Here’s something you’ve probably heard if you grew up Muslim: humans are “ashraf ul makhluqat”—the best, most honored, most noble of all Allah’s ﷻ creations. It’s taught in Islamic schools, mentioned in sermons, used to remind people of their dignity and responsibility.
But here’s what might surprise you: according to research by Islamic scholars who have studied the Quran extensively, that exact phrase—”ashraf ul makhluqat”—doesn’t actually appear anywhere in the Quran.
Does that mean it’s wrong? Not necessarily. The concept is based on several Quranic verses that describe human dignity and honor, but scholars debate whether humans are superior to all creation (including angels) or just much of creation.
What the Quran does say is actually more nuanced and more profound than a simple “humans are the best.” According to explicit Quranic statements, Allah ﷻ:
- Created humans in the best form (ahsani taqweem)
- Honored the children of Adam above much of creation
- Made humans His khalifah (vicegerent/steward) on earth
- Taught humans knowledge that even angels didn’t have
- Gave humans free will and moral responsibility
- Breathed His spirit into the first human
So the question becomes: Why did Allah ﷻ give humans this special status? What makes humanity different from angels, animals, and the rest of creation? And what responsibilities come with being honored in this way?
Let’s explore what Islamic teachings actually say about human dignity, why we have this unique position, and what it means for how we should live.
What the Quran Actually Says About Human Status
Before we discuss why humans are honored, let’s be precise about what the Quran actually states. According to Quranic verses:
[Surah Al-Isra, Ayah 70]
“And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.”
The key phrase is “much of what We have created”—not “all.” This suggests humans are not necessarily superior to every creation. Many scholars believe angels, for example, may be superior in certain ways.
[Surah At-Tin, Ayah 4]
“We have certainly created man in the best of stature.”
According to scholarly interpretation, “ahsani taqweem” (best form/stature) refers to both physical form and spiritual/intellectual capacity. Humans are created with the optimal design for their purpose.
[Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 30]
“And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed, I will make upon the earth a successive authority [khalifah].'”
According to this verse, humans are appointed as Allah’s ﷻ representatives on earth—a role no other creation was given.
According to Islamic scholars addressing this concept, the honor of humanity isn’t about being “better than everything” in an absolute sense. It’s about having a unique role, unique capabilities, and unique responsibilities that distinguish humans from other creations.
The Six Reasons Why Allah Honored Humans
Humans have been given special status for specific reasons:
1. Creation in the Best Form
According to the Quran’s statement that humans were created in “ahsani taqweem,” Allah ﷻ designed humans with:
Physical excellence: The upright posture, opposable thumbs, complex brain, and intricate sensory systems make humans physically capable of things other creatures cannot do.
Intellectual capacity: Humans have intellect (‘aql) that allows abstract thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and understanding complex concepts. Animals have instinct; humans have reason.
Spiritual potential: Humans have a soul (ruh) capable of knowing Allah ﷻ, experiencing spiritual states, and developing moral character in ways angels cannot (because they have no desires to resist) and animals cannot (because they lack the intellectual capacity).
Emotional complexity: Humans experience love, compassion, hope, fear, and other emotions that drive moral choices and social bonds.
According to Islamic scholars explaining this verse, the “best form” doesn’t just mean physical beauty—it means optimal design for the purpose humans were created for.
2. Divine Spirit Breathed Into Adam (Peace Be Upon Him)
According to Quranic testimony about the first human:
[Surah As-Sajdah, Ayah 9]
“Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His spirit and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful.”
When Allah ﷻ says He “breathed into him from His spirit,” this indicates a special connection between the Creator and humanity. This doesn’t mean humans possess divinity or a piece of God (which would be shirk—associating partners with Allah ﷻ). Rather, it signifies that humans have a spiritual dimension directly given by Allah ﷻ that other physical creatures don’t have in the same way.
This is why humans long for meaning beyond material existence, why they search for purpose, why they’re capable of worship and spiritual experience. That divine breath, is what makes humans uniquely capable of connecting with their Creator.
