Islamic World View Lecture 3

Creation of Man in the light of Islamic worldview:
The Islamic worldview regarding the creation of man is

deeply rooted in the teachings of the Quran, the central
religious text of Islam, and the Hadith, which are the
sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be
upon him). According to Islamic belief, the creation of man
is a fundamental aspect of Allah's (God's) divine plan and
purpose. Here's a detailed explanation along with
references:
.
Creation of Man from Clay: The Quran states that the
first man, Adam, was created by Allah from clay. This
creation story is mentioned in several verses, including:
 Surah Al-A'raf (7:12): "And We did certainly create man

out of clay from an altered black mud."
 Surah Al-Hijr (15:26): "And certainly did We create man

from an extract of clay."
 Surah Al-Sajdah (32:7-9): "Who made everything He

created excellent, and He began the creation of man
from clay. Then He made his posterity out of the extract
of a liquid disdained. Then He proportioned him and
breathed into him from His [created] soul and made for
you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you
grateful."
Adam as the First Human: In Islamic belief, Adam is

considered the first human being, created by Allah with
His own hands. The Quran emphasizes Adam's unique
status as the first prophet and the father of humanity.
.
 Surah Al-Baqarah (2:30): "And [mention, O
Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels,
'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive
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authority.' They said, 'Will You place upon it one who
causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we
declare Your praise and sanctify You?' Allah said,
'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'"
Purpose of Creation: According to Islamic teachings, the

creation of man serves a specific purpose—to worship
and obey Allah. Human beings are regarded as Allah's
vicegerents (caliphs) on earth, entrusted with the
responsibility to maintain justice and righteousness.
 Surah Al-Dhariyat (51:56): "And I did not create the jinn

and mankind except to worship Me."
Divine Breath: The Quran mentions that after shaping

Adam from clay, Allah breathed His spirit into him, giving
him life and consciousness. This act distinguishes humans
from other creations and signifies their spiritual essence.
 Surah Sad (38:71-72): "When your Lord said to the

angels, 'Indeed, I am going to create a human being
from clay. So when I have proportioned him and
breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to
him in prostration.'"
Adam's Progeny: Islamic tradition teaches that Adam and

Eve (Hawa in Arabic) were the first parents of humanity,
and all human beings are descendants of them. This
concept emphasizes the unity of the human race and the
equality of all people before Allah.
 Surah Al-Nisa (4:1): "O mankind, fear your Lord, who

created you from one soul and created from it its mate
and dispersed from both of them many men and
women. And fear Allah, through whom you ask one
another, and the wombs. Indeed Allah is ever, over you,
an Observer."
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In summary, the Islamic worldview regarding the creation
of man revolves around the belief that Allah created Adam
from clay, breathed His spirit into him, and appointed him
as His vicegerent on earth. This creation narrative
underscores the significance of human life, the purpose of
existence, and the responsibility of humans to worship and
obey Allah. These concepts are derived from various
verses of the Quran and are further elucidated in Islamic
tradition through the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad
(peace be upon him).
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Position of man:
In Islamic worldview, the position of man (human beings)

holds significant importance and is characterized by
several key principles:
Creation and Purpose: According to Islamic belief, Allah
(God) created humans as the most honored of His
creations. The Quran mentions that humans have been
endowed with intellect (Surah Al-Teen 95:4) and have
been made vicegerents (khulafa) on Earth (Surah Al-
Baqarah 2:30), indicating their special status and
responsibility in the universe. The purpose of human
existence, as mentioned earlier, is to worship Allah and
fulfill the divine mandate on Earth.
Dignity and Honor: Islam emphasizes the inherent

dignity and honor of every human being. Regardless of
race, ethnicity, or social status, all individuals are
considered equal in the sight of Allah. The Quran states,
"And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and
carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of
the good things and preferred them over much of what We
have created, with [definite] preference." (Surah Al-Isra
17:70) This verse highlights the elevated status of humans
in creation.
Free Will and Accountability: Humans are believed to

possess free will (al-Iradah al-Juz'iyyah), enabling them to
make moral choices and decisions. This free will is
coupled with accountability (al-Mas'uliyyah), as individuals
are responsible for their actions and will be held to
account on the Day of Judgment. This concept of
accountability serves as a moral framework, guiding
individuals towards ethical behavior and personal
responsibility.
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Intellect and Reason: Islam encourages the use of
intellect and reason in understanding the universe,
reflecting on the signs of Allah's creation, and seeking
knowledge. The Quran frequently appeals to human
intellect and reasoning as a means to comprehend the
truth. Muslims are urged to ponder upon the creation of
the heavens and the Earth, the alternation of night and
day, and the diversity of languages and colors as signs of
Allah's existence and wisdom.
Stewardship and Guardianship: As mentioned earlier,

