ISLAMIC - ISLAMIC
Welcome to Islamic Question and Answers - You wanted to know about Islam

UNIVERSE AND LIFE.

1)           WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE AND WHY?

2)           BIG BANG: ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE - THE RIGHT APPROACH

3)           IS UNIVERSE & LIFE CREATED BY ITSELF

4)           CREATIONS - CREATORS - SALVATION

5)           THE CONCEPT OF LIFE IN ISLAM

6)           Life, man and the universe - CREATION IN SIX DAYS

7)            WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING CREATED?

8)            Life, its sufferings and the Hereafter

9)           SOUL IN EMBRYO

10)        LAYERS OF HEAVEN

11)      EARTH'S SEVEN LAYERS

12)      IS THE THRONE ABOVE THE SEVENTH HEAVEN?

13)      WHY ALLAH CREATED HEAVENS AND EARTH IN SIX DAYS

14)   nEED OF HUMANS CREATION WHEN ALLAH IS PERFECT

15)   ISLAM CREATION STORY

16)   THE BIRTH OF A HUMAN BEING

17)   THE CREATION OF THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH

18)   THE BEGINNING OF CREATION

1. WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE AND WHY?

Question :

Who created Universe and why?    

Answer :

Although other God’s revelations (Bible and Torah) say the same about universe creation but our approach will depend primarily on the text of the Qur'an (the Word of Allah (i.e. God), inspired to Prophet Muhammad (saws).

CAN IT BE THAT THE UNIVERSE CREATED ITSELF?

Virtually every human being has pondered this question. Some answered by saying that the formation of the universe was merely a coincidence. Others felt there must be an unseen Creator. In what will follow, we will try to assist you in answering this question. Allah asks in the Qur'an:

“Were they created out of nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? (35) Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they are sure of nothing”  (At-Tur 52:35-36)

Most deny or ignore the existence of The Creator because they cannot see Him. However, there are many things which we do not see, but yet we believe in their existence. Further, most of us believe in creatures which exist yet undiscovered and undocumented.

Many reject the existence of The Creator, believing only in science and data gathered and confirmed by its canonical methods. But, on any given day, the same person might find himself in love, deep remorse, sadness, happiness and light and extreme pain. And while contriving the most complex and personal thoughts, he does not, at the time, suppose that his feelings are a random product of firing neurons. What science has proof of all this materially. No, you can not measures any of these although they exist.

THE SCIENTIFIC PROOF

Let us imagine ourselves standing in a laboratory stocked with beakers and test tubes containing all sorts of chemical compounds. Then suppose an earthquake has just occurred upsetting the shelved vessels, sending their contents spilling onto the laboratory floor. It would be a very strange coincidence indeed to find new life forms generating themselves where none had existed before.

You might say, 'Your analogy didn't account for time - these organisms need time to evolve.' We ask, 'How much time should we have allowed? Was there enough time since the beginning of the universe to allow for their self-induced formation?'

Let's hear from Swiss mathematician Charles Eugene Jai. In an experiment aimed at answering this very question, Jai set out to calculate the probability of the random formation of a single protein molecule. Jai 'helped' the situation by assuming the existence of formative elements, and by selecting a protein consisting of only 2,000 atoms (An average protein might consist of 32,000 atoms or more). Jai also assumed that the protein would consist of only 2 unique formative atoms.

He determined the value of probability by considering the size of the material and the time necessary for the random formation to occur. He calculated that the probability of forming even a simplified protein molecule was approximately 1 in 5 x 10 e+320 !

The size of the material necessary to produce that almost zero probability would have been a sphere with a diameter of approximately 6 x 10 e+176 miles - about 10 e+63 times bigger than the imagined size of the universe. Finally, the time necessary for the molecule to form was 10 e+243 billion years. This was far greater than the supposed age of the universe - only about 2 billion years.

He concluded that the universe was neither old enough, nor big enough to allow for the random formation of even a simple protein molecule. It was impossible for the universe to have created itself, and for life to randomly form. We must then consider another course. There is a Creator who created the universe.

Also suppose you break a big mirror or glass, millions or billions of times, there would never and never happen that even this glass will break in uniformity, nor its pieces will start revolving and keeping any distances between them, then how so huge stars, planets and galaxies came into existence with some scientific principals and are also sustaining themselves under some scientific principals. You will never see that a human is born from an animal or a bird from human, does this not show that some scientific logic is going with each creation. You can not grow human beings in fields, nor even you yourself can produce another one by yourself. Human is being created on some scientific logic inherited in the mixing of two sperms of male and female. Is this logic inherited by chance?

Allah says on this in Quran :

“It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth? (57) Do ye then see?- The (human Seed) that ye throw out (58) Do ye create it or are We the Creator”  (Al-Waqia 56:57 - 59)

The new born baby knows how to milk mother breast (or nippled bottle) do you think that it is all by chance? Can science proof this knowledge of child, no, not at all. It means scientific knowledge is just what already principled for everything by God, and we are only discovering it.

SOME UNMISTAKABLE SIGNS OF THE CREATOR

Allah said in the Qur'an:

“Soon will We show them our Signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things?” (Fussilat 41:53)

We live in an amazing universe. It is a universe peculiarly balanced, and purposefully tempered as if to provide a safe host for living creatures.

According to modern astronomers, the universe is expanding. They hold that if gravity had been only slightly stronger, it would have overtaken expansion very early and caused the universe to collapse. Had gravity been slightly weaker, universe expansion would have become a runaway process, not allowing time for the formation of galaxies and stars.

If either of these had occurred, there would never have been an Earth on which creatures could live. This universe seems designed, even meticulously tailored to provide suitable conditions for living. If other basic ratios and constants had been just slightly different, the universe would not have been favourable to our existence.

If, for instance, the strong and weak nuclear forces were slightly stronger relative to the electromagnetic forces, hydrogen would not exist in its ordinary form. This would mean that heavier elements, such as carbon and oxygen - two of the essential building blocks of life - would never have existed.

The strength of gravity is crucial to the existence of life in the universe in another way. If it were weaker, then it could not crush the material in a star the size of the Sun with enough force to ignite its thermonuclear reactions. Only very massive stars would shine, and such stars would probably have too short life span to allow for the development of life.

These indications that the universe has been arranged to favour the appearance and survival of life has been taken very seriously by certain scientists. Prominent among them is astronomer Brandon Carter. Modern science estimates that it has taken 4 billion years for human beings to evolve from unicellular life forms. Carter has calculated that the average period for any evolution of this magnitude should take much longer - about 10 billion years. That is longer than the lifespan of a Sun-sized star, and much longer than the period of life-favourable conditions on Earth.

It would seem that intelligent life appeared on Earth despite its high improbability. We are again pulled towards recognizing the Creator.

SIGNS FOR THE PEOPLE WHO USE WISDOM

“Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah Sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they Trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;- (Here) indeed are Signs for a people that are wise”  (Al-Baqarah 2:164)

The creation of Heaven and Earth

“Is not He (best) Who created the heavens and the earth, and sendeth down for you water from the sky wherewith We cause to spring forth joyous orchards, whose trees it never hath been yours to cause to grow. Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but they are folk who ascribe equals (unto Him) (60) Is not He (best) Who made the earth a fixed abode, and placed rivers in the folds thereof, and placed firm hills therein, and hath set a barrier between the two seas? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Nay, but most of them know not”   (An-Naml 27:60 - 61)

 “Is not He (best) Who answereth the wronged one when he crieth unto Him and removeth the evil, and hath made you viceroys of the earth? Is there any Allah beside Allah? Little do they reflect (62) Is not He (best) Who guideth you in the darkness of the land and the sea, He Who sendeth the winds as heralds of His mercy? Is there any Allah beside Allah? High Exalted be Allah from all that they ascribe as partner (unto Him) (An-Naml 27:62 - 63)

“Or, Who originates creation, then repeats it, and who gives you sustenance from heaven and earth? (Can there be another) god besides Allah? Say, "Bring forth your argument, if ye are telling the truth!" (64) Say (O Muhammad): None in the heavens and the earth knoweth the Unseen save Allah; and they know not when they will be raised (again)”  (An-Naml 27:64 - 65)

 “Hast thou not seen that Allah causes water to fall from the sky, and We produce therewith fruit of divers hues; and among the hills are streaks white and red, of divers hues, and (others) raven-black (27) And so amongst men and crawling creatures and cattle, are they of various colours. Those truly fear Allah, among His Servants, who have knowledge: for Allah is Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving”  (Fatir 35:27 - 28)

“Allah sends down water from the sky and therewith revives the earth after its death. Verily in this is a sign for those who listen”  (An-Nahl 16:65)

“Do they not look at the sky above them? How We have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it? (6) And the earth- We have spread it out, and set thereon mountains standing firm, and produced therein every kind of beautiful growth (in pairs)”  (Qaaf 50:6 - 7)

“And We send down from the sky rain charted with blessing, and We produce therewith gardens and Grain for harvests (9) And tall (and stately) palm-trees, with shoots of fruit-stalks, piled one over another (10) As sustenance for (Allah's) Servants;- and We give (new) life therewith to land that is dead: Thus will be the Resurrection”  (Qaaf 50:9 - 11)

“Allah is He Who raised the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; is firmly established on the throne (of authority); He has subjected the sun and the moon (to his Law)! Each one runs (its course) for a term appointed. He doth regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, that ye may believe with certainty in the meeting with your Lord”  (Ar-Rad  13: 2)

“And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider”  (Ar-Rad  13: 3)

THE CREATION OF MANKIND

We should see in ourself how we are created, is that without anybody programmed it.

“Verily We created man from a product of wet earth (clay) (12) Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed (13) Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump; then we made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then we developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the best to create (14) After that, surely, you will die (15) Then lo! on the Day of Resurrection ye are raised (again)”  (Al- Momanoon 23:12 - 16)

“And Allah brought you forth from the wombs of your mothers knowing nothing, and gave you hearing and sight and hearts that haply ye might give thanks”  (An-Nahl 16:78)

“He brings forth the living from the dead, and He brings forth the dead from the living, and He revives the earth after its death. And like so you will be brought forth (from death). (Ar-Room 30:19)

“Among His Signs in this, that He created you from dust; and then,- behold, ye are men scattered (far and wide) (20) And among His signs is that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell with them in tranquility, and He has put love and mercy between you. Indeed, in this are signs for those who reflect."  (Ar-Rum 30: 20 - 21)

“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for those who know”  (Ar-Room 30:22)

“And among His Signs is the sleep that ye take by night and by day, and the quest that ye (make for livelihood) out of His Bounty: verily in that are signs for those who hearken”  (Ar-Room 30:23)

Can we decide our appearance, physical structure, wisdom and finally our death, is then not there must be someone who is seeing and performing all that?

SIGNS IN THE OTHER CREATURES

“Behold! In the cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of that which is in their bellies, from between the refuse and the blood, pure milk palatable to the drinkers”  (An-Nahl 16:66)

“And of the fruits of the date-palm, and grapes, you derive strong drink and (also) good food. Behold! Therein is indeed a sign for people who have sense”   (An-Nahl 16:67)

“And the Lord inspired the (female) bee: "Choose your habitations in the hills and in the trees and in that which they (humans) dwell"  (An-Nahl 16:68)

"Then eat of all fruits, and follow the paths of your Lord (which were) made smooth". There comes forth from their bellies a drink of diverse hues (honey), and wherein is healing for mankind. Behold! Herein is indeed a sign for people who give thought”  (An-Nahl 16:69)

 “A Sign for them is the earth that is dead: We do give it life, and produce grain therefrom, of which ye do eat (33) And We produce therein orchard with date-palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth therein (34) That they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry): It was not their hands that made this: will they not then give thanks?”  (Yaseen 36:33 - 35)

"And a Sign for them is the Night: We withdraw therefrom the Day, and behold they are plunged in darkness (37) And the sun Runs its fixed course For a term (decreed). that is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing." (38) And the Moon,- We have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a date-stalk (39) It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law)”  (Yaseen 36: 37 - 40)

ALLAH, THE CREATOR SUBJECTED THE UNIVERSE TO HUMAN CONTROL

Allah’s millions and billions creations are serving us without our asking, is that all by chance?

And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat”  (An-Nahl 16:5)

“It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle (10) With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought”  (An-Nahl 16:10 - 11)

“He has made subject to you the Night and the Day; the sun and the moon; and the stars are in subjection by His Command: verily in this are Signs for men who are wise”   (An-Nahl 16:12)

And the things on this earth which He has multiplied in varying colours (and qualities): verily in this is a sign for men who celebrate the praises of Allah (in gratitude)”  (An-Nahl 16:13)

“It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender, and that ye may extract therefrom ornaments to wear; and thou seest the ships therein that plough the waves, that ye may seek (thus) of the bounty of Allah and that ye may be grateful”  (An-Nahl 16:14)

“And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves (15) And landmarks (too), and by the star they find a way (16) Is then He Who creates like one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition?” (An-Nahl 16:15 - 17)

Huge animal just as horses, donkeys, cows and sheep are subjected to our living, where as we are less in structural power, is science says, is it by chance?

“It is He Who made the sun to be a shining glory and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her; that ye might know the number of years and the count (of time). Nowise did Allah create this but in truth and righteousness. (Thus) doth He explain His Signs in detail, for those who understand (5) Verily, in the alternation of the night and the day, and in all that Allah hath created, in the heavens and the earth, are signs for those who fear Him”  (Younus 10:5-6)

THE PURPOSE OF THE CREATION OF HUMAN BEINGS?

Now why Allah has created humans is a question. The answer is given by Allah in Quran:

 “I have not created jinn nor men except to worship Me. (56) I seek no livelihood from them, nor do I ask them to feed Me (57) Behold! Allah is He Who gives livelihood, the Lord of Unbreakable Might”  (Ad-Dhariyat 51:56 - 58)

 “We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play (16) If We had wished to find pastime, We could have found it in Our Presence - if ever We did”  (Al-Anbiya’ 21:16 - 17)

So Allah has created us to give the humans to give His best reward if it obeys Him (Heaven) and punish it if disobeys (Hell).

A QUESTION FOR THE ATHEIST

Suppose that your belief is right (i.e. there is no God), then what are we (who believe in Allah) going to lose after death, NOTHING? But on the other hand what will happen to you if we are right? Nothing but hell. So make your choice wisely either believe in Allah, or stay hopeless in this life without knowing where you came from, where are you going to or why are you in this life.

Perhaps you may live another fifty or sixty years ignoring Allah, then you will return to Him and His Severe Punishment because of your disbelief.

On the contrary, if you believe in Allah and do good deeds as per His commands, you will return to Him and dwell in Paradise, having whatsoever you wish. Whatever be your decision, we have given you the message but it is as Allah has said:

"Verily, you (O’ Mohammad) cannot make the dead to hear (i.e. benefit them and similarly the disbelievers), nor can you make the deaf to hear the call, when they flee, turning their backs (81) Nor can you lead the blind out of their error, you can only make to hear those who believe in Our Ayât and who have submitted (as Muslims)”  (An-Naml 27:80-81)

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2. BIG BANG: ORIGIN OF THE UNIVERSE

Question:

Articles and books have been published postulating about the "big bang" as the probable origin of the universe some 10 billion years ago. It will be appreciated if you could share with us some thoughts about how religion in general, and Islam in particular, view such a scientific research being pursued in an attempt to approve this theory.

Answer:

I am not particularly familiar with this theory, or its details. I have watched a television program about it and read an article, but I am not in a position to speak about it in any depth. What I would like to say about it, however, is that whether it is proved to be true or false, it should not affect our view of religion in any way. Allah could have brought about such a "Big Bang" to create the universe, if He wanted to do so. He could certainly have created the universe in some other manner. Whichever way He adopted to create the universe testifies to His limitless ability and overall control of the universe and everything in it.

Where scientists reach the limits of their research, they are seen making attempt to make such a theory a basis to negate or cast suspicion on what Islam says about creation. If the universe came into being as a result of a Big Bang, does that mean that the bang happened by itself, without any cause? Or does it mean that Allah caused it? If the later, well and good, however if they opt for the first answer, saying that the bang just happened by itself without a cause, we will ask for a proof.

We will say: Was there anything before the bang took place? Did it happen by a collision of physical entities, electric charges or other sources of energy? If so, where did these come from? Who gave them their existence? Such a line of questioning will inevitably lead us to decide our starting point. Are we seeking an explanation for the existence of the universe in total isolation of the concept of Allah's existence? In other words, does scientific research want to prove that life could have come about without any need for a creator? If so, then we are simply not interested in such an endeavor. Let scientists do what they like, they will never be able to come up with any logical explanation that can be proven to be true and at the same time negate Allah's role altogether.

Quran already says that, before all universe was a just like a unit in the form of smoke, then He caused him to break and made this universe.

Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience." (Fussalat 41:11)

Now your science confirms that all this was started from a Big Bang but it does not say how that matter got collected or created.

In Quran, Allah (SWT) says about the origin of universe.

Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? (Al-Anbia 21:30)

See what prophet Mohammad told us about the beginning of universe.

Narrated Imran bin Husain: (i.e. the start of creations). He (prophet) said, "First of all, there was nothing but Allah, and (then He created His Throne). His throne was over the water, and He wrote everything in the Book (in the Heaven) and created the Heavens and the Earth." Volume 4, Book 54, Number 414:

If Muslim scientists find enough evidence to suggest that the Big Bang Theory explains how the universe came into existence, they would relate that to Allah and His power. They would say that Allah has created the universe by causing a big bang to take place and they would then carry on with their investigations. Their research may lead them to great discoveries, but that does not negate Allah's role. The problem with scientists' research in the West is that it seeks to provide a theory which can be used as an alternative to the fact that the universe is Allah's creation. As a result, scientists go far astray. Moreover, they can produce no theory which can stand the test of time.

