Many years ago, I developed a model of Islamic Humanism based on the Qur'anic Concept of Human Being, which contains a fabulous definition of the purpose of one's life. I have a brief article i wrote on it about 15 years ago for anyone who wants a copy (just write to me with your email). In essence, the purpose of our life is to be abd'allah (devotee of God, aka Love God) and khalifah (emissary of God here to look after His Creation including all life, aka Love thy Neighbor). Those are responsibilities we have accepted in a Covenant with God, and in return, God has promised and given us 5 special gifts, viz. our intellect, free will, speech (power of communication), our spirituality, and Divine Guidance for the asking. These gifts are extra special, for in us, they are unlimited in potential and make us in the image of God and distinguish us from the rest of the animal world. But there is also a potential handicap we inherited, out Ego. We are to block its control over us and keep it at bay. By Noor Gillani