1.1 The Purpose of Creation

Introduction

The purpose of creation is the central question of human existence. Islam answers it clearly and repeatedly in the Qur’an and through the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. In this chapter we will focus on the general, overarching purpose of creation as a whole, without going into details that belong to later subchapters such as the creation of humanity, worship, free will, or knowing Allah, which will each be discussed in their own place.

Creation Belongs Completely to Allah

The first point in understanding the purpose of creation is to recognize that all creation belongs entirely to Allah alone. He is the Creator, Owner, and Master of everything in existence. Allah says:

“Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command. Blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Qur’an 7:54)

He also says:

“Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is, over all things, Disposer of affairs.” (Qur’an 39:62)

Nothing in the heavens or the earth exists by itself or sustains itself. Everything is the result of Allah’s will and power. The believer starts from this certainty: there is one absolute Creator, and everything besides Him is created, dependent, and in need of Him.

The Prophet ﷺ taught this same reality in simple words. In a famous duʿa reported in Sahih Muslim, he said:

“O Allah, You are the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is in them. You are the Truth, Your promise is true, Your speech is true, and the meeting with You is true…” (Sahih Muslim)

By affirming that Allah is the true Lord and that meeting Him is true, the Prophet ﷺ tied creation to its ultimate end: returning to the One who created it.

Allah Created with Purpose, Not in Play

Creation is not random, accidental, or meaningless. Allah firmly denies that He created the universe without purpose or as a game. He says:

“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them in play.” (Qur’an 21:16)

Similarly He says:

“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and everything between them for mere diversion. Had We intended to take a pastime, We could have taken it from what is with Us, if We were ever to do so. Rather, We hurl the truth against falsehood, and it crushes it, and behold, it vanishes.” (Qur’an 21:16–18)

In another verse Allah warns those who assume that creation has no purpose:

“Did you think that We created you uselessly and that to Us you would not be returned?” (Qur’an 23:115)

The Prophet ﷺ expressed this sense of seriousness when he said:

“The intelligent person is the one who controls his soul and works for what is after death, and the incapable is the one who follows his desires and merely hopes in Allah.” (Sunan al‑Tirmidhi, graded hasan)

If there were no purpose to creation, there would be no reason to speak of intelligence as preparing for what is after death. The hadith shows that creation, life, and death are all connected to a greater reality.

The Universe as a Sign Pointing to Allah

One of the key purposes of creation in general is that it acts as a collection of signs that point to the existence, oneness, power, and wisdom of Allah. Allah often calls the things He created “ayat,” which means signs. He says:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of the night and the day, are signs for people of understanding.” (Qur’an 3:190)

He then describes those people:

“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides, and reflect upon the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], ‘Our Lord, You did not create this aimlessly; exalted are You, so protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’” (Qur’an 3:191)

In these verses, the heavens, the earth, and the cycle of night and day are not just physical objects. They are pointers. They lead the thinking person to a conclusion: this universe is not created without purpose. There is a Wise Creator. There is accountability. There is a hereafter.

Allah also says:

“And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those who know.” (Qur’an 30:22)

The variety of human languages and colors is not random. It is a sign for those who seek knowledge and understanding, guiding them back to the Creator.

The Prophet ﷺ encouraged reflection on these signs. When he would see the moon, for example, he would say:

“O Allah, let this moon appear on us with security and faith, with safety and Islam, and with success in what You love and are pleased with. Our Lord and your Lord is Allah.” (Sunan al‑Tirmidhi, graded hasan)

By saying to the new moon “Our Lord and your Lord is Allah,” the Prophet ﷺ connected a simple, visible creation to its Creator, teaching Muslims to see every created thing as a sign of Allah’s lordship.

Creation as Manifestation of Allah’s Names and Attributes

Another meaning of the purpose of creation is that through it, the Names and Attributes of Allah become known. Without creation, we would not witness mercy given, provision granted, life given and taken, or justice carried out in the way we do. Allah says:

“Allah is the Creator of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in six days, then He rose over the Throne. You have not besides Him any protector or any intercessor, so will you not remember?”
(Qur’an 32:4)

When Allah creates, sustains, gives life and death, forgives and punishes, He shows us the reality of His Names such as Ar‑Rahman (the Most Merciful), Ar‑Razzaq (the Provider), Al‑Hayy (the Ever‑Living), Al‑Qahhar (the Subduer), and Al‑Hakim (the Most Wise).