3. Knowledge That Even Angels Didn’t Have
According to the Quranic narrative of Adam’s (peace be upon him) creation, Allah ﷻ demonstrated human potential in a remarkable way:
[Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 31-33]
“And He taught Adam the names – all of them. Then He showed them to the angels and said, ‘Inform Me of the names of these, if you are truthful.’ They said, ‘Exalted are You; we have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, it is You who is the Knowing, the Wise.’ He said, ‘O Adam, inform them of their names.’ And when he had informed them of their names, He said, ‘Did I not tell you that I know the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth? And I know what you reveal and what you have concealed.'”
Allah ﷻ taught Adam (peace be upon him) knowledge—the “names” of things, which according to scholarly interpretation means understanding their natures, functions, and purposes. When the angels couldn’t provide this knowledge, but Adam (peace be upon him) could, it demonstrated that humans have intellectual capacity for learning and understanding that even angels, with all their purity and obedience, don’t possess in the same way.
This is why humans can discover, innovate, create, and advance knowledge. Humans are honored with the capacity for continuous learning and intellectual growth.
4. Free Will and Moral Responsibility
Here’s what makes humans truly unique according to Islamic teaching: free will with moral accountability:
Angels are created to obey Allah ﷻ. They cannot disobey. They’re pure, sinless, constantly worshipping—but they have no choice in the matter. There’s no test for angels because there’s no capacity for disobedience.
Animals follow instinct. They’re not morally accountable because they don’t have the intellectual capacity to understand moral choices.
Humans have both knowledge of good and evil AND the free will to choose between them. This is simultaneously humanity’s greatest honor and greatest test.
The Quran describes this choice:
[Surah Al-Insan, Ayah 3]
“Indeed, We guided him to the way, be he grateful or be he ungrateful.”
Humans are shown the path, but the choice to follow it or reject it is theirs. This freedom makes human worship meaningful—when you choose to obey Allah ﷻ despite having the option to disobey, that choice has moral weight and spiritual value.
This is why a righteous human can achieve a rank that even angels cannot achieve. Angels obey perfectly, but they have no choice. A human who struggles against desires, temptations, and difficulties yet still chooses obedience? That person’s rank can exceed angels because their obedience was chosen, not programmed.
5. Appointed as Khalifah (Vicegerent) on Earth
According to the Quranic verse mentioned earlier about Allah ﷻ telling the angels He would make a khalifah on earth, humans have been given a special role: stewardship of the planet.
According to Islamic scholars explaining this concept, “khalifah” means:
Representative: Humans act as Allah’s ﷻ representatives on earth, implementing His guidance and reflecting His attributes of mercy, justice, and wisdom.
Steward: Humans are caretakers of the earth and all its resources—animals, plants, water, minerals, environment. Humans don’t own the earth; they’re trustees managing it according to divine principles.
Authority with accountability: Humans have been given control over much of creation, but this authority comes with responsibility. Every action regarding how we treat creation will be questioned on the Day of Judgment.
When humans pollute, waste, abuse animals, or destroy ecosystems, they’re violating their role as khalifah. The honor of stewardship includes the obligation of care.
6. Capacity for Both Greatest Heights and Lowest Depths
Humans are unique in their capacity for extremes:
[Surah At-Tin, Ayah 4-6]
“We have certainly created man in the best of stature; Then We return him to the lowest of the low, Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds, for they will have a reward uninterrupted.”
Humans can rise to heights of righteousness, spirituality, and moral excellence that make them beloved to Allah ﷻ and worthy of Paradise. But humans can also fall to depths of evil, corruption, and moral degradation that make them worse than animals.
Animals can’t be evil in a moral sense—they just follow their nature. But humans? Humans can choose to be cruel when they know cruelty is wrong, can oppress when they understand justice, can harm when they’re capable of compassion. That’s what makes human evil worse than animal behavior—it’s chosen despite knowing better.
But the flip side, is that human righteousness is more valuable precisely because it’s chosen despite temptations to do otherwise.
The Angelic Concern: “Will You Place Therein One Who Will Cause Corruption?”
According to the Quranic narrative, when Allah ﷻ announced He would create humans, the angels expressed concern:
[Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayah 30]
“They said, ‘Will You place upon it one who causes corruption therein and sheds blood, while we declare Your praise and sanctify You?'”
According to scholarly interpretation, the angels weren’t being arrogant or questioning Allah’s ﷻ wisdom out of defiance. Rather, they had witnessed previous creations (possibly jinn or others) who had caused destruction, and they couldn’t understand why Allah ﷻ would create another being capable of corruption when angels were already perfectly obedient.
