1.1.2 The Creation of Humanity

Beginning of the Human Story

Allah tells us clearly that the creation of humanity was not random or accidental. It began with a clear, deliberate decision from the Lord of the worlds. Allah says:

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am going to create a human being from clay’” (Qur’an 38:71).

In another verse He says:

“Indeed, the example of Jesus to Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was” (Qur’an 3:59).

These verses show that humanity began with one person, Adam, created directly by Allah from earthly material, without a father or mother. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah created Adam from a handful which He took from all of the earth. So the children of Adam came according to the earth, some red, some white, some black, and what is between that, and [they are] easy and difficult, bad and good” (Abu Dawud). This hadith explains both the unity of human origin and the diversity of human colors and temperaments.

The Qur’an repeatedly reminds us of our humble physical beginning: “He created him from dust, then He said to him, ‘Be,’ and he was” (Qur’an 2:117), and: “He is the One who created you from clay, then decreed a term” (Qur’an 6:2). Dust and clay are lowly materials, yet from them Allah began the most honored of His creation on earth.

Stages of Human Creation

The Qur’an describes several stages in the creation of the first human, Adam, and also in the creation of every human being after him. About Adam, Allah says:

“Who perfected everything which He created and began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from an extract of a fluid, despised. Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His spirit, and made for you hearing, sight and hearts. Little are you grateful” (Qur’an 32:7–9).

From this we see a sequence. First, the physical body of Adam was fashioned from clay. Second, his offspring are created through a different process, from a drop of fluid. Third, having shaped the human form, Allah then honored Adam by breathing into him from His spirit. The phrase “from His spirit” does not mean that Allah is inside His creation. Rather, it is a spirit created by Allah, honored by its attribution to Him, like “the she-camel of Allah” (Qur’an 7:73) or “the house of Allah” (about the Kaʿbah). The scholars of Islam have explained that Allah is distinct from His creation, and nothing of His essence enters creation. Allah says:

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the Hearing, the Seeing” (Qur’an 42:11).

For the children of Adam, Allah describes the stages of development in the womb: “And certainly We created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot. Then We made the clot into a lump [of flesh]. Then We made the lump bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, then We produced him as another creation. So blessed is Allah, the Best of creators” (Qur’an 23:12–14). At the end of this process Allah says, “then We produced him as another creation,” which classical scholars understood as the point when the soul is breathed into the body.

The Prophet ﷺ described this in detail:

“The creation of each one of you is brought together in his mother’s womb for forty days as a sperm-drop, then he is a clot for a similar period, then a lump of flesh for a similar period, then the angel is sent to him and breathes the soul into him, and he is commanded with four matters: to write down his provision, his life span, his actions, and whether he will be happy or miserable” (al Bukhari, Muslim).

This shows that the human being is both a physical body and a soul that is given by Allah at a specific stage.

The Honor and Special Status of Humanity

Although humanity was created from something lowly like dust, Allah raised humans above many other creatures. He declares:

“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” (Qur’an 17:70).

This honor appears in several ways. Allah gave humans a special form:

“Indeed, We created man in the best form” (Qur’an 95:4).

He gave them the ability to think, to choose, and to understand. He taught Adam knowledge that the angels did not have:

“And He taught Adam the names, all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.’ They said, ‘Glory be to You, we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who are the Knowing, the Wise.’ He said, ‘O Adam, inform them of their names.’ And when he had informed them of their names, He said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know the unseen of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal and what you used to conceal?’” (Qur’an 2:31–33).

This scene shows that part of human honor is the gift of knowledge and the capacity to learn and name and categorize things. That is one of the reasons Allah commanded the angels to prostrate to Adam as a sign of respect, not as worship. Allah says:

“And when We said to the angels, ‘Prostrate to Adam,’ so they prostrated except for Iblis. He refused and was arrogant and became of the disbelievers” (Qur’an 2:34).

The Prophet ﷺ showed the high status of the human life and body when he stood up for a Jewish funeral that passed by him. When someone said it was only a Jewish funeral, he replied:

"Was it not a soul?” (al Bukhari, Muslim).

This hadith shows that every human soul has a dignity that must be respected.

All People Share the Same Origin

In Islam, all human beings, regardless of race, language, or place, share the same origin. Allah says:

“O mankind, fear your Lord, who created you from a single soul, and created from it its mate, and dispersed from both of them many men and women” (Qur’an 4:1).

In another verse He says:

“O mankind, indeed We created you from a male and a female and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most God fearing of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing, Aware” (Qur’an 49:13).

These verses explain that every person on earth goes back to one soul, Adam, and his wife. Race, tribe, and nationality exist for recognition and cooperation, not for superiority or pride. The Prophet ﷺ explained this very clearly in his Farewell Sermon:

“O people, indeed your Lord is One and your father is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non Arab, nor of a non Arab over an Arab, nor of a white over a black, nor of a black over a white, except by taqwa” (Ahmad).

He also said: “All of you are from Adam, and Adam was from dust” (at Tirmidhi).

So, the Islamic view of human creation destroys any idea of racism or belief that one people is created as a different species from another. All are from Adam, and the only true difference that matters with Allah is faith and righteousness, not blood or skin.

The Human Being Between Weakness and Potential

The Qur’an describes the human being in a balanced way. On one side, Allah reminds us of our weakness and dependence:

“And man was created weak” (Qur’an 4:28)

and:

“Has there not come upon man a period of time when he was not a thing mentioned?” (Qur’an 76:1).

Every person was once unknown, helpless, and unable to do anything until Allah created and nurtured him.

