Allah knows everything that has happened, is, and will happen in this world. [1] Of course, he knows where the people he created will reach on their journey to infinity [2]: “The keys of the Unseen are with Allah; no one knows them but Him. And He knows what is in the land and sea. Not even a leaf falls without His knowledge, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth or anything- green or dry- but is written in a perfect Record.” [3] But because people have not yet experienced the life of this world, they do not know where they will go in the Hereafter. This is one of the reasons why the human was sent to this world. Allah tests man in this world, not for him, but so that the people he has created do not make any claims of injustice. Allah states in many places in the Qur’an that people will be tested:
“[He] who created death and life to test you [as to] which of you is best in deed.” [4] “Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried?. But, We have certainly tried those before them, and Allah will surely make evident those who are truthful, and He will certainly make evident the liars.” [5]
Sending a person to heaven or hell forever without being tested means injustice to people. It is not fair for a person to face punishment and reward before making his own choices and experiencing the consequences. The fact that humans are tested in this world shows that their destination is left to their choice.[6] For example, a teacher might predict which of her students will pass the exam and who will fail. But just because it predicts it doesn’t mean it impacts students’ success or failure. While those who take the exam are successful, those who do not understand the importance of the exam fail to study. One of the reasons why Allah created this world and the test is that He wants people to face their own choices.
It should also be added that testing is not the only reason people are sent to this world. The primary purpose is to get to know Allah by living, questioning, and thinking. By recognizing Allah, man becomes conscious of serving Him: “I did not create jinn and humans except to worship me. I seek no provision from them, nor do I need them to feed me. Undoubtedly, Allah ‘alone’ is the Supreme provider- Lord of all power, Ever Mighty.” [7]
One of Allah’s laws of creation is as follows: In the process of creation, Allah shows people how He brought His creations to their most beautiful and flawless state. For example, a person can follow the process from a seed to a flower and fruit step by step in this world, just as one can trace the process from a baby to adulthood.
In this way, a person can know Allah by looking at the universe: “See then the impact of mercy of Allah, how He gives life to the earth after its death! Certainly, That ‘Same God’ can raise the dead. For He is Most Capable of everything.” [8]
In the examples mentioned above, although Allah Himself knows the perfect state of his works that will result, He shows people the stages of creation and wants them to witness this process.
Although people know their situation in eternal life, it is very similar to these examples. They make them experience the world test and want them to witness the process themselves.