وَمَا خَلَقْتُ ٱلْجِنَّ وَٱلْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ 56
Translations
And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
Transliteration
Wa mā khalaqtu al-jinna wa-al-insāna illā li-yaʿbudūn
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah declares that He created both jinn and mankind for the singular purpose of worshipping Him. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi emphasize that worship (ʿibādah) encompasses not merely ritual devotion but complete obedience and submission to Allah's commands in all aspects of life. This ayah establishes humanity's fundamental purpose and relationship with their Creator, rejecting any notion that creation exists for material pursuits or self-aggrandizement.
Revelation Context
Revealed in Mecca during the early Islamic period, this surah addresses the polytheists' rejection of monotheism and Allah's sovereignty. The ayah appears within a broader section (51:50-60) emphasizing Allah's creative power and the futility of denying Him, serving as a powerful rebuttal to those who questioned the purpose of human existence and divine revelation.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (ṣallallāhu ʿalayhi wa-sallam) said: 'The closest a servant comes to his Lord is during prostration, so increase your supplication during it' (Sahih Muslim 482), reflecting the practical manifestation of worship. Additionally, 'All the sons of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent' (Sunan Ibn Mājah 4251) emphasizes continuous turning to Allah in worship and obedience.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah reminds believers that life's ultimate meaning derives from conscious submission to Allah's will rather than worldly pursuits, and that every action becomes worship when performed with sincere intention and obedience to divine guidance. It calls us to reflect on whether our daily choices align with this sacred purpose of serving and obeying our Creator.