The Quran provides details about the creation of the universe in several verses of different chapters. The discoveries of modern science agree with the meanings of these verses.
The Universe is not Eternal and Has a Starting Point
According to the Quran, the universe is not eternal and it has a starting point and an end. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) created the universe and the laws governing it from the nothingness. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) mentions in the Quran that He is the originator of the heavens and the earth: “The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it Be and it is” (Quran 2: 117). The verse in Arabic uses the word "Badee’ah", which is translated into English as “the originator.” This is to say that Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) caused everything to exist from no previous model or predecessor (i.e., original creation). Modern science tells us that the age of the universe is about 13.7 billion years, which means it was nothing (it did not exist) before that time.
The Heavens and Earth Were Joined Together
The Quran tells us that the fragments of the entire universe were joined together (as one unit of creation), which was divided into parts. In other words, the separate galaxies and astronomical objects seen by cosmologists today were one united piece a long time ago: “Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (Quran 21: 30).
Age of the Universe
Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) did not tell us about the age of the universe or life on earth as an exact number in the Quran. Anyone who reads the Quran can clearly see that such a number was not provided on purpose because the Quran provides many other numbers precisely to inform the reader about the lengths of different time spans. For example, the Quran mentions the exact age of the Prophet Noah as 950 years: “We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin” (Quran 29: 14). Additionally, it mentions the number of months in a year: “The number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve (in a year) …” (Quran 9: 36). In another verse, the Quran mentions the duration of a time period as 100 years: “Or (take) the similitude of one who passed by a hamlet, all in ruins to its roofs. He said: Oh! how shall Allah bring it (ever) to life, after (this) its death? but Allah caused him to die for a hundred years, then raised him up (again) …” (Quran 2: 259). Not mentioning the age of the universe as an exact number in the Quran leaves the task of trying to determine it to the people who believe in Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) by using the scientific method. The following verse carries this meaning: “Say: Travel through the earth and see how Allah did originate creation; so will Allah produce a later creation: for Allah has power over all things” (Quran 29: 20). In summary, although the Quran does not provide an exact number to describe the age of the universe or life on earth, it clearly shows people who believe in Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) how to find an estimation of such a number. Hence, Muslims have no problem accepting that the age of the universe is billions of years.
Expanding Universe
The Quran tells us that the universe has an expanding nature: “With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof” (Quran 51: 47).
Cosmic Smoke
The Quran used the word smoke (i.e. Dukhan in Arabic) when it talked about the early stages of the creation of the universe. Remarkably, the word smoke is the most accurate and appropriate term, which should be used in this context according the modern science. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) said in the Quran: “Then, turned He to the heaven when it was smoke, and said unto it and unto the earth: Come both of you, willingly or loth. They said: We come, obedient. Then, He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower” (Quran 41: 11-12).
Heavens Will be Rolled up Together
The Quran informs us that the universe, which started as one unit of creation that was parted to form astronomical objects and galaxies, will be rolled up to become one piece again by the end of time: “And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books, as We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it” (Quran 21: 104).
Six Creation Days (Periods)
Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) mentioned in the Quran that He created the universe in six creation days (periods): “Lo! your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six Days …” (Quran 7: 54). The length of each day was not given in the Quran. Thus, the word “day” in the aforementioned verse could mean a regular weekday (24 hours) and could mean a different time period. This is because the day and night on earth result from the exposure of earth to sunlight during its rotation around its axis and at the first stage of the creation of the universe the earth and sun were not formed yet. Also, the word “day” is used in the Quran to describe different time spans (1000 and 50,000 years) in addition to 24 hours: “He arranges [each] matter from the heaven to the earth; then it will ascend to Him in a Day, the extent of which is a thousand years of those which you count” (Quran 32: 5). “(Whereby) the angels and the Spirit ascend unto Him in a Day whereof the span is fifty thousand years” (Quran 70: 4), [More details about the three types of time in the Quran are given on page number 5 of this website]. Also, even in English the word “day” sometimes is used to describe a period that is longer than 24 hours such as saying: People don’t ride horses much nowadays or saying: Today’s youth like technology so much. The Quran provides information about what happened during each creation day (period). Accordingly, the creation of the earth was completed in two days (periods): “Say, Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds” (Quran 41: 9). The creation of mountains and of the materials that serve as sustenance on earth was also completed in two creation days (periods): “He (Allah) placed therein firm hills rising above it, and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four Days, alike for (all) who ask” (Quran 41: 10). According to the writing style of the Arabic language, the number four in the previous verse includes the first two creation days (periods), which is similar to saying that the total becomes four. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) turned to heaven, which was smoke at that time, and made it as seven firmaments: “Then, turned He to the heaven when it was smoke, and said unto it and unto the earth: Come both of you, willingly or loth. They said: We come, obedient. Then, He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower” (Quran 41: 11-12).
Elemental Iron was not Created on Earth
Modern science tells us that the conditions on earth, mainly the temperature, during its early stages of creation were not suitable for making iron. Today, scientists believe that iron is one of the elements that were formed outside the earth and they came to it and settled in its core during the early stages of its formation. Allah (Jalla Jalaluhu) stated in the Quran that iron was sent down to earth: "We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might" (Quran 57: 25).
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Reference of verse translations:
Qur’an. Available online: http://quran.com/
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