The Origin of the Universe: Created from Nothing
This universe with its heavens, earth, stars, galaxies, seas, trees, and all living things was created from non-existence by Allah Glorified and Exalted. He says:
“Say (O Muhammad): Do you verily disbelieve in Him who created the earth in two days, and you set up rivals (in worship) with Him? That is the Lord of the worlds. He placed therein (the earth) firm mountains from above it, and He blessed it, and measured therein its sustenance (for its dwellers) in four days equal for all those who ask about (its creation). Then He rose towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and the earth, ‘Come both of you willingly and unwillingly!’ They both said, ‘We come willingly.’ Then He completed and finished from the creation (as) seven heavens in two days, and He made each heaven its affair. And we adorned the nearest (lowest) heaven with lamps (stars) to be an adornment and to guard against the devils by using them as missiles against them. Such is the decree of Him the All-Mighty, the All-Knower.” (Holy Quran 41:9-12)
Allah created the universe for many great purposes. There are in every part of it great wisdom and dazzling signs. If you ponder over a single sign thereof, you will see wonders. Behold the wonders of the creation of Allah in the plants in which almost every leaf, stem, and fruit is full of benefits that human intellect cannot fully comprehend and understand details.
Behold the water courses of those tender and weak stems, which eyes can hardly see except by careful observation, how they can draw water from the bottom to the top and the water then moves in those courses according to their capacities. It then breaks into particles that cannot be perceived by human eyes. Then behold, the fruit of a tree and how it moves from one stage to another like the invincible movement of the conditions of a fetus.
You see a tree growing from a merely naked wood with no covering on it, and then its Lord and Creator cover it with leaves in the most beautiful manner. He then brings out its fruit tender and weak after He has brought out its leaf to preserve it and make it like some clothing for that weak fruit to protect it against heat, cold, and other harmful phenomena.
He then provides sustenance for these fruits through their stems and water courses so that they can be nourished by that, as an infant is nourished by the milk of its mother. He then nurtures the fruits and develops them until they become completely ripe. He thereby brought that delicious fruit out of that lifeless wooden-like particle.
The Earth: A Resting Place for the Living and the Dead
When you look at the earth and how it was created, you will see that it is one of the greatest signs of its Creator. Allah made it a resting place and a bed and subjected it to His slaves. He makes their sustenance, provision, and sources of livelihood there and creates ways and paths so that they can move about to meet their needs. He fixed it firmly with mountains and made them as pillars to protect it against shaking.
He flattens it, extends it, and spreads it, makes it a receptacle for the living that brings them together on its surface and makes it a receptacle for the living that brings them together on its surface and makes it a receptacle for the dead that bring them together in its interior after their death. Its surface is a place of dwelling for the living and its interior is the place of abode for the dead.
Then look at its revolving orbit, with its sun, moon stars, and zodiacs, and behold how it continuously revolves around this world till the end of time in this order and proper succession and see the differences in the night, day, seasons, heat and cold which are results of these wonderful movements; and the benefits they give to all kinds of animals and plants and all that exists on the Earth.
Then reflect on the creation of heaven and take another look at it; you will see that it is one of the greatest signs of Allah in altitude, expansiveness, and stability. There is no pillar underneath it and there is no suspender over it, but it is held by the infinite power of Allah which holds the heaven and the earth lest they fall asunder.
When you also look at this universe, the composition of its parts and its best arrangement- that shows the perfect omnipotence of their creator and his perfect knowledge, wisdom, and grace- you will find out that it is like a constructed edifice in which all its tools and requirements are provided.
The Magnificent Heavens: Suspended Without Pillars
Heaven was erected with its roof raised above it; the Earth made like a place of rest and a carpet for its dwellers; the sun and moon which are like lamps illuminate the Earth; and the stars which are its lanterns and adornment give directions to the travelers in the paths of the universe. The jewels and minerals that are hidden on the earth like prepared treasures are all made for the purpose that best suits them. All kinds of plants and animals are also prepared for what they are good for.
Some animals are good for riding, some are good for milking; some are good for food, and some are better used as guards. And He made man their controller and like an authorized king above all of them. If you also ponder over this universe either in every respect or in a part of it, you will see a lot of wonders. If you deeply reflect that you are sincere with yourself and free yourself from the noose of whims and caprices and blind imitation, you will know with certainty that this universe was created by the All-Wise, All-Powerful, and All-Knowing Creator who measured it in the best manner and arranged it in the best form.
You will also know with certainty that it is simply impossible that the Creator should be two; He is only One Lord beside Whom there is none other worthy of worship and that had there been any other god in the heavens and the earth, their affairs would have been corrupted, their order disrupted, and their welfare broken down.
A Perfectly Measured Universe
If you, however, insist on attributing the creation to others besides the Creator, what will you say of the mechanism that revolves around a river whose tools and composition have been perfected and excellently measured so that the looker does not see any defect in it or its picture? This river is situated in the middle of a long garden in which different kinds of fruits get their water from this river, and there is in this garden a caretaker who brings its disunited parts together and perfectly takes care of it so that nothing of it becomes defective and nothing of its fruits become decayed.
This caretaker then portions out its parts to the outlets according to man’s needs and needs, giving each group what it deserves and portioning it out in this way continuously.
Will you then say that all this happened without the hand of any creator, who has freedom of choice and is a planner? Will you say that the existence of that mechanism and garden is just accidental without any creator or planner? Can you imagine what your reason would tell you if all these were to come to being accidentally? Can you imagine where your reason will direct you and counsel you about it?
“The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good”. (Psalms 14:1; The Bible)
Or were they created by nothing, or were they the creators [of themselves]? Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Rather, they are not certain. (Holy Quran 52:35-36)
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