The Purpose of Life in Islamic vs Secular Perspectives: A Case Study of Residents of Mumbai, India

Abstract

This research is concerned with defining what purpose of life is. While much is known about the benefits of purposeful existence, far less is known about how to find a purpose in life. The first half of this document reviews what purpose in life is. The second half explores what is the purpose of the Islamic perspective, and how can one find it, and also explores the secular perspective of purpose in life. The quantitative method was selected for this study, the questionnaire was collected via google forms for the people residing mainly in Mumbai, India. It also presents the findings that few people know their purpose of life, although Muslims know much better than Non-Muslims. The study is based upon a sample of residents in Mumbai, India. Results indicated that the vast majority of people are busy in themselves and hence enjoying this worldly life Results also showed that the people with a purpose are significantly much better in mental life. This project in no way intends to suggest that individuals should avoid searching for purpose. Rather, it merely Compares two perspectives of purpose, so that Muslims take into consideration of their Non-Muslim brother and sisters and hence work in Dawah field as they have a purpose in life which needs to be communicated to others.