God’s Relationship with the Created World (Importance)

Care for the Environment:

Some of the passages describe how God has made various things for the benefit of humans; the earth, the rain/water, food and drink, and that the earth will have a voice to say what humans have done whilst living on it. For example:

“Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy…” (2:22, Al-Baqarah)

“On that day will she declare her tidings.” (99:4, Az-Zalzalah)

This will be their good deeds and bad deeds, but also how they have looked after all these provisions. Humans are therefore not just encouraged to pray and fast and worship God, but also to do good actions, including those relating to looking after the soil from which their crops grow, the water which helps them grow, etc.

Need to Gain Knowledge:

Having given guidance (through the Qur’an and sunnah, etc.), God wants knowledge to be used to learn about life and to live lives in a good way. Without learning, humans would not know about their rights and responsibilities or about their potential as human beings. In order to respond to what God wants or what is of benefit to themselves or others, they have to learn how to respond. God is full of mercy and love, He is guiding people so they benefit in this life and in the next. For example, the Qur’an says:

“Proclaim! And your Lord is most bountiful, He who taught by the pen.” (96:3-4, Al-Alaq)

The most beneficial knowledge would be that which helps a person fulfil their rights towards God, fellow humans, and to develop themselves.