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Fatwa CenterThe wisdom behind creation
Question
When a Buddhist asked me about the wisdom behind creating and testing humans, I couldn’t answer. Why did Allaah the Almighty create us although He is in no need of us?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. The answer to this question has two parts: Firstly, the questioner, as a Muslim who believes in Allaah as Ever-Wise and Ever-Knowing, must believe that there is wisdom behind everything that Allaah The Almighty does, even if it is unknown to us. Our faith is not based on knowing such wisdom. What we must do is submit. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {It is not for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decided a matter, that they should [thereafter] have any choice about their affair.}[Quran 33:36] However, it is permissible to seek understanding of this wisdom to reassure the heart. You should not listen to false allegations. Polytheists at the time of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, used to tell Muslims that what Allaah The Almighty had slaughtered with a gold knife was prohibited from being eaten, whereas what a person slaughters with a knife is permissible. Thereafter, the following verse was revealed: Allaah the Almighty Says (what means): {And do not eat of that upon which the name of Allaah has not been mentioned, for indeed, it is grave disobedience. And indeed do the devils inspire their allies [among men] to dispute with you. And if you were to obey them, indeed, you would be associators [of others with Him].}[Quran 6:121] Secondly, discussion with Buddhists should centre on the basic issue of belief in Allaah The Almighty and His Messenger. Other issues are based on this issue. However if you discuss with them the wisdom behind things, this may not lead to a result, because wisdom may or may not be known. If known, a person may not comprehend it. Instead, the Buddhist should be asked, "Suppose that you did not know the wisdom behind the creation of humankind, would this mean that this universe, with its perfection and order, came into existence by coincidence and was created without reason? If anyone ponders over the universe they would certainly realize that there must be a wise, knowing and powerful creator for it." If he agrees with this, then there is no reason for his objection about the wisdom behind creating and testing humankind. The manifestation of the effects of the Names and Attributes of Allaah The Almighty is another wisdom behind the creation of man, in the sense that through the perfect handling of human affairs, the meanings of the Names and Attributes of Allaah The Almighty can be perceived and felt. This was previously clarified in Fatwa 5492. In Fatwa 17543, the benefit and wisdom behind worshipping Allaah The Almighty was made clear and also that the obligation to worship Allaah The Almighty is a source of honor and pleasure for us. Allaah Knows best.
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