Man: The Special Creation

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of a talk by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad, on the 05^th August 2013. 

Human beings are special because their origin is different from the rest of Creation.  First of all, when Allah (s.w.t.) decided to Create the universe, He Gave a Divine Command, “Be,” and the universe began as a single cell, which grew until it burst open forming the skies and the Earth.  Man was not a part of what became the skies and the Earth.  Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about this in the following verse of the Qur’an.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴنبیَاء

أَوَلَمۡ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ ڪَانَتَا رَتۡقً۬ا فَفَتَقۡنَـٰهُمَا‌ۖ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ‌ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ (٣٠) 

Do the disbelievers not see that the Heavens and the Earth were joined together (as one unit of Creation), before We Clove them asunder?  We Made from water every living thing.  Will they not then believe? (Surah al-Anbiya’:30) 

The cosmos and the Earth were perfected in six periods called “days” in the Qur’an.  The length of these “days” varied greatly.  When the Earth was Perfected, and all the plants and animals were already Created, Allah (s.w.t.) Created Adam.  The Creation of Man is, therefore, different from the Creation of the rest of the creatures on the Earth, as they were all Created from water, but Man from clay.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ السَّجدَة

ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحۡسَنَ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ خَلَقَهُ ۥ‌ۖ وَبَدَأَ خَلۡقَ ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنِ مِن طِينٍ۬ (٧) ثُمَّ جَعَلَ نَسۡلَهُ ۥ مِن سُلَـٰلَةٍ۬ مِّن مَّآءٍ۬ مَّهِينٍ۬ (٨) ثُمَّ سَوَّٮٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ‌ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلسَّمۡعَ وَٱلۡأَبۡصَـٰرَ وَٱلۡأَفۡـِٔدَةَ‌ۚ قَلِيلاً۬ مَّا تَشۡڪُرُونَ (٩) 

He Who has Made everything which He has Created most Good.  He began the Creation of Man with (nothing more than) clay.  And Made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised: But He Fashioned him in due proportion, and Breathed into him something of His Spirit.  And He Gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give! (Surah as-Sajdah:7-9) 

The soul is refined light.  Man is a combination of a physical element, the body; and a non-physical element, the soul, Created from a very form of refined light not available in the universe.  As a result, it is very difficult to know much about the nature and capacity of the light of the soul.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ بنیٓ اسرآئیل / الإسرَاء

وَيَسۡـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ‌ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنۡ أَمۡرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلۡعِلۡمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلاً۬ (٨٥)

They ask you concerning the spirit (of inspiration).  Say: “The Spirit (comes) by Command of my Lord.  Of knowledge, it is only a little that is communicated to you (O men!)” (Surah al-Isra’:85) 

All other forms of light were Created as part of the universe.  Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about this in the following verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴنعَام

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

ٱلۡحَمۡدُ لِلَّهِ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَجَعَلَ ٱلظُّلُمَـٰتِ وَٱلنُّورَ‌ۖ ... (١) 

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Praise be to Allah, Who Created the Heavens and the Earth, and Made the darkness and the light … (Surah al-An’am:1) 

Perhaps, the light of the Earth began when Allah (s.w.t.) Created the solar system.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرّعد

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى رَفَعَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ بِغَيۡرِ عَمَدٍ۬ تَرَوۡنَہَا‌ۖ ثُمَّ ٱسۡتَوَىٰ عَلَى ٱلۡعَرۡشِ‌ۖ وَسَخَّرَ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ‌ۖ كُلٌّ۬ يَجۡرِى لِأَجَلٍ۬ مُّسَمًّ۬ى‌ۚ ... (٢) 

Allah is He Who Raised the Heavens without any pillars that you can see; then He Established Himself on the Throne (of authority); He has Subjected the Sun and the Moon (to His law)!  Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed ... (Surah ar-Ra’ad:2) 

Regarding the soul of Man, it was only when Adam (a.s.) was Created and Perfected physically, that a special spark of refined light was Created and Commanded to enter into the chest of Adam (a.s.).  Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about this, in the following verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحِجر

فَإِذَا سَوَّيۡتُهُ ۥ وَنَفَخۡتُ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِى فَقَعُواْ لَهُ ۥ سَـٰجِدِينَ (٢٩) 

“When I have Fashioned him (in due proportion) and Breathed into him of My Spirit, fall you down in obeisance unto him.” (Surah al-Hijr:29) 

