When Allah Ta‘ala intended to create Nabi Aadam (‘alaihis salaam), He said to the angels:

اِنِّیۡ جَاعِلٌ فِی الۡاَرۡضِ خَلِیۡفَۃً

Indeed I am going to create a deputy on the earth (one who will enforce the laws of Allah Ta‘ala in the earth and uphold justice among the creation). (Surah Baqarah v. 30)

The angels responded by asking:

اَتَجۡعَلُ فِیۡہَا مَنۡ یُّفۡسِدُ فِیۡہَا وَ یَسۡفِکُ الدِّمَآءَ ۚ وَ نَحۡنُ نُسَبِّحُ بِحَمۡدِکَ وَ نُقَدِّسُ لَکَ

Are You going to place in it (the earth) one who will spread corruption and cause bloodshed, whereas we proclaim Your purity together with Your praise, and we sanctify Your name? (Surah Baqarah v. 30)

The angels thought that if the purpose of the creation of the human being is merely the worship of Allah Ta‘ala, then they (the angels) are already in the worship of Allah Ta‘ala.

Haafiz Ibnu Katheer (rahimahullah) mentioned that the angels were not objecting against the decree of Allah Ta‘ala, but merely asked to find out the wisdom and reason for the creation of man. (Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah 1/166)

(To be continued)