Who are Humans According To The Qur’an ?
Every entity has a soul. The world’s soul is humans. A world without humans would be a body without spirit and soul. Human beings are a project of Allah. He has equipped the world to be suitable for the purpose of this project. Allah places faith in human beings and if a human being breaks this trust, then Allah can do away with him/her and bring a new creation in their stead (‘Ibrahim 14:19).
According to the Qur’an, the human being is created in the best conformation and placed at the beginning of the road that he will be travelling in order to fulfill the purpose of his creation with his own will and effort (Tin 95:4-5).
The human is a craftsman tasked with “constructing on the face of Earth” (khilafah). Also, the human “shall be an eye-witness” to his own benefit or detriment on the Judgment Day (Qiyamah 75:14). Further, the human is the only creature capable of shouldering the burden of will-reason-conscience, under which heavens, Earth and mountains would not be able to persevere (‘Ahzab 33:72).
Humans become overweening whenever they believe they are self-sufficient, free of responsibilities, and have no boundaries and limits (`Alaq 96:6-7).
Humans are hasty (‘Isra’ 17:11) and can be ungrateful towards their Lord (‘Anfal 8:26). Whenever humans recognize and cherish values, enrich their inner world with iymân, and turn the “righteous deeds” the Qur’an discusses into their lifestyle, only then would they deserve reward in this and the next world (Tin 95:4-5).
What is The Purpose Of Human Creation?
The creation of humans among other living creatures by Allah’s breathing the divine spirit into them and granting them will, reason, and conscience is part of the perfect law of balances, by which Allah rules the universe. The purpose of creating humans is to “test” them (Mulk 67:2).
If one were to emerge with the question of “Why did not Allah ask my opinion before creating me?” they would be in a selfcontradiction. Would not one have to be first created before Allah would pose that question to him/her? A non-existent entity obviously has no personality. If one is able to say “I,” then they exist.
What is Humans’ Value?
Islam sees humans as Allah’s masterpieces; the human is “created in the most beautiful fashion” (Tin 95:4) among other creations of Allah on Earth; the human enjoyed numerous favors of Allah (‘Isra’ 17:70); the human is a thinking and self-controlling creation granted reason, will and conscience (Qiyamah 75:14); the human is Allah’s viceroy on Earth (Naml 27:62).
The human is tasked with up-building the face of Earth. Creator created everything on Earth for humans and created humans for Himself.
What Does The Qur’an Say About Humans ?
The Qur’an unveils both advantages and shortcomings of humans, and the holy script characterizes humans as “inherently good” from birth: “We have conferred dignity on the children of Adam” (‘Isra’ 17:70).
Further, Islam refutes the Christian doctrine of “the original sin” and shows that humans are inherently good: “Verily, We create man in the best conformation” (Tin 95:4-5) At the same time, the Qur’an informs about weaknesses humans have.
For instance, “Nay, verily, man becomes grossly overweening whenever he believes himself to be self-sufficient” (`Alaq 96:6-7). Humans haste toward the bad as if rushing toward the good (‘Isra’ 17:11). Humans enjoy arguing and debating (Kahf 18:54). Humans are capable of ingratitude toward their Lord who bestowed them with so much blessing (Mutaffifin 82:6).
What Does Allah Expect From Humans ?
What Allah expects from humans is that they work for themselves, not for Allah. They are expected to apply every effort for their own happiness, not for Allah’s happiness (Fussilat 41:46), for Allah has no need of humans, while humans inevitably need Allah (Fatir 35:15).
Humans are not self-sufficient, whereas Allah is not only self-sufficient but He also sustains the entire universe and whatever is in it (Zumar 39:36).
