What Makes Us Human? Reflections from the Qur’an and the Bible
- Ziyad Bulbulia
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
During Ramadan, we often find ourselves reflecting on our purpose, our character, and our place in the world. One profound question emerges across faith traditions: what makes us truly human? Both the Qur’an and the Bible provide guidance, inviting us to consider dignity, responsibility, and the moral potential inherent in human life.
Human Dignity in the Qur’an
The Qur’an emphasizes the special status of human beings. Surah Al-Isra (17:70) states,
“Indeed, We have honoured the children of Adam, carried them on land and sea, granted them good and lawful provisions, and privileged them far above many of Our creatures.”
Four key aspects of human uniqueness emerge from this verse:
Honor and Self-Respect: Humans are dignified creations. Recognizing this dignity means living with moral responsibility, avoiding actions that degrade ourselves or others. True humanity includes the capacity for self-respect and ethical awareness.
The Gift of Human Ingenuity: While other creatures may excel physically, humans possess the ability to innovate. From ships to spacecraft, humans can traverse land, sea, and even outer space. This creativity is a divine gift, meant for responsible use and gratitude rather than arrogance.
Lawful and Wholesome Provision: Humans are given access to good and permissible sustenance. Unlike a world driven solely by predation, we have the ability to cultivate and choose what is good, promoting both ethical living and spiritual mindfulness.
Responsibility Accompanying Privilege: Being favored above many creatures is not a license for exploitation. It is a call to stewardship, gratitude, and compassion toward all life.
Shared Themes in the Bible
The Bible similarly emphasizes human dignity and responsibility. In the Book of Genesis (1:26-27), God creates humanity in His image and entrusts humans with dominion over the earth and its creatures. The New Testament (Ephesians 4:22-24) calls believers to renew themselves in righteousness and holiness, reflecting divine attributes in their lives.
While the Qur’an avoids describing humans as literally created in God’s image, preventing anthropomorphic conceptions of the Divine, it affirms that humans are meant to cultivate God-like qualities: compassion, mercy, justice, and forgiveness.
The Moral Challenge
If humans are endowed with dignity and moral responsibility, our actions should reflect that potential. History, however, offers stark reminders of our failings. From the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to ongoing violence in Gaza and conflict in Sudan, humanity often mirrors the predatory behavior of animals, forgetting the higher calling that comes with our unique abilities.
Living Our Humanity Today
To live as truly human means embracing dignity, gratitude, and moral responsibility:
Honor yourself and others. Avoid actions that diminish your humanity or the humanity of others.
Use your abilities wisely. Apply knowledge, creativity, and technology in ways that serve the greater good.
Choose what is good and lawful. Be mindful of what you consume, physically and spiritually.
Practice gratitude and stewardship. Recognize the privileges you have and use them to benefit others.
Conclusion
Our humanity is a moral and spiritual calling. By reflecting on our dignity, our responsibilities, and our capacity for goodness, we can live up to the ideal envisioned in the Qur’an and the Bible: beings capable of mercy, accountability, and profound ethical action.
Ramadan offers a special opportunity to renew this commitment, both in personal devotion and in our interactions with others, nurturing a world that reflects the best of what it means to be human.
Learn More: Watch the seventh episode of our Ramadan series to explore this topic further
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