Chapter 1: Belief in Almighty God

Question 02: What is the penultimate reason behind the creation of man?  Does God need man’s worship?

Answer 02: Man has been created in order to worship God: “And I (God) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship me (alone)” (Holy Qur’an: 51: 56).  The Primary incumbency on man is to know God through His oneness, and thence to worship Him truly.  Secondly, man is required to act his role as God’s vicegerent on earth, so as to enjoy bliss both here and hereafter.  Indeed, his/her need to acknowledge the supremacy of God exceeds his/her need and drink: “O mankind!  It is you who stand in need of God.  But God is rich, worthy of all praise” (Holy Qur’an: 35: 15).

     God is above the need for man’s worship.  He does not benefit from man’s devotion, nor would He be adversely affected by man’s blasphemy.  From beginning to end the story of man’s existence on earth, no matter how many are its incidents, is an ordeal, a test, whether for him/her as an individual or for all humanity.  Man’s performance in this test determines either his praise and reward or reproof and punishment.