Now see what Allah tells us about the beginning of human life which is in our short listed eyes, is the most complicated of life.

“How do you disbelieve in Allah, seeing that you were dead and He gave you life! Then He will cause you to die, then He will give you life, then unto Him you will return”. [Al-Baqarah 2:28)]

Take for example the theory of Charles Darwin on the origin of species. There is nothing that an Islamic scholar or a man of religion can find wrong with the observations about the gradation of species and that one species leads to the next which is slightly higher. They noted that the gradation is observable in the plant kingdom as well as in the animal kingdom. They have also mentioned that there seems to be two un-bridgeable gaps, one between the highest plant species and the lowest animal type of life and the other between the highest animals which are closest to man and man himself. Their view is that it is Allah who has willed the system of creation to be such.

Such a gradation proves His great ability to anyone who reflects on what Allah has placed in the universe. Muslim scientists have also spoken about the fine balance which we find in nature and how no species is allowed to multiply in great numbers so as to swarm the planet or dominate the universe. They attributed all that to the great hand of the Supreme Lord. This is the logical explanation which uses natural phenomena as a proof of the greatest fact of all, namely, Allah's existence, His Godhood and Lordship.

What the West did with Darwin's theory was something different. Scientists tried to show that the great observations of Darwin indicate that there is a process of natural selection which is set in motion and continues to operate forever. Hence, that process provided for them a platform to announce their atheism and agnosticism and reject Allah's role altogether. They could not explain how the process of natural selection operates. Is it subject to the physical phenomena that exists in the universe? What made all species acquire the ability to adapt themselves to such phenomena? As for the two gaps, Western scientists who took over from Darwin tried to explain them away by saying that these were two missing links. They have not come up with any explanation why these links have been and continue to be missing?

If the process of natural selection is self-supporting and ensures its own continuity, why has it not tried to bridge these two gaps? Whey does the missing link continue to be missing at those particular two points? In all this, we find an arbitrary attempt to replace religion with science, making of it a new god to which submission is required, even though it involves believing in some inexplicable phenomena. Such scientists say that their alternative is more logical and reasonable, but they cannot use it to explain everything that needs explanation.

If scientists want to carry their research a step further than studying what is available in the universe so as to explain its existence, they must come up with a complete explanation that can be proved throughout with facts that cannot be challenged. If science is to replace religion, it should offer something which is complete, true, verifiable, unchangeable and absolute. But we will not be interested if scientists say to us: This is what we can prove now. Take it for the present as correct, and if we come up tomorrow with something that is more reasonable or for which we can provide better evidence, you take that instead of what we have offered you now.

We do not want a Big Bang Theory to replace Darwin's theory, leaving as many un-answered questions as its predecessor. On the other hand, we welcome the Big Bang Theory and all other scientific research when offered in the right approach. It then can tell us more about our planet and the universe in which we live and how Allah brought it all into existence and continues to control it all.

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3.  IS UNIVERSE AND LIFE CREATED BY ITSELF

Question :

Some persons argue that there is no prove of any divine origin, there is no prove that there is a God, there is no proves that this universe has come about for any divine purpose; there are people who argue this way.  And they say that perhaps this world came about by chance. A big bang and this whole great world, with all its orchestration just came together.  And they argue that life does not have any definite purpose and that there is nothing that can be proven through by the logic or science that there is a God or purpose or any divine reason behind this world.

Answer :

In the Qur’an it’s mentioned: 

To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth and Allah has power over everything. (189) Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding,(190) men who celebrates the praises of Allah standing, sitting and lying down on their side and they contemplate the wonders of the creation in the heavens and the earth with the thought, “Our Lord, not for any foolish purpose has thou created all of these.  Glory be to thee, give us salvation from the penalty of the hellfire. (Aale-Imran 3:189-191)

Now here in these verses, Allah has mentioned very clearly to us by first drawing our attention to the creation of ourselves, the different postures of the human body, the different attitude of the human psychology.  He draws our attention to the heaven, the alternation of the night and the day, the firmament, the stars, the constellation and then He says to us, "Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between! that were thought of Unbelievers..." (Sad 38:27)

Because when you see the design of it, you know it that the design of it is very powerful and very precise.  And something very powerful and very precise that is beyond your own calculation and imagination, it cannot foolish.  It cannot be just thrown together.

“It is Allah Who hath created the heavens and the earth and sendeth down rain from the skies, and with it bringeth out fruits wherewith to feed you; it is He Who hath made the ships subject to you, that they may sail through the sea by His command; and the rivers (also) hath He made subject to you (32) And He has made subservient to you the sun and the moon pursuing their courses, and He has made subservient to you the night and the day”  (Ibraheem 14:32 - 33)

How can you say that all this uniformity of creation came automatically. As per scientific theory all came to existence by “Big Bang”. Yes that is correct. Now take an example, suppose you break a glass or cup of tea, you break this million time or billion time, you will never find pieces in any uniformity, then how at one instance, our universe became to exist and all that exist in it, has got some sensibility of unformity. 

Again if you take 10 marbles and number them 1 to 10 and all of them with different colours and you put them inside of a bag and shook the bag and then closing your eyes put your hand inside the bag, and I ask you, pull out marble number 1 and then marble number 2 and then pull out marble number 3 in order.  What’s the chance of your pulling out of these 10 marbles in order?  Do you know the chances are? Its 26 millions to 1.  So what’s the chance of the heavens and the earth being thrown in a big bang and orchestrated like they are.  What’s the chance of that?

My dear respected fellow humans we have to ask ourselves a further question.  When you see a bridge, a building or an automobile, you automatically consider the person or the company that constructed it.  When you see a plane or a rocket, a satellite or a large ship, you also think about how incredible of a vehicle that it is.  When you see a nuclear plant in orbiting space stations or a super international airport, you have to thoroughly impressed with the engineering dynamics that are involved.

Yet, these are just things that are manufactured by human beings. Then what about the human body; with its massive and intricate control system?  Think about it. 

Think about the brains; how it thinks, how it functions, how it analysis, sort information, retrieves information, distinguishes and categorizes information in a millionth of a second, and does it constantly.  Think about the brain for a moment.  This is the brain that made the automobile, the rocket.  Think about the brain and who made that.  Think about the heart how it pumps continuously for 60 or 70 years, in taking and discharging blood throughout the body and maintaining that steady precision throughout the life of that person. Think about it. 

Think about the kidney and what kind of functions that they carry – the purifying instrument of the body, which performs hundreds of chemicals analysis simultaneously and also controls the levels of toxicity in the content of the body.  And it does this automatically. 

Think about your eye – The human camera that adjust, focus, interpret, evaluate, and applies colour automatically; the natural inspective and adjustment to light and distance.  All automatic, think about it!

Who created all that? Who has mastered all that? Who planed  that? And who regulates that? Human beings themselves? No of course not. 

What about this universe? Think about this. This earth is ONE planet in our solar system.  And our solar system is one of the systems in the Milky Way.  And the Milky Way is one of the constellations in this galaxy.  And there are millions of galaxies like the Milky Way.  Think about that and they are all in order.  They are all precise.  They are not colliding with each other.  They are not conflicting with each other and they are swimming along in an orbit that has been SET for them.  Have human beings set that into motions? And are those human beings maintaining that precision? No of course NOT!

Think about the ocean, the fish, the insects, the birds, the plants, bacteria, and the chemical elements that have not been discovered and cannot be defected even with the most sophisticated instruments.  Yet each one of them has a law that they follow.

Did all of these sequence, balance, harmony, variation, design, maintenance, operation and infinite numeration, did this happen by chance? And also do these things functions perpetually and perfectly by chance?  And do they reproducing themselves and maintaining themselves also by chance? No of course not. 

That would be totally illogical and foolish to think and in the least, it will indicate that however it came to be, it is totally outside of the realm of human capability.  We will all agree to that. 

The being, the all mighty power, God, the creator who has the knowledge to design, to proportion, who has created all of these and is responsible for maintaining all of these, is the only one that is deserving our praise and gratitude. 

If I gave each one of you a $100 for no reasons, you would at least say thank you.  What about your eyes, your kidney, your brain, your life, your birth, your children – what about that? Who gave you that? Is He not worthy of praise and thanks? Is He not worthy of your worship and recognition?

That in a nutshell is the purpose and the goal of this life.

Allah the all mighty said to us in the Qur’an: “I have not created the Jinn (the spirit) nor the human beings for any other purpose except to worship me” (Ad-Dharyat 51:56). This what the almighty says.  So our purpose of this life is to recognize the creator, to be grateful to the creator, to worship the creator, to surrender ourselves to the creator and to obey the laws that He decided for us. 

In a nutshell it means worship.  This is our purpose on this life.  And whatever we do in the course of that worship, that system, the eating, the drinking, the dressing, the working; all of these are just consequential but we have been created to worship.

That’s the purpose of our life.  I don’t think that anyone who is scientific or analytical, they won’t have much argument with that purpose.  They may have some other purpose within themselves.  But that’s something they have to deal with between themselves and all mighty God.

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 4. CREATIONS – CREATORS - SALVATION

(By Nasim A.  Khan)

Everything which we see should have a creator. There are trillions and trillions of creations we see and some of them we do not see or have no clear imagination such as Angels, Jinns, Heaven, Hell etc. Who created them?

There must be someone who is the creator of all these things and He should also be needed for many other purposes, which we will discuss.

However our first major look is at universe itself, because that is so huge that we could not comprehend and even measure it.

·    Who is the creator of this universe?

·    Is there anyone, who is also sustaining it?

·   Also is that creator who brought this universe into existence and also all that exist on it, can He destroy it or recreate it back, if required?

In addition, Human which is one of super creation, is Human has any purpose of being created? Is the creator has given any responsibility to it and is there is someone to give us justice for our good or bad deeds? Is that creator is able to resurrect us for our deeds account? These are many such questions which needs to be explored and answered. Let us start with universe.

So who is the creator and of this universe, is he be one or more than one?

UNIVERSE: HOW MANY GODS MUST HAVE CREATED IT

No one has seen this universe creator, nor we are able to use our senses or scientic instruments to make any kind of contact with Him. However, we are encouraged in Islam to use our common sense and scientific advancement to analyze, how this entire universe could have come into existence. We see this universe, this earth and all living and non living things on earth, and all moving creatures including humans. Are all these created by any creator or they are self created?

Should this all this created by any creator or it is created by its ownself? If not by ownself, either one or more than one creator, must have to design it all and then put it into in present shape.

CREATION OF UNIVERSE & EARTH

We can’t deny that we live on one planet of this universe. We can easily see stars, skies, our planet earth, and all that exist on earth including ourselves. Question is whether all this came to existence by itself accidentally, or is it created by someone?

So we have to ponder on the question, whether there must be a creator of this universe or not? Let us analyze following major creations.

·        Creation of Universe.

·        Creation of all that non living things on Earth.

·        Creation of all living species on Earth except Humans.

·        Creation of Souls.

·        Creation of Humans.

Creation Of Universe

What about this huge universe? This earth is one planet in our solar system.  And our solar system is one of the systems in the Milky Way.  And the Milky Way is one of the constellations in this galaxy.  And there are millions of galaxies like the Milky Way.  If we see our planet in this universal galaxies map, it will be just like a spot, which can not be even seen and recognized.

Just think, how all these galaxies, stars and planets are floating or staying in an orderly manner?  They are not colliding with each other and are independently revolving in orbits that are designated for them.  Does this not need a creator? Then is anyone other than creator, maintaining and sustaining it? No is the answer!

It means there must be a creator, who may have first created all soil matter, unified it, heated it to extreme temperature, then exploded it and arranged the matter in the shape of present universe.

Atheists and Scientist say that:

·    All universe came into existence by chance due to a Big Bang explosion, and no body is responsible what got created.

·    Secondly, after creation, no body is sustaining it and it is sustaining by it own.

Just for joke, if I say that Twin Towers in New York came into existence by itself and then destroyed itself, would you believe on this? You may start giving its building history and then how these towers destroyed by a terrorist attack.

Leave about that, I say, I saw a toy who has no manufacturer. You will doubt my senses, how I said like that? You will say “although I may not find the manufacturer, but I will never accept that, the toy came to existence by itself”.

Imagine when you can not accept that Twin Tower of New York came into existence by itself, then destroyed itself, and also a small toy has no creator or manufacturer, then how a sane man can accept that a very huge amount of matter first created and collected itself, then broke itself and got scattered in uniformity as galaxies and stars.

Science always go by experiments, so why not you try it. For this experiment, collect some amount of mixed soil matter, heat it at any temperature, little solidify it and make it in a ball shape. Then throw it on ground or wall, see whether it scatters in any uniform manner. Does it burst into small round balls and start rotating independently in the space around?

You do this experiment million times or billions times, it will never break into any uniform shape and then its pieces start floating. You may arrange, whatever environment you like for this (e.g. take it in space or on earth in vacuum etc) and then do this experiment.  What all this will result to? It will lead to the conclusion that this universe could not come into existence without any creator. He must first have created its matter, and then exploded it with sensibly pre designing its post explosion results.

Of course there was a Big Bang, but under the command and control of a creator who had a plan and vision, what it should result and behave after exploding. Although we can’t see that creator, but we must accept that there should be a creator, who must have a capacity and wisdom to do all that.

It concludes that there is a creator, whom Jews and Christians say as “God”, Muslim call Him Allah. This name is not given by Muslim but Allah Himself in His revealed book Quran. Quran informs us the fact (not theory) of Big Bang fourteen hundred years ago, when nobody had any idea about it. Quran declares that, before Big Bang, all matter was in the form of smoke, then He caused it to break and this universe came into existence.

Now science confirms that all of this universe came to existence from a Big Bang explosion, but still it does not say, how so huge matter got created and collected? Quran tells that this universe created from a huge collected material and it dispersed to present galaxies, and our earth is one part of it.

“Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder (dispersed)? ….”   (Al-Anbia 21:30)

“Do they not look at the sky above them? How We have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it?”  (Qaaf 50:6)

Science also can not tell how much period was taken for getting the present universe creation. However in Quran, Allah says:

“We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in Six Days, nor did any sense of weariness touch Us”  (Qaaf 50:38)

Remember that these six days are not of our 24 Hrs a day (our solar system was created later), but it is the period, whose exact length is known to creator only. Still we don’t know much and can not determine, but we are told that there are seven layers altogether.

"And indeed We have created above you seven heavens (one over the other), and We are never unaware of the creation”  (Al- Momanoon 23:17)

The creator also telling us that the matter has been also given some kind of senses, (which science can never determine), therefore before giving order to the smoky matter, it was asked whether it was ready to burst in His planned manner or not? (obeying Allah’s order). Smoky matter obeyed the order willingly as Allah says:

“Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience." (Fussalat 41:11)

Also see what prophet Mohammad (peace and blessing be upon him) told us about the beginning of universe. It clearly tells that initially there was nothing except Allah Himself. Then He created His throne and then this universe. And see His power and knowledge that whatever has to happen in term of creation, sustenance and events till the end of this uiverse, He has already got it written it in His book.

Narrated Imran bin Husain: (i.e. the start of creations). He (prophet) said, "First of all, there was nothing but Allah, and (then He created His Throne). His throne was over the water, and He wrote everything in the Book (in the Heaven) and created the Heavens and the Earth." (Bukhari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 414)

The universe once got created, again needed the creator to sustain it. Is that, after creation, Creator should have no interest or concern about His creation, what happens to all He created? No, that is not possible, no creator would like to do that.

As we see, nothing can remain in its stability, unless it is properly maintained as and when required. Same way there must be a sustainer of this universe, and that one should be the same creator, who created the universe. Again the name of sustainer is Allah, The God.

“It is Allah Who sustains the heavens and the earth, lest they cease (to function): and if they should fail, there is none - not one - can sustain them thereafter: Verily He is Most Forbearing, Oft-Forgiving”  (Fatir 35:41)

In addition to things on earth, the creator has subjected sun and moon as subservient to us, as it is required to us in many ways.

“And He has made subservient to you the sun and the moon pursuing their courses, and He has made subservient to you the night and the day”  (Ibraheem 14:33)

It is also necessary that after creation, creator must still remain in control and knowledge, what is happening in universe. The creator Allah is telling us about this.

“He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full knowledge of all things”  (Al-Hadid 57:3)

Again if a creator can create something, He should be able to wind it up, whenever He feels to do that. Allah is saying that this universe will be having an end, but He will be the only one Who will remain. Is such message has been given by anyone else.

“Everyone that is thereon will pass away (26) And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever” (Ar-Rahmaan 55:26 - 27)

The creator should also be such that there should be no one in whole of universe and heavens, resembling Him, His qualities or attributes. Allah says Himself about it.

"Say: He is Allah, One (1) Allah, The Self-Sufficient (2) He begets not, nor was He begotten (3) And there is none equal or comparable to Him."  (Al-Akhlas 112:1- 4)

"No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision…." (Al-Anam 6:103).

Creation Of All Non Living Things On Earth

Science does not explain how billions and billions of non living material on earth got created, which were later needed for human development. Earth came into existence as one of planet in universe, but how about creations of non living things on earth? For example creation of water, which is almost two third of earth. Why it was created?

It is the basic of all living things and is needed by all living things and plantation for their sustenance. Its importance was revealed by the creator who tells to us in Quran fourteen hundred years ago.

