Man: Central to creation or not

Question: Blame it to 'mullahs' but thats is the understanding of majority of muslims in Pakistan that God created Adam from scratch (for lack of any better word) when He created the earth.

Answer: From what I have understood till now, the Heavens and Earth were already created when Allah decided to appoint Adam as a vice-regent(khalifa). The angels and jinns already existed, and if I’m not mistaken, also humans. Whether they were accountable beings or not, I do not know, but I do know that Allah created Adam as a vice-regent/messenger and sent him and his wife to this world…… they had a brief stopover in ‘jannat’………. Why the itinerary was so, I do not know, and I should not speculate. After all, Allah does say that ‘"Has there not been over man a period of time when he was nothing to be mentioned" (Sura Ad-Dahr 76 verse 1) I take it to refer to humans pre-dating Adam. Also, Adam does not necessarily have to be first human, as while explaining the miraculous conception and birth of Jesus, Allah says, Chapter 3 Verse 59: "Verily the likeness of Isa, with Allah is as the likeness of Adam; him He created out of dust, thereafter He said unto him: Be, and lo! he becometh" Thus, I see no reason to insist on Adam being the first person when Allah Himself nowhere says that he was the first, or that the Earth and Heavens were created for man. Rather, Allah is repeatedly pointing out the false belief of people as to how humans are deluded into thinking that it is impossible for Allah to resurrect us after death. Say, "He will give them life Who created them for the first time! for He is Well-versed in every kind of creation!- (Chapter #36, Verse #79)
Also, contemplate on this verse: Assuredly the creation of the heavens and the earth is a greater (matter) than the creation of men: Yet most men understand not. (Chapter #40, Verse #57)Humans are not central to creation for whom everything else has been created: We have honoured the sons of Adam; provided them with transport on land and sea; given them for sustenance things good and pure; and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of our creation. (Chapter #17, Verse #70). We are blessed in many ways but ‘above a great part’ not above everything! I do not think the Universe has been created for us, rather we have been allowed to use and benefit from it. Our deeds and actions are for our own benefit or otherwise, as we are but an insignificant part of the Creation.