Allah’s ﷻ response, according to the Quran:
“Indeed, I know that which you do not know.”
According to Islamic scholars explaining this exchange, what the angels didn’t understand was:
The value of chosen obedience over programmed obedience. A creation that can choose to obey or disobey makes obedience meaningful in a way that automatic obedience cannot be.
The potential for growth through struggle. Humans develop character, strength, and spiritual depth by facing temptations and choosing correctly despite difficulty. Angels, having no temptations, cannot develop in this way.
The manifestation of divine attributes. Allah’s ﷻ mercy, forgiveness, patience, and justice are manifested through His interaction with humans who sin and repent. If creation only included perfectly obedient beings, certain divine attributes wouldn’t be demonstrated.
The purpose of test and accountability. The entire point of earthly life is as a test—and you can’t test beings who can’t do otherwise than obey perfectly.
Allah ﷻ honored humans by creating them with the capacity for greatness through struggle, rather than creating them as perfect but static beings.
The Responsibilities That Come With Honor
Being honored doesn’t mean being superior in a way that allows arrogance. Rather, honor comes with massive responsibility.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught the principle, as documented in Islamic sources: “Everyone of you is a guardian and everyone of you is responsible for what he is guardian of.”
The honored status requires:
Worship of Allah ﷻ alone. According to the Quran, the purpose of human creation is worship:
[Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Ayah 56]
“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.”
According to this verse, the honor of being human includes the responsibility to recognize and worship the Creator.
Moral and ethical behavior. Humans are expected to embody justice, compassion, honesty, and good character. The intellectual capacity to understand right from wrong creates the obligation to choose right.
Stewardship of creation. Humans must care for the earth, treat animals with mercy, preserve resources, and avoid waste and destruction.
Seeking and spreading beneficial knowledge. Humans should use their intellectual capacity to learn, discover, and share truth.
Building just societies. Humans should establish justice, help the weak, oppose oppression, and create communities that reflect divine guidance.
Preparing for the Hereafter. This life is temporary preparation for eternal life. The honor of free will includes the responsibility to choose wisely with eternal consequences in mind.
Humans who abuse their honored status—through disbelief, oppression, corruption, or ignoring their responsibilities—will face severe accountability. The Quran warns:
[Surah At-Tin, Ayah 5-6]
“Then We return him to the lowest of the low, Except for those who believe and do righteous deeds…”
The same human capacity that allows greatness can produce the lowest degradation when misused.
Are Humans Really Superior to Angels?
According to the scholarly debate documented in the search results, this is where Islamic scholars have differing opinions.
Some scholars say humans can be superior to angels. Righteous humans who struggle against temptations and choose obedience achieve a rank higher than angels because their worship is chosen, not programmed. The greatest humans—prophets especially—are superior to all angels except perhaps the highest like Jibril (peace be upon him).
Other scholars say angels are superior overall. They are described as “most honourable,” “mighty in power,” “held in honour by the Lord of the throne,” and “do not disobey Allah in what He commands them.” Angels’ perfect obedience and constant worship without the corruption of desires makes them superior, and humans are honored above “much of creation” but not angels specifically.
Most scholars say it depends. Righteous humans may surpass average angels, but the highest angels surpass all humans except prophets. Or humans have potential for heights angels can’t reach, but also depths angels can’t fall to, making direct comparison difficult.
Whether humans are absolutely superior to angels or not doesn’t change the core point: humans have been given unique honors, unique capabilities, and unique responsibilities that require gratitude to Allah ﷻ and commitment to living up to that trust.
The Test: Will You Live Up to Your Honor?
The honor Allah ﷻ gave humans isn’t unconditional or automatic. It’s a trust (amanah) that you’re being tested on.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, as recorded in authentic hadith collections: “All of my ummah will enter Paradise except those who refuse.” They said, “O Messenger of Allah, who would refuse?” He said, “Whoever obeys me will enter Paradise, and whoever disobeys me has refused.”
Entering Paradise—fulfilling your human potential and earning eternal honor—requires choosing to obey Allah ﷻ. Refusing that choice is like refusing the gift of Paradise itself.
