On studying the above, the reader gathers the odd impression that man was created only for the purpose of \u201ctilling the ground\u201d. Moreover, man does not seem to occupy any special place in the Biblical scheme of creation, for his birth is bracketed within the appearance of such ordinary objects of nature as plants and herbs. Nor was the earth provided with rain-water and plant life when man made his first appearance on the scene.<\/p>\n

In other words, scant attention was paid to meeting man\u2019s basic needs. The Biblical description of man\u2019s creation is devoid, in equal measure, of any outstanding feature:<\/p>\n

\u201cThen the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.\u201d (Genesis 2:7)<\/p>\n

By contrast, a couple of adjectives \u2013 \u201cpleasant to the sight\u201d, and \u201cgood for food\u201d \u2013 are employed for describing the tree of life.<\/p>\n

In our times, under the pernicious influence of Darwinism, which maintains that the universe and all living beings have evolved over millions of years without any role for God, people have grown skeptical about the Scriptural version of creation. The Biblical account, in particular, is derided and pejoratively branded as creationism.<\/p>\n

All such misconceptions are dispelled in the above Qur\u2019anic passage which offers a coherent, reasoned and appealing account of creation.<\/p>\n

Moreover, it brings into relief the following truths:<\/p>\n

– Allah being All-Powerful is the only Creator. He brought everything into being out of His wisdom and no one has any share or role in it.<\/p>\n

– Creation is not something haphazard or the result of the working of certain laws of nature. It stands out as a massive testament to Allah\u2019s creative power, and His grand plan, of which man is a key figure.<\/p>\n

– Angels, a distinct species markedly different from human beings and jinn, are wholly obedient to Allah.<\/p>\n

– Before Allah bestowed His khilafah<\/i> (vicegerency) on Adam, the progenitor of mankind, He blessed him with knowledge. This demonstrated Adam\u2019s excellence before everyone.<\/p>\n

– Knowledge is special to man. Angels and other species cannot compete with man on this count. By utilizing knowledge in the way prescribed by his Master and Lord, man can attain the highest degree of success.<\/p>\n

– Satan deliberately disobeyed Allah out of pride. He stands eternally cursed for his deadly sins.<\/p>\n

Being the Lord and Cherisher of mankind, Allah has devised creation in such a perfect manner that it caters for all man\u2019s needs, especially physical and material. It has accordingly ensured man\u2019s survival on earth.<\/p>\n

It is nothing short of a miracle that the planet earth as created by Allah so long ago continues to provide adequately for man\u2019s sustenance. Needless to add, the human population has increased in astronomical proportions yet the same planet earth suffices for mankind. Its natural resources are so abundant that they appear to be inexhaustible.<\/p>\n

Apart from the provision of sustenance, and in line with His scheme of things, Allah has also arranged for the religious, moral and spiritual sustenance of man. Such guidance is imparted through His Messengers and Scriptures.<\/p>\n

Only Allah Who is the real Cherisher of mankind could draw up such a comprehensive plan for man\u2019s existence and guidance.<\/p>\n

_________________________<\/p>\n

The article is an excerpt from Abdur Raheem Kidwai\u2019s The Qur\u2019an: Essential Teachings, published by the Islamic Foundation, 2005\/1426 H.<\/i><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

How did this universe and its inhabitants come into existence? Does this question has necessarily anything to do with one\u2019s faith or religion at all? What does the answer to this inquiry say about the purpose of life and man\u2019s role in it?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25720,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10439],"tags":[3851,783,8992,9638,9639,10841,3743,518,788,7,9640,8993,9641,823,8994,9218,3746,10305,8998,1705,8999,3834,2163,7738,9002,646,5371,1402,9003,5379,9643,9006,9007,3545,4730,9010,9012,825,5374,7751,9016,524],"class_list":["post-25719","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-islam-for-christians","tag-attributes-of-allah","tag-attributes-of-god","tag-basics-of-islam","tag-committing-sins","tag-compassionate-god","tag-creation-in-quran","tag-creation-of-man","tag-creator","tag-existence-of-god","tag-featured","tag-final-judgment","tag-finite-human-intelligence","tag-first-sin","tag-forgiveness","tag-foundation-of-islam","tag-freedom-of-choice","tag-gods-creation","tag-highlights","tag-human-beings","tag-human-nature","tag-humankind","tag-islamic-beliefs","tag-islamic-theology","tag-knowledge-about-god","tag-laws-of-nature","tag-life","tag-meaning-of-islam","tag-meaning-of-life","tag-mental-principles","tag-merciful","tag-nature-of-human","tag-one-and-only","tag-one-creator","tag-oneness-of-god","tag-original-sin","tag-principles-of-faith","tag-provider-of-man","tag-repentance","tag-submission-to-god","tag-sustainer","tag-unique-creator","tag-universe"],"yoast_head":"\n