Aslam

Praise be to Allah.There are two aspects to the

answer to this question: general and specific. The general answer is

that the Muslim believes that Allaah is All-Wise and All-Knowing, and

He does not create anything in vain; all of His actions are based on

Wisdom. If the wisdom behind any of His actions is hidden from the believer,

then he should still adhere to this principle, and not think of his

Lord in bad terms.

The specific answer is that the wisdom behind the creation

of these things is to manifest the perfect nature of Allaah’s creation

and control of all things. Even though the created things are so many,

He provides for them all. He also tests people by means of these

(dangerous creatures), rewards those who are afflicted by them and makes

manifest the bravery of those who kill them. By creating them, He tests

His slaves’ faith and certainty: the believer accepts the matter and

submits, whilst the doubter says, “What is the point of Allaah creating

this?!” He also demonstrates the weakness and incapability of man, whereby

he suffers pain and sickness because of a creature which is far smaller

than he is. One of the scholars was asked about the wisdom behind the

creation of flies. He said, so that Allaah may humiliate the noses of

the tyrants with them. Because of the existence of harmful creatures,

it becomes apparent how great is the blessing in the creation of beneficial

things, as it is said that contrast with the opposite demonstrates the

nature of things. The study of medicine has demonstrated that many beneficial

drugs are derived from the venom of snakes and the like. Glory be to

the One Who has created benefits in things that to all outward appearances

are harmful. Moreover, many of these dangerous animals are food for

other creatures which are beneficial, and this forms the ecological

cycle in the environments where Allaah has created them.

But the Muslim has to believe that everything

that Allaah does is good, and that there is no pure evil in what He

creates. In everything that He creates there has to be some aspect of

good, even if it is hidden from us, as is the case with the creation

of Iblees, who is the head of evil. But there is wisdom and a purpose

behind his creation, for Allaah tests His creatures by means of him,

to distinguish the obedient from the disobedient, those who strive from

those who are negligent, the people of Paradise from the people of Hell.

We ask Allaah to bless us with strength

of faith and understanding of our religion. May Allaah bless our Prophet

Muhammad and grant him peace.