 “…. and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?  (Al-Anbia 21:30)

“It is He Who sendeth down rain from the skies: with it We produce vegetation of all kinds….”  (Al-Anam 6:99)

Again there must be someone, who have created this water in the form of rain, seas, rivers, lakes, water reservoir in earth. Is there any substitute for water which can substitute for both plantation and all living things? Allah says about it:

“…. We have created every living things from water, will they not they believe”  (Al- Ambiya 21: 30)

“And Allah has created every animal from water: of them there are some that creep on their bellies; some that walk on two legs; and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills for verily Allah has power over all things”   (An-Noor 24 : 45)

“It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your”  (An-Nahl 16:10)

Further we have air, oil, iron, copper, trees and plantation, food items etc. etc, which can not be created accidentally. In air Nitrogen, Oxygen and Carbon dioxide are very basic gases of air.  Oxygen is required for all living species, and Carbon dioxide is required by all plants. Who arranged this function of gases for us, animals and plants? Can these gases and their ratios in air, determined by themselves?

Further more see the specific quality of different substances which result in giving us chance to get benefit of their qualities. Take example of electrons which is basic for all non living materials.  They have nucleus and electron revolving around it. Electron has capacity to transfer from one atom to other atom. If transfer of electron from one atom to other would have not been provided, we could have no electricity, communications and different chemical substances. Who given that quality?

“And He gives you of all that you ask Him; and if you count Allah's favors, you will not be able to number them; most surely man is very unjust, very ungrateful”  (Ibraheem 14:34)

Iron, without which we can not build any buildings, dams, or bridges due to its strange strength. It is not even possible to get created by earth itself from beginning, due to very extra high heat required. Energy required to form one atom of iron, it was found to be about four times as much as the energy of the entire solar system. So how it came to earth?

It was sent down to earth by Creator (from where, science can not tell us), as revealed by creator:

“…. And we sent down Iron, in which is Great might, as well as many benefits for mankind…”  (Al-Hadid 57:25)

These material and substances can’t create themselves, nor can acquire different qualities without some creator designate in them. It means there must be someone who created these substances and their qualities. Same creator is telling us in Quran:

“That is Allah, your Lord! there is no god but He, the Creator of all things ….”  (Al-Anam 6:102)

“Glory be to Him Who created pairs of all things, of what the earth grows, and of their kind and of what they do not know”  (Yaseen 36.36)

Further from earth we get tree and plantation, from which we get vegetation and fruits for animal and ourselves eating. We can not even grow the plant without the inherent quality of soil, water and carbon dioxide. Who is the one who is doing that? Again Allah says:

“A Sign for them is the earth that is dead: We do give it life, and produce grain therefrom, of which ye do eat (33) And We produce therein orchard with date-palms and vines, and We cause springs to gush forth therein (34) That they may enjoy the fruits of this (artistry): It was not their hands that made this: will they not then give thanks?”  (Yaseen 36.33 - 35)

“Glory be to Him Who created pairs of all things, of what the earth grows, and of their kind and of what they do not know”  (Yaseen 36.36)

“And it is He who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains standing firm and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two and two: He draweth the night as a veil o'er the Day. Behold, verily in these things there are signs for those who consider”  (Ar-Rad  13: 3)

“It is He who sends down rain from the sky: from it ye drink, and out of it (grows) the vegetation on which ye feed your cattle (10) With it He produces for you corn, olives, date-palms, grapes and every kind of fruit: verily in this is a sign for those who give thought”  (An-Nahl 16:10 - 11)

Not only God is providing all non living substances but also maintaining the stock, which we get discovered from time to time.  Allah says:

“And there is not a thing but with Us are the stores thereof. And we send it not down save in appointed measure (qadar)" (Al-Hijr 15:21)

Creation Of All Living Things On Earth Except Human

Science having no definite reply, how Non Living Things on Earth created, but there is still more serious question “How Living things created?”

Although scientist try to make an environmental theory for the creation of life, but can’t give the actual fact, how bigger species got created. For example how famous animals, birds, crawling species, fishes etc got created?

We have on earth number of animals, birds, fishes, chickens etc which we eat and also get other benefits such as milk, leather, oil, riding, traveling etc. Did they create themselves and also forced us to eat them? How we got male and female in them for further reproduction? It is not possible that these different variety of creations, just got created by any singular upgrading of lower grade species or they themselves got created. But Allah has reply:

‘And cattle He has created for you (men): from them ye derive warmth, and numerous benefits, and of their (meat) ye eat”  (An-Nahl 16:5)

“And Verily! In the cattle there is indeed a lesson for you. We give you to drink (milk) of that which is in their bellies. And there are, in them, numerous (other) benefits for you, and of them you eat”  (Al- Momanoon 23:21)

“It is He Who has made the sea subject, that ye may eat thereof flesh that is fresh and tender ….”  (An-Nahl 16:14)

“And (He has created) horses, mules, and donkeys, for you to ride and use for show; and He has created (other) things of which ye have no knowledge”.  (An-Nahl 16:8)

“….. in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth …. indeed are Signs for a people that are wise”  (Al-Baqarah 2:164)

“And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the living creatures that He has scattered through them: and He has power to gather them together when He wills”  (Ash-Shura 42:29)

Creation of Souls

Every moving and breathing creature needs a “SOUL”. What is this soul? Soul or Spirit is the prime mover to keep LIVE any living entity and drive all its activities. If you remove it, then that entity is dead. Any machine which human makes, is just a showpiece unless you provide it a driving power for its functioning. May be it is electric, gas, oil, steam, mechanical etc. So all these are the “soul” of that machine. If you stop these resources of machine, it will stop and no more working, and you can say it is “dead”.

Same way every living entity has a Soul or Spirit in it. If it is taken away then that body is a “dead body”. So who is the creator of this “SOUL” of all living things. It is the same God who created all things of universe. He created all souls of humans, animals, or any living species.

After fist human creation He breathed His created soul in him. Then to let all the souls to witness that He is the creator, He got all human souls in bodily form to get their affirmative witness that He is their creator. Anyhow we have not been enough knowledge of its nature and  Allah says about it:

"They ask thee concerning the Spirit (of inspiration). Say: "The Spirit (cometh) by command of my Lord: of knowledge it is only a little that is communicated to you, (O men!)"  (Al-Isra 17:85)

“And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins, their seed (or from Adam's loin his offspring) and made them testify as to themselves (saying): "Am I not your Lord?" They said: "Yes! We testify," lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection: "Verily, we have been unaware of this." (Al-Araf 7:172)

Creation Of Human

Creation of Humans is the most important of all creations. Its creation is so important that there is no comparison of its qualities with any of other living creations.

We have other living creations on earth which are more big and powerful e.g. lion, elephant, camel, bull, horse etc but still they don’t possess or can acquire so high standard of creative knowledge, and working capabilities as human has. By default, they don’t need much such care for their sustenance as human, and they do not even need special housing and eating.

Due to its peculiarity, human needs housing, different type of eating, communications and transportation etc etc. Human is making progress in different aspects of its needs due to its specially given qualities or capabilities. For such specialty, Human is therefore created by Creator own hands and also in heaven, not on earth. After creation, to show its high stature, The Creator, Allah also asked all those who were in heavens to prostrate before him. Allah says:

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allâh through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you” (An-Nisa 4:1)

“Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: "I am about to create man, from sounding clay from mud moulded into shape (28) "When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My spirit, fall ye down in obeisance unto him." (29) So the angels prostrated themselves, all of them together (30) Except Iblîs (Satan), he refused to be among the prostrators”  (Al-Hijr 15:28-31)

“(Allah) said: "O Iblis! What prevents thee from prostrating thyself to one whom I have created with my hands? Art thou haughty? Or art thou one of the high (and mighty) ones?"  (Saad 38:75)

(Iblis was a jinn, but living in heaven due to his extreme worshipping of God, and therefore order was also applied to him also)

Specialty of Human.

Human has extra special qualities and capabilities. Although other creations may have same organs, but not to the standard of human specialty. For example:

Human brains; how it thinks, functions, analyzes, sorts information, stores, retrieves, distinguishes and categorizes information in a millionth of a second, and does it constantly. How it keeps different records for whole of the life? Also the multiple responses which it gives instantly, when talking, giving speech, quarrelling, fighting etc. This can not be done by any most advanced system of present technology. Its functional capabilities are totally different from other living creations, although they also have the brain.

And human hands and feet; which have creative and working skills which no one else has. Although some animals have such four limbs, just like humans, but can’t use with the same skill as humans. With combination of human brain, hands and feet, you can see how much progress we have made in all spheres of life.

All animals have to walk horizontally on all four and eat directly by mouth while bowing. However human walk on two feet only, and eat honourly in a straight way by hands.

All other living species have to live on any particular type of eating and nutrition, but humans are totally different. Humans can eat vegetation, fruits and meat and other variety of foods etc. There must be someone who made our teeth different from animals, such that it can bite both type of eating, and stomach with a digestic system, which digest both meat and vegetation. God did not make this double capability to any other living species.

The development which human has done, none of animal kingdom entity has done. Although animals have also the brain and same limbs, but still are unable to do that kind of development. Why?

Does all such functionalities of different parts of body can be acquired by human itself, or there must be a creator who not only made Human a special creature, but also a super of all creations? So who is that creator?

It is the same who first created all universe. Then created all living and non living things on earth for Human, and then Human himself:

“He it is Who created for you all that is on the earth….”.  (Al-Baqara 2:29)

“O man! What hath made thee careless concerning thy Lord, the Bountiful (6) Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion (7) In whatever form He willed, He put you together”  (Al-Infitar 82:6 - 8)

“Certainly, We created man of the best stature”  (At-Tin 95:4)

Although apparently we human produce another human baby, but do we have any control over physical appearance and qualities of that baby? The Creator reminds about that:

“He it is Who fashioneth you in the wombs as pleaseth Him …” (Aale-`Imran 3:6)

“He Who has made everything which He has created most good: He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay (7) And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised (8) Then He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him the soul (created by Allâh for that person), and He gave you hearing (ears), sight (eyes) and hearts. Little is the thanks you give”  (As- Sajdah 32:7 - 9)

Creator is reminding human, just think about yourself, were you there from beginning? The Creator is telling us, what actually we were, and how our generation is continuing.

“Has there not been over man a period of time, when he was nothing to be mentioned? (1) “Verily, We have created man from Nutfah (drops) of mixed semen (sexual discharge of man and woman), in order to try him, so We made him hearer and seer” (Al-Insaan 76:1 - 2)

“Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)"? (37) Then did he become a leech-like clot; then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due proportion (38) And of him He made two sexes, male and female”  (Al-Qiyamah 75:37 - 39)

Scientist have Darven theory of human evolution from monkey to human. That is only theory but not a proven fact. If we accept that theory, then there must be no monkey in the world. Allah tells about our creation.

First human being created by God was of a man named Adam. Later He created from Adam, a woman named Eve. Further generation of human started from these two on earth. So Allah questions us:

“Were they created out of nothing? Or were they themselves the creators? (35) Or did they create the heavens and the earth? Nay, but they are sure of nothing”  (At-Tur 52:35-36)

“O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife [Hawwa (Eve)], and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allâh through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allâh is Ever an All-Watcher over you” (An-Nisa 4:1)

PURPOSE OF HUMAN CREATION

The creator of this universe may have many other creations, some of which we may know and most of them we may not know. However you would like to know, why human has a special status in whole creation.

As far as we know, God has three major creations in respect of excellence. Humans, angels and Jinns. Angels and Jinns, we can’t see them but they exist and are always around us.

·    Angels are created from “Light”,  purely obedient and cannot sin and disobey.

·    The Jinns were created from “Fire”. “And He created Jinns from fire free of smoke”  (Ar-Rahman 55:15) and have the capability of doing deeds as they like, good or bad.

·    The Humans are created from “soil dust”.“….We have created you (i.e. Adam) from dust, then from a Nutfah (mixed drops of male and female sexual discharge)…. “  (Al- Hajj 22:5) and have the capability of doing deeds as they like, good or bad, but they have been given somr qualities, much higher than Jinns.

Human is like an vicegerent/administrator of Allah on earth and is super of all creations on earth. Same is told by Allah Himself in Quran.

“Behold, thy Lord said to the angels: "I will create a vicegerent on earth." ….."  (Al-Baqarah 2:30)

“He it is Who hath placed you as viceroys of the earth and hath exalted some of you in rank above others, that He may try you by (the test of) that which He hath given you ….”  (Al-Anaam 6:165) 

Jinns and Humans, not only have to believe on Allah, but also being reminded that they have an end and have to answer about their deeds. Basically only Jinns and Humans are created to obey and worship Him and therefore are accountable for their actions. Allah says:

“I have not created jinn nor men except to worship Me”  (Ad-Dhariyat 51:56)

“How do you disbelieve in Allah, seeing that you were dead and He gave you life! Then He will cause you to die, then He will give you life, then unto Him you will return”.  (Al-Baqarah 2:28)

So both creations are told to obey Him and worship Him. We don’t have much knowledge about Jinns, as neither we can see nor hear them, although they also live on earth. However it is fact that human is superior to Jinn as, Iblis, a jinn was also required to prostrate to human, when human was created.

“It is We Who created you and gave you shape; then We bade the angels prostrate to Adam, and they prostrate; not so Iblis (a jinn); He refused to be of those who prostrate." (Al-A’raaf 7:11)

The creator has made human as His vicegerent on earth with responsibility to rule on earth with the guidelines He will be sending from time to time through His messenger. Human is required to live his life on earth as per His guidelines, worship Him as only one God, live on earth with peace and take care other fellow humans rights.

Human Had To Live On Earth After Creation

God has created human  and sent to earth from heaven. Our father Adam and mother Eve were living in heaven but due to their disobedience (which was incited by our enemy Iblis) Allah sent them on earth. Here is Allah describes about human disobedience.

"O Adam! dwell thou and thy wife in the Garden, and enjoy (its good things) as ye wish: but approach not this tree, or ye run into harm and transgression." (19) “Thereupon satan whispered unto the two (Adam & Eve) with a view to making them conscious of their nakedness, of which [hitherto] they had been unaware; and he said: "Your Sustainer has but forbidden you this tree lest you two become .[as] angels, or lest you live forever." (20) And he swore to them both, that he was their sincere adviser (21) “And thus he led them on with deluding thoughts. But as soon as the two had tasted [the fruit] of the tree, they became conscious of their nakedness; and they began to cover themselves with pieced-together leaves from the garden. And their Sustainer called unto them: "Did I not forbid that tree unto you and tell you, `Verily, satan is your open foe'? (22) They said: "Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost." (23) (Allah) said: "Get ye down. With enmity between yourselves. On earth will be your dwelling-place and your means of livelihood,- for a time." (24)  He said: "Therein shall ye live, and therein shall ye die; but from it shall ye be taken out (at last)."  (Al-A’raaf 7:19-25)

Although Allah forgiven the mistake of Adam and Eve, but as human was actually planned to live on earth, so He sent both of them to earth. However as He is The Most Merciful, He has given us a golden chance us to win back “The Heaven” with our obedience and good deeds. Now we are on earth, and have to work hard to please Him who created us. We now have to act as per His orders and guidance which is coming to us from time to time through His prophets. We, therefore still need our creator Allah, as we have to die and return to Him. If we did good deeds with correct faith, we will be back in Heaven, otherwise if our disobedience continued, it will lead us to Hell which is worst for living.

“…. Each soul earneth only on its own account, nor doth any laden bear another's load. Then unto your Lord is your return and He will tell you that wherein ye differed”  (Al-Anaam 6:164) 

“Those who reject Our signs, We shall soon cast into the Fire; as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty: for Allah is Exalted in Power, Wise”   (An-Nisa 4:56)

So first we must accept that we are in this world for limited time and under trial. During this life time, our faith, worship, care for humanity and deeds, will either lead us to Heaven or Hell. Not accepting any creator will lead us nowhere, but to Hell.

“And they say: There is nothing but our life of this world, and we shall not be raised”  (Al-Anam 6:29)

“Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned”  (Al-Anmbia 21: 35)

”Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil), but give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere." (Al-Baqarah 2:155)  

Allah has not kept us blind, what is the way to go to Heaven? From first human on earth, He has sent thousands of prophets for continuous guidance. Some of them were given books also. He has promised heaven to Believers with good deeds.

“O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you messengers from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve”  (Al-Araf 7:35) 

“Allah hath promised to Believers, men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein, and beautiful mansions in gardens of everlasting bliss. But the greatest bliss is the good pleasure of Allah: that is the supreme felicity” (At-Tawbah 9:72)

However for the test, Allah has beautified this world with luxuries, love for sex, children, wealth, health, greed, lies, dishonesty, rule, overpower etc. Allah will also test our conduct and patience with poverty, illness, miseries, human relations etc. So we are all under test in respect of all that, in addition to faith and normal good deeds and behaviour. Allah says about our test period.

 “Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, "We believe", and that they will not be tested? (2) We did test those before them, and Allah will certainly know those who are true from those who are false (3) Do those who practice evil think that they will get the better of Us? Evil is their judgment”  (Al-‘Ankaboot 29:2 - 4)

“And this life of the world is only amusement and play! Verily, the home of the Hereafter, that is the life indeed (i.e. the eternal life that will never end), if they but knew” (Al-‘Ankaboot 29:64)

"And it is not your wealth, nor your children that bring you nearer to Us, but only he (will please Us) who believes and does righteous deeds; for such there will be twofold reward for what they did, and they will reside in the high dwellings (Paradise) in peace and security"  (Saba 34:37)

“To Him is the return of all of you. The Promise of Allâh is true. It is He Who begins the creation and then will repeat it, that He may reward with justice those who believed and did deeds of righteousness ….”  (Younus 10:4)

“That which is on earth we have made but as a glittering show for the earth, in order that We may test them - as to which of them are best in conduct” (Al-Kahf 18: 7)

“And certainly the reward of the Hereafter is the best, for those who believe, and are constant in righteousness”  (Yousuf 12:57)

“Whoever goes right, then he goes right only for the benefit of his ownself. And whoever goes astray, then he goes astray to his own loss. No one laden with burdens can bear another's burden. And We never punish until We have sent a Messenger (to give warning). (Al-Isra’ 17:15)

God Is Required To Reward Or Punish For Our Deeds

For our good and bad deeds, it is logical that we should be accountable and rewarded. In world we are not fully paid of our bad deeds as we can escape by lies, cleverness and state power. Also there is no comparison of Hell on earth for bad deeds doer.

