Why Allah Honored Humans Above His Other Creations
The concept of “ashraf ul makhluqat” (most honored of creation) is commonly used to describe humanity in Islamic thought, yet the exact phrase doesn’t appear in the Quran. What does appear is even more profound: humans were created in the best form, honored above much of creation, given knowledge angels didn’t possess, appointed as vicegerents on earth, and granted free will with moral responsibility. This special status isn’t about human superiority but about divine trust—Allah honored humans by giving them capabilities and responsibilities no other creation bears. Understanding why reveals both the blessing and burden of being human according to Islamic teaching.