8. WHY DID GOD CREATE MANKIND ON EARTH
The question concerning the purpose of mankind’s creation may be expanded to include the world in which they live. The question would then be, “Why did God create human beings in this world?”
“[It is He] who created death and life to test which of you is best in conduct; and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving.”Quran, 67:2
It should be noted, however, that the tests of conduct are not to inform God about humankind, for He knew everything there was to know about them before He created them. The tests serve to confirm on the Day of Judgment that those going to hell deserve it and those going to paradise only got there by God’s grace. With regard to human beings in this life, the test of conduct serves two basic purposes: one, human spiritual growth, and the other, punishment or reward.
Spiritual Growth
Generosity and Contentment
For example, in all human societies the qualities of generosity and contentment are considered among the most noble characteristics. However, neither of these traits can develop if everyone has the same amount of wealth. Generosity can only be acquired when the human soul is aware that sharing with the needy is a good struggle against its desire to hoard its possessions. On the other hand, contentment is produced when the soul defeats the evils of envy and greed. The Creator wisely sets the stage for these spiritual struggles by unequally distributing wealth in this world. In Chapter an-Nahl of the final revelation, Allaah says:
“Allah has favored some of you over others in sustenance.”Quran, 16:71
“Know that your wealth and children are a test.”Quran, 8:28
“O believers! Do not allow your wealth and children to divert you from the remembrance of Allah.” Quran, 63:9
“He raised some of you over others in rank to test you with what He granted you.”Quran, 6:165
The desire to accumulate wealth cannot be satisfied in this life. The more human beings have, the more they want. The Prophet stated, “If a man had a valley of gold, he would desire another, for nothing will fill his mouth but the dirt [of his grave]. And Allaah forgives whoever sincerely repents.”
“Take charity from their wealth to purify them and make them grow.”Quran, 9:103
“And in their wealth the beggars and needy have a right.”Quran, 51:19
However, giving in charity should be done sincerely for the pleasure of God
“O believers, do not destroy your acts of charity by reminders of your generosity and by injury.”Quran, 2:264
Craving for wealth is further enhanced by envy. Consequently, God also instructed us not to desire what He has given others.
“Do not wish for that by which Allah has favored some of you over others.”Quran, 4:32
The Prophet reiterated this divine piece of advice, saying, “Look to those less fortunate than you, and do not look to those above you; it is better for you, in order that you do not deny what Allah has blessed you with.”Aboo Hurayrah quoted the last Messenger as saying, “Wealth is not [measured] in property, but in contentment.”
“Indeed, it is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts find rest.”Quran, 13:28
Calamities
Tests of this life also come in the form of ‘misfortune’ and calamities which contribute to the spiritual growth of the true believers and purify them of sin. Conversely, life’s tests of misfortune remind errant believers to return to the correct path, and they punish disbelievers in this life before the next.
Patience
Calamities are the foundation on which the higher spiritual quality of patience is developed. Consequently, it is not surprising to find that the righteous are subject to many tragedies and difficulties in their lives. Sa‘d reported that he asked the Prophet who among mankind had the most trials, and he replied, “The prophets, then those most like them and then those most like them. Man is tested according to the level of his faith. If his faith is firm, his trials increase in severity, and if there is weakness in his faith, he will be tried accordingly.”True patience is the product of complete trust in God at the time of calamity.
“The decision rests only with Allah. I put my trust in Him alone, and all who trust should trust only in Him.”Quran, 12:67
Allah further assures humankind that if they put their complete trust in Him, He will be sufficient for them in their most trying times.
“Whoever trusts in Allaah will find Him sufficient.”Quran, 65:3
“Perhaps you may dislike something and it is good for you, and you may like something and it is bad for you. Allaah knows and you do not.”Quran, 2:216
The trials by which Allah tests human beings are specifically tailored to their own individual needs and circumstances.
“And your Lord does not oppress anyone.”Quran, 18:49
“Allaah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.”Quran, 2:286
“For surely with difficulty comes [a period of] ease. Surely with the difficulty comes [another period of] ease.”Quran, 94:5-6
Despair
“Do not kill yourselves, for surely Allah is merciful with you.”Quran, 4:29
“Surely only a disbelieving people despair of Allah’s mercy.”Quran, 12:87
Consequently, God has informed humankind that the punish-ment for those who harbor evil thoughts about Him is the eternal torment of hell. In Chapter al- Fat-h Allaah says:
“That He may punish the hypocrites, men and women, and the idolaters, men and women, who harbor evil thoughts about Allah. An evil torment will encompass them, for Allah is angry with them and curses them. And He has prepared hell for them; an evil end.”Quran, 48:6
Hope
On the other hand, the divine promises of justice and mercy fill the believers with the confidence necessary to patiently face the difficulties of this life. Consequently, hope in the mercy of God is an essential part of faith.
“Surely those who believed, emigrated and strove for the sake of Allah, hope for Allaah’s mercy, for Allah is Oft-Forgiving Most- Merciful.” Quran, 2:218
Of course, paradise is the reward for patience based on sincere belief in God. God informs the believers of their reward as follows:
“…so announce glad tidings [of paradise] to those who are patient; those who, when afflicted with calamity, say: Truly we belong to Allah and to Him we will return.”Quran, 2:155-6
Patience is also based on the belief that whatever befalls mankind is fundamentally a consequence of their own evil deeds.
“Whatever befalls you is a result of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much.” Quran, 42:30
The fact is, God has excused humans for much of their evil. Were He to punish them strictly according to their deeds, they and all on earth would be destroyed. God addresses this issue in Chapter Faatir as follows:
“And if Allah were to punish people for what they earned, He would not leave a living creature on the face of the earth.” Quran, 35:45
Suhayb ibn Sinaan related that the Messenger of Allah said, “The affair of the believer is amazing! The whole of his life is beneficial, and that is only in the case of the believer. When good times come to him, he is thankful and it is good
for him, and when bad times befall him, he is patient and it is also good for him.”46 This is the state of one who has accepted God’s destiny. Consequently, belief in both the good and the apparent evil of what has been destined is the sixth pillar of faith in Islaam.
On the other hand, if the believers experience a life devoid of any problems, it should be taken as a sign that something is wrong. Under such circumstances, the true believer must take time out and reflect on the realities of his or her life. Either the tests are not obvious and they are unaware of them or they have deviated from the right path.
“Do not be awed by their wealth or their children. Allah only wishes to punish them with these things in this life and allow their souls to die while they are in a state of disbelief.” Quran, 9:85
This is not to say that the believers should yearn for problems and calamities in their lives, for Allah has taught them to pray: “Our Lord, do not put on us a burden like what you placed on those before us.”Instead, they should thank Allah for whatever trials He has spared them. However, in times of ease they must remain vigilant and not become oblivious to tests, for success and happiness often blind people to the trials of life.
Reminder
Tests sometimes serve as a punishing reminder to those who have gone astray and an encouragement for them to return to the correct path. When people deviate, they seldom listen to the advice of those around them. However, when a calamity strikes them or those near and dear to them, it jolts those who still have some faith into recognizing their error.
“I will make them taste a lesser punishment before the greater punishment that perhaps they may return [to the right path].” Quran, 32:21
The test of calamities which remind humankind of their deviation may come in the form of man’s inhumanity to his fellow man, as in the case of the unspeakable atrocities unleashed by the Serbs against the Bosnian Muslims who had strayed far away from Islaam, or Saddam’s brutal invasion of Kuwait and America’s subsequent indiscriminate bombing of civilian targets in Iraq.
“Corruption has appeared on the land and in the sea because of what man’s hands have earned, in order that [Allaah] may make them taste a part of what they have done, and in order that they may return [to the right path].” Quran, 30:41
Hypocrisy
Calamities also expose those who falsely claim faith, as well as show those who disbelieve that they choose hell by their own free will.
“Do people imagine that they will be left alone and not tested with affliction because they say, ‘We believe’? Indeed, I have tested those before you. Allaah will know those who are truthful and those who lie.” Quran, 29:2
Punishment
Those who transgress the limits set by God expose themselves to punishment in this life and the next. Throughout the Quran, Allaah describes numerous past nations who rejected divine guidance and were subsequently destroyed. These stories serve as warnings to humanity of the consequences of rebellion against the commandments of God. In Chapter an-Noor, Allaah gives a general warning as follows:
“Let those who contradict his command beware a trial or a severe punishment.” Quran, 24:63
The punishment may come in a variety of different ways. Perhaps the most obvious punishment afflicting humankind in all countries today is the disease AIDS, which appeared for the first time in medical history in the beginning of the ’80’s. However, medical statistics show that such cases are relatively few in comparison to the other categories. In any case, Allaah has warned in Chapter al- Anfaal of the final revelation that when His punishment comes it is not limited to evil, but affects the society as a whole.
“Beware of a trial which will not afflict only the sinful among you, and know that Allah is severe in punishment.” Quran, 8:25
One thousand four hundred years ago Prophet Muhammad prophesied the coming of such a trial. Ibn ‘Umar quoted him as saying, “Whenever promiscuity is openly practiced among a people, a plague and anguish will spread among them which was unknown to their predecessors.”51 However, AIDS is only one in a series of diseases. Before AIDS, a warning came in the form of another disease called herpes, which became widespread among the sexually promiscuous beginning in the 1960s and ’70s
By Bilal Philips
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