutions.

Dean and the Invictus Solutions Team have put this list together for you to think about and these pointers may assist you in gaining some clarity about the direction in which your life is headed:

1. Align with your beliefs and values: Your purpose in life should harmonise with your core principles. Reflect on what is most important to you and how you can contribute to society meaningfully.
2. Harness your strengths and passions: Your purpose should involve using your skills and talents in a way that brings you joy and fulfillment.
3. Set realistic goals: We all have a ‘grand plan’, but this should be broken down into smaller, achievable goals that are specific, realistic, measurable and workable.
4. Take the good with the bad: Setbacks and challenges in life are inevitable but view them as opportunities for growth and learning. Embrace challenges and most importantly, thank God: “Alhamdulillah for everything”.
5. Build a supportive network: Finding your purpose isn’t something you have to do alone. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you, and who can offer guidance and advice when needed.

Summing up, your purpose in life should be a reflection of who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to have a positive influence on the world around you.

There is no easy answer…..it may take a lot of time, effort and self-reflection to define and pursue your purpose, but when you do, you will derive a great deal of satisfaction.

Indeed, the rewards are impossible to quantify.

But any perks gained in this life will pale into insignificance compared to the rewards you will receive in the afterlife for living your life as a good, responsible and caring Muslim.