Why did Allah Create the World?

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The contents of this world were created for the service of humankind.

Allah says in the Qur’an:

"It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you.And He hath made subject to you the sun and the moon, both diligently pursuing their courses: and the Night and the Day hath He (also) made subject to you." (14:32,33)

"He it is that cleaveth the daybreak (from the dark): He makes the night for rest and tranquillity, and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time): such is the judgment and ordering of (Him), the Exalted in Power, the Omniscient. It is He Who maketh the stars (as beacons) for you, that ye may guide yourselves, with their help, through the dark spaces of land and sea: We detail Our Signs for people who know." (6:96,97)

However such gifts are not without responsibility. Humans are required to recognize Allah’s bounties and mercies and give thanks to Him and glorify Him.

For E.g. Allah taught us to pray the following whenever we ride an animal or a vehicle:

"Glory to Him who has subjected this to us, and we could never have it (by our efforts)." (42:13)

Human beings are also required to govern the creation according to the laws of Allah.

Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said: “The world is beautiful and green, and Allah-be He exalted- has made you governors over it to see how you will act.”

ANIMALS

Caring for animals is enshrined in the divine law.

Killing animals for sports or fun is forbidden.

Taking a life of any living animal is prohibited unless it is for food, for protection of human life or for clothing.

Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "A lady was punished because of a cat which she had imprisoned till it died. She entered the (Hell) Fire because of it, for she neither gave it food nor water as she had imprisoned it, nor set it free to eat from the vermin of the earth." (Sahih Al Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "A prostitute was forgiven by Allah, because, passing by a panting dog near a well and seeing that the dog was about to die of thirst, she took off her shoe, and tying it with her head-cover she drew out some water for it. So, Allah forgave her because of that." (Sahih Al Bukhari)

Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "While a man was walking he felt thirsty and went down a well and drank water from it. On coming out of it, he saw a dog panting and eating mud because of excessive thirst. The man said, "This (dog) is suffering from the same problem as that of mine. So he (went down the well), filled his shoe with water, caught hold of it with his teeth and climbed up and watered the dog. Allah thanked him for his (good) deed and forgave him." The people asked, "O Allah's Apostle! Is there a reward for us in serving (the) animals?" He replied, "Yes, there is a reward for serving any animate." (Sahih Al Bukhari)

VEGETATION

The vegetable kingdom is also highly regarded in Islam.

Planting of trees is considered an act of charity.

Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him." (Sahih al Bukhari)

In another narration Anas (RA) related to the prophet (Saw) said, “If the signs of the beginning of the day of resurrection appear and one of you has a seedling in his hand, he should plant it if he is able to do so, before the resurrection begins.”

CONCLUSION

Without knowledge of the purpose of creation, human beings wander aimlessly through life, like ships at sea without rudders. Their goals are either wrong due to incorrect religious teachings, or materialistic and thus confined to this world. It is, therefore, essential for their own well-being that they know why Allah created them.

Fundamentally, Allah created in order to manifest His attributes. Consequently,

Creation is the consequence of His being the Creator Paradise manifests His mercy and grace Hell, His justice. Because people themselves choose the wrong path and knowingly put themselves to Hell. So Allah is just. Living and non-living beings, His Generosity. Allah has bestowed upon us all the basic necessities of life; this is due to his generosity.

The significance of knowing the creation is a means by which Allah manifests His attributes and human beings can then correctly recognize Allah and accept his decree and their destiny.

However, it is of greater importance that human beings know the purpose for which they were created.

The significance of this knowledge is that human beings understand that worship is as much a necessity as eating and breathing and that it s not a favor they are doing for Allah. It is also essential that human beings grasp the importance of this world’s bounties and trials.

The tests of good and evil are designed in order to bring out the higher spiritual qualities, which enable us to attain the state, which makes us suitable and eligible to return to paradise. We transform into the best of creation once we understand our purpose of creation.

Allah says in the Quran:

"You are the best community raised for humanity. You enjoin that which is recognized (as good) and forbid that which is not recognized (as good) and you believe in Allah; and had the owners of the book (too) believed, it would have been better for them, among them there are believers, but most of them are transgressors." (3:110)

The paradise from which we were created, we should return back to paradise. Through our choices we have left, in this life, a felid of testing, where we can grow to a state where we deserve paradise.

The purpose of this life is the worship of Allah, this life is a test. A test for us, will we worship Allah, or will we forget Him?? This is where our focus has to begin.

May Allah make us amongst those whose ultimate abode is Jannah.

May Allah bestow his abundant Mercy on us and forgive all of us the sins we have done and will commit in our future.