Hitler of Germany and President Bush of USA got millions of people killed in Germany and Iraq/Afghanistan respectively but they did not get what they should get. Although Bush is insulted by a stoning SHOE in Iraq, but that is nothing.

Also we are not fully paid of our good deeds and patience. For worshipping, oppression, deprivation, cruelty, getting killed etc etc. There is no comparable reward on earth, other than reward of heaven.

For justified accountability, we need a God who to let us die and get resurrected again, to let us accounted of our deeds. That day should be “The Day of Judgment”. For salvation on that day, we have to be on correct faith about our creator, and have to believe on some articles of faith. We have to believe on:

·        Allah as One God (without any partners)

·        His Prophets,

·        His Books,

·        His Angels,

·        Judgment Day,

·        Fate

All deeds and rewards for deeds depend after accepting by heart all above basic principles. Some verses on this aspect are:

“Obey Allah and obey His messenger; but if ye turn away, then the duty of Our messenger is only to convey (the message) plainly”  (At-Taghabun 64:12)

“Truly, those who believe (Oneness of Allâh & prophet Mohammad) and do righteous good deeds, for them will be an endless reward that will never stop (i.e. Paradise)”  (Fussilat 41:8)

“Whosoever does righteous good deed it is for (the benefit of) his ownself, and whosoever does evil, it is against his ownself, and your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves” (Fussilat 41:46)

“Verily Allah will admit those who believe and do righteous deeds, to Gardens beneath which rivers flow; while those who reject Allah will enjoy (this world) and eat as cattle eat; and the Fire will be their abode”  (Muhammad 47: 12)

Whoever disobeys Allah and His messenger, Allah takes it very serious and has warned about it result.

"And whosoever disobeys Allah and His Messenger, and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment"  (An-Nisa 4:14)

Allah knows that we will still sin, therefore He promises to forgive, if human repents. He is most forgiver and likes that we should, first of all, try our best not to sin, but if still it happens then ask forgiveness for that sin.

“Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous (133) Those who spend (freely), whether in prosperity, or in adversity; who restrain anger, and pardon (all) men;- for Allah loves those who do good (134) And those who, having done something to be ashamed of, or wronged their own souls, earnestly bring Allah to mind, and ask for forgiveness for their sins,- and who can forgive sins except Allah?- and are never obstinate in persisting knowingly in (the wrong) they have done (135) For such the reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens with rivers flowing underneath,- an eternal dwelling: How excellent a recompense for those who work (and strive)”  (Aal ‘Imraan 3:133-136)

“Be quick in the race for forgiveness from your Lord, and for a Garden whose width is that (of the whole) of the heavens and of the earth, prepared for the righteous”  (Aal ‘Imraan 3:133)

"Those who believe and work righteous deeds,- from them shall We blot out all evil (that may be) in them, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds”  (Al-‘Ankaboot 29:7)

However Allah has promised to Himself that He will not forgive the one who has associated anyone partner with Him (shirk). It means, even if one may be the most chaste person in the world, but if he is having faith that there is anyone additional god or partner with Him in His affairs, then he will never be forgiven and admitted in heaven.

“Verily! Allah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom he pleases sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allâh, has indeed strayed far away”  (An-Nisa’ 4:116)

Allah does not want anyone of us to go to Hell, and is not unjust even a least degree.

“Surely Allah does not do any injustice to men, but men are unjust to themselves”  (Yoonus 10:44)

To forgive us, He multiplies one good deeds reward by 10 times to hundred of times, whereas each bad deed is treated as only one bad deed.

“He that doeth good shall have ten times as much to his credit: He that doeth evil shall only be recompensed according to his evil: no wrong shall be done unto (any of) them”   (Al-Anaam 6:160)   

Now, after the prophet Mohammed (PBUH) coming and revelation of Allah’s book, It is necessary that everybody should accept Allah as the only God, Mohammed (PBUH) as the last prophet, and Quran, The Last Testament. Allah says in Quran:

”Those who deny Allah and His apostles, and (those who) wish to separate Allah from His apostles, saying: "We believe in some but reject others": And (those who) wish to take a course midway” (150) They are in truth (equally) unbelievers; and we have prepared for unbelievers a humiliating punishment”  (An-Nisa 4:150-151)

It is therefore a requirement that everyone who wants to go to heaven, he should embrace Islam, as said by Allah.

“And whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him, and in the Hereafter he will be one of the losers”  (Aale Imraan 3:85)

“Whoever submits his whole self to Allah, and is a doer of good, has grasped indeed the most trustworthy hand-hold: and with Allah rests the End and Decision of (all) affairs”  (Luqman 31:22)

Allah helps each doer of good deed and bad deed in the direction he wants to go. For bad deeds doer, He further drowns him in bad deeds by providing more instances of doing bad deeds. However who is inclined to do good deeds, He helps him with the chances of doing good deeds.

“Whoso desireth the harvest of the Hereafter, We give him increase in its harvest. And whoso desireth the harvest of the world, We give him thereof, and he hath no portion in the Hereafter”  (Ash-Shooraa 42:20)

Not to be taken a back, it is reminded human that his record is being maintained. Every good or bad deed is being recorded instantly by the angels on our shoulders. The same record will be given to each individual in the form of evidence book.

 “Behold, two (guardian angels) appointed to learn (his doings) learn (and noted them), one sitting on the right and one on the left (17) Not a word does he (or she) utter, but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it) (Qaaf 50:17 - 18)

Every individual will be getting his record book. People getting record in right hand, will be having Heaven as their final destination.

“Then as for him who will be given his Record in his right hand will say: “Here! read my Record! (19) Surely, I did believe that I shall meet my Account!” (20) So he shall be in a life, well‑pleasing (21) In a lofty Paradise, (22) The fruits in bunches whereof will be low and near at hand (23) Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent on before you in days past!” (Al-Haaqqah 69: 19 - 24) 

People getting record in Left hand or from back, will be having Hell as their final destination. They will be able to read all record of life which will be speaking all his deeds, smaller or bigger.

“Read your book. You yourself are sufficient as a reckoner against you this Day” [Al-Isra’ 17:14] 

“And he that will be given his Record in his left hand, will say: "Ah! Would that my Record had not been given to me” (Al-Haqqa 69:25)

“But whosoever is given his Record behind his back, (10) He will invoke (for his) destruction, (11) And he shall enter a blazing Fire” (Al-Inshiqaaq 84:10-12)

It is also reminded that, on the Day of Judgment, there won’t be any penalty payment to get rid of their sins.

"As to those who reject faith - if they had everything on earth and twice repeated, to give as ransom for the Penalty of the Day of Judgment, it would never be accepted of them. Theirs would be a grievous Penalty." (36)Their wish will be to get out of the Fire, but never will they get out therefrom: their penalty will be one that endures”  (Al-Maida 5:36 - 37)

GODS REQUIRED TO CREATE AND SUSTAIN THE UNIVERSE?

After proving that this universe & planet earth, living and non living things and human on earth, neither can create nor sustain themselves, it conclude that there must be a creator of this universe. Question arises, how many creators or gods must logically be there? We can start with possibilities as:

·    Many gods, may be thousands.

·    Three only

·    Two only

·    One only

Thousands of gods.

Some believe that there must be thousands of gods as Hindu believe. Their ideology is that there must be different god for different purposes, as ministers required for running a country. It means god for birth, god for death, god for rain, god for love, god for food etc etc.

They think that for each specific responsibility of universe and human necessities there must be one god. Is this logical?

How it is possible that if there are thousands of gods and still they don’t quarrel and struggle to overpower others. How about when one god’s rights, interest, control or authority get effected by other god and that fully powerful god does not resist? There were always possibility that each god would have taken away what he has created. For such case Allah says in Quran:

“…. and never was there with him any (other) god-- in that case would each god have certainly taken away what he created, and some of them would certainly have overpowered others .…”  (Al-Mumenoon 23:91)

Further suppose rain god may rain heavily resulting floods, thus death of humans and live stocks. Then each god of death for live stock and humans, may get angry, as rain god action interfered in their responsibility of giving death. Or opposite of that, no rain for years, may results in famine, again deaths of innocent humans and live stocks, which may be again interference in their affairs. They will surely fight back, and try to overpower and control rain god actions. So if there had many gods, surely they would have quarreled.

“If there were, in the heavens and the earth, other gods besides Allah, there would have been confusion in both! but glory to Allah, the Lord of the Throne: (High is He) above what they attribute to Him”  (Al- Anbiya’ 21: 22)

“Say: If there had been (other) gods with Him, as they say,- behold, they would certainly have sought out a way to the Lord of the Throne” (42) Glory to Him! He is high above all that they say!- Exalted and Great (beyond measure)”  (Al-Isra 17:42-43)

“…. Surely those whom you call upon besides Allah cannot create fly, though they should all gather for it, and should the fly snatch away anything from them, they could not take it back from, weak are the invoker and the invoked”  (Al-Hajj 22:73)

“Say: "Of your 'partners', can any originate creation and repeat it?" Say: "It is Allah Who originates creation and repeats it: then how are ye deluded away (from the truth)?"  (Younus 10:34)

"And those whom you call upon besides Him (Allâh) cannot help you nor can they help themselves." (197) And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not”  (Al-A’raaf 7:197-198)

“They worship beside Allah that which neither hurteth them nor profiteth them, and they say: These are our intercessors with Allah. Say: Would ye inform Allah of (something) that He knoweth not in the heavens or in the earth? ....”  (Yoonus 10:18)

“…. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmeer (the thin membrane over the date stone) (13) If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. And on the Day of Resurrection, they will disown your worshipping them. And none can inform you (O Muhammad) like Him Who is the All‑Knower (of everything)”  (Al-Faatir 35:13 - 14) 

If there had been many gods, surely we must have a proof for such gods. Also from Adam to Mohammed (pbuh), all prophet must have worshipped these different gods, advised people for that and have left scriptures of different gods. But all prophet proclaimed that there is only one God, and all God’s scripture left by these prophet which are still available (Old testament, New Testament and Last Testament Quran) also declare that there is only one God..

“Or have they taken for worship (other) âliha (gods) besides Him? Say: "Bring your proof….”  (Al-Anbiya’ 21:24)

“Say: "Have ye seen (these) 'Partners' of yours whom ye call upon besides Allah? Show Me what it is they have created in the (wide) earth. Or have they a share in the heavens? Or have We given them a Book from which they (can derive) clear (evidence)? Nay, the wrong-doers promise each other nothing but delusions”  (Fatir 35:40)

“Those who give partners (to Allah) will say: "If Allah had wished, we should not have given partners to Him nor would our fathers; nor should we have had any taboos." So did their ancestors argue falsely, until they tasted of Our wrath. Say: "Have ye any (certain) knowledge? If so, produce it before us. Ye follow nothing but conjecture: ye do nothing but lie" (Al-Annam 6: 148)

“Yet they worship, besides Allah, things for which no authority has been sent down to them, and of which they have (really) no knowledge: for those that do wrong there is no helper”  (Al- Hajj 22:71)

All above verses show that, unlimited number of gods is not logical and therefore no reality at all. It is not possible that so many equal gods, don’t quarrel each other and don’t try to overpower other.

Three Gods Theory

Christian say they follow Bible, and according to their conclusion from Bible, it reveals that there are three gods in heaven in the from of “TRINITY”, as united gods with ownership of all creations. Of course each of them should have share in creation and running the universe.

Christians say that: There are three gods, co-existed (but not inside each other), independent, equal in powers and status. They say:

"The Father (F) is God, the Son (S) is God, and the Holy Ghost (H) is God, but the Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost is not the Father".

In simple arithmetic terms, if F = G, S = G, and H = G, then it follows that F = S = H. It means no one is born or created from the other, nor anyone is subordinate of other. They are living as friends at one place and ruling the heavens and universe, you can say as “UNITED KINGDOM OF GODS”.

Let us analyze, how three gods can be possible?

What would have happened if there were three gods, just let us have an experimental examples.

Example 1. Suppose there is a class room of college students. There enter three teachers of equal caliber in strength, knowledge and age. Each has to teach different subject. They ask the class to start listening to his lesson. To be listened by all students, each teacher starts increasing his voice so that only his voice be heard. This will result first arguments between them, and then they may start fighting. May be two get united to overpower the third one. In such case, is it possible that class students understand properly and stay in order? Can all three take the class in a steady way? No, not at all. There will be practical fighting and either all three will go away or finally one overpower other two.

Example 2. Suppose if you are man and your mother has married three different men at your early ages, and all taken care of you, then you have to keep all of them equally happy with physical and monetary help. Can you do that? No, you will never be able to do that.

Example 3. Suppose if you are man and your get married three different women at a time, and you have to keep all of them equally happy sexually, with love and monetarily. Can you do that? No, you will never be able to do that.

Islam has authorized for men to keep in marriage at one time, three or four women. But He also advised that as you can not do justice, so He has recommended you to keep one only.

“…. Marry women of your choice, two, or three, or four; but if ye fear that ye shall not be able to deal justly (with them), then only one ....”  (An-Nisa 4:3)

Example 4. Suppose if you are man and your have three girl friends at a time, and you have to keep all of them equally treated sexually, love, time and money? Can you do that? No, you will never be able to do that.

Example 5. Suppose there are three gods. To get salvation you have to keep obedient (doing all deeds as required by each of them) and make them happy. As all are equal, so they have equal rights of veto (as UN Security Council permanent members have). If you keep obeying and worshipping one or two Gods , then the third one may be angry and you have to face His veto for going to Hell or Heaven .

Same way, can three gods of equal power remain united without any dispute for millions of years. Anyhow lets analyze so called three gods theory.

1.    When there are three independent gods, they should also create something in universe. Once created they are surely be able to sustain it. If answer is “Yes”, then there is no reason why they needed or forced to make UNITED KINGDOM OF GODS. Anyhow if they get united for greater kingdom, just as United States of America, then there was no problem in telling it to mankind through their thousands of prophets, they sent to mankind. Also it should have been clearly proclaimed in all scriptures of God. But such is not available in old scriptures of Abraham, Psalms of David and even in Old Testament, New Testament, or Last Testament The Quran. 

2.    Christians claim, Jesus is son of God. It means Jesus was not from beginning as god. It is not possible that two gods are from beginning and third one is born later. This contradict that Jesus is god from beginning.

3.    If Jesus is begotten son of “Father God”, and then became god, then how it is possible that “Holy Ghost” allowed Father God for that and did not give birth to his own son.

4.    If  “Father God”, can beget one son, why he could not beget some more. Limiting God as being able to beget only one son, make Him a helpless god. Which is wrong, as God must have power to do whatever He pleases.

5.    Jesus was born to a human lady, Marry, how a God can born from a human, when the father is not as per her sex? (This is just example, whereas Allah has no sex). Allah says in this respect:

“He is the Originator of the heavens and the earth. How can He have children when He has no wife? He created all things and He is the All-Knower of everything”  (Al-An’aam 6:101). 

6.    If Christians don’t believe in miraculous birth of Jesus as human (not as a god) then how it is possible that without sexual intercourse, you can have a son? Also it is never possible, that suppose if a woman has intercourse with a dog, donkey or horse (as western women do), then she may have given birth to the same animal. Allah says:

“Verily, the likeness of ‘Eesa (Jesus) before Allah is the likeness of Adam. He created him from dust, then (He) said to him: ‘Be!’ — and he was” (Aale ‘Imraan 3:59) 

7.    Holy Ghost, being equal in power and capability, how it is possible that he did not beget his own son, so that he himself and his son is also worshipped and glorified.

8.    Christians only give reference of the third god creation, but nowhere is referred how we got the Holy Ghost god? When he born or came to existence? Only we get that he came to earth after the death of son god. It seems that as per their perception, there was initially Father God, then came son god. After ascending to heaven, son god ordered Holy Ghost god to earth. It is a funny.

9.    If God is one and three at a time, then who was the God in heaven when Jesus was on earth? Wouldn't this contradict his many references to a God in Heaven that sent him? Also which God sent him? They refer only to Father God, where was Holy Ghost god.

10. If God is three and one at the same time, who was the God in Heaven within three days between the claimed crucifixion and the claimed resurrection?

11. There should be either one or two gods, when Jesus was at earth, then the theory that there are three united gods running this universe becomes untrue.

12. If Holy Ghost is god, and sent to earth only after Jesus raised up, then again there are now only two gods in heaven, which is again problem, how the universe is running without active participation of third god?

13. Had the Trinity been the spinal cord of Christianity, Jesus would have mentioned it many times and on different occasions and also would have taught and explained it in detail to the people, but he never spoke word “Trinity” nor advocating for it. (In Quran there are more than hundred verses telling that God is one only)

14. Present Bible is translated from Greek, whereas Jesus language is said to be Aramaic. It means actual text of bible is not available, and no translation is as pure as the original text. Quran revealed language is Arabic, and book is still available in original text and also still spoken. Greek word for the first occurrence of God is HOTHEOS which means "the God" or "God" with a capital "G", while the Greek word for its second occurrence is "TONTHEOS", which means "a god " or "god" with a small "g".  Isn't this dishonesty and inconsistency on the part of those translating the Greek Bible?

