![]() Descriptions of creation in the Qur'an are set in context to remind the readers of Allah's majesty and wisdom. Muslims acknowledge that life developed over a long period of time, but see Allah's power behind it all. The Qur'anic account of creation is in line with modern scientific thought about the development of the universe and life on earth. ![]() And Allah sees well all that you do" (57:4). He knows what enters within the heart of the earth, and what comes forth out of it, what comes down from heaven, and what mounts up to it. "He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself on the Throne. Each new child who is born, every seed that sprouts into a sapling, every new species that appears on earth, is part of the ongoing process of Allah's creation. A distinct point is made to counter the Biblical idea of a day of rest: "We created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, nor did any sense of weariness touch Us" (50:38).Īllah is never "done" with His work, because the process of creation is ongoing. The length of these periods is not precisely defined, nor are the specific developments that took place during each period.Īfter completing the Creation, the Qur'an describes that Allah "settled Himself upon the Throne" (57:4) to oversee His work. Therefore, Muslims interpret the description of a "six day" creation as six distinct periods or eons. The word "youm" is thus understood, within the Qur'an, to be a long period of time - an era or eon. In one case, the measure of a day is equated with 50,000 years (70:4), whereas another verse states that "a day in the sight of your Lord is like 1,000 years of your reckoning" (22:47). This word appears several other times in the Qur'an, each denoting a different measurement of time. The verses that mention "six days" use the Arabic word "youm" (day). ![]() While on the surface this might seem similar to the account related in the Bible, there are some important distinctions. The Qur'an states that "Allah created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days" (7:54). There has been some historical debate among Muslim scholars about the precise meaning of this verse, since knowledge of the universe's expansion was only recently discovered. And verily, We are expanding it" (51:47). "The heavens, We have built them with power. ![]() "It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course" (21:33). The Qur'an further states that Allah created the sun, the moon, and the planets, each with their own individual courses or orbits. Thus the elements and what was to become the planets and stars began to cool, come together, and form into shape, following the natural laws that Allah established in the universe. He said to it and to the earth: 'Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said: 'We come (together) in willing obedience'" (41:11). Following this big explosion, Allah "turned to the sky, and it had been (as) smoke. The Qur'an says that "the heavens and the earth were joined together as one unit, before We clove them asunder" (21:30). And in the alternation of night and day, and that fact that Allah sends down sustenance from the sky, and revives therewith the earth after its death, and in the change of the winds, are signs for those who are wise" (45:3-5). And in the creation of yourselves, and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are signs for those of assured faith. Passages relating to creation occur in the Qur'an is different places, such as: "Verily in the heavens and the earth are signs for those who believe. ![]()
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