Creation of Mankind and the Reason for their Creation

Allah the Most Magnificent said:

“And remember when your Lord said to the angels: Verily, I am going to place mankind on earth, generations after generations.’ They said: Will you place within the earth those who will make mischief therein and shed blood-while we glorify you with praises and thanks and sanctify you.” Allah said: “I know that which you do not know.” (Surah al Baqarah, 2:30)

‘Allah reiterated His favor on the Children of Adam when He stated that He mentioned them in the heavens before He created Adam, He said to the Prophet Muhammad : O Muhammad remind your people what Allah said to the angels, and tell them that I am going to place people upon the earth reproducing generation after generation, century after century. Allah was not referring to Adam specifically and the angels understood this according to their special knowledge that these people (Khalifah) will cause mischief upon the earth. So the angels asked Allah about the wisdom behind creating them and this was not a form of disputing with Allah nor was it out of envy for the Children of Adam.

They understood that the reason behind creating the Children of Adam was: to worship Allah, to praise Him and glorify Him. The angels replied: We praise you and glorify you and sanctify you, and Allah replied to them: I am the most knowledgeable of the wisdom and benefits behind the creation which you all do not know. If there exists amongst these creatures some of the harmful things which you all mentioned (angels) for verily I will create amongst them Prophets, Messengers, truthful people, martyrs, righteous believers, worshippers, ascetics, pious believers, those who get closer to Allah by worshipping Him Alone, humble scholars who act upon their knowledge, and those who love Allah and His Messenger (sallAllahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). [Tafsir ibn Kathir 1/115]