Adh-Dhariyat
الذاريات
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
Translation
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
Tafsir (Commentary)
This verse answers the fundamental existential question — the purpose of human existence. Despite its brevity (only six words in Arabic), it is considered one of the most profound statements in the Qur'an. The word 'worship' (ibadah) in Islamic theology is far broader than ritual prayer; it encompasses all acts performed with God-consciousness, including work, learning, kindness, and even eating with the right intention. Ibn Abbas interpreted 'to worship Me' as 'to know Me' (li-ya'rifuni), adding an epistemological dimension: the purpose of life is not just obedience but knowledge of the Divine.
Context of Revelation
Revealed in Mecca. This verse appears near the end of Surah Adh-Dhariyat, after passages about creation and divine signs, culminating in this declaration of life's purpose.