Reply to comments on Purpose OF Creation

Based on my previous blog titled Purpose OF Creation, I received the following reply from whom I was asked to comment on the purposes: 

Dear Sir,

Thank you for taking the time to respond in detail. You have addressed the question of “why the world was created” strictly with reference to the Qur’an, drawing on concepts such as “test” (Qur’an 18:7), “enjoying bounties” (Qur’an 57:1–3), “eternal reward” (Qur’an 62:2), and “paradise” (Qur’an 39:73–74). While I fully acknowledge these as recurring Qur’anic themes, in my humble view they often serve as a kind of “bait” or coping mechanism — incentives framed to appeal to human psychology, to motivate moral behaviour, and to help people endure suffering. They scratch the surface of human tendencies such as desire, fear, and selfishness, but do not in themselves resolve the deeper theological question of why the world itself was created.

From the standpoint of human intellect, one might expect creation to be born of some intrinsic necessity. Yet, even when remaining within the Qur’anic framework, there appears to be no clear indication of such a necessity. Instead, worldly existence is depicted as a place of trial, pain, and tragedy — experiences from which no one is spared, not even the Prophet Muhammad or his family.

In my reading, the Qur’an acknowledges this silence and redirects us instead to the inherent limitations of human intellect. For example, in Surah Al-Isrā (17:85):

“And they ask you about the soul. Say, ‘The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And you (mankind) have not been given of knowledge except a little.’”

This verse powerfully underscores that there are boundaries to what human beings can comprehend, and that certain existential questions may never yield definitive answers within the limits of our reason. This non-explanation — or deliberate pointing to our finite knowledge — becomes itself a theological statement: that faith requires humility before what cannot be rationally grasped.

That said, while my line of questioning may sound “atheistic” or “agnostic,” I do not consider myself either. Rather, I find that no one has yet provided a conclusive answer to the question of why the world itself was created. For this reason and for the benefit of everyone else attending the course, I am content to move the discussion toward the second dimension — the purpose of human creation — which, as you have rightly emphasized, the Qur’an frames as tazkiyah (purification and moral refinement).

Best regards,

Sana H Baba

My Reply:

Salaam,

I appreciate your reply, Ms. Sana. Please always feel free to comment and present your views. We are all here to ‘Decode’ the expectations of God!

 British comedian, actor, writer, Sir Stephen Fry claims God is unjust as one who cannot even control the misery here with children being born with hepatitis. For him, the world makes no sense with such misery, especially with respect to religion and God. And, especially, the concept of God has no relevance.

I have posed a question to Sir Stephen Fry. The question is whether children are born with hepatitis or are killed in Gaza. What answer is there for the children who are devoid of life to its fullest glory and brilliance? If these children will ever be compensated, can they be?

We believe only religion gives a plausible response. If we juxtapose these arguments with my blog above, the Qur'an's perspective comes into view regarding a holistic view on the purpose of creation.

"We have created everything in pairs so that you are reminded".  Qur'an (51:49)

The ‘pair’ and ‘reminder’ part in the verse above refers to as we have pairs in day/night, husband/wife, sky/earth; it may be inferred that this world too has a pair in the form of the Hereafter. As the day is incomplete without night, etc., and the pair has an intrinsic value of complementing each other, so that the life here and the life in the hereafter complement each other. One without the other remains incomplete and meaningless.

The beatitudes (blessings) of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3-12) beautifully depict these pair values. It speaks of the purpose of creation in understanding the scheme of God for us. It describes the values of the Kingdom of God and the spiritual rewards promised to those who embody them here in this world or have to bear the tests and trials with fortitude.

1. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
2. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
3. “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
4. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
5. “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.”
6. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.”
7. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.”
8. “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The premise regarding the purpose of creation is simple. God wants to offer a life of perpetuity (Hereafter) to His chosen servants as a reward for a life based on tests and trials (Here).

I am reading Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion these days. He is an acclaimed atheist, a professor at Oxford University, and a person of scholarship. He contends morality is not religion-based, quoting examples of horrendous behaviour the prophets and his followers exercised in the name of religion and morality. He forms his arguments from verses within the Old Testament and the New Testament. Dawkins states that morality in the modern world is more civilized than what is depicted in the Bible (religion).

Also, quoting Albert Einstein, stating that for him, the purpose of the whole exercise is for men to be good towards other men. Einstein, being a Jew with the knowledge of the Torah, deleted the presence of God from his equation of life. He commented on the thing which he could only see with his eyes.

