How to Understand the Existence of Seemingly Purposeless Organs in Light of Islamic Beliefs?

Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

How do I reconcile the existence of seemingly purposeless organs, like Jacobson’s organ and outer ear muscles, with Islamic beliefs? Why would Allah create them, and how does this align with the Islamic view of creation and evolution?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question.

Allah’s Wisdom in Creation

Our seemingly purposeless outlook on creation—whether concerning ourselves, others, or the environment—often stems from our lack of perfect wisdom. This limited perspective can prevent us from recognizing the mercy and wisdom inherent in various situations.

As humans, our first instinct may be to view suffering as unacceptable or evil, as it does not meet our expectations of normalcy. However, this is a mistaken assumption; suffering exists for a divine purpose. Eventually, we may come to understand the wisdom in our lives, or, if not in this life, then in the Next.

Allah is All-Knowing, All-Wise

Allah (Most High) said,

“Blessed is the One in Whose Hands rests all authority. And He is Most Capable of everything. (He is the One) Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.” [Quran, 67:1-2]

In another verse, He says,

“Indeed, my Lord is subtle in fulfilling what He wills. Surely He (alone) is the All-Knowing, All-Wise.” [Quran, 12:100]

Our Perspective is Limited

As humans, we often struggle to fully understand divine wisdom, particularly in times of suffering, because our perspective is limited.

Our ability to appreciate the bigger picture will only be fully realized in the Hereafter, where the significance of every event in this life is revealed to creation.

However, we can also expand our understanding in this life to varying degrees, depending on the depth of our faith in Allah and trust in the Afterlife. This expansion is most profound among Allah’s prophets and messengers (peace and blessings be upon them all), followed by His saints (Awliya’).

May Allah Most High guide us to what pleases Him, forgive us for our shortcomings, and alleviate our difficulties, Amin.

I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha’ Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.

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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.