1.1.1 Why Allah Created the Universe

Introduction

Allah created the universe with wisdom, purpose, and justice. Nothing in existence is random or without meaning. Allah tells us clearly that He did not create the heavens and the earth in play or without a goal. Understanding why Allah created the universe helps a person see life correctly, recognize the greatness of the Creator, and realize their own place in this vast creation.

Creation Not in Vain

Allah repeatedly affirms in the Qur’an that He did not create the universe without purpose. He rejects the idea that existence is meaningless or a game.

Allah says in Sūrat Ṣād:

“وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا بَاطِلًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ظَنُّ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا ۚ فَوَيْلٌ لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا مِنَ النَّارِ”
“Not without purpose did We create the heaven and the earth and all that is between them. That is the assumption of those who disbelieve. So woe to those who disbelieve from the Fire.”
(Qur’an 38:27)

In Sūrat al-Anbiyā’ He says:

“وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا لَاعِبِين * مَا خَلَقْنَاهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ”
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them as those who play. We did not create them except in truth, but most of them do not know.”
(Qur’an 21:16–17)

These verses show two important points. First, creation has a serious, real purpose “in truth.” Second, ignorance of this purpose is a mark of disbelief or misguidance.

In another verse Allah asks a powerful question that corrects people who think life is purposeless:

“أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا وَأَنَّكُمْ إِلَيْنَا لَا تُرْجَعُونَ”
“Did you then think that We created you without purpose and that you would not be returned to Us?”
(Qur’an 23:115)

The word “ʿabathan” means in vain, without serious aim, or as a game. Allah rejects this thought. The universe has an ordered, wise Creator, and its end is to return to Him for judgment. The purpose of creation is tied to truth, justice, and returning to Allah.

Creation in Truth and Wisdom

Allah often links His creating the heavens and the earth with the word “bil-ḥaqq,” meaning “with truth” or “in truth.” This means that everything in creation is based on wisdom, justice, and knowledge, not on falsehood or injustice.

Allah says:

“خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ تَعَالَىٰ عَمَّا يُشْرِكُونَ”
“He created the heavens and the earth in truth. Exalted is He above what they associate with Him.”
(Qur’an 16:3)

And in Sūrat al-ʿAnkabūt:

“مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَأَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى”
“Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth and for a specified term.”
(Qur’an 29:44)

Here two aspects of purpose appear. First, “in truth,” which points to wisdom and justice. Second, “for a specified term,” which means this universe has an appointed end and is not eternal. It is a stage for a test that will finish, and then the Hereafter will begin.

The Prophet ﷺ summarized this meaning in a brief supplication when he would wake up for night prayer. He would say as reported in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī and Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:

“اللَّهُمَّ رَبَّ جِبْرِيلَ وَمِيكَائِيلَ وَإِسْرَافِيلَ، فَاطِرَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ، عَالِمَ الغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ، أَنْتَ تَحْكُمُ بَيْنَ عِبَادِكَ فِيمَا كَانُوا فِيهِ يَخْتَلِفُونَ”
“O Allah, Lord of Jibril, Mikail, and Israfil, Originator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen, You judge between Your servants in that wherein they differ.”

In this supplication the Prophet ﷺ joined between “Originator of the heavens and the earth” and “You judge between Your servants,” which reflects that the Creator did not create without judgment and justice. The existence of the universe is linked to Allah’s judgment and governance.

Creation as a Sign of Allah

One of the purposes of the universe is that it acts as a sign pointing to Allah. The heavens, the earth, day, night, and all things in them speak, in their own way, of His existence, oneness, power, and wisdom.

Allah says:

“إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِّأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ”
“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)

Those who think deeply about the universe are guided to remember and glorify Allah. The next verse describes them:

“الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ”
“Those who remember Allah while standing, sitting, and on their sides, and who reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, [saying], ‘Our Lord, You did not create this in vain. Glory be to You, so protect us from the punishment of the Fire.’”
(Qur’an 3:191)

These people look at creation and reach a clear conclusion. Allah did not create this “in vain.” Their recognition of Allah’s purpose leads them to worship and to ask for protection from the Fire. So one purpose of the universe is to awaken the human mind and heart, so that people come to knowledge of Allah through His signs.