Anyhow above and many other arguments can be given that theory of three gods as “TRINITY” is not workable, therefore it is just a self invented theory and can not stand logic. Jesus was created miraculously, as Adam was created without father and mother. For that Allah says:

“They do blaspheme who say: Allah is one of three in a Trinity: for there is no god except One Allah. If they desist not from their word (of blasphemy), verily a grievous penalty will befall the blasphemers among them”. (Al-Maidah 5:73)

“Never did Allah take to Himself a son, and never was there with him any (other) god .…”  (Al-Mumenoon 23:91)

Jesus never said himself as “god” or one of “Trinity of gods” and people should worship me also. There is no word "Trinity" in the Bible in any version of any language.

“Surely, in disbelief are they who say that Allâh is the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary). Say (O Muhammad): "Who then has the least power against Allâh, if He were to destroy the Messiah, son of Maryam (Mary), his mother, and all those who are on the earth together?….”  (Al-Maeda 5:17) 

If Jesus would have been son of God, it should have been clearly mentioned in Last Testament (Quran) but that is not the case. Remember Muslim believe the same God as Christians, but with proof from the same God Himself that He is only one without any partners, son or associates.

“Turn unto Allah (only), not ascribing partners unto Him, for who so ascribes partners unto Allah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky and the birds had snatched him or the wind had blown him to a far off place”  (Al Hajj 22:31)

If God, even if not revealed openly, may had secretly told to Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) to worship Jesus. But see what Allah is saying to Prophet Mohammed (pbuh):

“Say: "If (Allah) Most Gracious had a son, I would be the first to worship." (81) Glory to the Lord of the heavens and the earth, the Lord of the Throne (of Authority)! (He is free) from the things they attribute (to him)” (Az-Zukhruf 43:81-82)  

So what is answer to following questions, if Jesus is a god???

·    Can a God create another uncreated God?

·    Can God live as a man & a god on earth at the same time?

·    Can God sexually beget a human?

·    Can a God die?

·    Can a man become a God?

·    Can you worship and make happy all three Gods at a time?

·    Can any of three Gods, use His veto for anybody salvation?

·    Why God could not save his own life?

·    Why God could not beget more than one son?

·    Why God was helpless to arrange a goddess for getting His own son with His own nature?

·    When son of a human mother is god, why not mother herself is god?

·    Why Father God could not save His only son from death?

·    Why God is so helpless, that he first had to sacrifice his only son for  forgiving the sins of humans and then allowed to continue sinning as now they have got the licensee to sin?

Two Gods Theory

Christian don’t pray to Holy Ghost for their salvation and sins, which means that they themselves are not sure that Holy Ghost is god or not?  Christian believe that on Judgment Day, Jesus will be sitting on the right hand of Father God on throne taking account of humans deeds. There is no mention of Holy Ghost god nor any role for Holy Ghost, once the universe will end. May be he could not come back from earth.

Holy Ghost is said to be now on earth, which means to say that there will be only two gods working till the Day of Judgment. Also Christians themselves believe that Holy Ghost is for guidance to Christians only, sent by Jesus god. It means other people should pray to Father God or son god. However you will hardly find any Christians, calling or praying Holy Ghost for guidance, or salvation. Also how you can be guided unless you cross talk with him. Again when people could not be convinced by a physical son god on earth, then how to be convinced or consulted with a god, whom you neither can see nor get any answer.

So how we can accept that at one time there were two gods in heavens, that is Father God and Holy Ghost god. Another time, Holy Ghost is not there, and again there are only two gods in heaven, that is Father God and Son god. (which is now)

It is all illogical. Allah says on such logic:

“Allah has said: "Take not (for worship) two gods: for He is just One Allah: then fear Me (and Me alone)"  (An-Nahl 16:51)

One Gods Theory

Once we establish that there must be a God. If there are neither thousands of gods, nor three gods, nor two gods than it concludes that there must be only one God. He should be the only one and should be incomparable to Him in all respects. He should have no partner, wife, son, father, mother etc. He should be all powerful to do as He like. However as He is from the beginning and has no end, so no question of needing another god, as that will automatically be a creation, not god.

So the only one God, Allah tells us about Himself in His book Quran.

“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only (1) Allah, the Eternal, Absolute (2) He begetteth not, nor is He begotten (3) And there is none like unto Him.  (Al-Akhlas 112:1- 4)

“He is the First and the Last, the Evident and the Immanent: and He has full knowledge of all things”  (Al-Hadid 57:3)

"… There is nothing like unto Him…" (Ash-Shoora 42:11),

"No vision can grasp Him, but His Grasp is over all vision…." (Al-Anam 6:103).

Verily, when He intends a thing, His Command is, "be", and it is”   (Yaseen 36: 81)

“To Him belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth: and all affairs are referred back to Allah”  (Al-Hadid 57:5)

See how beautifully Allah describes Himself.

“Allah. There is no god but He, the Living, the Self-subsisting, Supporter of all. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permits? He knows what (appears to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He wills. His Throne does extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them. For He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)”  (Al-Baqarah 2: 255)

All above indicates that there is really one God in Heavens and universe. He is not only God for Muslims, Christians and Jews but He is God for all mankind, and also for all what we see and see not. (e.g. angels, Jinns, and other forces of Allah)

It is better for us that we should believe Him, as we have finally to go back to Him. Believing on One God will not make any problem, rather than believing multiple gods or no god at all, will make lot of problem over here and on the Day of Judgment at the end.

“How do you disbelieve in Allah, seeing that you were dead and He gave you life! Then He will cause you to die, then He will give you life, then unto Him you will return”.  (Al-Baqarah 2:28)

“And truly you have come unto Us alone (without wealth, companions or anything else) as We created you the first time. You have left behind you all that which We had bestowed on you. We see not with you your intercessors whom you claimed to be partners with Allâh. Now all relations between you and them have been cut off, and all that you used to claim has vanished from you"  (Al-An’aam 6:94) 

“There is none in the heavens and the earth but comes unto the Most Gracious (Allah) as a slave (93) Verily, He knows each one of them, and has counted them a full counting (94) And everyone of them will come to Him alone on the Day of Resurrection (without any helper, or protector or defender)”   (Maryam 19:93-95) 

We know we have to die, we therefore need a God, only one, who should be able to resurrect us for our accountability. We should not die in confusion that as we have not worshipped “Son or Holy Ghost” god, but “Father” God only, so we may be in trouble. We should not be in doubt that, any of the gods whom we have not worshipped may veto our entry to heaven. Our accountability and return should be to one God only. Allah, who is The Only God tells us:

“Every soul will taste of death. Then unto Us ye will be returned” (Al-‘Ankaboot 29:57)

“Man says: "What! When I am dead, shall I then be raised up alive? (66) Does not man remember that We created him before, when he was nothing?”  (Maryam 19:66-67)

"Does man (a disbeliever) think that We shall not assemble his bones? (3) Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers."  (Al-Qayamah 75:3-4)

Also we must have a solid record of our life deeds. If there is a God who does not have such power, He will never be able to make justice. Allah has made that arrangement and have nominated two angels on each individual, writing the deeds as soon as it is done. Allah is telling us, how He is keeping our record by His own way.

“But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you (10) Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds) (11) They know (and understand) all that ye do” (Al-Infitar 82:10-12)

CREDITABILITY OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH) AND QURAN

Unbelievers and believers of multiple gods may say, when we don’t believe on your prophet then how we believe on all quotation of Quran. And the reason is as they say, that your prophet Mohammed (PBUH) is a liar. So we have to prove historically and logically that prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was not a liar.

AUTHENTICITY OF PROPHET MOHAMMED (PBUH)

The Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him), at the age of 40, received his first revelation from God through the Angel Gabriel. Then these revelations continued for twenty-three years, and is now known as the Quran.

Forty years life before prophethood, which is not short, he was living with the people of his city Makkah. During all this time he was never labelled as liar. Instead he was treated as most truthful, trustworty, honest with best of conduct in character and dealing. It is not possible that, a person used to lie for 40 years, and people still portrait him as the best of that society.

Even after getting prophethood, none of those people labelled him as a liar. People getting frustrated with the truth message, only labelled him as “Poet”, “Possessed” or “Sorcerer”.

So the blame that he was a  “Liar” which was easy to be labelled by his pagan countrymen, did not blamed him that (as it was incorrect). Logically it is not possible that a man, after getting prophethood, started lying at once and remained lying for 23 years without getting labelled as “Liar”.

Let us go to history.

They were only saying that we will not accept him as prophet as it is not logical in their perspective.  We go to history whether he was really a “Liar” or not.

One day Abu Jahl (staunch enemy of Islam) said to the Prophet (pbuh): "I don't think that you are a liar but I do not get interested in your religion."

Even the Jews and those who did not believe in his message, adopted him as the arbiter in their personal disputes by virtue of his perfect honesty, truthfulness and impartiality. Even those who did not believe in his message were forced to say "O Mohammad, we do not call you a liar, but we deny Him who has given you a book and inspired you with a message."

Once when the representative of the pagan Arab by the name of Udba came to the prophet and said, ‘If you give up this claim of prophethood, we will give you all the wealth in Arabia. We will make you the leader of Arabia and crown you the king. Only thing that we want is that you should give up this message that there is only one God’ and the prophet refused.

There were several attempts made to let him stop his message. Once when people approached his Uncle Abu Talib, that if his nephew (prophet) gives up his message then we will make him the wealthiest man in Arabia. The prophet said… ‘Oh! My Uncle, even if they put the sun in my right hand and the moon in my left, I will not give up this mission until I die’.

Is the man of above character, can be a “Liar”? Clearly answer is “NO”. But present western writers, thinkers say him like that. They want that Muslim should leave Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and Quran. As that can never happen, so this blame game will continue, until The Day of Judgment.

However main reasons of prophet era people, who did not accept him as prophet were: 

·    Why he is the one nominated as prophet by God, whereas there were many others more influenced and well off people available.

·    How we can accept that there is only one god, whereas from centuries, we believe more than one god, and they had their statues in Makkah.

·    Jews were expecting a prophet, but from their own race. It was unacceptable to them that what they believed about coming prophet, is not the descendent from their prophet Isac. (However many jews accepted his prophethood)

·    Christians did not accept him as prophet as it goes against their self created dogma that there is not one God, but three gods in the form of “Trinity", and Jesus is not a prophet but a god.

So as you see, each section of people at that time did not accept him for their own reason but nobody saying that he is a liar. But, strangely he is being labelled “Liar” by modern western writers and scholars, without going to history of the man itself.

Character

Let us now analyze Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessing be upon him) character. He was an undisputed ruler of state at that time. After the fall of Mecca, more than one million square miles of land was under his control and order. Being so powerful and Lord of Arabia, physically and spiritually, still he lived a very simple life.

1.  The Prophet (pbuh) always lived in poverty (although having access to large amount), was clothing simple and eating  simple (mostly eating only one time a day). Living in a very small room house with no comfortable items in it.  The bed of the Prophet (pbuh) at his house was filled with leafy stalks of palms.

2.  Aishah (his wife) says that the members of the Prophet's family lived on dates and water for a month or two and the hearth remained cold during the period.

3.  Ibn 'Auf says that during his life the Prophet (pbuh) did not eat to his satisfaction even loaves of bread made of barley flour.

4.  In the last night the Prophet (pbuh) passed in this world, oil was procured on credit from a neighbor for the lamp.

5. Zakat is a mandatory for every Muslim, who has got a specified amount, gold or silver (for a period of one year), but he was never able to give it as he was never having that amount.

6. The Prophet (pbuh) mended his own shoes and coarse woolen garments, milked the goats, swept the hearth, kindled the fire and attended the other menial offices of the family.

7. The Prophet (pbuh) used to fast regularly for several days. Every night praying for very long standing hours, about half of night.

8. The Prophet (pbuh) prayed that he should remain hungry one day and fed the other day, so that he could pray with all his might in the state of hunger and express his thanks to Allah when satisfied.

Criticism never angered him. He was very kind and never taken revenge for himself. Anas ibn Malik was under his service for 10 years and he says:  "I served the Prophet (s.a.a.w.) at Madinah for ten years. I was a boy. Every work that I did was not according to the desire of my master, but he never said to me: Fie!, nor did he say to me: Why did you do this? or Why did you not do this?" (Narrated by Abu-Dawood)

He was not only prophet of God, but aside from that, he was Top of the best leader in “Top List of 100 Most Noble and influential and successful person of history”.

In recent times, a book has been published in America titled "The 100," or the Top One hundred, or the Greatest Hundred in History.  Michael H. Hart, described as a historian, mathematician and astronomer has written this novel book.  He has searched history, seeking for men who had the greatest influence on mankind.  In this book he gives us The hundred most influential men, including Jesus, Ashoka, Aristotle, Buddha, Confucius, Hitler, Plato, and Zoroaster. 

The topmost "One Hundred" list is prepared by him in order of influence these people did on mankind and on their nations. He has givens us his reasons for the placing of his candidates.  However Christians and Jews did not accept him, instead they treat him as liar.

All above points of his character shows that such a person can not lie for his 63 years life, but still no body labeled him “Liar”.

QURAN AUTHENTICITY

Prophet Mohammed did not know “Reading” and “Writing”. Quran is not a fiction, or a story book, but it contains facts of “Past”, “Present” of that time and “Future”. Also it contained scientific facts, which are proven correct by present time science. So whole Quran is absolute correct and Allah challenged all humans to prove any false in it. Also Allah challenged that if you say it is all lie, than produce, minmum one chapter like that, even all humans and jinns work together.

“Say: "If the whole of mankind  and Jinns were to gather together to produce the like of this Quran , they could not produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support”  (Al-Isra’ 17:88) 

 “And if you are in doubt as to that which We have revealed to Our servant, then produce a chapter like it and call on your witnesses besides God if you are truthful (23) But if you do not do it, and never shall you do it, then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the unbelievers” (Al-Baqarah 2:23-24)

At that time Arabic literature was at its peak and several, several pagan Arabs tried to make verses like that, but failed. Some of their works is yet present in the historical books. There are many short chapters, even one has only 3 verses but nobody could make it. Allah challenged again:

“say if all the humankind and jinn’s were to gather together to produce the like of the Qur’an they will not be able to do it even if they helped each other”. (Al-Isra 17:88)

Allah has mad even the universe matter as having senses, when He directed smoky matter to come in desired shape willingly or unwillingly, and it obeyed the order willingly. Allah is telling about His words (Quran) so high in truth and powerful, that if He had revealed it on mountains, it would have burst asunder.

“Had We sent down this Qur'ân on a mountain, you would surely have seen it humbling itself and rending asunder by the fear of Allâh. Such are the parables which We put forward to mankind that they may reflect “ (Al-Hashr 59:21)

No liar can produce a book like Quran, whose authenticity and power is so high that it is being followed by billions of people with no counter logical answers of its verses.

SALVATION

Salvation in Islam is based on faith and good works/deeds. If only Faith would have been enough then there would have no mentioning hundreds of verses stressing for good deeds.

"Those who believe and work righteous deeds,- from them shall We blot out all evil (that may be) in them, and We shall reward them according to the best of their deeds”  (Al-‘Ankaboot 29:7)

“Lo! those who believe and do good works, for them are the gardens of delight (8) Wherein they will abide. It is a promise of Allah in truth. He is the Mighty, the Wise”  (Luqman 31:8 - 9)

Whereas salvation in Christianity is based on faith alone, which is illogical. If we accept this doctrine then no body will take hardships in doing good deeds. It means all type of corruption, lies, oppression, cruelty, deprivation, possessing other resources, violation human rights etc etc will all become allowed. How God can allow this without accountability?

I will again stress, believe on one God, His last prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and Last Testament. Otherwise the duty of prophet has already finished :

“Warn them of the Day that is (ever) drawing near, when the hearts will (come) right up to the throats to choke (them); No intimate friend nor intercessor will the wrong-doers have, who could be listened to" (Al-Ghafir 40:18)

“And could you see when they are made to stand before their Lord. He will say: Is not this the truth? They will say: Yea! by our Lord. He will say: Taste then the chastisement because you disbelieved ....“  (Al-Anam 6:30)

”Those who reject Our Signs, We shall soon cast them into the Fire. As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty. For Allah is Exalted in Power, All-Wise"  (An-Nisa 4:56)

And the last, I have to mention what Allah has said about those believers who believe in multiple gods. Belieiving more tha one God is so Sevier Sin that Allah has vowed for Himself, not to forgive.

“Allah forgiveth not that partners should be set up with Him; but He forgiveth anything else, to whom He pleaseth; to set up partners with Allah is to devise a sin Most heinous indeed”   (An-Nisa 4:48)

FINAL WORDS

Correct Faith about God with abundanat of good deeds, leads you to Heaven. Allah says about such people:

“Those who have faith and do righteous deeds, they are the best of creatures (7) Their reward is with Allah: Gardens of Eternity, beneath which rivers flow; they will dwell therein for ever; Allah well pleased with them, and they with Him: all this for such as fear their Lord and Cherisher” (Al-Bayyinah 98:7 - 8)

“Not equal are the blind and those who (clearly) see: Nor are (equal) those who believe and work deeds of righteousness, and those who do evil. Little do ye learn by admonition”  (Al-Ghaafir 40:58)

Incorrect Faith about God, even with abundanat of good deeds, will  lead to Hell. They will be already paid in this world for their good deeds (in terms of wealth, dignity, popularity, property, state power etc).

