The Wisdom of Allah, the Almighty
The attributes of Allah's wisdom is "Al-hazeem," meaning the one who alone possesses wisdom in totality. Every act of the Creator is governed by divine wisdom.
Advertisement
Divine wisdom is classified into two key areas, "Al-hikmat fii khalqihi" (wisdom behind His creation), and "ilhikma fii shar'ihi" (wisdom behind enactment of laws).
"Al-hikman fii khalqihi” (wisdom behind His creation). The entirety of creation is the artistic and creative work of the Creator, the Almighty. But for what? The simple question drives the wisdom of Allah, the Almighty, in His creation. In that regard, the Quran addresses man in the following words:
"And We did not create the heaven and earth and that between them in play." Quran 21:16
"And We did not create the heavens and earth and that between them in play." Quran 44:38
Two categorical Quranic statements indicating clearly that the entire universe was created by Allah, the Almighty, for a purpose.
On the creation of man, the Quran poses the following thought-provoking question:
"Then did you think that We created you uselessly and that to us you would not be returned?" Quran 23:115
Yes, man has not been created in vain, without purpose. And, the purpose for man's creation has been clearly stated by Quran 51:56
“And you did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me."
To be driven and motivated towards worshipping Allah, the Almighty, man must, of necessity, constantly ask himself/herself three life critical questions: "Who brought me there?" Why am I here? Where do I go from here?"
I have tagged these questions "critical" because that is the only means through which man attains a sense of purpose for his/her life in this world.
On creation of the universe, the Quran basically drives home the fact that it has been created to serve man and make life possible for him. The Divine Book thus states:
"Do you not see that Allah has subjected to you whatever is on the earth and the ships which run through the sea by His command? And He restrains the sky from falling upon the earth, unless by His permission. Indeed, Allah, to the people is Kind and Merciful." Quran 22:65
"Do you not see that Allah has made subject to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth and amply bestowed upon you His favours,(both) apparent and unapparent? But of the people is he who disputes about Allah without knowledge or guidance or an enlightening Book (from Him).” Quran 31:20
It has to be added that the combination of the universe and man's life in it leads to an interaction which consistently witnesses and experiences occurrences which are beyond the grasp and understanding of man.
The occurrences of volcanoes, floods, tsunamis, earthquakes, death, life afflictions, riches, poverty etc. are strongly driven by Divine Wisdom and the best way to deal with them is to remind oneself of the unique, unlimited power of the Creator and attain piety in the process.
"Al-hikma fii shar'ihii" (wisdom in His enactment of law). On this all-important issue, the Quran states clearly that the Creator has knowledge of what He has created.
If that is the case, then it is only Allah, the Almighty, who knows what is best for His creature, man, in terms of laws that should govern his life in this world.
The Quran thus states:
"Does He who created not know, while He is the subtle, the acquainted.” Quran 67:14
When an engineer manufacturers anything, he provides a manual that will guide its use. He does so because he knows what he has manufactured.
In much the same way, Allah, the Almighty, created man and He knows what is best for him in terms of laws that should guide his life in this world.
Consequently, divine laws and dictates carry with them the wisdom of providing guidance and security for man in this world and in the hereafter.
