The word used for us humans is "Ashraf ul Makhlooqat" , the best of the creations. Angels were ordered to bow down to our father Adam and they obeyed, even the leader of Jinns, ibless (Satan) was ordered to do the same , but he disobeyed out of arrogance. While I agree that there are theories going about that humans are not the best of creations but what I mentioned above, really doesnt add up with humans being lesser creations.
The confusion comes, when we are talking about our "technological advancements" as compared to what we think/perceive is out there in universe, other sentient beings, i.e. aliens. Logically, rather religiously speaking, we are a very young creations, 15000 years old, maybe stretching to 20k at max. We are not dumb, its just "others" got a head start against us when it comes to creations. Out of three sentient being that we already know, Angels, Jinns and us, we are the last. 1400 years ago, our Prophet (PBUH) clarified without any ambiguity that he was the last prophet , and his birth is the major sign of the Judgement day, an event which will wipe out the current universe and all livings (including aliens) within. Its logical to come to conclusion that we are the last sentient being, and best of the best. And tbh, as Allah mentioned in Quran, our sole purpose of creation is to worship him, nothing else. Our tag, "Ashraf ul Makhlookat" comes from us to be given this privilege that perhaps no other creations have, that one to one connection with Allah, the place where are allowed access 5 times a day where even the top angel cannot step beyond. Our spirituality is limitless.
From aliens perspective, observing humanity, and where we were, where we are, and where we heading, they must be shit scared and these lot will bring the judgement day anytime, going down, and taking all of them along. lol
One serious note, most of the replies I have seen here are basically fools who dont study.
“And Of His Signs Is The Creation Of The Heavens And Earth And What He Has Spread Forth In Both Of Them Of Living Beings. And He Is All-Powerful To Gather Them Together When He Wills.” (42:29)
along with others of them who have not yet joined them ˹in faith˺. For He is the Almighty, All-Wise. (62:3)
Tafseer:
They said, 'Who are they, O Allah's Messenger?' The Prophet ﷺ did not reply until they repeated the question thrice. At that time, Salman Al-Farisi was with us. So Allah's Messenger ﷺ placed his hand on Salman, saying,
(If faith were on Ath-Thurayya (Pleiades), even then some men or a man from these people would attain it.)" Muslim, At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa'i, Ibn Abi Hatim and Ibn Jarir collected this Hadith. This Hadith indicates that Surat Al-Jumu'ah was revealed in Al-Madinah and that the Messenger's Message is universal.
Tafsir ibn Kathir mentiond this :
The Prophet (PBUH) said, “Let it be known to you, (pointing at west horizon) there’s a white Earth there. Sun is 40 times brighter there. There exists a creation of Allah, none of them have ever gone astray.”
The companions said, “Where’s Satan then, to them?”
“They do not know of creation of Satan.”
“Are they humans? Children of Adam?”
“No,” the Prophet replied, “they even don’t know of Adam.”
The authenticity may be disputed but it is there in ibn kathir.
I did some guesswork on this, using stellarium to get some idea of how the sky was like during Prophet (PBUH) in Madina. Hijra was in 622, around that time. The Pleiades system aligned perfect with west during winter season.
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If you search for "Pleiadeans", apparently, in Ufology, they are species which reside in Pleiades star cluster. Their traits, highly spiritual beings. Most closet to Humans in appearance.
Bottom line is, people may have different views and interpretations, but to reject the whole idea of outer earth life forms, is basically rejecting Quran where Allah clearly mentioned that he spread life forms all across the heavens.