Many are of the view that if a thing has no utility value...

Many are of the view that if a thing has no utility value, it does not have the right to exist and hence they question the rationale of some existents like snake, scorpion, serpent, earthworms, etc. Before arguing those two points, it should be evaluated: Is the basis for the existence of persons or things their utility value or no, this is not the case?

The answer is as follows: This is certainly not the criterion for Allah that if He has to create anything, He has to ensure that it has benefits for others. Allah the Almighty can confer the bounty of existence on any creature merely because He intends to do so, regardless of the fact that it is of no use for others. How can you judge that since the housefly has no utility value, it has no right to exist?

Even if it is assumed that it has no advantage for others, nevertheless, it enjoys the gift of existence. On what grounds has the criterion of benefiting others been made for gaining the right to existence? Secondly, what is the ground for establishing that the existent should be advantageous for humans only? Who has formulated this theory (and from where) that man is the center of existence and that whenever Allah intends to create anything, it must definitely be useful for mankind?

Certainly this is not the case. There is a famous incident that one day Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) went towards Mount Tur. On the way, he saw a beetle playing in sheep dung. Instantly, a thought crossed his mind as to why Allah the Almighty has created this beetle. Anyhow, he proceeded to Mount Tur and got so engrossed in supplications that he forgot to ask this question from his Lord. Later, when he wanted to return, Allah inspired to him, ‘O Moosa!

You want to ask a question?’ Hazrat Moosa (a.s.) replied, ‘O Lord! I could not get the opportunity to ask.’ ‘Never mind! You can ask now’ rejoined the Almighty and continued, ‘O Moosa! Are you aware that the moment you passed by the beetle, what did it think?’ Moosa (a.s.) replied in the negative. Allah informed, “The beetle prayed in that very instant, ‘O Lord! Why did you create this Moosa?

Of what use is he to me?’” Who says that we humans are the pivots of existence and when we see that something is not beneficial for our existence, we raise objections against Allah concerning the rationale behind its existence?! It is quite likely that before we complain, the housefly might protest, ‘O Allah! Of what use is mankind?