The Reason for the Creation of the Universe Through the Intercession of Muhammad (ﷺ)

In Islamic spirituality, the status of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is unparalleled. Numerous Islamic tafsirs (interpretations), hadiths, and Sufi expositions state that Allah created the universe for the sake or intercession (wasilah) of the beloved Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). This concept finds its roots in various sources—Qur'anic verses, prophetic traditions, and mystical (Sufi) thought.

1. In the Light of the Qur’an

The Qur’an does not explicitly state that the entire creation was made because of Muhammad (ﷺ), but several verses clearly express the significance, responsibilities, and high status of the Prophet (ﷺ).

The Qur’an says: “And We have not sent you (O Muhammad), except as a mercy to the worlds.”   (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:107)

This verse indicates that the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was sent not only for a specific nation or time, but as a universal mercy for all creation. Indirectly, it suggests that his existence holds a profound purpose within the grand scheme of creation.

2. In the Light of Hadith

There are several famous hadiths regarding the elevated status of the Prophet (ﷺ), some of which directly address the idea that he was the reason for the creation of the universe. It is mentioned that due to the Prophet (ﷺ), even Adam (AS) and the entire cosmos came into being. If not for him, neither the Throne nor the Footstool, the Tablet and the Pen, Paradise and Hell, trees and stones—none of creation would exist. Many hadiths support this idea.

Notable Narrations:

 Sayyiduna Umar al-Faruq (RA) narrates that the Prophet (ﷺ) said Allah informed him that when Adam (AS) ate from the forbidden tree, he pleaded, “O Allah, forgive me for the sake of Muhammad (ﷺ).” Allah asked, “O Adam, how do you know about Muhammad (ﷺ) when I have not yet created him?” Adam (AS) replied, “O Lord, after You created me and breathed into me the soul, I lifted my head and saw written on the Throne: ‘There is no god but Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.’ I understood that You must have joined his name with Yours only out of immense love. That is why I took his name as a means (wasilah) for my forgiveness.”

Allah replied, “Indeed, O Adam. You are right. If it were not for Muhammad (ﷺ), I would not have created you.” This narration is found in works such as Ash-Shifaa’ as-Siqam by Imam Subki and Nasim al-Riyad by Shihab al-Din al-Khafaji.

 Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA) narrated that Allah said to Prophet Isa (AS), “O Jesus, believe in Muhammad (ﷺ) and command your followers to believe in him. If it were not for Muhammad (ﷺ), I would not have created Adam, Paradise, or Hell.” This is documented in Shifaa’ as-Siqam by Imam Taqi al-Din Subki, Fatawa by Shaykh al-Islam al-Bulqini, and Afdal al-Qur’an by Ibn Hajar.

 Ibn Abbas (RA) also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Jibreel (AS) came to me and conveyed the message from Allah: ‘Had I not created you, I would not have created Paradise or Hell.’”

 Ibn Asakir narrates from Salman al-Farsi (RA) that Jibreel (AS) brought Allah’s message to the Prophet (ﷺ): “O Messenger, I have not created anyone more honored than you. I created the universe and everything in it so that creation may recognize your exalted status. Had I not created you, I would not have created anything at all.”

3. The Sufi Perspective on the Light of Muhammad (ﷺ)

In Sufism, the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is referred to as “Nur-e-Muhammadi” (The Light of Muhammad). They believe that Allah first created the Light of Muhammad (ﷺ), and through that Light, everything else in existence was created.

A. Concept of "Nur-e-Muhammadi":

Sufi scholars like Imam Kashani, Ibn Arabi, and Jalaluddin Rumi assert that the first created entity was the light or spiritual essence of the Prophet (ﷺ).

From this light emerged the angels, the Throne, the Qur’an, the prophets, and ultimately, the physical world.

B. Ibn Arabi’s Explanation:

In his famous work Futuhat al-Makkiyya, Ibn Arabi states, “The very essence of prophethood—the Haqiqat al-Muhammadiyya—is the beginning of creation.”

4. Testimonies from Righteous Scholars and Saints

Many righteous scholars and saints have referred to the Prophet (ﷺ) as the reason for the creation of Adam and the entire cosmos. If all their sayings were compiled, it would make up volumes. A few are quoted below:

 Imam Saifuddin Abu Ja‘far ibn Umar al-Humayri al-Hanafi in his work ad-Durr al-Tanzim fi Mawlid al-Nabi al-Karim writes: “When Allah created Adam (AS), He inspired in him a thought, and Adam asked: ‘O Allah, why did You name one of my descendants Abu Muhammad (father of Muhammad)?’ Allah told him to raise his head, and upon doing so, Adam saw the light of the Prophet (ﷺ) on the Throne. Adam asked: ‘O Allah, whose light is this?’

Allah replied: ‘He is from your lineage. In the heavens, he is known as Ahmad; on Earth, Muhammad (ﷺ). Had I not created him, I would not have created you, nor the heavens and the earth.’”

 In a commentary on the poetry of Imam Busiri (RA), Imam Ibrahim Bayjuri writes: “If the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) had not existed, the universe itself would not have existed. Allah said to Adam (AS): ‘If not for Muhammad (ﷺ), I would not have created you.’ Since Adam (AS) is the father of humankind and all of creation was made for human beings, and Adam was created for the sake of Muhammad (ﷺ), it follows that the entire universe was created for him.”

Hence, Muhammad (ﷺ) is the cause for the creation of all existence.

5. Spiritual and Philosophical Interpretation

Calling the Prophet (ﷺ) the "means" (wasilah) or “cause” of creation can be interpreted as:

Causal Perspective: Since Allah knew He would create Muhammad (ﷺ), the entire design of creation was based on his arrival.

Expression of Divine Mercy: Through Muhammad (ﷺ), Allah manifested His ultimate mercy, guidance, and knowledge to the world.

6. Contemporary Scholars’ Analysis

Modern Islamic scholars such as Dr. Taha Jabir al-Alwani, Shaykh Nuh Ha Mim Keller, and others argue that the Prophet (ﷺ)’s ethical excellence and spiritual stature provide a complete blueprint for humanity. Thus, in that sense too, he becomes the "reason" (wasilah) for creation.

Conclusion

The status of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is not limited to merely being a messenger or prophet. In the Qur’an, Hadith, and Sufi thought, he is described as the mercy of creation, its origin, and a sign of Allah’s majesty. Although the concept of "intercession-based creation" is not explicitly stated in the Qur’an, it is widely accepted in hadith literature and spiritual scholarship. According to Sufi belief, Muhammad (ﷺ) was the first light created by Allah, and the universe was formed around that light as its center.