“Those who desire the life of the present and its glitter, to them we shall pay (the price of) their deeds therein,- without diminution (15) They are those for whom there is nothing in the Hereafter but the Fire: vain are the designs they frame therein, and of no effect and the deeds that they do”  (Hood 11:15 - 16)

Prophet also said something like that:

Anas b. Malik reported that Allah's Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) thus told him: When a non-believer does good he is made to taste Its reward in this world.

And so far as the believer is concerned, Allah stores (the reward) of his virtues for the Hereafter and provides him sustenance in accordance with his obedience to Him.

 The warning of keeping Incorrect Faith even with abundanat of good deeds is for both, who don’t believe on God at all and also for those who believe in multiple Gods. (Following verse refer to Christians and Jews both)

 “Those whom they invoke besides Allah create nothing and are themselves created (20) (They are) dead, not living. And they know not when they will be raised”  (An-Nahl 16:20 - 21)

“Those who reject (Truth), among the People of the Book and among the Polytheists, will be in Hell-Fire, to dwell therein (for aye). They are the worst of creatures”  (Al-Bayyanah 98:6)

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5. THE CONCEPT OF LIFE IN ISLAM

Question:                                                                                                  

I would like to know how Islam views life, for most people misunderstand this seriousness of our limited life?

Answer :

First of all let us all reconfirm that we have no control of our birth, our shape, appearance, or figure nor any way to escape death. What Allah says in this regard in Quran.

“O man! What hath made thee careless concerning thy Lord, the Bountiful (6) Who created you, fashioned you perfectly, and gave you due proportion (7) In whatever form He willed, He put you together”  (Al-Infitar 82:6 - 8)

Secondly the reason for Life and Death are not our choice but we have been put to test by giving this limited life and this is again cleared by Allah.

“He Who created Death and Life, that He may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might, Oft-Forgiving”  (Al-Mulk 67:2)

Life is a brilliant demonstration of Allah’s wisdom and knowledge, a vivid reflection of His art and power. He is the Giver and Creator of life. Nothing comes to existence by chance, and nobody creates himself or anybody else. Life is a dear and cherishable asset, and no sensible or normal person would like to lose it by choice. Even those who feel so desperate and take their lives by committing slow suicide, try in the last minute to regain their existence and wish to capture a second chance to live. Life is given to man by Allah, and He is the only Rightful One to take it back; no one else has the right to destroy a life. This is why Islam forbids all kinds of suicide and self-destruction, and recommends patience and good Faith when a dear soul passes away. When a murderer is executed in punishment, his life is taken away by the right of Allah and in accordance with His Law.

When Allah gives life to man, it is not in vain that He endows him with unique qualities and great abilities. Nor is it in vain that He charges him with certain obligations. Allah means to help man to fulfill the purpose of life and realize the goal of existence. He means to help him to learn the creative art of living and enjoy the good taste of life according to the Divine guidance. Life is a trust from Allah, and man is a trustee who should handle His trust with honesty and skill, with mindfulness of Allah and with consciousness of responsibility to Him.

Life may be likened to a journey starting from a certain point and ending at a certain destination. It is a transitory stage, an introduction to the Eternal life in the Hereafter. In this journey, man is a traveler and should be concerned only with what is of use to him in the Future Life. In other words, he should do all the good he can and make himself fully prepared to move any minute to Eternity. He should consider his life on this earth as a chance provided for him to make the best of it while he can, because when his time to leave comes he can never delay it for one second. If his term expires, it will be too late to do anything about it or extend it.

The best use of life, therefore, is to live it according to the teachings of Allah and to make it a safe passage to the Future Life of Eternity. Because life is so important as a means to an ultimate end, Islam has laid down a complete system of regulations and principles to show man how to live it, what to take and what to leave, what to do and what to shun, and so on. All human come from Allah, and there is no doubt that they shall return to Him. In one of His comprehensive statements Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, wisely advised man to consider himself a stranger in this life or a traveler passing by the world.” (Quoted, with slight modifications, from Dr. Hammudah `Abdul-`Atti’s Islam in Focus.)

We should understand the purpose of our creation, Allah says:

“I have only created Jinns and humankind, that they may serve Me”  (Az-Zariat  51:56)

“O mankind! Worship your Lord (Allah), Who created you and those who were before you so that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious)”  (Al-Baqarah 2:21)

He sent His messengers to tell us about Him and how we should live this life.

” O ye Children of Adam! whenever there come to you messengers from amongst you, rehearsing My signs unto you,- those who are righteous and mend (their lives),- on them shall be no fear nor shall they grieve”  (Al-Araf 7:35) 

Telling mankind to save himself in the hereafter, as logic says that we must be accounted for our good and bad deeds. Allah says in Quran all about this.

 “And fear the Day when ye shall be brought back to Allah. Then shall every soul be paid what it earned, and none shall be dealt with unjustly”  (Al-Baqarah 2:281)

And to keep it in mind that for that accountability, a record is being maintained by someone which will be given to you to read yourself. You will see that not a single good and bad deeds left in writing.

“But verily, over you (are appointed angels in charge of mankind) to watch you (10) Kind and honourable,- Writing down (your deeds) (11) They know (and understand) all that ye do” (Al-Infitar 82:10 - 12)

The well-known Muslim scholar, Abul `Ala Maududi, adds:

“The chief characteristic of Islam is that it makes no distinction between the spiritual and the secular in life. Its aim is to shape both individual lives as well as society as a whole in ways that will ensure that the Kingdom of Allah may really be established on earth and that peace, contentment and well-being may fill the world. The Islamic way of life is thus based on a unique concept of man’s place in the universe.

In Islam, man’s entire individual and social life is an exercise in developing and strengthening his relationship with Allah. Man, the starting point of our religion, consists in the acceptance of this relationship by man’s intellect and will; Islam means submission to the will of Allah in all aspects of life. The Islamic code of conduct is known as the Shari`ah. Its sources are the Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet, peace and blessings be on him.

The final Book of Allah (Quran) and His final Messenger stand today as the repositories of this truth. Everyone who agrees that the concept of Reality stated by the Prophet, and the Glorious Book is true, should step forward and surrender himself to the will of Allah. It is this submission which is called Islam, the result of Man in actual life. And those who of their own freewill accept Allah as their Sovereign, surrender to His Divine will and undertake to regulate their lives in accordance with His commandments, are called Muslims.

The main objectives of the Shari`ah are to ensure that human life is based on good and to cleanse it of evils.”

(Excerpted, with slight modification, from: http://www.islam101.com)

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6. Life, man and the universe - CREATION IN SIX DAYS

Question :

In a recent discussion with a number of non-Muslim colleagues, certain questions were raised on which I hope you can provide us with some information.

How did life begin?

What is the original substance of life?

How and when was man made?

How was the universe formed?

What is the end of the world?

What is the position of man in the whole system of creation?

Is all universe created in six normal days?

Answer :

As human beings, our knowledge is either derived from our experience, which includes the experience of our past generations as recorded and passed on to us, or the exercise of our mental and physical power, or from what Allah has chosen to tell us. It is important to realize that our knowledge is neither perfect nor complete. Since much of it is the result of experience, it is subject to numerous factors which could limit, modify or distort it.

The domain within which we can exercise our power is vast indeed, and the result is that our knowledge can be right and extensive. Nevertheless, it cannot attain perfection. Perfection belongs only to Allah. In the Qur'an, references abound to what is termed as "ghaib". This is an Arabic term which refers to what is withheld from human beings. It covers a vast area of existence, as well as the working of numerous forces in the universe. It also includes the world which we feel to be definitely in existence, although we cannot perceive it. As believers, we realize that Allah has chosen not to let us into the secrets of this 'ghaib' because the knowledge of such secrets will not help us in the fulfillment of the role, Allah has assigned to us when He created us and gave us the earth as our field of operation.

Hence, when we find ourselves facing something that we cannot fathom, we do not try to provide for it an explanation for which we have no solid basis. We accept that it belongs to what has been withheld from us. We recognize that it is fully known to Allah and that He has kept its knowledge [away] from us because it is not necessary for us in the carrying out of our task. Some of the points you raise belong to that realm. As such, I am not one to venture any hypothetical explanation for them. I simply tell you what Allah has chosen to tell us about them. Besides that, I have nothing to say.

What we can say about the beginning of life is that life is part of Allah's creation. The whole universe is also created by Allah. It is, then, conceivable that there was a time when the universe did not exist, because Allah had not created it yet. Allah Himself has existed all along, even before the beginning of time. All His essential attributes, including creation, have also been in existence with Him. As He existed, He has been the Creator. He might have created a different universe before the one that exists now. All that is something that we cannot know for certain. All that we need to know is that when Allah wishes to create something, He only need to give His command for it to be, and it exists. This applies to any small matter, in the same degree as it applies to the universe as a whole. I simply do not know how the universe was formed. Scientists may have their theories, some of which may be nearer to the truth than others.

From the Islamic point of view, we simply say that the universe was formed by Allah's will and according to His commands. Similarly, life began when Allah willed that it should begin.

Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience." (Fussalat 41:11)

Now your science confirms that all this was started from a Big Bang but it does not say how that matter got collected or created.

You ask about the original substance of life. If your question relates to human beings, we take what the Qur'an says about this.

Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and we made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe? (Al-Anbia 21:30)

The first human being to come into existence was Prophet Adam (peace be upon him). Allah tells us in the Qur'an that He made Adam of clay and then He breathed into him of His own spirit. Human life is, then, made of the combination of the clay and the spirit. Scientists say that human existence on earth is a recent development. It may be so. There might have been some other creatures of men living on earth, and these could have been of a primitive variety of men.

That does not contradict what I have just mentioned about the combination of clay and spirit in the making of man. We simply cannot specify a date for the beginning of human existence. Nor can we say anything about the timing when the clay was combined with the spirit by Allah's order. Allah tells us in the Qur'an that we will be raised for a second life after we have died. Therefore, we have no doubt that there will be another life after this one. It only stands to reason that human beings, who have been given the ability to choose what they do and provided with guidance to show them the right path, should be held to account for what they do in this life. That will entail punishment or reward. This will take place in our second life.

You ask about the end of the world. There are references in the Qur'an to the heavens being rent asunder, or breaking up. That may be a reference to the end of the world. There is also a surah in the Qur'an which speaks of a particular quake which will shake up the whole earth and to bring out into the open all that it is burdened with. But the life will certainly come to an end when a particular event shall take place. The Qur'an tells us that this takes place at the blowing of a particular trumpet. Knowledge of that trumpet and how and when it is blown is part of what Allah has chosen to withhold from us. What we know, because Allah tells us of it, is that when the trumpet is sounded, all living creatures on and in the earth will be stunned and become lifeless. When the trumpet is sounded again, they will be raised back to life. According to the Qur'an, man is made the master of the earth.

Human beings form a species different from animals, jinn and angels. While Satans are disobedient to Allah, angels do His bidding without any hesitation. Man can choose to do either. Hence, he is accountable for what he chooses to do. He has been placed in charge of the earth and required to build it. By building the earth, we mean building a happy human life, following Allah's guidance as explained by the prophets and messengers sent by Allah. I realize that my answer may not satisfy your non-Muslim friends. However, in these matters, we cannot go beyond what Allah has chosen to reveal to us. If we do, we run the risk of being grossly mistaken.

Six days of creation or six periods? 

Today we know that the creation process can be measured in billions of light years.

The priestly editors or the Bible could not have known this. In their eagerness to enjoin Sabbath observance on others they wrote that God rested on the very first Sabbath day after finishing up his work of creating the heavens and the earth. 

The six days of creation in the book of Genesis, then, are clearly like six days of any seven-day week. The Priestly editors have made it clear that a day is meant a period from one sunset to another. Six days meant from Sunday to Friday. They believed that the reason the Sabbath day became holy is that God Himself had rested on that day. Thus the editors tell us: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done" (Genesis 2:2). 

If that is not far enough, the editors took the idea that God rested farther still when they wrote as follows: "In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed" (The Holy Bible, King James Version, Exodus 31: 17). 

The idea that God rests like humans and gets refreshed like humans had to be corrected by Jesus, on whom be peace, when, according to John, he declared that God never stops working, even on the Sabbath day (see John 5:16). God clarified the matter in His own words when he declared: "And verily we created the heavens and the earth and all that is between them in six days, and naught of weariness touched us"   (Qaaf 50:38)

The above quranic verses clearly refute the idea that God rested. God, according to the Quran does not get tired. “…. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes him….”     (Al-Baqarah 2:255). 

But how about the period of creation? Was that six days in the Quran too? In the above quotation from the Quran the term translated 'days' could mean, according to Dr. Maurice Bucaille, "not just 'days', but also 'long periods of time', an indefinite period of time (but always long)" (The Bible, the Quran and Science, p. 139). 

Dr. Bucaille notes that the Quran also speaks of  "….a day whereof the measure is a thousand years of your reckoning" (As-Sajda 32:5).

The Quran also speaks of a day whereof the measure is 50,000 years. "The angels and the spirit ascend unto Him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years"  (Al-Maaraj 70:4)

Dr. Bucaille also points out that long before our modern ideas of the length of time involved in the creation, commentators of the Quran understood that when the Quran speaks of six days of creation, it does not mean six days like ours, but rather six periods. Abu al Su'ud, for example, writing in the sixteenth century, understood it as six events (see The Bible, the Quran and Science, p.l39). 

Again, we see that the Quran has avoided repeating an error which was established in a previous book an error that will not be discovered until modern times. In view of this, can anyone insist that the Quran is the work of a man? 

Our Dialogue ( Source : Arab News - Jeddah )  

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7. WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING CREATED?

Question :

How can we reconcile between the following ahaadeeth:
“Allah existed and nothing existed before Him. His Throne was above the water. He wrote all things with His Hand, then He created the heavens and the earth”  and: As soon as Allah created the Pen...”?

These ahaadeeth appear to contradict one another as to which thing was created first, and the reports which say that the first one to be created was Muhammad the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Answer : Praise be to Allah.  

These ahaadeeth are in harmony with one another; they do not contradict one another. The first thing that Allah created of the things that are known to us was His Throne, which He rose over after He created the heavens, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds….”   (Hood 11:7)

With regard to the Pen, there is nothing in the hadeeth to indicate that the Pen was the first thing created. What the hadeeth means is that when Allah created the Pen, He commanded it to write, so it wrote down the decrees of all things.

With regard to Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), like all other human beings, he was created from the water (semen) of his father, ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Abd al-Muttalib. He is no different from other human beings in the manner in which he was created, as he said about himself, “I am a human being, I forget as you forget.” He (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) felt fear, got thirsty, felt cold, suffered from the heat, got sick and died. Everything that humans go through as a part of human nature, he also went through, but he is distinguished by the fact that he received Revelation and he was qualified to bear the Message, as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“…Allah knows best with whom to place His Message…”  (Al-An’aam 6:124)

Majmoo’ Fataawa wa Rasaa’il Fadeelat al-Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen, vol. 1, p. 62-63

Excerpted, with some modifications, from: http://islamqa.com/en/

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8. Life, its sufferings and the Hereafter

Question :

I feel very much depressed over what is happening in the world. It is hard to realize that nearly one billion people do not get enough to eat. Some enjoy too much luxury while others starve to death. What is the purpose of existence if so many of us are going to suffer for ever [in the hereafter]? Is there any hope for mankind?

Answer :

People generally tend to think that the world they live in represents the whole existence. They imagine their period of life to be the whole life. If they expand their vision they may consider human history as the whole history of existence, or at best, the most important part of existence. But this represents a grave mistake. An enlightened look at life is sufficient to enable a person to conclude that this planet of ours is only a small corner of the universe and this life of ours is only a small fraction of life. We tend to attach too much importance to the present moment as opposed to what may happen in future. We also tend to think that death is still too far away. But a moment of reflection is sufficient to show how wrong we are.

Let us think of the problems we went through and how grave they seemed at the time. As time passes and the problems begin to be solved, they appear to be much smaller than we thought. When we look at them with hindsight we feel that either we exaggerated their importance at the time or that we underestimated our ability to deal with them. Similarly, if we think about our moments of great pleasure, they appear to us as something much smaller than they were at the time. This is all a result of the fact that human beings tend to think of the present, of this moment, of now. Hence, they tend to consider their life on earth as the be-all and end-all. The great influence of the materialistic Western civilization affects the way we look at this life. In the West, people look at material wealth as a source of all happiness.

In this connection, I have the following example to give. Toward the end of the Prophet's blessed life, delegations from all over Arabia visited Madinah to declare their belief in Islam and loyalty to the Prophet. One of these delegations represented the clan of Tujeeb, a branch of the Sakoon tribe which was in turn, a branch of Kindah, the predominant tribe in Yemen. In the delegation there was a young man who was left behind to guard their camels and luggage. When they had finished their business and wanted to leave Madinah, the Prophet asked them to send him over. When this young man came to the Prophet, he said: "Messenger of God, will you please grant my request." When the Prophet asked him what he wanted, the man said: "My request is unlike those of my friends, although they have come to you keen to be good Muslims and have brought their zakah with them. I, however, have come from my homeland only to request you to pray God, the Almighty, for me, to forgive me and have mercy on me and to make me rich at heart." The Prophet was pleased with the young man and turned to him attentively and prayed, "My Lord, forgive him and have mercy on him and make him rich at heart.

He also ordered that the young man be given a gift similar to the gifts his fellow delegates received. He then left with his people. The same people met the Prophet a year later in Mina when he did his pilgrimage. They introduced themselves to him. The Prophet immediately asked them, "What has become of the boy who came to me with you?" They said: "Messenger of God, we have never seen anyone like him. Indeed, we have not been told of anyone who is more content than this boy with what God gives him. Should any group of people have the whole world at their disposal and divide it between them, he would not turn his face toward them." The Prophet said: "Praise be to God. I hope that he will die altogether."

