The Purpose of the Creation of Man and the Sending of Prophets

This article is derived from the book Islam Mustafa ﷺ by respected Abu Hamzah Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi.

◈ The Creation of Man​

Allah Almighty created Sayyiduna Adam عليه السلام with His own hands from clay, gave him human form, and breathed into him His spirit. Then He commanded all the angels to prostrate to him. Accordingly, they all obeyed and prostrated except Iblis, who refused:

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ صَوَّرْنَاكُمْ ثُمَّ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ لَمْ يَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ
(7-الأعراف: 11)

"Indeed, We created you, then We shaped you, then We said to the angels, 'Prostrate to Adam'; so they prostrated except for Iblis. He was not of those who prostrated."

◈ Purpose of Human Creation​

Allah Almighty declared:

وَإِذْ قَالَ رَبُّكَ لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ إِنِّي جَاعِلٌ فِي الْأَرْضِ خَلِيفَةً
(2-البقرة: 30)

"And when your Lord said to the angels, 'Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority (Khalifa),' they said, 'Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we glorify You with praise and sanctify You?' Allah said, 'Indeed, I know that which you do not know.'"

In this noble verse, Allah mentions His favor upon the progeny of Adam. Before creating them, He informed the angels about them and expressed their virtue. The angels foresaw the potential for corruption and bloodshed on earth and questioned the wisdom of creating such beings. Allah responded that He knew greater wisdoms unknown to them, including the existence of prophets, the truthful, martyrs, and the pious among humanity.

Allah also stated:
وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ
(51-الذاريات: 56)

"And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."

He further said:
أَفَحَسِبْتُمْ أَنَّمَا خَلَقْنَاكُمْ عَبَثًا
(23-المؤمنون: 115)

"Did you think that We created you aimlessly and that you would not be returned to Us?"

◈ Satan's Deception of Adam عليه السلام​

After being granted the blessings of Paradise, Adam عليه السلام and his wife were warned not to approach a specific tree:

وَقُلْنَا يَا آدَمُ اسْكُنْ أَنتَ وَزَوْجُكَ الْجَنَّةَ
(2-البقرة: 35)

Despite the warning, Satan deceived them with false promises, causing them to disobey and thus be exposed:

فَدَلَّاهُمَا بِغُرُورٍ
(7-الأعراف: 22)

However, Adam عليه السلام repented, and Allah forgave him:

فَتَلَقَّىٰ آدَمُ مِن رَّبِّهِ كَلِمَاتٍ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ
(2-البقرة: 37)

◈ The Journey on Earth and the Path of Guidance and Misguidance​

Allah decreed for Adam and his progeny to live on Earth:
قُلْنَا اهْبِطُوا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا
(2-البقرة: 38)

He promised that whoever follows His guidance will neither fear nor grieve:
فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَىٰ
(20-طه: 123)

Those who disbelieve will be the inhabitants of Hell:
وَالَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا وَكَذَّبُوا بِآيَاتِنَا أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ
(2-البقرة: 39)

◈ Propagation of the Progeny of Adam and Division into Nations​

Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثَىٰ
(49-الحجرات: 13)

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know one another."

◈ The Chain of Prophets and Messengers​

Initially, humanity remained on the true religion, but eventually deviated, prompting Allah to send prophets:

كَانَ النَّاسُ أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً فَبَعَثَ اللَّهُ النَّبِيِّينَ
(2-البقرة: 213)

Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Abbas رضي الله عنه said:
"Between Adam and Noah were ten generations, all upon the true religion."

Sayyiduna Adam عليه السلام was the first human and the first prophet.

◈ The First Messenger: Sayyiduna Nuh عليه السلام​

Sayyiduna Nuh عليه السلام was the first messenger to a disbelieving nation:

وَلَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا نُوحًا إِلَىٰ قَوْمِهِ
(11-هود: 25)

Other prophets such as Hud, Saleh, Shuaib, Musa, Isa, and others were also sent thereafter.

◈ Completion of Prophethood​

The final Prophet is Muhammad ﷺ:
مَّا كَانَ مُحَمَّدٌ أَبَا أَحَدٍ مِّن رِّجَالِكُمْ وَلَٰكِن رَّسُولَ اللَّهِ وَخَاتَمَ النَّبِيِّينَ
(33-الأحزاب: 40)

◈ The Purpose of the Prophets' Mission​

Allah sent the prophets to give glad tidings and to warn:
رُّسُلًا مُّبَشِّرِينَ وَمُنذِرِينَ
(4-النساء: 165)

Thus, after the sending of messengers, no one has a proof against Allah on the Day of Judgment.