humans are considered stewards (khulafa) of the Earth,
entrusted by Allah with the responsibility of caring for and
protecting the environment. This concept emphasizes the
importance of environmental conservation, sustainable
development, and ethical treatment of all living beings.
Overall, the Islamic worldview places humans at the

center of creation, with a unique combination of dignity,
free will, intellect, and accountability. This position comes
with responsibilities towards both the Creator and the
created, emphasizing the importance of righteous conduct,
social justice, and striving for excellence in all aspects of
life
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Pupose of man:
In the Islamic worldview, the purpose of man is intricately
tied to his relationship with Allah (God) and his role in the
universe. Here are the key aspects of the purpose of man
in Islamic belief:
.
Worship of Allah: The primary purpose of man,
according to Islamic teachings, is to worship Allah. This
worship is not confined to ritual acts of devotion, such as
prayer and fasting, but encompasses all aspects of life.
Muslims are encouraged to worship Allah sincerely and
wholeheartedly, recognizing His sovereignty, mercy, and
guidance in their lives.
Submission to Divine Will: Central to the purpose of

man is submission (Islam) to the divine will of Allah. This
entails obeying His commandments, following the
teachings of the Quran and the example of the Prophet
Muhammad (peace be upon him), and striving to live a
righteous and virtuous life.
Seeking Nearness to Allah: Another aspect of the

purpose of man is to seek nearness (taqarrub) to Allah
through acts of worship, good deeds, and spiritual
devotion. Muslims believe that by drawing closer to Allah,
they can experience His mercy, guidance, and blessings
in their lives.
Fulfilling Moral and Ethical Obligations: Islam

emphasizes the importance of moral and ethical conduct
in fulfilling the purpose of man. Muslims are expected to
uphold principles of justice, compassion, honesty, and
generosity in their interactions with others. The Quran
provides guidance on ethical behavior and encourages
believers to strive for excellence in their character and
conduct.
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Striving for Personal and Social Excellence: Muslims
are encouraged to strive for personal and social
excellence (ihsan) in all aspects of life. This includes
seeking knowledge, pursuing excellence in one's
profession, maintaining strong family ties, contributing to
the welfare of society, and advocating for justice and
equality.
Preparing for the Hereafter: Islamic belief holds that life

in this world is a temporary journey, and the ultimate
purpose of man extends beyond this life to the Hereafter
(akhirah). Muslims are reminded of the Day of Judgment,
where they will be held accountable for their deeds and
rewarded for their faith and righteousness. The purpose of
man includes preparing for the Hereafter by living a life of
piety, repentance, and adherence to Islamic teachings.
Overall, the purpose of man in the Islamic worldview

revolves around worshiping Allah, submitting to His will,
seeking spiritual fulfillment, living a life of moral and ethical
excellence, and preparing for the eternal life in the
Hereafter. These principles guide Muslims in their journey
towards spiritual growth, personal development, and
fulfillment of their ultimate purpose in life.

Islamic World View Lecture 3

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Creation of Man in the light of Islamic worldview:

The Islamic worldview regarding the creation of man is

 Surah Al-A'raf (7:12): "And We did certainly create man

 Surah Al-Hijr (15:26): "And certainly did We create man

 Surah Al-Sajdah (32:7-9): "Who made everything He

Adam as the First Human: In Islamic belief, Adam is

Purpose of Creation: According to Islamic teachings, the

 Surah Al-Dhariyat (51:56): "And I did not create the jinn

Divine Breath: The Quran mentions that after shaping

 Surah Sad (38:71-72): "When your Lord said to the

Adam's Progeny: Islamic tradition teaches that Adam and

 Surah Al-Nisa (4:1): "O mankind, fear your Lord, who

In Islamic worldview, the position of man (human beings)

Dignity and Honor: Islam emphasizes the inherent

Free Will and Accountability: Humans are believed to

Stewardship and Guardianship: As mentioned earlier,

Overall, the Islamic worldview places humans at the

Submission to Divine Will: Central to the purpose of

Seeking Nearness to Allah: Another aspect of the

Fulfilling Moral and Ethical Obligations: Islam

Preparing for the Hereafter: Islamic belief holds that life

Overall, the purpose of man in the Islamic worldview

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