Amazed at this prayer by the Prophet, one of them said: "Messenger of God, does not everyone of us die altogether? The Prophet said: A person's concerns, desires and preoccupation wander about in all the values of his life. His time of death may come when he is in any one of these values. God, infinite as He is in His glory, does not care in which of them he perishes." That young man was a person who had the insight to discover that the riches of this world count for little. He hoped for what is certainly greater than this world. That is, to be content with whatever he has and to look to the hereafter, where those who are saved enjoy happiness which cannot be compared with anything in this world. In short, he had to be rich at heart. Since the Prophet prayed for him to be granted his desire, God answered that prayer and the man was a model of a person who cared nothing for the riches of this world. [It is reported that] some of his people remarked: "That boy continued to live among us as one of the best people. He was the most content of people and he cared nothing for any luxury of this world.

When God's messenger passed away, certain groups of the people of Yemen deserted the faith of Islam and reverted to their erring ways. He addressed his people, reminding them of God and His faith, so that none of them reverted to unbelief." Abu Bakr, the first ruler of the Muslim state after the Prophet, remembered him. He kept inquiring about him until he learned of what he did. Abu Bakr wrote to his Governor of Yemen, Ziyad ibn Labeed, recommending the young man and instructing him to look after him. That was the case of a man whose name has been forgotten. It seems that one aspect of the richness at heart God has given this man is the fact that he is not mentioned by name. What he did is well recorded, because his actions serve as an example for all generations of Muslims. Fame is one aspect of the richness of this world.

The man wanted nothing of that richness, hence his name is forgotten. When God answers, it is in the most perfect manner. Rich at heart the man certainly was. I have dwelt at length on the case of this person because it gives a practical example of the attitude to life based on faith. This life of ours may be full of pleasure or full of misery, but it is only a passing stage.

The Prophet compares it to a moment a traveler in the desert spends underneath a tree where he refreshes himself before he commences his travel. He may stay for a few moments, or a few hours but compared to his journey, that is a short stay that counts for little. But this life of ours is a test. No matter what situation we are in, we are subject to this test which could be the test of poverty, or affluence or a mixture of both. What we have to prove is that we believe in God and trust Him completely. That belief should be translated into action so that what we do in life is governed by the values and standards acceptable to God. Such values are sufficient to make us fully aware that our worldly concerns are of little value in God's sight. When we do well in life we ensure our happiness in the life to come. When we realize that this future life is everlasting and our present life is only momentary in comparison, we realize that rich or poor, happy or miserable as we may be in this world, what really counts is what future we have in the life to come. My reader is worried that so many of our kind are going to suffer in the hereafter. What makes them suffer forever or makes them happy is their work. God administers absolute justice to all His servants. It is their actions which determine their future. If they do not care about the life to come, why should we worry too much about that? It is the choice they make, knowing they will bear its consequences.

Volume 4, Book 54, Number 415:

Narrated Abu Huraira:

Allah's Apostle said, "Allah the Most Superior said, "The son of Adam slights Me, and he should not slight Me, and he disbelieves in Me, and he ought not to do so. As for his slighting Me, it is that he says that I have a son; and his disbelief in Me is his statement that I shall not recreate him as I have created (him) before."

Our Dialogue ( Source : Arab News - Jeddah )

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9. SOUL IN EMBRYO

Question:

If the soul is breathed into the embryo after four months, are we to understand that the sperm which joins with the woman’s egg, from which the embryo is formed, has no soul, or what?

Answer:  Praise be to Allah.

Both the sperm and the ovum are alive in a sense which, if they are free from defects, prepares each of them to join with the other, if Allah wills and decrees it to happen. When that happens, if Allah wills it, the embryo is formed and is also alive in a manner that suits it and prepares it to grow and develop, moving through the known stages. When the soul is breathed into it, it becomes alive in another sense, by the permission of Allah, the Subtle One, the Aware. No matter how a man tries, even if he is a highly-skilled doctor, he can never comprehend all the secrets and stages of development of pregnancy. Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):

“Allah knows what every female bears, and by how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or exceed. Everything with Him is in (due) proportion. (8) All-Knower of the unseen and the seen, the Most Great, the Most High.” [Ar-Ra’d 13:8-9]

“Verily, Allah! With Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs…” [Luqmaan 31:34]

(Fataawa Islamiyyah li’l-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 488).

Life is of varying kinds, and each being is alive in a manner that suits it by the power of Allah. So plants are alive in a manner that suits them, sperm is alive in a manner that suits it, and man is alive in a manner that suits him, and so on. Allah is the Creator of all this, and He has made water the basis of every living thing, as He says in the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning):

“Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”  [Al-Anbiya’ 21:30]

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10. LAYERS OF HEAVENS

Allah says in Quran :

“He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw?”  (Al-Mulk 67:3)

The statement in the Quran about seven heavens may be interpreted as seven different strata, seven different dimensions or seven different fields of attraction. A closer analysis of the atmosphere, which, to the naked eye may present uniformity, makes it clear that it is not actually so.

The different layers of our atmosphere could not have been known at the time of the Prophet. This fact cannot have been established fortuitously. The Quran refers to different layers in the atmosphere in perfect accord with each other. One can also conjecture that such layers can exist in space. The creation of these harmonious layers is a phenomenon visible from the microcosm of the atom to the macrocosm of the universe. Let us remember the layers and orbits of the electron around the nucleus of the atom. The fact that the maximum number of orbits in the atom is seven may also be significant.

The number seven has special connotations in the Quran. As a matter of fact, “seven” in Arabic, also expresses a plurality; the expression “seven heavens,” may either mean the number seven as the actual number of heavens, or a plurality of heavens. This usage of “seven” in the Arabic has been commented upon throughout history by many exegetics. In the sura Luqmaan, 27th verse, the expression “seven seas” is used and in the sura Repentance, verse 80 states that: "...if you were to ask seventy times for their forgiveness, God will not forgive them..." (At-Tawba 9:80)

So, it is said that both “seven” and “seventy” express a plurality. A similar usage of the number “seven” expressing a plurality may also be seen in ancient Greek and Roman.

Layers Of The Atmosphere And The Objectives They Serve

We know now that atmosphere is made of layers that make life on earth possible. The absence of any one of these layers would be the end of life on earth. God, whose flawless art is conspicuous everywhere, displays once again His design by drawing attention - in the Quran - to atmospheric layers. Each of these layers dutifully performs its function contributing to the perfect performance of the whole. The fact that the lifeless atoms of the atmosphere are in the service of man, as if forming a conscious entity, is a consequence of God’s compassion.

The atmosphere is divided into layers, of which are:

1)  Troposphere : It is the lowest layer, closest to the surface of the earth. The Troposphere, which is as low as six km, extends to a height of 12 km at the equator. Atmospheric phenomena take place within the portion of three to four kilometers from the surface. 75% of atmospheric gases are in this layer.

2)  Stratosphere: Above the Troposphere is the Stratosphere extending about 50 km up.

3)  Ozonosphere : The third is the Ozonosphere, the ozone layer in other words, which is the protector from ultraviolet rays having lethal effects on living beings.

4)  Mesosphere : Above Ozonosphere lies the Mesosphere which in turn, is topped by the Thermosphere

5)  Thermosphere : Followed by

6)  Ionosphere: the upper layer reaching to a height of 500 km from the earth. Radio waves are reflected from this layer, rendering communication possible.

7)  Exosphere : Above 500 km lies the fringe region known as the Exosphere, extending up to 10,000 km. The proportion of gases in this layer is very low and divided into ions.

We can thus divide the atmosphere into 7 layers. The number 7 may change of course, if researchers prefer examining these layers by different groupings.

However it is interesting to find that the commonly agreed classification of atmospheric layers supports the Quranic information and it is beyond mere interest when we evaluate it together with all other scientific remarks in the Quran. Even if the reader does not find this classification persuasive, then he or she may subscribe to the alternative understanding that the figure seven expresses a plurality, without bringing any change in the miraculous significance of the verse. This double meaning of “seven layers” thus leaves no loopholes.

Separating the atmosphere into harmonious layers is a modern discovery. The level of scientific knowledge at the time of the descent of the Quran did not permit making differentiation between the layers of atmosphere. Quran Verse reads: “So He ordained them seven heavens (skies) in two days (periods) and revealed in every heaven its affair...” (Fussilat 41:12) making it clear that every layer served a different purpose, thanks to which life on earth was possible.

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11. EARTH'S SEVEN LAYERS

Author: Abdul Daem Al-Kaheel

(Translation: Nassim JamalEddin Dhaher)

When scientists started to probe the valleys of Earth and in order to know its structure and constituents, they found that tales and myths that dominated in the earlier centuries have no scientific basis. After scientists discovered that the earth is egg-shaped, they suggested that the core of this ball has a nucleus, and its shell is a very thin crust when compared to the Earth’s size, and between these two layers, there is a third, known as the mantle. This was the knowledge of the early scientists.

Development of Scientific Facts

The Three Layer -Theory did not last for so long due to recent discoveries in Geology. Recent measurements and experiments showed that the material comprising the nucleus of the Earth is under very high pressure, three million times more than that on the surface of the Earth.

Under such pressure, matter transforms into solid state, this in turn makes Earth’s core very solid. This core is surrounded by a liquid layer of very high temperature. This means that there are two layers in Earth’s core and not one. Two layers; one solid in the center surrounded by another liquid layer.

Thereafter measuring devices advanced and presented to scientists a clear distinction among Earth’s inner layers. If we were to descend under the earth’s crust we would find another layer of very hot stones , which is the stone cover or wrap. After that come three other distinct layers of varying density, pressure and temperature.

Therefore scientists found themselves classifying the layers of Earth into seven layers, not more. The figure shows these layers with their dimensions (some are out of scale) according to what scientists have recently found using methods like earthquake measuring devices and the study of Earth’s magnetic field, among other techniques. These studies and discoveries are being taught to these scientists’ students in universities.

Figure showing Earth’s seven layers, notice that the crust is very thin followed by mantle of varying thickness, then came the core comprised of a liquid and finally a seventh solid nucleus.

Scientists have found that the atom is also comprised of seven layers or levels, and this proves the uniformity of creation, where Earth has seven layers and atoms have seven layers as well. This creation therefore is ruled by only one creator.

Earth’s seven layers vary greatly in structure, density, temperature and material. Therefore one cannot consider that Earth has only one layer as people anciently thought. Here we find that the idea of the Earth having layers is fairly recent and wasn’t presented or brought forward at the time when the Quran was being revealed. Those discoveries are what the Twenty First century -scientists tell us, What then does the book of Allah tell us?

In the Company of the Noble Quran

The Holy Quran, God's word , talks to us about the seven Heavens and also seven layers of Earth in the Quranic verses:

God says in the Holy Quran in this regard what means “Who has created the seven heavens one above another…”  (Al-Mulk 67:3)

God says in the Holy Quran in this regard what means “It is Allah Who has created seven heavens and of the earth the like thereof (i.e. seven)…” (At-Talaaq 65:12)

The first verse has specified two traits for the heavens which are: their number which is seven, their organization, which is into layers, one on the of top of the other and this is according to the Quranic interpretation books and Arabic language dictionaries. As for the second verse, it confirms that Earth is similar to the Heavens from the part of the verse that says “…and of the earth the like thereof”, where since the Heavens are layers, then Earth is comprised of layers as well, and since the Heavens are seven, therefore Earth’s layers are seven as well.

Here we need to pause and elaborate on Allah’s choice of words in the word: “Tibaqa” – which means layers one on top of another, and this is what scientists have recently discovered that Earth is comprised of layers, this in turn leads us to conclude that Al-Qur`an defined Earth’s shape, of layers, and it (Al-Quran) has also specified the number of these layers, seven. Henceforth Al-Qur`an chose a very specific word to describe Earth’s composition, so Al-Qur`an preceded the Twenty First Century scientists in mentioning Earths facts fourteen centuries ago. Isn’t this an overwhelming Quranic miracle?

If we contemplate on the Noble Prophet’s (peace and blessings be upon him) Hadeeth (sayings), we find one Hadeeth that confirms this fact of Earth’s seven overlapping layers. Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him) says: “whomever oppressed someone a hand span’s distance from the Earth, gets surrounded by seven overlapping layers” (Bukhari 2321), the Hadeeth is telling us that Allah will punish those who oppress in Earth by being encircled and surrounded by seven Earthly layers. This definition for the word “Tibaqa” that was used in the Hadeeth is as found in Arabic Language Dictionaries.

The question here is: Isn’t this a great prophetic miracle? Doesn’t this Hadeeth specify the number of Earth’s layers which are seven, and also mentions their nature of being overlapped or surrounding each other? From the word encircled used in the Hadeeth, we can deduce circular shapes and in three dimensions we can deduce spherical shapes.

Henceforth The Noble Quran and Prophetic Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet) preceded modern science to this scientific fact. In addition Al-Quran gave us the precise naming for the structure of Earth using the word “Tibaqa” or layers, and it has given us the accurate number for these layers which is seven, while scientists spent long years and changed their theories several times to come up with scientific theories previously mentioned in The Quran and Sunnah. Glory be to Allah the Greatest who said in his exalted book: “And on the earth are signs for those who have Faith with certainty (20) And also in your ownselves. Will you not then see?”   (Ad-Daryat 51:20 - 21)

Sources: An article titled “Inside the Earth” at :

http://pubs.usgs.gov/publications/text/inside.html

An educational titled “Earth’s layers” at:

http://volcano.und.nodak.edu/vwdocs/vwlessons/lessons/Earths_layers/Earths_layers1.html

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12. IS THE THRONE ABOVE THE SEVENTH HEAVEN?

Question :  

Is the Throne above the seventh heaven?

Answer:  Praise be to Allah.

One of the things concerning which there is no doubt is that the Throne is above the seventh heaven; indeed it is the highest of all created things. 

There is clear evidence that points to this: 

It was narrated by al-Bukhaari (2581) that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Abe upon him) said: “In Paradise there are one hundred levels that Allah has prepared for the mujaahideen who strive for the sake of Allah. (The distance) between each two levels is like the distance between the heavens and the earth. When you ask of Allah, ask Him for al-Firdaws for it is in the middle of Paradise and is the highest part of Paradise. Above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful and from it spring forth the rivers of Paradise” 

It is affirmed by all the Muslims that Paradise is above the seventh heaven, so if the Throne is above Paradise, then the Throne must also be above the seventh heaven. 

This idea is further supported by the report narrated by Muslim in his Saheeh (4136) from ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Abbaas who said: A man from among the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), one of the Ansaar, told me that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “… But when our Lord, may His name be blessed and exalted, decrees something, the bearers of the Throne glorify Him, then the people of the heaven that is closest to them glorify Him, until the tasbeeh reaches this lowest heaven (al-sama’ al-dunya). Then those who are closest to the bearers of the Throne say to the bearers of the Throne: ‘What did your Lord say?’ So they tell them what He said. Then the people of the heavens ask one another until the news reaches this lowest heaven.’” This very clearly indicates that the Throne and its bearers are above all the heavens. 

Ibn Khuzaymah narrated in his Saheeh (9105) and in his Kitaab al-Tawheed (no. 594) that Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Between the lowest heaven and the one above it is (a distance of) five hundred years, and between each heaven and the next is (a distance of) five hundred years marching.”

According to another report: “The thickness of each heaven is a distance of five hundred years marching. Between the seventh heaven and the Footstool (al-Kursiy) is (a distance of) five hundred years. Between the Footstool and the water is (a distance of) five hundred years. The Throne is above the water and Allah is above the Throne, and none of your deeds are concealed from Him.” It was classed as saheeh by al-Dhahabi in al-‘Alw (p. 64) and by Ibn al-Qayyim in Ijtimaa’ al-Juyoosh al-Islamiyyah, p. 100. 

Al-Dhahabi narrated in al-‘Alw (al-Mukhtasar, 35) that ‘Abd-Allah ibn ‘Amr said: Allah created the water above the seven heavens, and He created the Throne above the water.” Shaykh al-Albaani said: Its isnaad is saheeh. 

The scholars (may Allah have mercy on them) have stated that the Throne covers all of creation and is above it. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Ahave mercy on him) said in Zaad al-Ma’aad (4/203): 

The Throne is the roof of creation and the greatest of created things. 

The same was stated by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 6/581, 25/1998. 

It was also stated by Ibn Katheer in al-Badaayah wa’l-Nahaayah, 1/9, 11; and by Ibn Abi’l-‘Izz in Sharh al-‘Aqeedah al-Tahhaawiyyah, 1/311. 

See: Mukhtasar al-‘Alw by al-Dhahabi; al-Tawheed by Ibn Khuzaymah; Ijtimaa’ al-Juyoosh al-Islamiyyah by Ibn Al-Qayyim.

Excerpted, with some modifications, from: http://islamqa.com/en/

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13. WHY ALLAH CREATED HEAVENS AND EARTH IN SIX DAYS

Question :  

If Allah intends a thing, his only word is "BE" and it is. Can you please explain why he took 6 days to create the heavens and earth?

Answer:  Praise be to Allah.

One of the firm beliefs held by people of deep faith and complete Tawheed is that the Lord, may He be exalted, is able to do all things, and His power is without limits. He has absolute power, perfect will and ultimate control of all affairs. If He wills a thing, it happens as He wills it at the time when He wills it, and in the manner that He wills. 

