The present study aims to explain and reconstruct a conceptual model of the purpose of human creation in the Holy Qur’an.
Despite the extensive attention of Muslim exegetes and philosophers to the teleology of creation, there is still a lack of an integrated model that systematically illustrates the relationships among the Qur’anic key concepts related to this subject. Hence, this research seeks to fill this theoretical gap.
To achieve this aim, a Grounded Theory–based conceptual modeling approach was employed. Relevant verses concerning such core concepts as worship (‘ibādah), knowledge (‘ilm), trial (ibtilā’), recompense (jazā’), meeting with God (liqā’), and vicegerency (khilāfah) were extracted. Through intratextual and comparative analysis, conceptual statements were derived, and the semantic network of human creation was mapped by examining pairwise relationships among the concepts.
The findings reveal that the Qur’an regards human creation as having a transcendent purpose beyond mere existence, unfolding within the framework of divine mercy and conscious servitude. Worship marks the beginning of the human journey toward knowledge and awareness, which, through trial and recompense, culminates in divine encounter (liqā’ Allāh) and the realization of vicegerency (khilāfah). The model indicates that divine mercy is not only one of the ends but rather the all-encompassing context and ultimate goal of creation, within which other concepts derive their meaning.
Ultimately, the Qur’an envisions the purpose of human creation as nurturing a merciful and enlightened vicegerent who attains perfection through the harmony of worship, knowledge, and proximity to God.