According to Islamic belief, the origin of the universe can be traced back to the creation of the world by Allah. This concept is closely tied to the Islamic faith and is central to its teachings. In this introduction, we will explore the Islamic perspective on the origin of the universe and the beliefs surrounding it.
The Islamic Creation Story
Islam has a unique creation story. According to the Quran, Allah (God) brought forth the universe out of nothingness. The creation of the universe is divided into six days. The Quran states that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days, but the length of each day is not specified.
The First Day
On the first day, Allah created the heavens and the earth. The Quran says, “He created the heavens and the earth in truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night.” (Quran, 39:5)
The Second Day
On the second day, Allah created the sky and separated it from the earth. The Quran says, “And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.” (Quran, 21:32)
The Third Day
On the third day, Allah created the dry land and the seas. The Quran says, “And it is He who spread the earth and placed therein firmly set mountains and rivers; and from all of the fruits He made therein two mates; He causes the night to cover the day. Indeed in that are signs for a people who give thought.” (Quran, 13:3)
The Fourth Day
On the fourth day, Allah created the stars, the moon, and the sun. The Quran says, “And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.” (Quran, 67:5)
The Fifth Day
On the fifth day, Allah created all the animals on Earth. The Quran says, “And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and what He has dispersed throughout them of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent.” (Quran, 42:29)
The Sixth Day
On the sixth day, Allah created human beings. The Quran says, “And We have certainly created man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire.” (Quran, 15:26-27)
The Purpose of Creation
In Islam, the purpose of creation is to worship Allah. The Quran says, “And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Quran, 51:56)
Free Will
Islam teaches that humans have free will. The Quran says, “Whoever wills – let him believe; and whoever wills – let him disbelieve.” (Quran, 18:29)
The Day of Judgment
Islam teaches that there will be a Day of Judgment when Allah will judge all of humanity. The Quran says, “The Day when we will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it.” (Quran, 21:104)
Scientific Correlations
The Islamic creation story correlates with modern scientific theories. The Quran states that the universe was created out of nothingness, which correlates with the Big Bang theory. The Quran also describes the creation of the universe occurring in six days, which is similar to the scientific theory of the six epochs of the universe’s evolution.
The Expanding Universe
The Quran also describes the universe as expanding, which correlates with the modern scientific theory of the expanding universe. The Quran says, “And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.” (Quran, 51:47)
The Water Cycle
The Quran also describes the water cycle, which was not discovered by modern science until centuries later. The Quran says, “And We have sent down rain from the sky in a measured amount and settled it in the earth. And indeed, We are Able to take it away.” (Quran, 23:18)
FAQs – What is the origin of the universe according to Islam?
What does Islam say about the origin of the universe?
Islam believes that the universe was created by Allah, who is the ultimate creator of all things. Allah brought the universe into existence through His divine will and through the power of the word ‘Kun’, which means ‘be’ in the Arabic language.
How long did it take for the universe to be created according to Islam?
According to Islamic teachings, Allah created the universe in six stages or epochs, known as the ‘ayyams’ or days. However, these days are not similar to the 24-hour days that we observe, and they could have lasted for billions or trillions of years. The Quran mentions the creation of the universe in various verses, emphasizing that Allah created everything in perfect proportion and order.
What is the role of humans in the creation of the universe?
Islam believes that human beings are not the center of the universe but have been created as a part of it. Humans have a significant role to play in the universe, and they should act as custodians of the earth and all its creatures.
How can we reconcile the Islamic view of creation with scientific theories on the origin of the universe?
Islam is not against science or rational thinking, and it encourages its followers to explore and study the universe. There is a consensus among Islamic scholars that scientific theories and discoveries are compatible with the Islamic view of creation. While scientific theories may provide a natural explanation for how the universe came into existence, Islam believes that there is a divine force behind all of it, which is responsible for its creation and sustenance.
Is there any conflict between the Islamic view of creation and the theory of evolution?
Islam does not have a specific view on evolution as it is not addressed in the Quran. However, some Muslim scholars argue that the theory of evolution is not incompatible with the Islamic view of creation, as long as it is accepted that Allah is the ultimate creator and sustainer of all living things.
