Understanding Islam by Abdullah Bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud

9
Creation of
Mankind
Once we have accepted
that there can only be
one designer of all, we
must look for an answer
for our existence.
The Qur’an explains the creation of man in the
following verse:
“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created
you from one soul and created from it its mate
and dispersed from both of them all men and
women. And fear Allah, through whom you
ask one another, and the kinship. Indeed Allah
is ever, over you, an Observer.” (Qur’an 4: 1)
If you were to receive a gift, for no reason,
a simple drink or a book, I’m sure you would
be inclined to say, ‘Thank you.’ Surely the
designer who gave you your eyes, heart and
lungs should be thanked, acknowledged and
praised. Allah tells us that this is the purpose
of life; to acknowledge Him, worship Him and
obey Him.
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind
except to worship Me.” (Qur’an 51: 56)
By acknowledging Him in all that we do, we
thank Him for the food He provides, the drink
to quench our thirst, the clothes we
wear; everything should have some
recognition for Him.
When it comes to the creation of
man, it was made very clear in the
beginning that when Allah created
man it was not in vain, that he was
created as God’s vicegerent on earth.
Man has been entrusted with the
task of cultivating, maintaining and
ruling the earth according to divine
guidance with justice amongst all
that exists.
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your
Lord said to the angels, Indeed, I will make
upon the earth a successive authority.”
(Qur’an 2: 30)
Also in the creation of mankind some of the
divine attributes of mercy, forgiveness and
kindness are manifest.
Man has been
entrusted
with the task
of cultivating,
maintaining
and ruling the
earth...