I had a conversation with a devoted Muslim friend on a social media app. We were discussing the purpose of life. He wrote that this world is a place of testing for us. According to him, we have been sent here to pass this test and prove ourselves worthy of receiving Allah’s blessings in the afterlife. He also stated that Allah created us to worship Him and that it is our duty to follow His commandments as laid out in the holy books.

Undoubtedly, the world seems to suggest that life should have a clear purpose. Without a purpose, the creation of this world would appear meaningless and without foundation. It is like a game in which we must play and win in order to survive. A deer runs fast to escape the attack of a lion, while the lion must hunt and kill the deer to sustain itself, otherwise it will starve. In this world winners survive, while the losers must vacate their place for others.

Every living creature comes into this world and struggles to survive. Some toil honestly, while others deceive, manipulate, and even kill to extend their existence. Yet, in the end, everyone dies. No one is immortal. Ultimately, all our efforts revolve around one thing—prolonging our lives, even if just a little longer.

If this world is indeed a place of testing, then what kind of test is it? A proper test should have a defined syllabus, a set doctrine, a scheduled date and time, a clear frequency, and a transparent process of evaluation. This so called divine test, however, lacks all these essential elements. If there truly were an exam, it should have a clear objective and methodology. It cannot be arbitrary or governed by obscure rules.

Furthermore, if an exam exists, its results should also explicitly be declared. For example, if I make a mistake, the examiner should notify me clearly. Additionally, the criteria for success in this test should be evident. If goodness is the key to success, then evil people should face immediate consequences. However, we see many bad individuals leading long and happy lives. Conversely, if being good results in suffering, then all virtuous people should endure hardship. Yet, we also observe good people living happy and satisfying lives. There is no consistent pattern that reveals the true expectations of our existence.

Moreover, survival cannot be the sole criterion of this test because survival is not merely a matter of skill but also of luck. Many people work hard but still fail due to circumstances beyond their control, while others succeed despite little effort. This randomness further weakens the idea that this world is designed as a testing ground.

If our worship pleases God, and not worshiping Him makes Him unhappy, then it suggests that He desires flattery. But the wisest and most supreme being cannot be so trivial. We are insignificant compared to our planet, and our planet is nothing compared to the sun, which itself is minuscule in the vastness of the universe. If we, as tiny and insignificant beings, were created by such a supreme entity, it is unlikely that He craves for our worship.

Thus, neither is this world convincingly a place of testing, nor does the Creator appear to seek our worship as a necessity. The purpose of our existence remains an open question, one that continues to intrigue and challenge the human mind since they became self-aware.

Note: Similar views were expressed by the followers of other religions that my friend had expressed. It means religious people have almost similar ideas and thinking pattern.