The reason why mankind was created

Sadiyah · April 23, 2006, 9:07pm

Assalamo alaykum,

Like usual, I was searching for something else and stumbled across an explanation of why mankind was created, so I thought I’d share. I apologize and admit it’s long, but definitely worth a read, insha’Allah.

 Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

One of the greatest attributes of Allaah is wisdom, and one of His greatest names is al-Hakeem (the most Wise). It should be noted that He has not created anything in vain; exalted be Allaah far above such a thing. Rather He creates things for great and wise reasons, and for sublime purposes. Those who know them know them and those who do not know them do not know them. Allaah has stated that in His Holy Book, where He says that He has not created mankind in vain, and He has not created the heavens and the earth in vain. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?”

116. So Exalted be Allaah, the True King: Laa ilaaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!”

[al-Mu’minoon 23:115, 116] 

“We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play”

[al-Anbiya’ 21:16] 

“And We created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, for mere play.

39. We created them not except with truth (i.e. to examine and test those who are obedient and those who are disobedient and then reward the obedient ones and punish the disobedient ones), but most of them know not”

[al-Dukhaan 44:38] 

“Haa‑Meem.

[These letters are one of the miracles of the Qur’aan, and none but Allaah (Alone) knows their meanings.]

2. The revelation of the Book (this Qur’aan) is from Allaah, the All‑Mighty, the All‑Wise.

3. We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them except with truth, and for an appointed term. But those who disbelieve, turn away from that whereof they are warned”

[al-Ahqaaf 46:1-3] 

Just as it is proven that there is wisdom behind the creation of man from the standpoint of sharee’ah, it is also proven from the standpoint of reason. The wise man cannot but accept that things have been created for a reason, and the wise man regards himself as being above doing things in his own life for no reason, so how about Allaah, the Wisest of the wise? 

Hence the wise believers affirm that there is wisdom in Allaah’s creation, and the kuffaar deny that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.

191. Those who remember Allaah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted are You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire”
[Aal ‘Imraan 3:190, 191] 

And Allaah says, describing the attitude of the kuffaar towards the wisdom of His creation (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them without purpose! That is the consideration of those who disbelieve! Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from the Fire!”

[Saad 38:27] 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

Allaah tells us of His perfect wisdom in creating the heavens and the earth, and that He has not created them in vain, i.e., in play with no beneficial purpose. 

“That is the consideration of those who disbelieve” in their Lord, because they think that which does not befit His Majesty. 

“Then woe to those who disbelieve (in Islamic Monotheism) from the Fire!” Allaah created the heavens and earth in truth for truth. He created them so that His slaves might understand the completeness of His knowledge and power and the extent of His might, and that He alone is the One to be worshipped, and not those who have not created even an atom in the heavens or on earth. And that they might know that the Resurrection is true and that Allaah will judge between the people of good and evil. The one who is ignorant of the wisdom of Allaah should not think that Allaah will treat them equally when judging them. Hence Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Shall We treat those who believe (in the Oneness of Allaah Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds as Mufsidoon (those who associate partners in worship with Allaah and commit crimes) on earth? Or shall We treat the Muttaqoon (the pious) as the Fujjaar (criminals, disbelievers, the wicked)?”

[Saad 38:28] 

This does not befit Our wisdom and Our judgement. End quote. 

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 712 

Secondly: 

Allaah has not created man to eat, drink and multiply, in which case he would be like the animals. Allaah has honoured man and favoured him far above many of those whom He has created, but many people insist on kufr, so they are ignorant of or deny the true wisdom behind their creation, and all they care about is enjoying the pleasures of this world. The life of such people is like that of animals, and indeed they are even more astray. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“while those who disbelieve enjoy themselves and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode”

[Muhammad 47:12]

 “Leave them to eat and enjoy, and let them be preoccupied with (false) hope. They will come to know!”

[al-Hijr 15:3] 

“And surely, We have created many of the jinn and mankind for Hell. They have hearts wherewith they understand not, and they have eyes wherewith they see not, and they have ears wherewith they hear not (the truth). They are like cattle, nay even more astray; those! They are the heedless ones”

[al-A’raaf 7:179] 

It is well known to wise people that the one who does a thing knows more about the wisdom behind it than anyone else and for Allaah is the highest description (cf. al-Nahl 16:60); He is the One Who has created mankind and He knows best the wisdom behind the creation of mankind. No one would dispute this with regard to worldly matters. All people are certain that their physical faculties have been created for a reason. The eye is for seeing, the ear is for hearing, and so on. Does it make sense for his physical faculties to have been created for a reason but for himself to have been created in vain? Or does he not agree to respond to the One Who created him when He tells him of the reason behind his creation? 

