bariyah

Bariyah is an Arabic term commonly translated as "the creation" or "the created beings," referring to the totality of beings brought into existence by God. In classical and modern Arabic usage, the word denotes the world and everything within it, as distinct from the Creator.

In Islamic theology, bariyah is used to discuss the act of origination and the nature of creation. The root from which bariyah derives relates to genesis and making, and the divine attribute al-Bari’ (the Originator) is employed to describe God as the one who brings all beings into existence and endows them with form and order. In this context, bariyah highlights the created order rather than the Creator Himself and is often invoked in discussions about the relationship between God and His creatures, including questions of contingency, design, and purpose.

The term também appears in religious and philosophical writings to distinguish the created universe from God. It is used in jurisprudential and theological discourse to reflect on humanity’s place within the created order and to discuss topics such as free will, predestination, and moral responsibility, depending on the interpretive tradition.

Beyond religious usage, bariyah can appear in classical Arabic literature and modern discourse to denote “the world” or “the natural order.” In some Muslim-majority cultures, bariyah has also been used as a feminine given name.

See also: al-Bari’ (the Originator or Creator), bara’ah (exemption or disassociation).