YT02 Do You Know The Purpose of Life According to the Quran? by Dr. Hany Atchan

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores the purpose of life according to the Quran, drawing from Surah Al-Baqarah and Surah Al-Nahl. The speaker explains the cyclical nature of life and death, emphasizing that this life is a preparation for the eternal life to come. Humans, unlike animals, are born unprepared and must develop themselves intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually to be ready for the afterlife. The analogy of a fetus in the womb is used to illustrate how we must prepare for a new existence beyond what we can currently comprehend. Ultimately, the purpose of life is to grow and prepare for the next life.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Quran teaches that life and death are part of a continuous cycle, where we first experience death before birth, live, die again, and then live eternally in the afterlife.
• 😀 Allah (SWT) asks how people can deny His existence when they know they were once 'dead' before being born, illustrating the significance of acknowledging divine creation.
• 😀 The fetus in the womb is compared to the initial 'death' mentioned in the Quran, highlighting that we existed before our current life in a state we cannot fully comprehend.
• 😀 Humans are unique because, unlike animals, we are not born with instincts or pre-programmed survival skills, and must develop ourselves throughout life.
• 😀 Allah (SWT) has given humans the ability to fully program themselves, unlike animals that are born with natural instincts to survive.
• 😀 The Quran emphasizes that humans are born 'unprogrammed' and must develop their physical, emotional, and intellectual capacities to fulfill their purpose.
• 😀 Our purpose in life, according to the Quran, is to use this temporary existence to prepare for the eternal life after death by developing ourselves in all aspects.
• 😀 Like a fetus that cannot comprehend life after birth, humans often fail to fully understand the purpose of their current life and the reality of the afterlife.
• 😀 The analogy of a fetus being unaware of its impending birth serves to illustrate how humans often do not grasp the importance of preparing for the life to come.
• 😀 Life is a form of 'room' or preparation for the next existence, and we are entrusted to develop ourselves in a way that allows us to be ready for the eternal life that follows death.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the lecture?

The main theme of the lecture is the purpose of life according to the Quran. The speaker explains that life is a preparation for the afterlife, using the Quranic verses and the comparison between human and animal development to illustrate this idea.

What does Surah Al-Baqarah (2:28) say about life and death?

Surah Al-Baqarah (2:28) discusses the cycle of life, death, and resurrection. It mentions that humans were once dead (before birth), then made alive, will die again, and then will be resurrected for the final, eternal life. This verse emphasizes the temporary nature of our worldly life and the certainty of life after death.

How does the speaker explain the concept of 'death' before birth?

The speaker explains that the 'death' before birth refers to the period before a person is brought into the world—when they existed in the mother's womb and were not part of this life yet. It is a metaphorical death because humans were in a state of non-existence before being born into this life.

Why does the speaker compare the development of humans to animals?

The speaker uses the comparison to highlight the unique nature of human development. While animals are born with the instincts needed to survive and thrive, humans are born without instincts and must learn and develop intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually to survive and prepare for the afterlife.

What does Surah An-Nahl (16:78) say about human birth and development?

Surah An-Nahl (16:78) states that humans are brought out of their mothers' wombs not knowing anything. They are unprogrammed and must learn and develop their abilities, such as hearing, sight, and comprehension, to become fully functional beings in this world and to be prepared for the next life.

What does the speaker mean by the idea that humans are 'unprogrammed' at birth?

The speaker refers to humans as 'unprogrammed' to emphasize that unlike animals, humans are not born with the instincts or behaviors necessary for survival. Instead, they are born with the potential to learn and grow, which allows them to develop intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually throughout their lives.

Why does the speaker use the analogy of a fetus to explain human life?

The speaker uses the analogy of a fetus to show how humans, like a fetus unaware of the world outside the womb, are often unaware of the reality of the afterlife. Just as the fetus cannot comprehend its upcoming birth, humans may fail to fully realize the existence of the afterlife and the need to prepare for it.

How does the Quran suggest humans should prepare for the afterlife?

The Quran suggests that humans should prepare for the afterlife by developing themselves morally, intellectually, and spiritually. This includes acquiring knowledge, practicing righteous behavior, and using the faculties granted by Allah (such as hearing, sight, and understanding) to grow and contribute positively to their spiritual development.

What role does self-development play in the purpose of life according to the Quran?

Self-development is central to the purpose of life according to the Quran. Humans are given the opportunity to develop themselves physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually in this world, and this development is meant to prepare them for the next life. The Quran emphasizes that humans must take responsibility for their own growth and transformation.

How does the speaker interpret the concept of the 'second death' mentioned in the Quran?

The 'second death' mentioned in the Quran refers to the physical death that all humans will experience before being resurrected in the afterlife. It is a transitional stage that leads to the final, eternal life. The speaker uses this concept to emphasize the temporary nature of our earthly existence and the importance of preparing for what comes after.