🌍 A responsibility
A khalifah must look after the earth in the way Allah wants. This means using its gifts fairly, keeping it in good condition and passing it on unspoiled.
Muslim Beliefs about the Universe and Human Beings » Allah's Creation and Humans as Khalifah
What you'll learn this session
Study time: 30 minutes
Edexcel spec: Paper 1, 1.1 (Islam)
- What Muslims believe about the universe as Allah's creation
- What it means for human beings to be khalifah, and how Muslims carry out this role
- What Islam teaches about the treatment of animals
- How Muslims respond to the Big Bang theory and evolution
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Unlock This CourseThe universe as Allah's creation
In How Did the Universe Begin? Religious and Scientific Views you met the idea of a creator. This lesson looks at what Muslims believe. Muslims believe that the universe did not come about by chance. It was made, on purpose, by Allah.
Key terms:
- Allah: the Arabic word for God, used by Muslims.
- Qur'an: the holy book of Islam. Muslims believe it is the word of Allah.
- Hadith: a report of something the Prophet Muhammad said or did. Muslims believe he was Allah's final messenger.
- Ayah: a sign. The word is used for a verse of the Qur'an and for a sign of Allah in nature.
- Khalifah: a steward or trustee who looks after the earth for Allah.
- Amanah: a trust. Something valuable that is put in your care.
- Halal: allowed under Islamic law.
✨ By his command
The Qur'an teaches that Allah creates simply by giving the order. When he decides something, he only says 'Be', and it is (Qur'an 2:117). For Muslims this shows that Allah has complete power and needs no help and no materials.
🌙 Six periods
The Qur'an says that Allah made the heavens and the earth in six days (Qur'an 7:54). The Arabic word is 'ayyam', which can also mean long periods of time. So many Muslims speak of six periods, not six days of 24 hours.
🌟 A sign of Allah
The Qur'an says that the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the change of night and day, are signs for people who think (Qur'an 3:190). Muslims believe that the sun, the rain and every living thing point to their maker.
Muslims also believe that creation has a purpose. The Qur'an says that Allah did not make the heavens and the earth as a game (Qur'an 44:38). Muslims believe that everything in it belongs to Allah, and that everything has a part to play.
Human beings as khalifah
Where do human beings fit in? The Qur'an tells how Allah said to the angels, 'I am placing a khalifah on the earth' (Qur'an 2:30). The angels asked why he would put there a creature that would do harm and shed blood. Allah answered that he knew what they did not. Muslims believe the first human being was Adam.
So, in Islam, human beings have a special place. They are honoured above other creatures and given reason and the power to choose. The Qur'an says that Allah has put what is in the heavens and on the earth at their service (Qur'an 45:13). But they are not the owners. In Caring for the Planet and Animal Rights you met stewardship and trusteeship. Khalifah is the Muslim form of this idea. Muslims believe the earth is an amanah from Allah, and that humans are his servants as well as his khalifah.
📜 A test
The Qur'an says that Allah made people khalifahs on the earth to test them through what he has given them (Qur'an 6:165). Muslims believe that on the Day of Judgement Allah will judge every person on how they lived. This includes how they used the earth.
How Muslims carry out this responsibility
💧 Not wasting
The Qur'an says, 'Eat and drink, but do not waste', because Allah does not love the wasteful (Qur'an 7:31). One hadith reports that the Prophet Muhammad told a companion not to waste water when washing for prayer, even beside a flowing river.
🌳 Caring for the environment
A hadith teaches that if a Muslim plants a tree and a person, bird or animal eats from it, it counts as an act of charity. Many Muslims plant trees, save energy, recycle and clear litter as part of their faith.
Not all Muslims act in the same way. Some stress that humans have been given the earth to use, so farming and industry are good if there is no waste. Others say the damage now being done to the planet shows humans are failing as khalifah, so Muslims should change how they live.
The treatment of animals
The Qur'an teaches that animals matter to Allah. It says that every creature on the earth, and every bird that flies, forms communities like human beings (Qur'an 6:38). This is a Muslim way of seeing what all living beings have in common.
