Do We Believe that Aliens Exist–And Isn’t Potential Alien Contact with Earth a Problem, Given Our Belief in Human Superiority?
Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Question
The topic of UFOs has once again made headlines in the US. It has come up as a topic of conversation at work, too. I would like to know if Muslims believe in the possibility of aliens.
If we do believe that they could exist, does that mean they were also given the Quran and will stand before Allah on the Day of Judgement?
I have long thought that humans were the most superior creation, intellectually, emotionally, spiritually, etc. But if aliens do exist, and they are capable of traveling to Earth, then they are much more intelligent than humans. Does the Quran mention the resurrection and standing of other than humans on Judgement Day? What happens to Jinn & others?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Merciful and Compassionate.
It is possible that there be other creation besides ours. Their existence isn’t a point of belief (aqida). Affirming their existence would be dependent on verified proof.
Allah Most High says, “And He creates much that you do not know about.” [Quran, 16:8]
The Basis of Human Honor Isn’t Worldly
Note, that human honor (karama) isn’t through our worldly abilities or accomplishments. Rather, it is through our ability to (1) know, believe, and submit to Allah; (2) act as servants of Allah, in obedience to His Command, with virtue and excellence; (3) doing the good, worldly, and spiritual; and (4) loving Allah and being present with Him. These are keys to our eternal–next-worldly–honor.
”Truly, the most honored of you in the sight of Allah are those most mindful amongst you.” [Quran, 49:13]
Humans Could be Honored–Or Abased, Based on Faith and Righteous Deeds
Also, reflect on Surat al-Tin:
In the Name of Allah Most Merciful and Compassionate:
By the Fig and the Olive!
And the momentous Mount of Sinai;
And by this City inviolable in keeping its sacred trust of sanctuary:
Verily We have created Man in fairest symmetry;
Yet incredibly, have turned him back into the lowest of all despicably low,
Save those who believe and work righteous deeds:
For theirs is an incomparable wage never to wane.
So what thereafter could make you
cry lies to the very Reckoning!
For is Allah not then the Justest of judges?
[Quran, Surat al-Tin, 95:1-18; tr. Shaykh Nuh Keller, The Quran Beheld]
And Allah is the giver of success and facilitation.
[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Faraz Rabbani spent ten years studying with some of the leading scholars of recent times, first in Damascus and then in Amman, Jordan. His teachers include the foremost theologian of recent times in Damascus, the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas (may Allah have mercy on him), and his student Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi, one of the leading Hanafi fuqaha of the present age. He returned to Canada in 2007, where he founded SeekersGuidance to meet the urgent need to spread Islamic knowledge–both online and on the ground–in a reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible manner. He is the author of “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School (White Thread Press, 2004).” Since 2011, the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center has named Shaykh Faraz one of the 500 most influential Muslims.
