Humans - As God's Caliphs on Earth (3/3)

Human Tendency to Construct

God’s trust in His creation of human beings to be His representatives on Earth was further based on His knowledge of them as being capable to build, or construct. He expected human beings to be creative in continuously improving their conditions on Earth, reaching the stage of civilization, as Ibn Khaldoun described it, using the Qur’anic meaning of ‘Amarah (construction or civilization).[1]

Verse 30: 9 is an invitation for humans to excavate the previous civilization to learn lessons from. It’s a direct reference to the human tendency of construction.

There is no doubt that construction benefited from the other two human characteristics of learning and choice. The three qualities interacted with each other producing this wonderful human phenomenon, which has pleased God, Who did bet on to do so, and to be thus, in front of His angels.

Here are three verses in which the reference to human construction is used.

“And to the Thamud People (We sent) their brother Saleh. He said: O my people! Worship Allah, you have no other god but Him. He produced you from the Earth and (enabled) you to construct therein.” (Surah Hood, 11: 61).

“The mosques of Allah are constructed, visited, and maintained by whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, and by whoever observes the prayer, and pays zakat (the poor-due) and fears none except Allah”  (Surah Al-Tawba, 9: 18 ).

“Have they not travelled on the land to see what was the sequel of those who were before them? They were much stronger than them, and they dug the earth and built upon it more than these have built” (Surah Al-Room, 30: 9).

Meanings of Caliphate, and duties of God’s successors on Earth, as mentioned in the following 14 verses of the Holy Qur’an:

The following fourteen verses of the Holy Qur’an the human caliphate of God on Earth with the following characteristics and responsibilities:

Believing in Allah

Doing good deeds

Mentioning blessings of God

Not corrupting the Earth

Ruling people with justice and according to God’s commands

Patience

Piety

Allah, praise to Him, mentions in the Holy Qur’an that the caliphate or succession of humans on Earth is a test for them, as He wants to see how they behave with the blessings He bestowed on them.

He also mentions that oppressors and those who rule with injustice, away from God’s commands will be replaced by others, who are better than them.

“And reflect (think about) that He made you successors (caliphs) after the people of Noah, and made you exceeding them in stature. Then, remember the favors of Allah, so that you may prosper” (Surah Al-‘Araf, 7: 96).    

“They rejected him, so We saved him and those with him in the ship, and made them successors (caliphs), and We drowned those who rejected Our revelations”  (Surah Younus, 10: 73).    

“Reflect (think about) that He made you successors (caliphs) after (the people of) 'Ad, and settled you on the Earth so that you could construct on its plains palaces, and carve dwellings out of mountains. So remember the favors of Allah, and do not act on the Earth as corruptors” (Surah Al-'Araf, 7:47).

“O Dawood (David)! We have made you as a successor on earth, so judge among people rightly, and do not follow desire, (which may) misguide away from the path of Allah” (Surah Saad, 38: 26).

“He is Who has made you successors (caliphs) on the Earth. So he who disbelieves, his disbelief will be on him (He will bear the consequences).” (Surah Fater, 35: 39).

“Or, Who listens to the distressed when he calls on Him, and Who relieves the suffering, and makes you successors (caliphs) on the Earth? (Are you still taking) Another god with Allah? It is little that you reflect on” (Surah Al-Naml, 27: 62).     

“And it is He Who has made you successors (caliphs) of the Earth and raised some of you above others in ranks, so that He tests you of what He has given you; surely your Lord is quick in punishment, and surely He is Forgiving, (and)  Merciful”  (Surah Al-Ana'am, 6: 561).       

“Then We made you successors (caliphs) on the Earth, after them, to see how you would act” (Surah Younus, 10: 14).

“Believe in Allah and His Messenger, and spend of that which He has made you (His) successors (caliphs) on” (Surah Al-Hadeed, 57: 7).

“Allah has promised those who believe among you to make them successors on Earth, as He made successors of those before them” (Surah Al-Noor, 24: 55).

“Your Lord is Self-Sufficient, (the Lord) of Mercy. If He will, He can remove you and make successors (caliphs) after you whom He wills, as He made you from offspring of other people” (Surah Al-Ana’am, 6: 13).

“(Prophet Hood): If they turn away (from what you told them, tell them) I have conveyed the Message with which I was sent to you, and my Lord will make another people to succeed you, and you will not harm Him anything” (Surah Hood, 11: 57).

“Moussa (Moses) said to his people: Seek help from Allah and endure. The Earth is Allah's. He gives it as inheritance to whom He wills of his worshippers, and the sequel is for the pious” (Surah Al-‘Araf, 7: 128).

“They said: We had been hurt before and after you came to us. He said: May your Lord destroy your enemy and make you successors (caliphs) on the Earth, so He sees how you act” (Surah Al-‘Araf, 7: 921).