🐕 Kindness is rewarded
In one hadith, a man climbed down a well to fetch water for a very thirsty dog, and Allah forgave his sins. The Prophet Muhammad said there is a reward for kindness to every living thing.
🐈 Cruelty is a sin
In another hadith, a woman was punished because she shut a cat in and did not feed it or let it go free to find food. The Prophet Muhammad also forbade using a living creature as a target.
So Muslims believe humans may use animals for food, work and transport, but must never be cruel to them or overwork them. Meat must be halal: the animal is killed quickly with a sharp knife while Allah's name is spoken. Most Muslims eat meat. Some eat less of it, or choose meat from animals raised more kindly, because they believe crowded modern farming does not match the kindness Islam asks for.
Muslim responses to the Big Bang and evolution
💥 The Big Bang
Many Muslims accept the Big Bang theory as a description of how Allah made the universe. They point to the Qur'an, which says the heavens and the earth were once joined together and were then split apart (Qur'an 21:30). Other Muslims warn against tying the Qur'an to any one scientific theory, because theories can change.
🔬 Evolution
Muslims hold different views. Some accept evolution as the method Allah used to bring about all life, including humans. Many accept that plants and animals evolved but believe Allah made Adam in a special, separate act. Some reject evolution because they believe it does not fit what the Qur'an says about the creation of human beings.
All of these Muslims agree on the main point: however the universe and life developed, Allah is the one who made them.
Common mistakes
Do not write that khalifah means humans own the earth or can do as they like with it. It means the opposite: the earth belongs to Allah and humans are answerable for it. Do not write that all Muslims reject science. Many accept the Big Bang theory, and views on evolution differ.
Exam-style question
Paper 1 style question. Parts (a) and (b) test AO1. Parts (c) and (d) test AO1 and AO2.
(a) Identify three ways in which religious believers can care for the environment. [3 marks]
(b) Choose one religion. Outline two teachings about the treatment of animals in this religion. [4 marks]
(c) Choose one religion. Explain why followers of this religion believe human beings have a responsibility for the planet. [6 marks]
(d) 'The earth was made for human beings to use as they wish.' Evaluate this statement, showing you have considered different points of view. In your answer you should refer to at least one religion. [12 marks]
Model answer
(a) 1. Not wasting water (1). 2. Planting trees (1). 3. Recycling (1).
(b) Islam teaches that animals form communities like human beings (1), which means they matter to Allah and must be treated with respect (1). Islam also teaches that cruelty to animals is a sin (1), for example a hadith tells of a woman who was punished for shutting a cat in without food (1).
(c) Muslims believe that Allah made human beings khalifah. The Qur'an says Allah placed a khalifah on the earth, so humans are his trustees and must look after the earth for him.
Muslims also believe the earth belongs to Allah, not to people. It is an amanah, a trust, so it must be kept in good condition and not spoiled or wasted. The Qur'an says Allah does not love the wasteful.
Finally, Muslims believe that being khalifah is a test. Each person will answer to Allah on the Day of Judgement for how they treated the earth. This means caring for the planet is a duty to Allah, not just a personal choice.
(d) Plan. For: the Qur'an says Allah has put what is in the heavens and on the earth at the service of humans; Muslims believe humans are honoured above other creatures, so using land, plants and animals for their needs is right; some non-religious people argue that humans are the most intelligent species and need the earth's resources to live well.
Against: Muslims believe the earth belongs to Allah and humans are only khalifah, so 'as they wish' is wrong; the Qur'an forbids waste and teaches that animals are communities like humans; Muslims believe they will be judged for how they use the earth; humanists say we owe a healthy planet to future generations.
Possible conclusion: judge each point as you go, then pick a side. For example: I disagree, because even those who believe the earth is there to be used, such as Muslims, also believe humans must answer for how they use it. 'To use' may be right, but 'as they wish' is not.
Exam tip
In part (d), split the statement in two. 'For human beings to use' and 'as they wish' are different claims, and a Muslim could agree with the first while rejecting the second.