The Quran presents the choice clearly:
[Surah Al-Balad, Ayah 8-10]
“Have We not made for him two eyes? And a tongue and two lips? And have shown him the two ways [good and evil]?”
Allah ﷻ gave you the tools (eyes, tongue, lips—representing perception, speech, and action) and showed you both paths (good and evil). The choice is yours. That’s both the blessing and burden of being human.
The Grateful vs. The Ungrateful
Humanity divides into two categories:
The grateful (shakirin): These are people who recognize Allah’s ﷻ favor in creating them, honoring them, and guiding them. They use their intellect to recognize truth, their free will to choose obedience, their knowledge to worship correctly, and their stewardship to care for creation. These fulfill their purpose and achieve eternal success.
The ungrateful (kafirun): These aren’t just atheists but anyone who covers up or denies the obvious signs of Allah ﷻ and His favor. They use the very capacities Allah ﷻ gave them—intellect, free will, knowledge—to deny Him, disobey Him, and corrupt His earth. They’re wasting the honor they were given.
The Quran addresses this ingratitude:
[Surah As-Sajdah, Ayah 9]
“…and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful.”
According to this verse’s message, despite all the honor Allah ﷻ gave humans—the best form, divine spirit, knowledge, free will, stewardship—most people are ungrateful. They don’t recognize the favor. They don’t fulfill their purpose. They waste their potential.
That’s the tragedy of humanity: being given everything necessary for eternal success, yet choosing temporary pleasures over eternal reward.
What This Means for You
If you’re reading this, you have exactly what makes humans honored: intellect to understand these words, free will to choose whether to accept them, spiritual capacity to connect with your Creator, and moral responsibility for what you do with this knowledge:
You’ve been honored by being human. You’re not an accident of evolution, not a random collection of atoms, not just another animal. You were deliberately created, carefully designed, and purposefully honored by Allah ﷻ.
That honor comes with purpose. You exist to recognize your Creator, submit to His guidance, fulfill your role as His representative on earth, and prepare for eternal life.
You have the capacity for greatness. You can achieve moral, spiritual, and intellectual heights that make you beloved to Allah ﷻ and worthy of eternal Paradise.
But you also have the capacity for failure. You can waste your potential, ignore your purpose, abuse your stewardship, and choose eternal loss.
The choice is yours. That’s what being honored means—having the choice, and being responsible for what you choose.
The Bottom Line: Honor Is Responsibility
Here’s what everything comes down to:
Humans are called “ashraf ul makhluqat” not because the exact phrase appears in the Quran (it doesn’t), but because Quranic verses clearly establish that humans have been honored in specific, profound ways: created in the best form, given divine spirit, taught knowledge, granted free will, appointed as vicegerents, and entrusted with moral responsibility.
This honor isn’t about being “better than everything” in an absolute sense that allows arrogance. It’s about having a unique role in creation with unique capabilities and unique responsibilities.
Allah ﷻ honored you by giving you:
- Intellect to recognize truth
- Free will to choose obedience
- Knowledge to understand purpose
- Spiritual capacity to connect with Him
- Moral responsibility to live righteously
- Stewardship to care for His creation
Those who waste this honor—who use these very gifts to deny their Creator, oppress His creation, and ignore their purpose—will face accountability that reflects how much they were given and how little they appreciated it.
You’re being called to live up to your honored status. Not through arrogance, but through gratitude. Not through claims of superiority, but through submission to the One who honored you. Not through abusing other creations, but through fulfilling your role as their merciful steward.
Whether you embrace that honor and fulfill its responsibilities, or waste it through ingratitude and disobedience, is the choice that defines your humanity—and determines your eternal destiny.
Disclaimer: This article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to accurately present Islamic teachings on human dignity and status, readers are strongly advised to consult qualified Islamic scholars for detailed theological questions and specific guidance. The concept of “ashraf ul makhluqat” and related topics involve scholarly debate and nuanced interpretation. The explanations provided here are based on Quranic verses, authenticated hadith, and mainstream Islamic scholarly analysis, but should not replace comprehensive study with qualified teachers. This article aims to present Islamic understanding of human dignity, purpose, and responsibility in a balanced way that emphasizes both the honor Allah has given humanity and the accountability that comes with it