Allaah has told us that the creation of the heavens and the earth, and of life and death, is for the purpose of testing, so as to test man. Whoever obeys Him, He will reward him, and whoever disobeys Him, He will punish him. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. But if you were to say to them: “You shall indeed be raised up after death,” those who disbelieve would be sure to say, “This is nothing but obvious magic”

[Hood 11:7] 

“Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed. And He is the All‑Mighty, the Oft‑Forgiving”

[al-Mulk 67:2] 

From this test results a manifestation of the names and attributes of Allaah, such as Allaah’s names al-Rahmaan (the Most Gracious), al-Ghafoor (the Oft Forgiving), al-Hakeem (the Most Wise), al-Tawwaab (the Accepter of Repentance), al-Raheem (the Most Merciful), and other names of Allaah. 

One of the greatest reasons for which Allaah has created mankind – which is one of the greatest tests – is the command to affirm His Oneness (Tawheed) and to worship Him alone with no partner or associate. Allaah has stated this reason for the creation of mankind, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“And I (Allaah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)”

[al-Dhaariyaat 51:56] 

Ibn Katheer (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

i.e., I have created them so that I may command them to worship Me, not because I have any need of them. ‘Ali ibn Abi Talhah said, narrating from Ibn ‘Abbaas: “except that they should worship Me (alone)” willingly or unwillingly. This is the view favoured by Ibn Jareer. Ibn Jurayj said: i.e., except that they should know Me. Al-Rabee’ ibn Anas said: “Except that they should worship Me”, i.e., for the purpose of worship. End quote. 

Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/239 

Shaykh ‘Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sa’di (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: 

Allaah, may He be exalted, created mankind to worship Him and to know Him by His names and attributes, and to enjoin that upon them. Whoever submits to Him and does what is enjoined upon him will be one of those who are successful, but whoever turns away from that, they are the losers. He will inevitably gather them together in the Hereafter where He will reward or punish them for what He commanded and forbade them to do. Hence Allaah mentions how the mushrikeen denied the reward or punishment, as He says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“But if you were to say to them: ‘You shall indeed be raised up after death,’ those who disbelieve would be sure to say, ‘This is nothing but obvious magic’”

[Hood 11:7] 

i.e., if you were to speak to these people and tell them about the Resurrection after death, they would not believe you, rather they would reject your words vehemently and deny the message you brought, and they would say, ‘This is nothing but obvious magic,’ but in fact it is obvious truth. End quote. 

Tafseer al-Sa’di, p. 333 

And Allaah knows best.

Ref: The reason why mankind was created

Light_Bearer · April 24, 2006, 4:09am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

Saadiyah, Haa-Meem, Is the miracle of Quran or Mystery?

ravage · April 24, 2006, 11:36am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

interesting post, the crux of the article is that that creation is not purposeless and that the purpose is to test humanity. thats a pretty standard answer, but I dont know a good answer to the question that what purpose is this test if the answers are known to Allah?

Sadiyah · April 24, 2006, 6:10pm

Re: The reason why mankind was created

ravage, from the top of my head I either remember reading or being told by someone that the reason why we're tested is so that we cannot complain that Allah (SWT) dealt with us unjustly and had He (SWT) given us a chance, we would've done otherwise and would've been good.

May Allah (SWT) forgive me if I'm wrong.

armughal · April 24, 2006, 6:12pm

Re: The reason why mankind was created

very clear (and usually known to muslims) verse of Quran tells us that men and jinn were created only to worship Allah....

Sadiyah · April 24, 2006, 6:15pm

Re: The reason why mankind was created

armughal bhai, do you have any evidence to either support or negate my following statement? I'm trying to look up material to confirm or clarify the stance of it being wrong if such is the case.

[QUOTE]
the reason why we're tested is so that we cannot complain that Allah (SWT) dealt with us unjustly and had He (SWT) given us a chance, we would've done otherwise and would've been good.
[/QUOTE]

Code_Red · April 25, 2006, 6:09am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

this is very standard answer you can expect form self centered muslims… nothing new in it really

Now if we are honest about it then there is little or no substance to the claim that Allah is all just to his creatures …

Because as per muslim POV a very large part of human population is going to land in hell , regardless of their deeds, charachter and compassion

But on the other hand the same stereotypical POV suggest that Muslim are gona land in heaven despite their overflowing stinginess and apathy toward fellow human beings, not to mention their own brothers in faith.

I assume this is stance from House of Allah, the lordship.

But the question arises

Why would Alllah issue a statement which does not hold true for most of the subjects ?

