بسم الله الرحمٰن الرحيم
Allah Ta'aala says in the Quran that Jin and Man have only been created for Allah's Ibadat. (alQuran 51:56) However elsewhere in the Quran Allah Ta'aala says that all creation in the heavens and earth make Sajda to Allah and all creation make His Tabeeh (Surah Jumma & Surah Nahl).
So the question is that whilst all creation are making Sajda and Tasbeeh to Allah Ta'aala, why did Allah Ta'aala specify that Jin and Man have been created only for His Ibadat? What special Ibadat is expected from Jin and Man, which the other creation have not fulfilled?
Imam Hasan alBasri radi Allahu anhu and Imam Mujaahid radi Allahu anhu explain that the special Ibadat that we have been created for, is the recognition or the gnosis of Allah Ta'aala (Ma'rifa Allah). (Tafseer Imam Qurtubi & similarly alBaghawi)
Recognising or knowing Allah Ta'aala can come in three stages. The first is knowing and recognising His Works eg all the things He created, their wonders and attributes and knowing them to be His creation. Next is knowing the Names of Allah Ta'aala. And then is actually knowing or recognising Allah Ta'aalas' Being. (Jawaahirul Quran)
After Allah Ta'aala had created Nabi Aadam alayhis salaam , the Quran says the He thought Nabi Aadam alayhis salaam the Names, and the Angels were unable to learn these Names. (alQuran 2:31/33) The Mufassireen explain that 'the Names' that were thought were the names of all created things and their attributes, ranging from currency, natural resources and even each human being until the last day. Furthermore, Shaykh Muhuyyudeen Ibn alArabi radi Allahu anhu explains that the sacred Names of Allah Ta'aala were thought to Nabi Aadam alayhis salaam, however the Angels were unable to take cognisanze of this. (Fusus Hikm)
As far as recognising Allah Ta'aala's Being, Imam alBayhaqi radi Allahu anhu says this is achieved through the Noor of Allah and this process is known as Huda which we often translate as guidance. (I'tiqaad al Imaan)
May Allah Ta'aala bless us to fulfil our special purpose of His Ma'rifa (the Gnosis of Allah Ta'aala). Ameen.