With the entry of the soul into Adam (a.s.), Man became a unit with two dimensions in his personality; a physical and a spiritual.  Some people believe that the physical man cannot access the spiritual world, except through a particular channel, but Islam teaches that in every human being both the physical and spiritual are so Created that they can work together for upholding the mission for which Man was Sent on Earth.  As a result, there is no need for an intermediary to get to God.  Allah (s.w.t.) tells us about this in the Qur’an, in many places.  For example, He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الحَدید

... وَهُوَ مَعَكُمۡ أَيۡنَ مَا كُنتُمۡ‌ۚ ... (٤) 

... And He is with you wheresoever you may be ... (Surah al-Hadid:4) 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

وَإِذَا سَأَلَكَ عِبَادِى عَنِّى فَإِنِّى قَرِيبٌ‌ۖ أُجِيبُ دَعۡوَةَ ٱلدَّاعِ إِذَا دَعَانِ‌ۖ ... (١٨٦) 

When My servants ask you concerning Me, I am indeed Close (to them); I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me ... (Surah al-Baqarah:186) 

The physical body is like a vehicle for the soul.  It can impact upon it negatively, by doing what is prohibited; or positively by doing what is permissible.  It can keep the soul bright and shining, or it can put stains on the soul, thereby preventing its light from penetrating the cells of the body.  When the light of the soul reaches all the cells of the body, and that person dies, he or she will be Resurrected on Judgement Day with a brightened countenance. 

Allah (s.w.t.) has Given Man a tremendous capacity and capability, as His Representative on Earth; and has Made available for his use and benefit, all that is in the skies and the Earth.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ إبراهیم

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ رِزۡقً۬ا لَّكُمۡ‌ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡفُلۡكَ لِتَجۡرِىَ فِى ٱلۡبَحۡرِ بِأَمۡرِهِۦ‌ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرَ (٣٢) وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلشَّمۡسَ وَٱلۡقَمَرَ دَآٮِٕبَيۡنِ‌ۖ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ ٱلَّيۡلَ وَٱلنَّہَارَ (٣٣) وَءَاتَٮٰكُم مِّن ڪُلِّ مَا سَأَلۡتُمُوهُ‌ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّواْ نِعۡمَتَ ٱللَّهِ لَا تُحۡصُوهَآ‌ۗ إِنَّ ... (٣٤) 

It is Allah Who has Created the Heavens and the Earth and Sends down rain from the skies and with it brings out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who has Made the ships subject to you that they may sail through the sea by His Command; and the rivers (also) has He Made subject to you.  And He has Made subject to you the Sun and the Moon, both diligently pursuing their courses: and the night and the day has He (also) Made subject to you.  And He Gives you of all that you ask for.  But if you count the Favours of Allah never will ye be able to number them ... (Surah Ibrahim:32-34) 

Regarding the spiritual dimension of the personality, if properly managed and maintained, Man can ascend as a person above the skies and can have experiences of what has been described in the Qur’an as the “unseen”.  Every single person can have religious experiences of the “unseen” if he or she lives a righteous life. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Appointed Man as His khalifah, vicegerent, on the Earth.  He is supposed to always keep in mind that he is a traveller here, as the Earth is not his permanent abode.  One needs to constantly remind himself that he is on a journey back to his Lord.  Muslims says this very often.  It is Mentioned in the Qur’an, in the following verse: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَآ أَصَـٰبَتۡهُم مُّصِيبَةٌ۬ قَالُوٓاْ إِنَّا لِلَّهِ وَإِنَّآ إِلَيۡهِ رَٲجِعُونَ (١٥٦) 

Who say, when afflicted with calamity, “To Allah we Belong and to Him is our Return.” (Surah al-Baqarah:156) 

While on Earth, Man has been Given certain responsibilities.  The most important is to acknowledge the fact that we are all creatures and there is only one Creator.  And the creatures are not in any way like the Creator.  Allah (s.w.t.) tells us about this in a very simple statement He Made in the Qur’an.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الإخلاص

وَلَمۡ يَكُن لَّهُ ۥ ڪُفُوًا أَحَدٌ (٤) 

And there is none like unto Him. (Surah al-Ikhlasw:4) 

Even though we are creatures and cannot be like the Creator, we can behave like Him in some ways.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرُّوم

فَأَقِمۡ وَجۡهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفً۬ا‌ۚ فِطۡرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيۡہَا‌ۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِخَلۡقِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَڪۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ (٣٠) 

So set you your face steadily and truly to the faith: (establish) Allah’s handiwork according to the pattern on which He has Made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard religion: but most among mankind understand not. (Surah ar-Rum:30) 

The best of the Lord’s representative that have passed through the Earth was Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.).  Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about this, in the Qur’an.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّجْم

وَمَا يَنطِقُ عَنِ ٱلۡهَوَىٰٓ (٣) 