The BIG question

**Has Allah failed in his pursuit ? **

Because apparently despite sending thousands of messengers, the bulk of population is still astray, throughout the history number of disbelievers has always been way larger than the number of believers ?

I am asking this question strictly from a muslim perspective ?

Please answer it yourself (if you can ) copy pasted stuff is not my cup of tea

Lajawab · April 25, 2006, 7:06am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

Code_Red:

this is very standard answer you can expect form self centered muslims… nothing new in it really

Now if we are honest about it then there is little or no substance to the claim that Allah is all just to his creatures …

Because as per muslim POV a very large part of human population is going to land in hell , regardless of their deeds, charachter and compassion

But on the other hand the same stereotypical POV suggest that Muslim are gona land in heaven despite their overflowing stinginess and apathy toward fellow human beings, not to mention their own brothers in faith.

I assume this is stance from House of Allah, the lordship.

But the question arises

Why would Alllah issue a statement which does not hold true for most of the subjects ?

The BIG question

**Has Allah failed in his pursuit ? **

Because apparently despite sending thousands of messengers, the bulk of population is still astray, throughout the history number of disbelievers has always been way larger than the number of believers ?

I am asking this question strictly from a muslim perspective ?

Please answer it yourself (if you can ) copy pasted stuff is not my cup of tea

Codey, Allah :swt: did not create mankind for just one lifetime of a human but for an eternity…He :swt: created man as his greatest creation…We are the greatest creation of Allah :swt: and let there be no doubt in your mind about that…

What makes us the greatest? It is our ability to decide completely at free will what to do and what not to do…And that free will decides in what state we will be spending that eternity…

Look at it this way:

Allah (swt) creates man, a being completely and fully capable of deciding for himself what is best and what is not…Then Allah :swt: tells him, spend a little time on earth, and the way you spend your time here will dictate what you will receive in the hereafter…

You, yourself contain in yourself, the abilty to be Allah :swt:'s obedient slave who will receive the blessing of Allah (swt) and it is you who can decide if you will receive the punishment…

You have the rules of the game in front of you in the form of the Quran and Sunnah…You break the rules, you either earn points or you follow the rules and you gain points…

The rulebook says, pray 5 times a day…You don’t pray by your own choice…You broke a rule…You pay the penalty…

The rules of the game of Islam are simple…Play the game of life by the Quran and Sunnah’s rules and success is yours…You have received the best coach of the game of life in the form of the Holy Prophet :saw:…Look at his moves…Watch his movements…Try to imitate him…Match step with those that learned those moves…Gain tips from them and they are eager to teach…Dr. Israr Ahmed is a real good player…He is to Islam what Pele or Maradona was to soccer…Learn from him…

You already have all the tips and tricks in the form of the Sunnah…And trust me, when those who do it, do it, it becomes easy for them…

Since you are asking as a Muslim, well, the name of the game of life is Islam…Play by its rules…There’s lots of excitement, energy, new things, dynamism in becoming a Muslim player…You will never be bored…

May Allah (swt) make all Muslims great players of Islam, Ameen Summa Ameen…

armughal · April 25, 2006, 7:36am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

Code_Red:

this is very standard answer you can expect form self centered muslims… nothing new in it really

Now if we are honest about it then there is little or no substance to the claim that Allah is all just to his creatures …

Because as per muslim POV a very large part of human population is going to land in hell , regardless of their deeds, charachter and compassion

But on the other hand the same stereotypical POV suggest that Muslim are gona land in heaven despite their overflowing stinginess and apathy toward fellow human beings, not to mention their own brothers in faith.

I assume this is stance from House of Allah, the lordship.

But the question arises

Why would Alllah issue a statement which does not hold true for most of the subjects ?

The BIG question

**Has Allah failed in his pursuit ? **

Because apparently despite sending thousands of messengers, the bulk of population is still astray, throughout the history number of disbelievers has always been way larger than the number of believers ?

I am asking this question strictly from a muslim perspective ?

Please answer it yourself (if you can ) copy pasted stuff is not my cup of tea

Allah created the Jinn and Insan for worshipping Him, but unlike angels who only worship Allah and have no choice of their own, Allah gave free will to these two creations and gave the options of carrying on their work as ordered or disobey and be punished…
and according to what they choose, they shall be rewarded or punished…

Code_Red · April 25, 2006, 8:34am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

I am afraid evidence and history of mankind does not support your claim

Man is greatest creature ??

if we go by reason and supporting evidence, It is an absured claim !

If you look at history of mankind than it is crystal clear that it is the most pathetic creature on the face of earth !

Of course if it is your belief than it sadly most beliefs are blind and there can be no argument on their validity, either you have or you dont.

