Returning to the essence of

creation

 The  solution to the world’s growing crises lies in reconnecting with our spiritual identity and embracing the true purpose for which we were cre­ated. Allah has promised eternal reward for those who remain steadfast in faith and righteousness:

“Indeed, those who have believed and done righteous deeds — for them are the Gardens of Paradise as a lodging.” (Surah Al-Kahf, 18:107).

This life is not the final abode; it is a temporary test of character, morality, and obedience. Success is not measured by material wealth or social status but by our faithfulness to divine instructions and our service to humanity. As vicege­rents (khalifah) of Allah on earth, we are entrusted with responsibilities—to uphold justice, promote goodness, and preserve the earth and all within it.

Behaving as true vicegerents means making decisions guided by Qur’anic ethics, showing compassion to fellow beings, and becoming agents of peace and reform. It means acknowledging our accountability before Allah and striving to fulfill our duties with integrity and sincerity. The time has come for man­kind to return to the sacred covenant and live not as rebels to divine order, but as humble stewards reflecting the light of divine mercy in all affairs.

Conclusion

Man was created in honour and endowed with a sacred trust as Allah’s vicegerent on earth. Unlike any other creation, he was chosen to bear knowl­edge, will, and the moral compass to steward the world in truth and justice. Deviating from this role has led to crises that threaten both humanity and the planet. We must reflect sincerely, repent humbly, and renew our align­ment with the divine blueprint. Let every soul awaken to the beauty of their noble status and strive to reclaim the righteousness and dignity embedded in their creation. In doing so, we fulfill our divine mission and secure peace in both this life and the Hereafter.

Recommendations for

restoring the essence

of human purpose

To reverse the moral and spiritual decline in society, a concerted, multi-in­stitutional approach is required. First, religious bodies—mosques, churches, and faith-based organisations—must intensify efforts to instill God-conscious­ness, ethical responsibility, and spiritual discipline. Weekly sermons, faith-based media, and interfaith forums should em­phasise accountability before Allah and the moral duties of individuals.

The Ministry of Education and related curriculum authorities must reform the educational system to include robust moral and character education. Embed­ding religious ethics and civic responsi­bility into school syllabi will help nur­ture principled future leaders grounded in compassion, justice, and integrity.

Governance institutions, particularly Parliament, Ministries of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the Judiciary, should align policies with moral and ethical values rooted in the religious and cultural identity of the people. This means promoting laws and programmes that fight corruption, safeguard the en­vironment, and uphold human dignity.

Meanwhile, traditional and community leaders, including imams and pastors, must lead grassroots engagement. Regular town hall meetings, communal service initiatives, and value-based mentorship for youth are essential for social transformation.

Lastly, personal introspection is par­amount. Every individual, regardless of status, should regularly reflect upon their actions through the lens of divine guidance, asking, “Am I living according to the purpose for which I was created?” Only through collective commitment— from institutions and individuals—can humanity rediscover the sacred essence of its creation and live in peace, dignity, and harmony with the earth.

By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author

2. Commanding Scripture

Be extremely careful to avoid any situation in which ministry is being used for personal gain. Jesus sees people who are trying to make money off the back of spiritual activity. He confronts the activity with the word of God. He says, ‘It’s written in Scripture, My house is a house of prayer; You have turned it into a religious bazaar’ (19:46, MSG). Jesus’ understanding of the will of God came from studying the Scriptures very carefully. This is the supreme way in which God guides us all.

3. Compelling Spirit

When Jesus is questioned about His authority He challenges the ‘religious police’ with a question about John’s authority. Jesus is suggesting that John received his authority ‘from heaven’, that is, from God Himself. The clear implication is that Jesus’ own authority also came ‘from heaven’. It came from His close relationship with God. Even His opponents recognised ‘the truth’ in Jesus’ teaching. Jesus was not willing to curry favour or to show partiality. He was guided by what He knew to be the truth. He spoke the truth fearlessly.

Jesus challenges the premise behind their question: to what earthly power should we give our primary allegiance? The key issue, He explains, is whether we give God the primary allegiance we owe Him – whether we count ourselves as citizens of His kingdom before any earthly one. We should ‘give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s’. They were astonished by Jesus’ answer and became silent.

Luke tells us that Jesus was ‘led by the Spirit’ (Luke 4:1). Presumably it was the Holy Spirit who gave Jesus His answer. As Jesus walked in this close relationship with God, studying the Scriptures and teaching the truth, the Holy Spirit (‘the Spirit of truth’, John 15:26) prompted Him with words of extraordinary wisdom.

Prayer: Father, help me to follow the example of Jesus, to stay close to you and to hear your voice as I read the Bible and seek to be led by the Spirit.

1. Example of guidance – Deuteronomy 31:30-32:52

As Moses comes to the end of his life he reflects on the way that God has guided his people throughout his life, and has been their rock. He is your rock. He is solid, stable, dependable, always the same and totally reliable; He does not have His ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ as we do. You can trust in his unwavering faithfulness. He will always be there for you.

God is not only ‘the rock’, He is also ‘your Father’.

Moses described how God guided and led His people (Israel) with a father’s love: ‘In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; He guarded him as the apple of His eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them on its pinions. The Lord alone led him’. – Deuteronomy 32:10-12

4. Circumstantial Signs

He goes on to describe how God, in His providence, looked after His people. He ‘fed him… nourished him with honey… oil… curds and milk… lambs and goats… the finest grains of wheat… the foaming blood of the grape’ – Deuteronomy 32:14. These were the providential signs of His presence with them on the road.

However, God’s people, here described as ‘Jeshurun’ (meaning ‘the upright one’, that is, Israel), ‘abandoned the God who made [Jeshurun] and rejected the Rock His Saviour’. It was this rejection that led to God saying, ‘I will hide my face from them’.

Sometimes, it is sin that prevents us from hearing God’s voice. Sin can lead to disaster. Now we have a remedy in the death and resurrection of Jesus: ‘the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin… If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness’ (1 John 1:7, 9).

5. Common Sense

When we fall, as we all do, the sensible thing is to get up quickly. Part of guidance generally is doing the sensible thing. This was Moses’ complaint: ‘They are a nation without sense, there is no discernment in them. If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!’ (Deuteronomy 32:28–29). God made us thinking beings. He guides your mind as you walk in a close relationship with Him. Avoid a super-spirituality that expects an inward voice to guide every little detail of your life.

Moses returned at the end of his song to the word of God, ‘Take to heart all these words to which I give witness today and urgently command your children to put them into practice, every single word of this Revelation. Yes. This is no small matter for you; it’s your life’ (Deuteronomy 32:46–47, MSG).

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the way that you have led me through all these different ways at different times. Thank you that you have had compassion on me. Help me to take to heart all the words you have spoken and to obey them carefully. Help me to reach my destination.