FRIDAY SERMON: From Mother’s Lap to Womb of the Grave
“The Purpose of Life” (Islamic Perspective)
Muhammad Younis Bhat (Zahid)
A human being comes into this world empty-handed and leaves it empty-handed. The time given between these two moments is the real test that determines success or failure. From the lap of the mother to the womb of the grave, life is not merely about eating, sleeping, and pursuing worldly pleasures; rather, it is a journey with a profound purpose assigned by Allah Almighty.
This world is temporary—a place of transit. The real destination is the Hereafter, which is eternal. Therefore, it is essential for a person to live life with awareness of purpose.
The Fundamental Purpose of Life
The Qur’an clearly states:
“And I did not create jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
Worship is not limited to rituals like prayer and fasting. It encompasses every action performed with the intention of seeking Allah’s pleasure.
Earning lawful sustenance is worship
Helping others is worship
Speaking truth is worship
If intention is pure, the entire life becomes an act of worship.
Balance Between This World and the Hereafter
The Qur’an teaches us a balanced approach:
“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
Islam does not teach abandoning the world but encourages success in both worlds.
This world is a field, and the Hereafter is the harvest.
Whatever one sows here will be reaped there.
The Islamic Way of Living Life
The Qur’an and Sunnah provide a complete code of life.
Key principles include:
Truthfulness and honesty
Patience and gratitude
Justice and fairness
Humility and modesty
The life of the Prophet ﷺ is a perfect example for humanity in all aspects.
Upbringing: Beginning from the Mother’s Lap
The first institution of learning is the mother’s lap.
A mother builds the foundation of character
A father provides direction
Teachers impart knowledge
Society shapes personality
If these elements are aligned correctly, a righteous individual emerges.
Islam — The Religion of Nature
Islam is a natural religion, in harmony with human nature.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Every child is born upon natural disposition (fitrah)…”
This shows that every human has an inherent inclination toward truth.
Rights of Others (Huquq al-‘Ibad)
Islam gives immense importance to the rights of people.
A person may perform عبادات, but without fulfilling the rights of others, success is not guaranteed.
Do not harm others
Do not violate rights
Respect dignity of people
The Example of “Brakes” A Powerful Analogy
Just as brakes in a vehicle prevent accidents, similarly:
Prayer prevents immorality
Fasting builds patience
Zakat removes selfishness
Hajj teaches equality
These are protective systems in human life. Ignoring them leads to destruction.
Continuity of Generations
The world continues through generations.
Each generation has a responsibility to pass on values, faith, and character.
Proper upbringing is essential
Religious education must continue
Moral values must be preserved
Striving in This World An Obligation
Islam encourages effort and struggle.
Earning lawful income is obligatory
Laziness is discouraged
Hard work is beloved to Allah
This world is a place of action; without effort, neither worldly success nor Hereafter success is possible.
Companions of the Prophet — A Living Example
The Companions (رضی اللہ عنہم) achieved عظیم success in a short time.
Their strengths were:
Sincerity
Strong faith
Immediate action upon teachings
Allah says:
“Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.”
Education — Beyond Degrees
Modern education often focuses only on degrees.
True education:
Builds character
Develops اخلاق
Makes a person truly human
The Companions had no formal universities, yet they became leaders of humanity.
Living for Others — The True Meaning of Life
Real success lies not in living for oneself, but for others.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.”
Life is a Test
This world is a test:
Happiness and sorrow
Ease and hardship
Those who remain patient succeed.
Death — An Inevitable Reality
“Every soul shall taste death.”
Remembering death keeps a person on the right path.
The Grave — The First Stage of the Hereafter
The grave is the first stage of eternal life.
From here, the real journey begins.
The Hereafter — Eternal Life
The Hereafter is everlasting:
Paradise — success
Hell — failure
Summary of Life’s Purpose
The purpose of life is:
Worship of Allah
Fulfilling rights of others
Maintaining balance between this world and the Hereafter
Final Message
From the mother’s lap to the grave is a journey of responsibility.
If a person:
Follows Allah’s commands
Follows the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ
Fulfills the rights of people
Then success is guaranteed in both worlds.
Closing Prayer
May Allah grant us true understanding, sincerity, and righteous actions.
Ameen.
And Allah knows best
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