Allah says:

“He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, the Fashioner; to Him belong the best names. Whatever is in the heavens and the earth glorifies Him. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” (Qur’an 59:24)

In an authentic hadith, the Prophet ﷺ informed us that Allah has many Names and that knowing them is a path to Paradise:

“Indeed, Allah has ninety‑nine names, one hundred minus one. Whoever enumerates them will enter Paradise.” (Sahih al‑Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Enumerating them is not just counting, but knowing, understanding, and living by them. The universe and all that it contains are like a living book in which the traces of these Names can be read.

Creation as a Test and Trial

Although the detailed discussion of human responsibility will come in the subchapter on free will and accountability, the general Qur’anic principle is that creation serves as a testing ground. Allah says:

“Blessed is He in whose hand is dominion, and He is over all things competent, [He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Forgiving.” (Qur’an 67:1–2)

Here Allah directly states a purpose: He created death and life to test people in their actions. This test explains the presence of difficulties, differences, and choices in our world.

He also says:

“Indeed, We have made that which is on the earth adornment for it in order to test them [as to] which of them is best in deed.” (Qur’an 18:7)

Everything on earth, its beauty, wealth, power, and attractions, has a testing element. Will a person use these things in obedience to Allah, or in disobedience? Will they be grateful or ungrateful?

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“The world is sweet and green, and indeed Allah is going to make you successors in it to see how you will behave. So beware of the world and beware of women, for the first trial of the Children of Israel was about women.” (Sahih Muslim)

The hadith uses the same idea as the Qur’an. The dunya is attractive, but this attractiveness is itself part of the test.

Creation and the Reality of the Hereafter

Another central aspect of the purpose of creation is its connection to the Hereafter. This world is not the final home. It is the first stage on a journey that ends in meeting Allah. Allah says:

“And We did not create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them except in truth and for an appointed term.” (Qur’an 46:3)

“Except in truth” means for a real and wise purpose. “For an appointed term” means that this creation is temporary and will end at a specific time known only to Allah. It is therefore not the complete story.

Allah also says:

“It is He who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.” (Qur’an 67:2)

A test implies a day of results. That day is the Day of Judgment. Allah says:

“Does man think that he will be left neglected?” (Qur’an 75:36)

And He says:

“So exalted is Allah, the True King. And do not hasten with the Qur’an before its revelation is completed to you, and say, ‘My Lord, increase me in knowledge.’” (Qur’an 20:114)

Calling Himself “the True King” in the same passage that discusses revelation and warning hints that creation is governed by a Sovereign who will call His servants to account.

The Prophet ﷺ summarized this journey in a brief but deep hadith:

“The most truthful words a poet has ever spoken are the words of Labid: ‘Indeed, everything besides Allah is false.’”

(Sahih al‑Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Everything other than Allah is temporary and passing. Its role is to lead the person to the One who is eternal.

Creation as a Path to Gratitude and Worship

The Qur’an connects the blessings of creation with the duty of gratitude and worship. While the detailed meaning of worship will be discussed in its own subchapter, here we note only the general link. Allah says:

“O mankind, worship your Lord, who created you and those before you, that you may become righteous, who made for you the earth a bed and the sky a canopy and sent down from the sky water and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not set up rivals to Allah while you know.” (Qur’an 2:21–22)

Here Allah lists several aspects of creation, such as the earth as a resting place, the sky as a canopy, rain, and fruits. All of these are favors and signs. The conclusion is a command: “Worship your Lord.” The reason is clear. The One who created and sustained deserves exclusive worship.

Allah also says:

“And whatever you have of favor, it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help.”
(Qur’an 16:53)

Recognizing that every blessing is from Allah transforms a person’s relationship with creation. They see food, health, family, knowledge, and security not as random gains, but as gifts from the Creator that call for gratitude and obedience.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Look at those who are below you and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely that you will not belittle the favors of Allah upon you.”
(Sahih Muslim)

This hadith teaches believers to view the created world in a way that leads to gratitude, not arrogance or envy. Gratitude is part of the response Allah wants from His servants in return for His acts of creating and providing.