Allah repeats this meaning in many places. For example:

“سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ”
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that it is the Truth.”
(Qur’an 41:53)

The horizons, meaning the outer universe, and the inner self both act as mirrors that reflect the reality of the Creator. The universe exists so that humans can see these signs and be guided.

Creation as a Stage for the Human Test

The universe is also the environment where the test of human beings takes place. The details of the human test and the special purpose of human creation belong to the later chapter about “The Creation of Humanity,” but here it is enough to see how Allah links the creation of death, life, and the heavens to testing people.

Allah says in Sūrat al-Mulk:

“تَبَارَكَ الَّذِي بِيَدِهِ الْمُلْكُ وَهُوَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ * الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْمَوْتَ وَالْحَيَاةَ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا”
“Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion, and He is over all things competent, the One who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed.”
(Qur’an 67:1–2)

Death, life, and by necessity the place in which they unfold, exist for a test. The universe is the arena where actions occur, choices are made, and obedience or disobedience appears. The test is not to see who has more deeds in number, but “which of you is best in deed” in quality, sincerity, and correctness.

Allah also says:

“وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ وَكَانَ عَرْشُهُ عَلَى الْمَاءِ لِيَبْلُوَكُمْ أَيُّكُمْ أَحْسَنُ عَمَلًا”
“And He is the One who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water, to test you which of you is best in deed.”
(Qur’an 11:7)

Here Allah directly connects the creation of the heavens and the earth to the purpose of testing the servants. This shows that the universe is not only a collection of objects, but a carefully arranged setting where divine commands, human responsibility, and moral choices appear.

The Prophet ﷺ reminded people of this reality. In an authentic hadith in Sunan at-Tirmidhī he said:

“لَا تَزُولُ قَدَمَا عَبْدٍ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ حَتَّى يُسْأَلَ عَنْ أَرْبَعٍ”
“The feet of a servant will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about four things …”

This hadith goes on to mention life, knowledge, wealth, and body, which all unfold within the created universe. This shows that the universe serves as a field of responsibility that will be reviewed on the Day of Judgment.

Creation and the Day of Judgment

Since the universe is a place of testing, there must be a time when the results of the test are shown. This is one of the key purposes behind creating the heavens and the earth: to establish justice through a final judgment.

Allah says:

“وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاءَ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ السَّاعَةَ لَآتِيَةٌ فَاصْفَحِ الصَّفْحَ الْجَمِيلَ”
“And We did not create the heaven and the earth and what is between them except in truth, and indeed, the Hour is surely coming, so forgive with gracious forgiveness.”
(Qur’an 15:85)

Here Allah links creating “in truth” with the certain coming of the Hour. Without the Hereafter and resurrection, creation would appear to be incomplete, because many good people suffer without full reward and many evil people enjoy power without full punishment. The Day of Judgment reveals the wisdom behind everything.

Allah also says:

“وَمَا خَلَقْنَا السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَمَا بَيْنَهُمَا إِلَّا بِالْحَقِّ وَإِنَّ اللَّهَ لَبِالْغَنِيِّ عَنِ الْعَالَمِينَ”
“And We did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them except in truth, and indeed Allah is surely free of need of the worlds.”
(Qur’an 29:6)

Allah is free of need. He gains nothing and loses nothing by creating or not creating. This means that creation and the final judgment are from pure wisdom and mercy for the created beings, not because Allah needs them. It is for their benefit that He made a world, gave them life, and informed them of the coming Day when all grievances will be settled.

The Prophet ﷺ informed us in a hadith qudsī, recorded in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, that Allah says:

“يَا عِبَادِي، إِنَّمَا هِيَ أَعْمَالُكُمْ أُحْصِيهَا لَكُمْ، ثُمَّ أُوَفِّيكُمْ إِيَّاهَا، فَمَنْ وَجَدَ خَيْرًا فَلْيَحْمَدِ اللَّهَ، وَمَنْ وَجَدَ غَيْرَ ذَلِكَ فَلَا يَلُومَنَّ إِلَّا نَفْسَهُ”
“O My servants, it is but your deeds that I record for you, then I fully recompense you for them. So whoever finds good, let him praise Allah, and whoever finds other than that, let him blame no one but himself.”

