Islam and Human Rights — Page 36
Isl am and Hum an R ights 36 man in the achievement of this purpose he has been endowed with appropriate faculties and capacities. “Surely We have created man in the best mould” (95:5). In addition, God has constrained the whole of the universe to the service of man, which means that the universe is governed by laws and that the operation of these laws has as its object the beneficent service of man. These laws are ascertainable and through their knowledge man can progressively increase his mastery over the forces of nature and extract greater and greater beneficence from them. The Quran describes man as God’s “vicegerent upon earth” (2:31). It affirms that man having been created by stages and his faculties having been perfected, he began to be guided through revelation. He then found that the universe was subjected to him for the enrichment and ful filment of his life. “Allah it is Who has subjected the sea to you that ships may sail thereon by His command, and that you may seek of His Bounty and that you may draw benefit therefrom. He has subjected to you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; all of it. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect” (45:13-14). Again: “Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth