Purpose of Creation in Surah Adh-Dhariyat
Adh-Dhariyat is the 51st chapter of the Quran. It has 60 and is in the 26th and 27th Juzes of the Holy Book. It is Makki and is the 67th Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The word Dhariyat, from which the name of the Surah comes, is mentioned in the first verses and is the plural form of Dhariya, which means a wind that scatters things in the air.
The main theme of the Surah is Resurrection Day. It also discusses monotheism, God’s signs in the world, angels going to Abraham’s (AS) home as guests, punishment for the people of Lut (AS), and the stories of Moses (AS), the people of Aa’d, the people of Thamud, and the people of Noah (AS).
Surah Adh-Dhariyat begins with four swears by God stressing that divine pledges about the Resurrection Day are truthful. God swears on Dhariyat, Hamilat, Jariyat, and Muqsimat and underlines that what He has promised will be materialized.
The following verses criticize the fragile reasoning of those who deny the resurrection and warn them that punishment awaits them. The Surah then describes the characteristics of the pious ones, saying they say prayers at night and give alms.
It also points out some of the divine signs on the earth and says that heavens are the source of Rizq (sustenance) for people.
The Surah narrates the stories of some prophets, including Abraham, Moses, Lut, Salih, and Noah.
The final part of the Surah again emphasizes the signs of divine power, stressed that people will return to God, and rejects any kind of Shirk (polytheism).
It also criticizes those rejecting the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) invitation to God, reminding them of what happened to people who lived before and acted the same and warning them about the Day of Judgment.
An important point in this Surah is that it puts mankind and Jinn together and says God had the same purpose for their creation.
In verse 56 of the Surah God says: “I created the jinn and humankind only that they might worship Me.”
According to Al-Mizan Exegesis of the Quran, this verse shows that worshipping God is the main purpose behind the creation of mankind and that it attracts God’s forgiveness and mercy.