Just on give me answer to one question

If man is greatest creature than why majority of them have failed ( will fail ) in persuit of right path ??? ( according to muslim perspective )

For example
If XYZ company claim that they produce best notebooks in the world but a market survey suggest that majority of these notebooks are faulty and same is also evident form the recorded complaints from custormer would you give any credibility to company claim ???

Now equate this with mankind

LArge majority of mankind is going to hell ( islamically, cause they are disbeleivers )

Hell fire = failure , Right ?

Majority has failed. It means the claim of being greatest is false, as per evidence ! thus rejected.

ravage · April 25, 2006, 8:44am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

^ the flaw in this argument is that you're assuming the performance of the mean to be the criterion for failure of humanity as a whole. that isnt necessarily true, for instance supposing edison's greatest invention was the lightbulb, the fact that 10,000 of those did not work before one lit up does not make a difference.

Im not suggesting that humanity is exactly like that, merely giving you a counter to the line of reasoning you're following .. i.e. majority ending in hell implies failure of the whole, which isnt always true.

Code_Red · April 25, 2006, 8:48am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

Thanks for the standard and short answer

Other people have different panorama.

For instance

*Dard-e-dil ke wastey, paida kia insaan ko *
Warna ata’at ke leye kuch kam na they karRo Beyaa.n

ravage · April 25, 2006, 8:54am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

but if you're muslim wouldnt you believe in the verse that is to the extent that "i created jinns and humans for the sake of worship"... unless you translate illa li yabudun differently?

Code_Red · April 25, 2006, 9:13am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

As per muslim perspective, the best possible light bulb was created and performed flawlessly more than a thousand years ago. Now there are detailed manual available…

Still the “best creature” is dumbfold and heading for faliure

What is the possible explaination, the so-called best ever creature has a flawed judgement ??

What else can be the criteria for failure or success ?? when we look at something as whole ?

armughal · April 25, 2006, 9:36am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

Quran says they were create for worship so meer or whoever wrote that she’r can keep his beliefs to himself…

ravage · April 25, 2006, 9:45am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

first off, i said in my post that my idea was not to draw a direct analogy between Allah and edison, humans and light bulbs.

The idea here is that this is one example out of hundreds that i can construct on the spot where the performance of the mean or the average is not the criterion for success of an idea.

One personal explanation could be that the successful specimens of humanity who do follow that code are vindication enough of humanity’s accomplishment as better than every other creation. Every creation of Allah is bound to the code He gave it. The Bee and the Mosquito are creations Allah cites in the Quran. Creatures that have the code of conduct decreed to them imprinted in their minds. They are bound to follow His decree. Humanity is the only creation that can choose to follow that code, and us choosing to follow it, often against our nature, in whatever number, is enough to justify what Allah’s best creation can accomplish.

An_all_Zama · April 25, 2006, 10:30am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

I have always assumed that the test as mentioned by ravage is
1) Humans were the next step from angels because of free will
2) The challenge of shaitan to "prove" to us that free will means we make the wrong choices and our principles are only superficial and dont survive adversity.

Code_Red · April 25, 2006, 10:35am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

Ravage - You are saying that man has the "potential" to be The Best.

I can agree with that

But by default he is not !

and by and large he is worst (according to past, present record )

it implies that Allah is not quality conscious in his product !

i deduce that from the (islamic ) notion that majorty of mankind (non-muslims ) is going to end up in dust bin

ravage · April 25, 2006, 10:40am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

are you addressing my posts or his?

I agree with your notion that the ashraf ul makhlooqaat is about potential. When we follow Allah's code we are that. Otherwise the following verse applies:

YUSUFALI: By the Fig and the Olive,
YUSUFALI: And the Mount of Sinai,
YUSUFALI: And this City of security,-**
YUSUFALI: We have indeed created man in the best of moulds,
YUSUFALI: Then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the low,-**
YUSUFALI: Except such as believe and do righteous deeds: For they shall have a reward unfailing.
YUSUFALI: Then what can, after this, contradict thee, as to the judgment (to come)?
YUSUFALI: Is not Allah the wisest of judges?

Code_Red · April 25, 2006, 11:03am

Re: The reason why mankind was created

but the question remains the same

The reason for creation of man :

If it was meant for worship of Allah ( one God ) , Then the success ratio is very low .... If taken Allah's perspective (cause 'He' is the creater )

We can deduce that either

Allah Does not want many people to be successful ... i.e enter heaven ? Allah has something against mankind :(
Man is a quite sub-standard creature( intellectually ), cause it goes astray despite repeated warning/explainations/signs etc