This hadith shows that existence is tied to recording, judgment, and recompense. The universe was created so that deeds can take place, then be measured with complete justice.

Creation as a Manifestation of Allah’s Names and Attributes

Another dimension of why Allah created the universe is that it is a place where His Names and Attributes are shown. Allah is the Creator, the Provider, the Most Merciful, the All Powerful, the All Knowing, the Pardoner, and many other Names. The created world is where these qualities appear to the servants.

Allah says:

“اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ الْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ وَأَنَّ اللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عِلْمًا”
“It is Allah who created seven heavens and of the earth the like of them. The command descends among them so that you may know that Allah is over all things competent and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge.”
(Qur’an 65:12)

Here Allah clearly explains one reason for creating the layered heavens and earth. It is “so that you may know” His power and knowledge. Without creation, humans would not see the effects of His Names. By seeing creation, they gain knowledge of Allah and increase in belief.

In Sūrat al-Ḥashr, Allah lists many of His Names, and they are directly connected to His actions in the universe:

“هُوَ اللَّهُ الْخَالِقُ الْبَارِئُ الْمُصَوِّرُ”
“He is Allah, the Creator, the Originator, the Fashioner.”
(Qur’an 59:24)

Creation is not merely a backdrop. It is a living display of Allah’s creative power and perfect design. Every created thing is an “āyah,” a sign, that speaks of Him.

The Prophet ﷺ taught the companions to call upon Allah using His Names, which they learned through revelation and through seeing His actions. In a famous hadith recorded by al-Bukhārī and Muslim he said:

“إِنَّ لِلَّهِ تِسْعَةً وَتِسْعِينَ اسْمًا، مِائَةً إِلَّا وَاحِدًا، مَنْ أَحْصَاهَا دَخَلَ الْجَنَّةَ”
“Indeed Allah has ninety-nine Names, one hundred minus one, whoever enumerates them will enter Paradise.”

To “enumerate” them includes understanding them and seeing their effects. The universe provides the context where this understanding grows. When a person sees rain after drought, they recognize the name “The Provider.” When they are forgiven after sin, they recognize “The Forgiving” and “The Oft Returning.” The universe exists as the scene upon which the beauty of Allah’s Names is recognized.

Creation as Mercy

Allah describes the Qur’an, guidance, and even the sending of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ as mercy. The universe itself is part of that mercy. Existence is better than nonexistence for the one who uses it correctly. The universe allows people to believe, to worship, to repent, and to earn eternal happiness.

Allah says:

“رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَّحْمَةً وَعِلْمًا”
“Our Lord, You have encompassed all things in mercy and knowledge.”
(Qur’an 40:7)

Since Allah’s mercy encompasses all things, creating them is itself a mercy. The Qur’an reminds us that Allah has given us everything on earth in service to our benefit.

He says:

“هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا”
“He is the One who created for you all that is on the earth.”
(Qur’an 2:29)

The phrase “for you” indicates care and benefit. The earth and its resources support human life, learning, and worship. They form a mercy for those who use them in obedience.

The Prophet ﷺ explained that Allah’s mercy is far greater than the mercy of any mother to her child. In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, when he saw a woman desperately searching for her baby and then embracing him, he said to his companions:

“لَلَّهُ أَرْحَمُ بِعِبَادِهِ مِنْ هَذِهِ بِوَلَدِهَا”
“Allah is more merciful to His servants than this woman is to her child.”

The same Lord who is more merciful than any mother is the One who brought the universe into being and arranged it to serve the path of guidance and salvation. The universe reflects this mercy through the constant provision, order, and the chances repeatedly given for people to turn back to Him.

Creation and Human Meaning

The purpose of the universe and the purpose of the human being are deeply connected. Later chapters will focus directly on humanity’s creation and purpose, but it is helpful here to see how Allah links the two together.