On the other side, Allah shows that this weak creature has a huge potential and responsibility. Allah says:

“Indeed, We offered the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the mountains, but they refused to bear it and feared it, yet man undertook it. Indeed, he was unjust and ignorant” (Qur’an 33:72).

The scholars explained that this “Trust” includes the responsibilities of commands and prohibitions, and the freedom to obey or disobey, which other creatures do not carry in the same way. The verse calls man “unjust and ignorant” at the beginning of his journey, because he often misuses this trust, but it also hints that he can rise to fulfill it properly.

The Prophet ﷺ described the human nature as having both good and evil inclinations. He said:

“Satan flows through the human being like the flowing of blood” (al Bukhari, Muslim)

which points to the constant whispering and temptation. At the same time, Allah placed in the human soul an inner awareness of right and wrong. Allah says:

“And [by] a soul and He who proportioned it, and inspired it with its wickedness and its righteousness. He has succeeded who purifies it, and he has failed who corrupts it” (Qur’an 91:7–10).

So, the human being is neither a pure angel nor a pure devil. He is created weak but given guidance and the capacity to rise through faith and obedience. His creation includes both bodily needs and spiritual aspirations. This middle position is central to understanding why humanity was created in the way it was.

The Human Body and Soul

The creation of humanity is not just a physical story. The Qur’an connects human creation with the soul and with Allah’s special act of giving life. Allah says:

“And [mention] when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am creating a human being from clay. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him from My spirit, then fall down to him in prostration’” (Qur’an 38:71–72).

The command to the angels to prostrate only comes after the body has been shaped and the soul has been given.

This teaches that the true human is not just the body. The body is honored, but the soul is the center of life and responsibility. When the soul leaves, the human body becomes silent and weak. Allah reminds us of this power:

“Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that do not die [He takes] during their sleep. Then He keeps those for which He has decreed death and releases the others for a specified term. Indeed in that are signs for a people who reflect” (Qur’an 39:42).

The Prophet ﷺ informed us about the continuity of the soul after death, but the details of that belong to later chapters about death and the grave. Here we only need to understand that the human being was created as a union of body and soul, with the soul given from Allah by His command, which is what makes human life sacred and meaningful.

Purpose Reflected in Creation

Humanity was not created as an afterthought or as an experiment. Allah reminds us:

“Did you think that We created you without purpose and that you would not be returned to Us?” (Qur’an 23:115).

Here Allah connects our creation with returning to Him. The fact that He created us, gave us life, and shaped us in a special way is a sign that there is purpose behind it.

The way humanity was created hints at this purpose. Our origin from dust teaches humility. Our special form and faculties show that we are meant to know, reflect, and choose. Our shared parentage, from Adam and his wife, shows that we are meant to live together, recognize one another, and be tested together. Allah says:

“He is the One who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deed, and He is the Mighty, the Forgiving” (Qur’an 67:2).

The Prophet ﷺ summarized this sense of responsibility in a hadith:

“The feet of the son of Adam will not move on the Day of Resurrection until he is asked about five things: about his life and how he spent it, about his youth and how he used it, about his wealth, how he earned it and how he spent it, and what he did with what he knew” (at Tirmidhi).

The one who is asked in this way is the same one who was created from dust, given a body, a soul, and a period of life. Creation is the beginning of a journey that will be questioned.

The exact ultimate goal of human creation, especially in relation to worship, will be explained in the following chapter, but here it is enough to notice that the Qur’an always links the story of our beginning with the reality of our return to Allah.

Humanity as Successors on Earth

Allah also described the purpose of creating humanity in terms of their role on earth. He said:

“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I am placing upon the earth a khalifah’” (Qur’an 2:30).

A “khalifah” is someone who succeeds, manages, and is entrusted with responsibility. The angels questioned not the wisdom of Allah, but sought understanding:

“They said, ‘Will You place in it one who will cause corruption in it and shed blood, while we glorify You with praise and sanctify You?’ He said, ‘Indeed, I know that which you do not know’” (Qur’an 2:30).

Then Allah taught Adam the names, showing one aspect of the human suitability for this role.

Other verses mention that Allah made us “successors” one after another. For example:

“Then We made you successors in the land after them so that We may see how you will do” (Qur’an 10:14).

And:

“It is He who has made you successors upon the earth and raised some of you above others in degrees so that He may test you in what He has given you” (Qur’an 6:165).

So the very creation of humanity carries the idea of being tested in how we use what Allah has given, whether we obey or disobey.

The Prophet ﷺ often reminded his companions of this responsibility. He said:

“Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock” (al Bukhari, Muslim).

This hadith gives a simple image of what it means to be a “khalifah” or successor, a person entrusted with something that belongs to Allah, who will be questioned about how he handled that trust.

Remembering Our Origin in Everyday Life

The Qur’an encourages believers to remember their origin as a way to stay humble, grateful, and aware of their dependence on Allah.

“He created man from a sperm-drop, and behold, he is a clear opponent” (Qur’an 16:4).

This verse criticizes the human being who forgets his lowly beginning and then becomes arrogant and argumentative with his Lord. In another verse, Allah says:

“Does man not remember that We created him before, while he was nothing?” (Qur’an 19:67).

The Prophet ﷺ used to remind people of their earthly origin to break pride. He said:

“Indeed, Allah has revealed to me that you should be humble, so that no one boasts over another and no one oppresses another” (Muslim).

Remembering that “Adam was from dust” helps a believer stay grounded, even when he has knowledge, wealth, or status.

At the same time, remembering that Allah

“created you, then perfected your forms, then made your forms good” (Qur’an 40:64)

encourages a believer to honor this gift by using his body and mind in obedience. The creation of humanity is not just a fact to know, but a reminder to live with humility, dignity, and responsibility before the One who brought us out of nothing into existence.