One of the greatest attributes of Allah is wisdom, and one of His greatest names is al-Hakim (the most Wise). He has not created anything in vain; exalted be Allah far above such a thing. Rather He creates things for great and wise reasons, and for sublime purposes. Allah has stated that in the Quran:

Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?” So Exalted be Allah, the True King: La ilaha illa Huwa (none has the right to be worshipped but He), the Lord of the Supreme Throne!

Quran - 23:115-116

(interpretation of the meaning)

Allah also says in the Quran:

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

Quran - 44:38-39

(interpretation of the meaning)

Just as it is proven that there is wisdom behind the creation of man from the standpoint of shari’ah (Islamic law), 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 Allah, the Wisest of the wise?

Allah has not created man to eat, drink and multiply, in which case he would be like the animals. Allah has honoured man and favoured him far above many of those whom He has created, but many people insist on disbelief, 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. Allah says:

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

Quran - 47:12

(interpretation of the meaning)

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

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

Quran - 51:56

(interpretation of the meaning)

Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

This means “I have created them so that I may command them to worship Me, not because I have any need of them.”

As Muslims, our purpose in life is profound, yet simple. We strive to bring all aspects of our outer and inner beings in complete conformity with what Allah has commanded. Allah did not create us because He needs us. He is beyond all needs, and it is us who are in need of Allah.

Allah has told us that the creation of the heavens and the earth, and of life and death, is also 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. Allah says:

He is the One 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.

Quran - 67:2

(interpretation of the meaning)

From this test results a manifestation of the names and attributes of Allah, such as Allah’s names al-Rahman (the Most Gracious), al-Ghafur (the Oft Forgiving), al-Hakim (the Most Wise), al-Tawwab (the Acceptor of Repentance), al-Rahim (the Most Merciful), and other names of Allah.

Source: islamqa.org · islamqa.info · islamqa.org