Let the Quran shape our Beliefs

On the discussion if angels are a designation or a form of creation, TS asked: What difference it makes for you if they  are made of light or Noor?  

Answer: One of the most serious mistakes people make when reading the Quran is that they try to read it according to their beliefs, and do all sorts of intellectual jugglery to make it read as per what they think it should mean. Among the most misread verses are those where it states that the angels were ordered to prostrate or submit to Adam and Iblis refused. Just to comply with a non-Quranic belief that angels are a separate creation, created from light or Noor, people resort to stories about how a jinn was with the angels and so on. Once you accept that, the way is opened for misinterpretation of other verses as well. 

If we believe the Quran to be guidance from Allah, and if we believe that the Arabic text is in its pristine form, as revealed, then we must let the Quran shape our beliefs rather than our beliefs telling us how to interpret the verses of the Quran. 

MSA brought up the question about Iblis, stating that it would be the key to unlocking the mystery, to which I responded with my understanding that angels are a designation and not a separate form of creation 

SA asserted that it is written in the Quran that angels are created from light. Perhaps I'm missing that verse. Hence I ask him to show me the verse so that I can correct my understanding. 

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.