format_quote Originally Posted by glo
But there are also differences in intention - are we seeking to understand God to know him better and therefore become a better followers/servants of him, or
We attempt to understand God more through the revelation and guide He has sent us, in order to draw closer to Him, His Love and Mercy. The more we understand God, the more we will attempt to fulfill our duty to Him. It reminds me of this hadith;
Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: He who loves to meet Allah, Allah also loves to meet him, and he who dislikes to meet Allah, Allah also abhors to meet him. [Sahih Muslim]
The one who is grateful will gain His pleasure and goodness in this life and the one to come, whereas the one who is ungrateful is being unjust to his self, and will be held accountable only for his/her own self on the Day of Judgment.
are we trying to 'be like God because we want to do without him'?
We can never be like God, since we are dependent upon Him. God is God because He is perfect and dependent upon no other, there is none like Him in any way or form. He is Perfect, and that is why we take Him as God, while we are weak and prone to error, so He is the Most Merciful, the Forbearing. He gives us a long life so we can learn from our errors, so we can correct ourselves and turn to Him in obedience, so He can forgive us and give us more out of His Mercy and Pleasure.