Creation Reveals the Balance and Wisdom of Allah

When a person reflects carefully on creation, they see a remarkable balance. The alternation of night and day, the order of the planets, the cycle of water, the growth of plants, and the structure of the human body all display precision and wisdom. Allah says:

“Indeed, We created all things with a measure.”
(Qur’an 54:49)

He also says:

“The sun and the moon [move] by precise calculation, and the stars and trees prostrate. And the heaven He raised and He set up the balance, that you may not transgress in the balance. And establish weight in justice and do not make deficient the balance.”
(Qur’an 55:5–9)

Allah here mentions the balance in the creation of the heavens and then links it to moral balance and justice among people. The order of creation teaches us that Allah is Al‑Hakim, the Most Wise, and that He loves justice and abhors oppression.

The Prophet ﷺ said:

“Allah is more just and more kind than that He would leave a believer in a state of hardship without giving him a reward for it.”
(The meaning is found in reports such as Musnad Ahmad and others, with similar wording about Allah’s justice and mercy)

This shows that even the difficulties within creation are not without wisdom. They may be a means of purification, elevation in rank, or a reminder that the true and perfect life is the life of the hereafter.

Creation and the Call to Reflect

One of the repeated commands related to creation is the command to think and reflect. Islam does not ask the believer to turn away from the world, but to look at it properly. Allah says:

“Say, ‘Travel through the land and observe how He began creation. Then Allah will produce the final creation. Indeed Allah is over all things competent.’”
(Qur’an 29:20)

He says elsewhere:

“Do they not look into the realm of the heavens and the earth and everything that Allah has created, and think that perhaps their appointed time has come near? So in what statement after this will they believe?”
(Qur’an 7:185)

Reflection on creation is meant to strengthen faith, awaken the heart, and remind people that their time in this world is limited.

The Prophet ﷺ would himself reflect deeply on the signs of Allah. One night he recited the verse:

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for people of understanding.”
(Qur’an 3:190)

Then he said:

“Woe to the one who recites it and does not reflect on it.”
(Reported with supporting chains in tafsir literature; the meaning is widely cited by scholars)

This shows that to ignore the signs within creation and live without reflection contradicts the purpose for which these signs were placed around us.

The Unity of the Purpose of All Creation

Finally, it is important to note that the purpose of creation is unified and not conflicting. The various aspects we have mentioned, such as being signs, manifesting Allah’s Names, serving as a test, pointing to the Hereafter, and calling to gratitude and worship, all work together in harmony.

Allah says:

“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and whatever is between them except in truth. And indeed, the Hour is coming, so forgive with gracious forgiveness.”
(Qur’an 15:85)

“Except in truth” means with justice, wisdom, and a rightful purpose. The mention of the Hour in the same verse ties creation back to its final outcome.

Allah also says:

“Does He who created not know, while He is the Subtle, the All‑Aware?”
(Qur’an 67:14)

He created, He knows, and He is wise. Therefore His creation cannot be meaningless. Every particle in the universe fits into a wise plan, even if human beings cannot see all the details.

The Prophet ﷺ used to make a supplication that reflects this understanding:

“O Allah, to You I submit, in You I believe, upon You I rely, to You I turn in repentance, and by You I argue. O Allah, I seek refuge in Your might, none has the right to be worshiped but You, from You leading me astray. You are the Ever Living who does not die, while jinn and humans die.”
(Sahih Muslim)

By affirming that Allah alone never dies while jinn and humans die, the Prophet ﷺ reminded us that creation is passing, weak, and in need. Its purpose is to turn us back to the One who is eternal, perfect, and self‑sufficient.

Conclusion

In Islam the purpose of creation is not left to imagination or guesswork. The Qur’an and Sunnah teach that Allah created the heavens and the earth for a true and wise purpose, not in play or without meaning. Creation is a vast collection of signs that point to Allah, manifest His Names and Attributes, serve as a test, and guide people toward gratitude, worship, and preparation for the Hereafter.

Later subchapters will discuss how this general purpose applies specifically to humanity, to worship, to free will, and to knowing Allah in more detail. At this stage, it is enough to hold firmly to the clear Qur’anic truth: Allah created everything in truth, with wisdom, and for a serious purpose that ends in meeting Him.