Nor does he say (aught) of (his own) desire. (Surah an-Najm:3) 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

لَّقَدۡ كَانَ لَكُمۡ فِى رَسُولِ ٱللَّهِ أُسۡوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ۬ ... (٢١) 

You have, indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, a beautiful pattern (of conduct) ... (Surah al-Ahzab:21) 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴحزَاب

وَدَاعِيًا إِلَى ٱللَّهِ بِإِذۡنِهِۦ وَسِرَاجً۬ا مُّنِيرً۬ا (٤٦) 

And as one who invites to Allah’s (Grace) by His leave, and as a lamp spreading light. (Surah al-Ahzab:46) 

If one should follow the example given to us by Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) he would become a friend of the Lord and an asset in society.  He will spread peace in the Earth; he will demonstrate love and compassion; he will be a trustworthy, sincere person, he will not be a hypocrite; and will not harbour hate, malice, jealousy, selfishness, greed.  He will Receive from his Lord special guidance in all his undertakings.  Muslims are specially Blessed as they have the opportunity to read and recite the unadulterated Words of the Lord, in the form of the Qur’an. 

A truly successful person in this world is one who can be defined as a blessed tree; that is, a person who is able to ascend close to the Lord; is able to provide shade to passers-by; and is able to supply juicy, delicious fruits to the hungry. 

Allah (s.w.t.) Tells us about such a person, in the form of a parable, in the Qur’an.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ إبراهیم

أَلَمۡ تَرَ كَيۡفَ ضَرَبَ ٱللَّهُ مَثَلاً۬ كَلِمَةً۬ طَيِّبَةً۬ كَشَجَرَةٍ۬ طَيِّبَةٍ أَصۡلُهَا ثَابِتٌ۬ وَفَرۡعُهَا فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ (٢٤) تُؤۡتِىٓ أُڪُلَهَا كُلَّ حِينِۭ بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهَا‌ۗ وَيَضۡرِبُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡأَمۡثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمۡ يَتَذَڪَّرُونَ (٢٥) 

See you not how Allah Sets Forth a parable? ― A goodly word like a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the heavens ― It brings forth its fruit at all times, by the leave of its Lord.  So Allah Sets Forth parables for men, in order that they may receive admonition. (Surah Ibrahim:24-25) 

Every human being should try to be a goodly tree that is capable to provide help to the weary, thirsty, hungry, tired passer-by; and at the same time observing high moral principles. 

Fasting in Ramadhan is one of the institutions in Islam that is designed to nurture and cultivate the qualities that will make a person fit to stand happily in the presence of the Lord on one hand, and to become a useful, sincere and truthful member of society on the other.  It impacts upon the individuals through what is called tazkiyyah an-nafs, by trimming out all the unwanted qualities and desires in the individuals; in other words, by pruning our trees, so that we can grow and bear sweet juicy fruits.  Tazkiyyah has a physical, moral and spiritual programme for making the individual a true and reliable representative of the Lord here on the Earth. 

In addition, it is one of the opportunities to have all of one’s past sins forgiven, and it also helps the individuals to ascend higher on the way back to the Lord.  Perhaps, this is one of the reasons for celebrating ‘Iyd, as the believer who kept the fast and did extra worship feels elevated in the Sight of Allah (s.w.t.). 

Allah (s.w.t.) has Given us a beautiful example of how we should conduct ourselves in this life, even if the environment is harsh and oppressive.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ النّحل

وَإِنَّ لَكُمۡ فِى ٱلۡأَنۡعَـٰمِ لَعِبۡرَةً۬‌ۖ نُّسۡقِيكُم مِّمَّا فِى بُطُونِهِۦ مِنۢ بَيۡنِ فَرۡثٍ۬ وَدَمٍ۬ لَّبَنًا خَالِصً۬ا سَآٮِٕغً۬ا لِّلشَّـٰرِبِينَ (٦٦) 

And verily in cattle (too) will ye find an instructive Sign.  From what is within their bodies, between excretions and blood, We Produce for your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those who drink it. (Surah an-Nahl:66) 

Let us endeavour to continue to improve our lives, through submission and worship on the one hand; and by dedicated service to humanity on the other.  When this is done, we all will become beautiful, blessed trees in this world, and very important persons in the next, as we all will enter Paradise by a special gate called Rayyan, reserved for all those who kept the fast sincerely for the sake of Allah (s.w.t.).  And let us all this day make a firm resolution that we will keep our milk pure by doing what is good and staying away from the evil.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Forgive us for our past mistakes and Guide and Protect us for the remainder of our lives.