In the Name of Allah: The Beneficent, the Merciful...
What is Man...?
This is a question that has occupied the minds of men and women in all ages, in all areas of our planet. What are we? What are we here for? The answers to these questions may not be as elusive as we have been led to believe.
First, Let us consider the obvious:
1) The body of man is part of the "physical" Universe in which it exists.
2) The Spirit (Intelligence) of Man is also "part of" the Universe in which It operates.
3) The Spirit (or Intelligence) of Man controls the body of man.
4) Therefore, the Spirit of man (the "I") is controlling some portion of the Universe - the Body - in which it operates.
5) Thus, The Intelligence which governs Man is akin to the Intelligence which Governs the Universe as a Whole.
6) If the Intelligence which governs the Universe is "God", and the Intelligence which governs the Universe is akin to the Intelligence of Man, then the Intelligence of Man is also "God" - the latter being a temporal manifestation of the former.
...But, for what purpose?
A close examination of the behaviour of man yields a very simple fact, albeit startling to some; and that is the fact that the single goal of Man (and Woman) is...SURVIVAL -- the preservation, improvement, reproduction and continuation of Self. This is the purpose that the Body of Man serves...to allow the Spirit of Man to experience, study, interact with, and manipulate his environment for His own Survival, or well-being.
Incidentally, Man's ability to Survive depends to a large degree upon his ability to properly perceive and interpret his experiences. In other words, Man must be able to see things as they are, and respond to them according to the demands of his impulse to Survive, or the demands of His Nature.
While this may seem simple enough to understand, the more people that exist in his environment, the more complex the struggle for Survival becomes. Since One must not hinder or endanger the survival of another, in pursuit of one's own survival, if the Collective of Beings is to Survive optimally; then the more Beings that are added to the scenario, the more careful and considerate Man must be in the pursuit of the fulfillment of his Natural Needs, and the greater his level of Understanding about the Dynamics at work around him must be. In short, "Knowledge is the Key".
So, then, What is Man...and What is His Purpose?
Man is the embodiment of the Essence and Nature of God. His Purpose is to Improve Himself -- as an individual and as a species -- so that He may improve His Environment (which includes the Universe in which He lives), so that He may continue to Grow and Evolve toward the Full Manifestation and Glory of God.
Why, then, is the present condition of Man so far beneath His potential? The Bible teaches that "all have sinned, and fallen short of the Glory of God." What, exactly, is "sin"? What is at the root of this "sin"?
Simply put, "sin" is a violation or betrayal of one's Divine (God-Given) Purpose for existence.
The root of sin is a fundamental misinterpretation of reality. When we misperceive or misinterpret our experiences, then we are bound to draw incorrect conclusions, make irrational decisions and commit unjust deeds. The greater the misinterpretation, the greater the violation, or "sin".
