The Purpose of the Creation of Humanity

Q: What Is the Purpose of the Creation of Humanity?

A: Before I answer that question, I’d like to call attention to a general foundation, upon which God, praised and exalted, created [all things] and defined his laws. This foundation is taken from his word, blessed and most high: “For He is wise and all-knowing” [Yusuf, 83] and also, “For Allah was knowledgeable and wise.” [Al-Ahzab 1] and many other significant verses that are proof of the God’s wisdom, praised and exalted, with which he created all things, and defined his laws, namely universal laws, and Islamic laws. There is nothing God, praised and exalted, created without wisdom, whether that is through its presence or its absence, and there is no law God, praised and exalted, defined without wisdom, be it through its obligation, prohibition, or permissibility.

However, this wisdom, which includes both universal and Islamic laws, may be known to us, or it may be unknown. And, it may be known to some but not others, depending on the knowledge and understanding God, praised and exalted, gave them. If this is established, then we can say: For God, praised and exalted, created the Jinn and the human with great wisdom, and praiseworthy intentions. Worshiping Him is blessed and most high, as God, praised and exalted, said: “I have only created Jinns and men, that they may serve Me.” [Al-Dhiriyat, 56], and “Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?” [Al muminun – 115] and “Does man think that he is to be left to wander without an aim?” [Al-Qiyama 36] and other significant verses that [show] God Almighty’s far-reaching wisdom in the creation of Jinns and people, and that is his worship.

Taken from Fiqh al-Ebadaat “Jurisprudence of Belief” by Sheikh Muhammad bin Saalih Al-Authaymin, Dar al-Baseera, Alexandria. Translated by Josh Berer

 Vocabularly

غاية – Purpose

شرع – To make lawful, to establish as law

مأخوذ – Taken, obtained

دّالة – Proof, indication

كونية – Universal

إعدام – Lack of, non-existence

تحريم – Prohibition, making something Haram

إباحة – Permission, permissibility

تضمن – To include

بالغة – Far-reaching, substantial, enormous

تذلل – Servility, humility