The wisdom of our creation

Commentator Razi writes about the reason for the revelation of this verse: "The polytheists of Makkah said: "Allah created the angels and made them close to Him. Accordingly, the angels pray to God. The purpose of their creation is worship. And we are not worthy to pray to God because of our low level. That's why we pray to the angels, and the angels pray to God. Then Allah said: "I created jinn and humans only so that they worship Me", and did not mention the angels in this place. Because the situation about the angels was known and famous among the polytheists of Makkah. Therefore, Allah mentioned only the conflicting aspect.

According to Qurtubi's commentary, this command applies to those servants who are known to pray to Him according to the eternal knowledge of God Almighty. The command comes in a general word, but the meaning is specific. The meaning of the command is as follows: "I created the happy ones from the jinn and humans so that they would know only Me alone."

There are several views as to why the jinn is mentioned first in the verse:

- The word "demon" means "unseen". Accordingly, this word also includes angels.

Because the angels' devotion and prayers are great, they are mentioned before people;

- The reason why jinns are mentioned before is that they were created before;

- Prayer is divided into open and secret types. A secret prayer is better than an open one. The worship of the jinn is secret, and there is little chance of a dream entering into it. Riya can interfere with people's prayers. Because a person is sometimes for the eyes of others; and sometimes he prays because he is afraid of the jinns or to get a message from them. Demons are not like that.

Qushayri says: "Ayati Karim refers to some of the slaves. Because the mentally retarded and children are not commanded to pray to Allah Ta'ala. After all, there is a verse that reads: "We have created most of the jinn and humans for hell..." (A'rof, 179). And those who were created for hell cannot be among those created for worship. Therefore, it is correct to say that this verse was revealed about those who believed among the slaves.

Hazrat Ali karramallahu wajhahu interpreted the verse as follows: "I created both jinn and humans only to order them to worship." Zajjoj also approved this meaning. This is evidenced by the verse of Allah, the Most High, "...However, they were commanded to worship only Allah..." (Tawba, 31).

In addition, there are those who interpret the verse "...only so that they may pray to Me..." as meaning "Let them acknowledge that they should pray to Me, whether they want to or not." This was narrated by Ali ibn Abu Talha Ibn Abbas, may God be pleased with him.

Mujahid interpreted the verse as "Only for them to know Me". Salabi called it "Amazing ta'wil!" described as Because if God had not created them, His existence and unity would not have been known. To this interpretation, Allah Almighty said, "(O Muhammad,) I swear, if they ask: "Who created the heavens and the earth?" If you ask, surely they will say: "They were created by the Mighty and the Wise" (Zukhruf, 9) and similar verses will be proof.

Zayd ibn Aslam in his commentary on the verse says: "It is the happiness or unhappiness of their creations." Allah, the Exalted, created the happy ones from the jinn and humans to worship Him, and the unfortunate ones to rebel."

According to Kalbi, the meaning of the verse is "I created only so that they may know Me as the One." A believer continues to believe that Allah is one even in difficult and difficult times. And the unbeliever considers Him the only one in times of trouble, but does not do so when he lives in ease. This meaning is "When (disbelievers) are surrounded by waves like mountains, they sincerely pray to Allah. So when (Allah) saves them and (leaves them) on land, then (only some) of them will be rightly guided. Only the treacherous and ungrateful reject our verses" (Lukhman, 32) is confirmed by the meaningful verse.

Ikrima interprets the verse as follows: "I created jinn and humans only to worship and obey Me. I will reward those who pray, and I will punish those who deny.'

"What was that prayer that caused the creation of demons and humans?" Razi answered this question: "This is to show respect to all the commandments of Allah and His creation. Because all the rulings of Sharia are not free from these two different things. As for the nature of prayers, the laws and regulations in this regard are different in terms of form, number, time and place, conditions and pillars. Since it is not possible to find the level of worship and prayer worthy of the Almighty God with the mind, it is necessary to adhere to the Shariah rules and take the words of the prophets in this regard. Because Allah, the Exalted, has shown infinite grace to His servants regarding these two types of worship by sending a prophet and explaining the ways in this regard.

Based on the interpretations of Qurtubi and Fakhriddin Razi

Prepared by Noman Abdulmajid.