What is our purpose on Earth? Why are we here, what is expected of us? What is the purpose of our existence?

Deep questions with answers hard to define. There are many theories of what our purpose on Earth is. I guess one has to chose what they define their purpose to be and get on with it. Others never know or fulfil their true purpose mainly because they cannot figure it out.

Some think their purpose on Earth is mainly self-indulgence by simply doing what makes them feel fulfilled. Their philosophy is “me first, me second and me last”. These individuals consider only what benefits them.

Some may say that is selfishness but is it? After all, the first law of nature is self-preservation according to Samuel Butler’s The Odyssey. This theory of self first in my opinion can result in a double-edged sword. If you think only of yourself and no one else, that can have counterproductive effects.

“Therefore, you shall reverence God as much as you can, and listen, and obey, and give (to charity) for your own good. Anyone who is protected from his own selfishness, these are the successful ones.” Koran 64:16

Muslims are encouraged to stay far away from selfishness.

My belief is that there should be a balance in all that we do. A Yin and Yang approach reaps better results; we need the rain as much as we need the sun for harmonious results. We need to look out for each other and to try as much as we can to serve humanity.

“Everyone can be great, because everyone can serve.” These are the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. He went on to say, “I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.”

Hence our purpose in life is a balancing act in my opinion. The incredulous act of serving self, serving others and above all serving God.

After all, we must serve the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth before we can serve anyone else. Our purpose is to simply serve God by adhering to His guidance on the way we should live our lives to be successful. We can safely conclude that simple obedience will lead us to having and fulfilling a life of purpose.

Allah says in His noble book of Guidance: “I have not created the jinn, the spirits, nor the human beings, for any other purpose except to worship Me.” Koran 51:56

Let us get on with fulfilling our purpose and a real sense of worth will be ours.

The struggle continues. Let us continue to stand up and demand justice be served for all. Let us continue to demand immediate ceasefire wherever bombs are blasting. We need peace to fulfil our purpose.

Bermuda have a purposeful week.

As salaam alaikum (peace be unto you)

• Linda Walia Ming is a member of the Bermuda Hijab Dawah team, a group of Muslim women who reside in Bermuda and have a goal of educating the community about the religion of Islam