By Syazana Abdul Malik

The world constantly sells us the narrative of what success looks like in the form of wealth, career titles, and curated lifestyles. We are pressured to chase certain goals, as if our worth lies solely in what we achieve or possess. In doing so, the world reduces us to numbers, labels, and roles which eventually devalues our essence and distracts us from who we truly are. We are taught to pursue external markers of success, but in this pursuit, we rarely pause to reflect on a deeper question:

What is the true purpose of our life?

Allah ﷻ, in His Infinite Wisdom and Mercy, created us for something far greater than what the world presents. He honoured us with a much higher purpose, one that is deeply rooted in worship, nearness to Him, and understanding our Creator. Yet, in the midst of the noise and distractions of daily life, we seldom take the time to ask ourselves:

What am I truly living for?

On the 20th of Ramadan 1446 AH, thirty-three of us embarked on a journey to Penang, Malaysia, with a shared intention in our hearts, to step away from the noise of our daily lives in Singapore and to reflect deeply on why we were created. This retreat provided us with the rare opportunity to disconnect from the hustle of the world and reconnect with the essence of our existence.

In Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:56), Allah ﷻ reminds us of our purpose:

And I did not create jinn and mankind except to [know] and worship Me.
Quran 51:56

During our retreat, we were blessed with the opportunity to try and live this verse in a tangible way. In the companionship and guidance of our beloved teachers, and the barakah of being in a jemaah, our days were filled with prayer, remembrance of Allah ﷻ, and learning. It felt like a glimpse of what life could be like when it is truly centered around the One who created us. Through our teachers, we were introduced to a profound truth:

أَوَّلُ الدِّينِ مَعْرِفَةُ اللّٰه
“The beginning of religion is the knowledge of Allah.”

Before performing any acts of worship, the foundation of our deen is to know Allah ﷻ. This knowledge is not simply an intellectual acknowledgment of His existence but an intimate, conscious understanding of who He is. Only with knowledge can true love arise, and only with love does worship become meaningful. Our teachers also reminded us of a timeless piece of wisdom passed down through the hearts of those who knew Allah ﷻ intimately:

مَنْ عَرَفَ نَفْسَهُ فَقَدْ عَرَفَ رَبَّهُ
“Whoever knows himself, knows his Lord.”

This statement carries immense depth. It teaches us that the journey to knowing Allah ﷻ begins within. It requires deep reflection, honesty with ourselves, and acknowledgment of our weaknesses, limitations, and our constant need for Him. When we come to truly understand ourselves, our desires, flaws, and dependencies, we recognise that only Allah ﷻ is perfect, self-sufficient, and able to fill the void within us. This reflection led me to a deeper question:

How often do we worship without truly knowing who we are worshipping? How often do we rush through acts of worship
without considering what Allah ﷻ is, His Attributes, His Mercy, and His Majesty? How many times do we forget to reflect on what He does for us in every moment?

True knowledge of Allah ﷻ is not merely about accumulating facts or information; it is about allowing that knowledge to transform the way we live, think, and worship. It is to recognise His nearness in the breath we take, His mercy in the mistakes we make, and His light in the darkest moments of our lives. When that knowledge settles deep within our hearts, worship transforms. It is no longer an obligation but a longing — a response to the love of the One who created us.

Even something as simple as our breath, which Allah ﷻ grants to us nearly 30,000 times a day, is a profound gift. Yet, how often do we pause to acknowledge this Mercy? If He willed for just one breath to be taken away, we would perish.

Reflecting on this, I realised how essential the guidance of our teachers is. Without them, who carry this knowledge with humility, sincerity, and light, we would never have been able to access or understand these deep truths. They help translate sacred knowledge into something that our hearts can grasp and our lives can reflect.

This retreat reminded me to return to this awareness. To slow down, to reflect, and to reconnect with the One who never leaves, even when I do. It reminded me that true success lies not in what the world offers, but in the knowledge of Allah ﷻ and in living a life centered around Him.

May we continue on this journey with our beloved teachers with sincerity, knowledge, and love, seeking to align ourselves with the true purpose of our existence — to worship and know the One who created us.