| Purpose of Human Life |
To glorify God, have a relationship with Him, and fulfill His will (1 Cor. 10:31, Matt. 22:37-39). |
To worship Allah, serve as His vicegerent (Quran 51:56, 2:30). |
To serve God, follow Torah, and repair the world (Tikkun Olam) (Micah 6:8). |
To achieve Dharma (duty), Artha (prosperity), Kama (desire), and Moksha (liberation) (Bhagavad Gita 18:46). |
To attain enlightenment (Nirvana) by ending suffering (Dhammapada). |
To seek personal fulfillment, progress, and well-being without divine reliance. |
| Man & God |
Personal relationship; humans are sinful but redeemed by Christ (John 3:16, Rom. 3:23). |
Submission to Allah’s will; humans are Allah’s servants (Quran 3:85). |
Covenant relationship; obedience to God’s laws (Deut. 6:4-5). |
Union with Brahman (ultimate reality) through karma and devotion (Upanishads). |
No personal God; focus on self-liberation (Four Noble Truths). |
No inherent divine relationship; ethics based on reason. |
| Man & Himself |
Made in God’s image; must seek righteousness (Gen. 1:27, Rom. 12:2). |
Accountable for actions; self-purification (Quran 91:9-10). |
Moral responsibility; yetzer tov (good) vs. yetzer hara (evil) inclinations (Gen. 6:5). |
Self-realization through yoga, meditation (Bhagavad Gita 6:5). |
Ego is illusion; enlightenment comes from detachment (Anatta doctrine). |
Self-actualization through personal growth and ethics. |
| Man & Woman |
Equal in value, complementary roles (Gen. 2:18, Eph. 5:22-33). |
Equal spiritually, different roles (Quran 4:1, 4:34). |
Equal before God, distinct duties (Gen. 1:27, Ketubot 59a). |
Complementary roles; Dharma varies by gender (Manusmriti 5:155-156). |
Gender irrelevant to enlightenment (Samyutta Nikaya). |
Gender equality; roles defined socially, not divinely. |
| Man & Society |
Love neighbors, promote justice (Matt. 22:39, Micah 6:8). |
Ummah (community) based on Sharia (Quran 49:13). |
Ethical community (Tikkun Olam) (Lev. 19:18). |
Caste duties (varnashrama dharma) (Bhagavad Gita 3:35). |
Compassionate living (Karuna) (Sigalovada Sutta). |
Human rights, democracy, social justice. |