Allah says:

“أَلَمْ تَرَوْا أَنَّ اللَّهَ سَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَأَسْبَغَ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعَمَهُ ظَاهِرَةً وَبَاطِنَةً”
“Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and has completed His favors upon you, outwardly and inwardly?”
(Qur’an 31:20)

“Subjected to you” means that the sun, moon, stars, rains, animals, and many forces of nature are placed in a pattern that supports human life and responsibility. This subjection shows that one of the main reasons for creating the universe is to support the human journey of knowledge, worship, and accountability.

In another verse:

“وَسَخَّرَ لَكُم مَّا فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا مِّنْهُ”
“And He has subjected to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, all from Him.”
(Qur’an 45:13)

Everything in the universe is “from Him,” meaning it is a gift and trust. The universe is the background against which the story of human obedience and disobedience takes place. Its size, beauty, and precision are reminders to the human of the greatness of the One who made both them and the universe.

The Prophet ﷺ pointed to this connection when he said in a hadith in Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim:

“الدُّنْيَا سِجْنُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَجَنَّةُ الْكَافِرِ”
“This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”

The world, which is part of the created universe, is not the final home. For the believer it is a controlled, limited place of duty and obedience, like a prison compared to the freedom of Paradise. For the disbeliever it may seem like a paradise, but that is only because they do not recognize the greater reality that comes after. This hadith reminds us that the purpose of the universe is not complete comfort in this life, but a test leading to the final home.

Creation, Gratitude, and Recognition

Because Allah created the universe for wise reasons, people are expected to respond with recognition and gratitude. The Qur’an often links reflection on creation with the duty to thank Allah.

Allah says:

“اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِ مِنَ الثَّمَرَاتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الْفُلْكَ لِتَجْرِيَ فِي الْبَحْرِ بِأَمْرِهِ وَسَخَّرَ لَكُمُ الأَنْهَارَ * وَآتَاكُم مِّن كُلِّ مَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُ ۚ وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا”
“Allah is the One who created the heavens and the earth and sent down from the sky water, and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. And He subjected to you the ships, to sail through the sea by His command, and subjected to you the rivers. And He gave you from all you asked of Him. And if you try to count the favor of Allah, you will never be able to count it.”
(Qur’an 14:32–34)

The aim of this reminder appears right after in the same surah, where Allah narrates the words of Ibrāhīm عليه السلام:

“وَإِذْ تَأَذَّنَ رَبُّكُمْ لَئِن شَكَرْتُمْ لَأَزِيدَنَّكُمْ”
“And [remember] when your Lord proclaimed, ‘If you are grateful, I will surely increase you.’”
(Qur’an 14:7)

Creation invites gratitude. A person who sees the universe correctly understands that they are living in a world full of gifts. Gratitude is one of the main responses that the Creator loves from His servants.

The Prophet ﷺ said, as reported by al-Tirmidhī:

“إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَرْضَى عَنِ الْعَبْدِ أَنْ يَأْكُلَ الأَكْلَةَ فَيَحْمَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا، أَوْ يَشْرَبَ الشَّرْبَةَ فَيَحْمَدَهُ عَلَيْهَا”
“Allah is pleased with the servant who, when he eats a morsel of food, praises Him for it, or when he drinks a sip of drink, praises Him for it.”

A single morsel or sip comes from a vast chain of created causes sun, rain, soil, seeds, plants, animals, and human effort. The entire universe supports these simple acts. When a person thanks Allah, they align themselves with the real purpose of these blessings.

Conclusion

Allah created the universe “in truth,” not in play or in vain. The heavens, the earth, and everything between them serve multiple connected purposes. They act as signs that lead to knowledge of Allah. They form the stage for the human test and the place where deeds are done before the Day of Judgment. They display the effects of Allah’s Beautiful Names and Perfect Attributes. They express His mercy by providing the means of life, guidance, and repentance. They support human responsibility and call for constant gratitude.

Allah is free of need. He did not create because He needed worship or companions, but out of perfect wisdom, justice, and mercy. The one who reflects on the universe with the guidance of the Qur’an and the Sunnah sees that every star in the sky, every drop of rain, and every breath they take participates in this greater purpose, which will be fully revealed when they return to Allah.