There are many definitive texts in the Book of our Lord and in the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which affirm this and state it clearly, with no ambiguity. It is sufficient here for us to quote some of the verses that indicate this, such as the verses (interpretation of the meaning): 

“The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it : ‘Be!’ — and it is”  (Al-Baqarah 2:117) 

Al-Haafz Ibn Katheer said in his commentary on this verse (Tafseer 1/175): “Here Allah explains the completeness of His power and the greatness of His authority, and that if He wills and decrees something, He simply says to it, ‘Be!’ – just once – and it is, i.e., it comes into existence as He willed it. This is like the verse in which Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

‘Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, “Be!” —  and it is!’  (Ya-Seen 36:82) 

And Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“… When He has decreed something, He says to it only: ‘Be!’ — and it is”  (Aal ‘Imraan 3:47) 

“It is He Who gives life and causes death. And when He decides upon a thing He says to it only: ‘Be’ —  and it is”  (Ghaafir 40:68) 

“And Our Commandment is but one as the twinkling of an eye”  (Al-Qamar 54:50) 

Al-Haafiz Ibn Katheer said in his commentary on this verse (4/261): “Here Allah tells us how His will is executed in His creation, and how His decree is implemented. ‘And Our Commandment is but one’ means, We only issue a command once, and We do not need to repeat it a second time, and what We command happens in the twinkling of an eye, it is not delayed for an instant. How well the poet put it: 

‘When Allah wills something, all He says to it is “Be!”, once, and it is.’” 

And there are many other verses which speak of this matter and explain it. 

Once this is established, then why did Allah create the heavens and the earth in six days? 

Firstly: 

It is narrated in more than one verse of the Book of our Lord that Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days. For example, Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“Indeed, your Lord is Allaah, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawa) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty ….)”  (Al-A’raaf 7:54)

Secondly: 

There is nothing that Allah does but there is great wisdom in it. This is one of the meanings of Allah’s name al-Hakeem (The Most Wise). Allah may or may not show this wisdom to us, and those who have deep knowledge may understand it, to the exclusion of others. 

But the fact that we may not know or understand this wisdom should not make us deny it or object to the rulings of Allaah, or try to ask too much about this wisdom that Allah has hidden from us. Allah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“He [Allah] cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned”    (Al-Anbiya’ 21:23) 

Some scholars have attempted to explain the reason why the heavens and the earth were created in six days: 

1 – Imam al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in al-Jaami’ li Ahkaam al-Qur’aan, commenting on al-A’raaf 7:54 (4/7/140):

        “Allah mentions this period – i.e. six days – although if He had wanted to create it in an instant, He could have done so, because He is Able to say to it ‘Be!’ and is. But He wanted to: 

·   Teach His slaves kindness and deliberation in their affairs.

·   Manifest His power to the angels step by step.

·   And there is another reason: He wanted to create it in six days because Allah has decreed a course for everything, for which reason He He delays the punishment for the sinners, because everything has an appointed time with Him.” 

2 – Ibn al-Jawzi said in his tafseer called Zaad al-Maseer (3/162), commenting on the verse in Soorat al-A’raaf: 

        “If it is said, why did He not create it in an instant when He is Able to do so? There are five answers to this question: 

(i) He wanted to create something each day to show His power to the angels and those who witnessed it. This was suggested by Ibn al-Anbaari.

(ii) He was preparing things for Adam and his offspring before Adam existed, to emphasize Adam’s high standing before the angels.

(iii) Doing things in a short time is more indicative of power, and deliberation is more indicative of wisdom. Allah wanted to manifest His wisdom in that, just as He manifested His power when He said, ‘ “Be!” And it is.’

(iv) He taught deliberation to His slaves, because if the One Who does not make mistakes created the universe in a deliberate manner, then it is more appropriate for those who are vulnerable to making mistakes to do things in a deliberate manner.

(v) Creation was accomplished step by step, lest anyone think that this happened as the result of an accident of nature. 

3 – al-Qaadi Abu’l-Sa’ood said in his commentary on the verse in al-A’raaf (3/232):  

        “The fact that Allah created things in stages although He is able to have created everything in one go is indicative of the Divine Will and is a sign of His power for those who understand, and it encourages deliberation in all things.”

And he said in his commentary on al-Furqaan 25:59 (6/226): 

“The One Who created these great stars in this precise configuration in stages, even though He is able to create them in one go, (that was) for a great reason and sublime purpose, which human minds cannot comprehend fully.”  

Based on the above, it is clear that Allah has absolute power, ultimate will and perfect control, and He has wise reasons for everything that He creates, which no one knows but He, may He be exalted. Now you can understand some of the reasons why Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days when He is able to have created them simply by saying “Be!”. 

May Allah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions.

Excerpted, with some modifications, from: http://islamqa.com/en/

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14: NEED OF HUMANS CREATION WHEN ALLAH IS PERFECT

 Question:

Why did Allah create humans? Why did He ever have the need to create humans? If He is perfect, then why the need to create another being, this universe, angels, etc.? If He has created us to worship Him then why does He want to be worshiped? Isn't He perfect?

Answer:

Allah is creator of all things we or we don’t see. Being creator He created us as His best creation and wanted us to live on earth as per His guidelines which He sent time to time through His messengers. Allah has honored humans by designating  them to be His vicegerents on earth. He gave us free will, which makes us higher than the angels.

But our minds as human beings are limited to the boundaries of human perception. We should bear this in mind and never try to bother ourselves with things that fall outside of our scope of understanding. Allah did not need to create us, and therefore, we may never understand why He did.

Yes, Allah is perfect. Yes, He has no need of us; rather, we need Him. When He created us, He did not create us for His own benefit, but for ours. He created us for our advantage, not His. It will be we who will enter Heaven if we obeyed and worshipped as He liked, but warned us for Hell entry if disobeyed.

Allah does not need to be worshiped; rather, we need to worship Him.

Our purpose of existence on earth is more meaningful than being slaves to worldly gains. There can be no meaningful life better than that prescribed by our Creator, Allah. Every act done according to Allah's way is an act of worship. Man is the beneficiary and Allah does not get benefitted if all humans become just as the one most pious or, if all humans become as the most disobedient. It does not make any difference in increase or decrease of His honor.

 Allah says in Quran :

“O mankind! it is you who stand in need of Allâh, but Allâh is Rich (Free of all wants and needs), Worthy of all praise”  (Al-Faatir 35:15) 

We need Allah to feel our own being and to taste the happiness of life. Our need for Him is like the need of a baby for a supporting father and a merciful mother. We need to admit our powerlessness before Him and to trust Him to give us might and power, since He is the source of all might and power.

A prophetic tradition reads: 

“O Allah, I seek refuge in You for Your pleasure and against Your wrath and in Your forgiveness and against Your punishment and in You from You. I cannot praise You as You can praise Yourself.” (Muslim, Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah.) 

Allah Himself is so powerful that we can’t imagine His power, so He Himself said about Him, Allah says :

“Allah! There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory)”  (Al-Baqarah 2:255)

 And Allah knows the best.

 Excerpted with slight modifications from: http://www.onislam.net/

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15. Islam Creation Story

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 (3) And in the creation of yourselves, and the fact that animals are scattered (through the earth), are signs for those of assured faith (4) 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" (Al-Jathia 45:3-5)

Big Bang?

The Qur'an says that "the heavens and the earth were joined together as one unit, before We clove them asunder" (Al-Ambiya 21:30)  

Following this big explosion, Allah "turned to the sky, and it had been (as) smoke. He said to it and to the earth: 'Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said: 'We come (together) in willing obedience" (Fussilat 41:11)

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.

The Qur'an further states that Allah created the sun, the moon, and the planets, each with their own individual courses or orbits. "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" (Al-Ambiya 21:33) 

 
Expansion of Universe

"The heavens, We have built them with power. And verily, We are expanding it" (Ad-Daryat 51:47).

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.

Six Days?

The Qur'an states that "Allah created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days" (Al-Araf 7:54). While on the surface this might seem similar to the account related in the Bible, there are some important distinctions.

The verses that mention "six days" use the Arabic word "youm" (day). This word appears several other times in the Qur'an, each denoting a different measurement of time. In one case, the measure of a day is equated with 50,000 years (Al-Maarij 70:4) whereas another verse states that "a day in the sight of your Lord is like 1,000 years of your reckoning" (Al- Hajj 22:47).

The word "youm" is thus understood, within the Qur'an, to be a long period of time -- an era or eon. Therefore, Muslims interpret the description of a "six day" creation as six distinct periods or eons. The length of these periods is not precisely defined, nor are the specific developments that took place during each period.

After completing the Creation, the Qur'an describes that Allah "settled Himself upon the Throne ……" (Al-Hadid 57:4) to oversee His work. 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" (Qaaf 50:38).

Allah is never "done" with His work, because the process of creation is ongoing. 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. "He it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then established Himself on the Throne. 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. And He is with you wherever you may be. And Allah sees well all that you do" (Al-Hadid 57:4)

The Qur'anic account of creation is in line with modern scientific thought about the development of the universe and life on earth. Muslims acknowledge that life developed over a long period of time, but see Allah's power behind it all. Descriptions of creation in the Qur'an are set in context to remind the readers of Allah's majesty and wisdom. "What is the matter with you, that you are not conscious of Allah's majesty, seeing that it is He Who has created you in diverse stages? See you not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another, and made the moon a light in their midst, and made the sun as a (glorious) lamp? And Allah has produced you from the earth, growing (gradually)" (Nooh 71:13-17)

Life Came From Water

Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were one mass, and We tore them apart? And We made from water every living thing. Will they not believe?

The Qur'an describes that Allah "…… we made from water every living thing" (Al-Ambiya 21:30).

Another verse describes how "Allah has created every animal from water. Of them are some that creep on their bellies, some that walk on two legs, and some that walk on four. Allah creates what He wills, for truly Allah has power over all things" (An-Noor 24:45). These verses support the scientific theory that life began in the Earth's oceans.

Creation of Adam & Eve

While Islam recognizes the general idea of the development of life in stages, over a period of time, human beings are considered as a special act of creation. Islam teaches that human beings are a unique life form that was created by Allah in a special way, with unique gifts and abilities unlike any other: a soul and conscience, knowledge, and free will. In short, Muslims do not believe that human beings randomly evolved from apes. The life of human beings began with the creation of two people, a male and a female named Adam and Hawwa (Eve).

The Qur'an describes how Allah created Adam: "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape..." (Al-Hijr 15:26)

And, "He began the creation of man from clay, and made his progeny from a quintessence of fluid" (As-Sajda 32:7-8). Thus, human beings have a fundamental attachment to the earth.

While the creation of Eve is not described in detail, the Qur'an does make it clear that a "mate" was created with Adam, from the same nature and soul.

 "It is He Who created you from a single person, and made his mate of like nature, in order that he might dwell with her in love" (Al-A池aaf 7:189). She is not mentioned by name in the Qur'an, but in Islamic tradition she is known as "Hawwa" (Eve).

From these two individuals, generations of human beings have inhabited the earth. "Oh humankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily the most honored among you in the sight of Allah is the who is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)" (Al-Hujrat 49:13)).

Excerpted, from:  http://www2.nau.edu/~gaud/bio301/content/iscrst.htm

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16. THE BIRTH OF A HUMAN BEING

Many diverse subjects are mentioned in the Quran in the course of inviting people to believe. Sometimes the heavens, sometimes animals, and sometimes plants are shown as evidence to man by God. In many of the verses, people are called upon to turn their attention to their own creation. They are often reminded how man came into the world, which stages he has passed through, and what his essence is:

“It is We Who have created you: why will ye not witness the Truth? (57) Do ye then see?- The (human Seed) that ye throw out (58) Do ye create it or are We the Creator?”  (Al-Waqia 56:57 - 59)

The creation of man, and the miraculous aspect of this, is stressed in many other verses. Some items of information within these verses are so detailed that it is impossible for anyone living in the 7th century to have known them. Some of these are as follows:

1.  Man is not created from the entire semen, but only a very small portion of it (sperm).

2. It is the male that determines the sex of the baby.

3. The human embryo adheres to the mother's uterus like a leech.

4. The embryo develops in three dark regions in the uterus.

People living when the Quran was revealed, to be sure, knew that the basic substance of birth was related to the semen of the male emitted during sexual intercourse. And the fact that the baby was born after a nine-month period was obviously an observable event not calling for any further investigation. However, the items of information just quoted were far above the level of learning of the people living at that time. These were verified by 20th century science.

Now, let us go over them one by one.

A Drop of Semen

During sexual intercourse, 250 million sperms are emitted from the male at a time. The sperms undertake an arduous journey in the mother's body until they make it to the ovum. Only a thousand out of 250 million sperms succeed in reaching the ovum. At the end of this five-minute race, the ovum, half the size of a grain of salt, will let only one of the sperms in. That is, the essence of man is not the whole semen, but only a small part of it. This is explained in the Quran :

“Does man think that he will be left uncontrolled, (without purpose)? (36) Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)"?  (Al-Qiyamah 75:36-37)

As we have seen, the Quran informs us that man is made not from the entire semen, but only a small part of it. That the particular emphasis in this statement announces a fact only discovered by modern science is evidence that the statement is divine in origin.

The semen is ejected into the uterus. Only very few sperms out of 250 million sperms emitted from the male can make it to the ovum. The sperm that will fertilize the egg is the only one out of a thousand sperms that have managed to survive. The fact that man is made not from the entire semen, but only a small part of it, is related in the Quran with the expression, "a drop of ejected semen".

The Mixture in the Semen

The fluid called semen, which contains the sperms, does not consist of sperms alone. On the contrary, it is made up of a mixture of different fluids. These fluids have different functions, such as containing the sugar necessary for providing energy for the sperms, neutralizing the acids at the entrance of the uterus, and creating a slippery environment for the easy movement of the sperms.

Interestingly enough, when semen is mentioned in the Quran, this fact, which was discovered by modern science, is also referred to, and semen is defined as a mixed fluid:

"We created man from a mingled drop to test him, and We made him hearing and seeing."  (Al-Insan 76:2)

In another verse, semen is again referred to as a mixture, and it is stressed that man is created from the "extract" of this mixture:

“He Who has made everything which He has created most good: He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay (7) And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid”  (As- Sajdah 32:7-8)

The Arabic word "sulala", translated as "extract", means the essential or best part of something. By either implication, it means "part of a whole". This shows that the Quran is the word of a Will that knows the creation of man down to its slightest detail. This Will is God, the Creator of man.

THE SEX OF THE BABY

Until fairly recently, it was thought that a baby's sex was determined by the mother's cells. Or at least, it was believed that the sex was determined by the male and female cells together. But we are given different information in the Quran, where it is stated that masculinity or femininity is created out of "a drop of sperm which has been ejected".

"He has created both sexes, male and female (45) from a drop of semen which has been ejected."  (An-Najm 53:45 - 46)

In the Quran, it is said that masculinity or femininity are created out of "a drop of semen which has been ejected". However, until fairly recently, it was believed that a baby's sex was determined by the mother's cells. Science only discovered this information given in the Quran in the 20th century. This and many other similar details about the creation of man were stated in the Quran centuries ago.

The developing disciplines of genetics and molecular biology have scientifically validated the accuracy of this information given by the Quran. It is now understood that sex is determined by the sperm cells from the male, and that the female has no role in this process.

The Y chromosome carries characteristics of masculinity, while the X chromosome carries those of femininity. In the mother's egg, there is only the X chromosome, which determines female characteristics. In the semen from the father, there are sperms that includes either X or Y chromosomes. Therefore, the sex of the baby depends on whether the sperm fertilizing the egg contains an X or Y chromosome. In other words, as stated in the verse, the factor determining the sex of the baby is the semen, which comes from the father. This knowledge, which could not have been known at the time when the Quran was revealed, is evidence to the fact that the Quran is the word of God.

Chromosomes are the main elements in determining sex. Two of the 46 chromosomes that determine the structure of a human being are identified as the sex chromosomes. These two chromosomes are called "XY" in males, and "XX" in females, because the shapes of the chromosomes resemble these letters. The Y chromosome carries the genes that code for masculinity, while the X chromosome carries the genes that code for femininity.

The formation of a new human being begins with the cross combination of one of these chromosomes, which exist in males and females in pairs. In females, both components of the sex cell, which divides into two during ovulation, carry X chromosomes. The sex cell of a male, on the other hand, produces two different kinds of sperm, one that contains X chromosomes and the other Y chromosomes. If an X chromosome from the female unites with a sperm that contains an X chromosome, then the baby is female. If it unites with the sperm that contains a Y chromosome, the baby is male.

In other words, a baby's sex is determined by which chromosome from the male unites with the female's ovum.

None of this was known until the discovery of genetics in the 20th century. Indeed, in many cultures, it was believed that a baby's sex was determined by the female's body. That’s why women were blamed when they gave birth to girls.

Thirteen centuries before human genes were discovered, however, the Quran revealed information that denies this superstition, and referred to the origin of sex lying not with women, but with the semen coming from men.

THE IDENTITY IN THE FINGERPRINT

While it is stated in the Quran that it is easy for God to bring man back to life after death, peoples' fingerprints are particularly emphasized:

"Does man (a disbeliever) think that We shall not assemble his bones? (3) Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers."  (Al-Qayamah 75:3-4)

Everyone, including identical twins, has a unique fingerprint. In other words, people's identities are coded at their fingertips. This coding system may also be compared to the barcode system that is used today.

The emphasis on fingerprints has a very special meaning. This is because everyone's fingerprint is unique to himself. Every person who is alive or who has ever lived in this world has a set of unique fingerprints.

That is why fingerprints are accepted as a very important proof of identity, exclusive to their owner, and are used for this purpose around the world.

But what is important is that this feature of fingerprints was only discovered in the late 19th century. Before then, people regarded fingerprints as ordinary curves without any specific importance or meaning. However in the Quran, God points to the fingertips, which did not attract anyone's attention at that time, and calls our attention to their importance-an importance that was only finally understood in our day.

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17. The Creation of the Heavens and the Earth

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