A Weak Narration Regarding the Number of Created Beings in This UniverseSource: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 206
❖ Question
How many types of created beings exist in this world?
Some claim the number is 1,800, while others suggest fewer. What is the correct and stronger opinion?
✦ The Response
Wa ʿalaykum al-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh
All praise is due to Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
❖ ① The Religious Relevance of This Question
This inquiry does not pertain to the essential tenets of the religion.
A Muslim is not obligated to investigate such matters, as they do not fall under beneficial knowledge.
The Prophet ﷺ said:"Part of a man's good observance of Islam is to leave what does not concern him."
Jāmiʿ al-Tirmidhī, Book of Zuhd, Chapter: Guarding the Tongue, Ḥadīth No. 2317
Thus, a believer should focus on matters related to faith, creed, obedience, and Allah’s pleasure and displeasure.❖ ② Possible Benefits in This Inquiry
While not essential, this question may carry some spiritual and intellectual benefits:
◈ Understanding Allah’s infinite power
◈ Recognizing the vastness of creation, which reflects the majesty of the Creator
◈ Leading to strengthening of faith (īmān)
◈ Developing humility and obedience before the Lord of the Worlds
❖ ③ A Narration Often Cited Regarding This Issue
Referenced In:
- Mishkāt al-Maṣābīḥ (Vol. 2, pp. 471–472)
- Kanz al-ʿUmmāl (Vol. 12, p. 337, Ḥadīth No. 3529)
- Shuʿab al-Īmān by Imām al-Bayhaqī
- ʿIlal al-Ḥadīth by Abū Yaʿlā
- al-ʿAẓamah by Abū al-Shaykh
- Ḥakīm al-Tirmidhī
✘ Grading of the Narration:
The narration is transmitted from Sayyidunā ʿUmar (RA)
But ḥadīth scholars have declared it weak (ḍaʿīf)
❖ Text of the Ḥadīth:
Narrated by Jābir ibn ʿAbdillāh (RA):
During the last year of ʿUmar’s (RA) caliphate, locusts disappeared. He was greatly distressed and sent messengers to Iraq and Shām to investigate if locusts could be found.
A messenger from Yemen brought a handful of locusts and placed them before him. Upon seeing them, ʿUmar (RA) exclaimed “Allāhu Akbar!” and said:
“I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ say:
‘Allah created one thousand nations — six hundred in the sea and four hundred on land. The first among them to perish will be the locusts. When they vanish, the rest will follow one by one like beads falling from a string.’”
❖ ④ Conclusion
This narration states the total number of species as:
➊ 600 in the sea
➋ 400 on land
➤ Total: 1000
However:
✘ Since the narration is weak, it cannot be relied upon for establishing definitive knowledge.
The correct belief is that the true number of created beings is known only to Allah ﷻ.وَٱللَّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِٱلصَّوَابِ
And Allah knows best what is correct.
