Blogging gurus have long taught to “not give it out” at the beginning and to save it towards the end. This is part of a debate the creationists and evolutionists have been having for quite some time.
I am breaking all the good blogging rules here. I am going to cut to the chase right away:
Contrary to the popular belief, the Qur’an and the Bible do not teach that the universe was created in 6 days!
Believers are accused of being disconnected with science and point to the apparent contradiction between the well-known scientific facts and the accounts of creation in the Qur’an and the Bible. Even a 4th grader knows that the universe and the earth were not created in 6 days.
Many creationists believe in science too. At times, even they have had difficult time reconciling the apparent contrast between modern science and the centuries old Scriptural teachings.
But do the Quran and the Bible really teach us that the earth and the universe were created in 6 days?
Invitation to Ponder by the Qur’an
It is important to point out before we review the creation passages, that the Quran repeatedly draws attention to “nature” and asks the readers to contemplate and think deeply. Invitation to ponder is a norm in the Qur’an.
And one of His signs is that He created mates for you from yourselves that you may find rest in them, and He put between you love and compassion; most surely there are signs in this for a people who reflect. 30:21
And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your tongues and colors; most surely there are signs in this for the learned. 30:22
Do they not reflect within themselves? Allah did not create the heavens and the earth and what is between them but with truth, and (for) an appointed term? And most surely most of the people are deniers of the meeting with their Lord. The Qur’an 30:8
In passing, you should note that the Qur’an pointed out some 1400 years ago that the earth, the solar system and other stars have finite life. The scientific predictions that the stars will consume their nuclear fuel, leading to their eventual demise, did not come out until the 20th century. Now we know it is not a matter of it, but when that would happen. And there is a good bit of understanding about the lifespan of the earth and our sun as well.
Back to the question whether the universe was indeed created in 6 days.
Not only does the Qur’an not teach that, but along the way pointed to us the theory of relativity.
First, let’s go over some of the verses with the six-day references.
And certainly We created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six days and there touched Us not any fatigue. 50:38
Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draws the night as a veil over the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds! 7:54
The Bible has also been accused of being scientifically inaccurate as the Book of Genesis (first book of Torah) describes six days of creation (and then God ‘rests’ on day 7). Genesis starts with a description of the beginning of the universe: “In the beginning, God created heavens and the earth”
Next page: But are these “days”, days or stages and periods?
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