This is where the Qur'an presents its case as the Last Scripture. The Qur'an points out that the Jewish Scholars tampered with the verses of the Bible. Dawkins quotes in his book (page 268, of the Edition I am reading) that the “Bible is an anthology of disjointed documents, composed, revised, translated, distorted and ‘improved’ by hundreds of anonymous authors, editors and copyists…spanning over nine centuries”

“On the other hand, those who sell the covenant of God and their own oaths for a trivial price have no share in the world to come. And God shall neither speak to them nor look at them with favour, nor purify them [from their sins] on the Day of Judgement. In fact, a grievous punishment awaits them there.” Qur’an (3:77)

Please note the word used in the verse, ‘purify’.

Please allow me to state here that the concept of morality is subjective for the proponents of postmodernism or atheists/agnostics. We believe it is God driven.

“and the soul and the way it is perfected, then inspired it with its evil and its good” Qur’an (91:7-8)

If morality remains human-driven, which has evolved with the passage of time, then please allow me to state there is a word in the English dictionary – ‘incest’. The Collins Dictionary defines this as:

incest (noun)

Sexual activity between two people who are very closely related in a family, for example, a brother and sister, or a parent and child.

In some extended uses, it can also mean sexual relations between people considered too closely related to marry under cultural, legal, or religious rules.

This word means where consenting ‘adults’ have sexual relations within blood relations. The word exists in the dictionary. Just like a few centuries back, the LGBT community was looked down upon in their own society, but then a segment of the society practiced it and this gradually evolved into a human right issue where now the presidents or head of states in the Western society mention this community in their inaugural address, along with other segments of the society - blacks, whites, engineers, doctors, workers etc.

My argument is that 100 years down the line, a segment of society will (for sure) start practicing incest, and subsequently, that too shall evolve as a human rights issue since here adults shall be willing to live together. Wherein lies morality?

The reason I have presented this argument is to see the purpose of creation in toto, covering all aspects of our existence. From old times, the great philosophers have grappled with this particular question of the purpose of creation and the purpose of our creation. I believe the Creator, God, has given ‘news’ also.

The news is simple. And conforms to human nature, hence the simplicity of the argument!

“Remind them of that time too, when your Lord had brought forth [O Prophet] from the loins of Adam’s children their progeny and had made them testify to themselves. [He had asked:] “Am I not your Lord?” They replied: “Yes, [You alone are our Lord.] We bear witness to it.” This, We did lest you should say on the Day of Judgement: “We had no knowledge of this,” Qur’an (7:172)

The above verse testifies that each soul is born with the concept of God and the sense of accountability. Coupled with the conscience every soul enjoys, God informs us that be prepared to meet me in the hereafter with these three answers.

“those who have professed faith [in the unlettered Prophet] and those [before them] who became Jews and those who are called Naṣārā, and Sabaeans – whoever among them have believed in God and in the Last Day and have done righteous deeds – for them their reward lies with their Lord and [in His gracious presence] they shall have nothing to fear nor shall they ever grieve.” Qur’an (2:62)

Please note the three criteria in the above verse: Belief in God, the Hereafter, based on good deeds. This intrinsically means that since God is most fair, He shall not base His judgment (of our salvation/damnation) on the event of our birth (as a Muslim/non- Muslim), but shall do so based on the environment of the individual.

“On the other hand, those who have professed faith and have done righteous deeds – and [in this matter] We do not burden a soul beyond its capacity  – it is they who are the companions of Paradise. They shall abide in it forever” Qur’an (7:42)

When God states above, “We do not burden a soul beyond its capacity”  He is telling us the criterion of accountability in the Hereafter.

In our sessions, we shall be looking into the aspect of the creation of Adam/Eve, viz-à-vis, the purpose of creation at length. This is fundamental ‘news’ given to us by God and mentioned in the Qur’an at least seven times in different Chapters (Surahs). When looking at them holistically, a clear purpose of God’s creation with respect to my existence comes to the forefront.

Allow me to conclude by reproducing the above small paragraph to accentuate my argument regarding the purpose of creation:

“The premise regarding the purpose of creation is simple. God wants to offer a life of perpetuity (Hereafter) to His chosen servants as a reward for a life based on tests and trials (Here).”

Regards,

Aamir Yazdani