Universe

The universe (Latin: universus) is all of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy. While the spatial size of the entire universe is unknown, it is possible to measure the size of the observable universe, which is currently estimated to be 93 billion light-years in diameter. In various multiverse hypotheses, a universe is one of many causally disconnected constituent parts of a larger multiverse, which itself comprises all of space and time and its contents; as a consequence, ‘the universe’ and ‘the multiverse’ are synonymous in such theories.

141698

Islam . Earth . Universe . Qur'an . Qur'anic Verse

Is this true that according to Quran and Islam the Earth is older than the universe? Are there verses in the Quran that suggest that the Earth was created before the rest of the physical universe?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 1 month ago

The earth is part of the universe.

Wassalam.

134010

Universe . Qur'an

The Quran does not seem to talk about the origin of our universe explicitly, so should I accept the big bang theory as true? Did our Imams (a) give any information about this topic?

Hassanain Govani, Hassanain Govani is based in Sweden and has an MA in History of Religion from Uppsala University and an MA in Islamic Studies from the Islamic College of London, and has also studied Arabic in... Answer updated 3 months ago

Salaamun Alaykum

As you have quite correctly pointed out, the primary emphasize of the Qur'anic cosmology is to identify the creative agent behind it, not the particulars of creation itself. As such, very few specifics are mentioned about the process itself. (Although a few details have been mentioned, these are not sufficient to provide an exhaustive creation story.)

The big bang theory is a scientific hypothesis that was originally theorized by a Catholic priest who also was a scientist. Before this theory, many scientist subscribed to the view that the universe was eternal. I point this out to demonstrate that science is constantly evolving.

The big bang theory is indeed supported by many observations. If you find that the evidence/observations support the hypothesis, then you do not need permission from someone else to accept it as an explanation for how our universe came about. In the same manner, if someone is not convinced by the evidence, then no matter what any authority says, they will not accept it.

From the Quranic perspective, what is important is that you recognize God as the creator of everything.

I would, however, suggest phrasing this differently. If the evidence convinces you, I would suggest saying that "I accept the big bang theory as the most convincing explanation of the evidence".

And God knows best

In need of your prayers

Hassanain

135618

Islam . Theory . Universe

Does Islam support the theory of the existence of parallel and infinite universes?

The existence of multiverses is possible as we have in Quran and authentic Hadeeth seven heavens and seven earths.

Wassalam.

125011

Muslims . Earth . Universe . God (Allah)

How do we respond to non-Muslims who ask us how could Allah say that He has made this earth and universe in 6 days when the concept of days is linked to the earth itself?

Our concept of day and night with us human beings, is not necessarily the same concept of day with Allah who Created every thing including the time before creating the earth and sky. Time was created before earth and sky and that time had got its day which is different from our day.

'Wassalam.

123219

Universe

Does time exist independently of the universe in the sense that it was created alongside universe?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 1 year ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. Time is a factor of the material world and of that which is connected to matter. It is a measure of the relationship between two objects. Like how long it takes for the earth to orbit the sun. So there is no meaning to time beyond the barzakh and the corporeal realm as there are no objects related to matter.

May you always be successful

119512

Universe . Eternity

Do Islamic texts mention the end of the universe? If not, do they alternatively mention that the universe is eternal?

No doubt this world will end. This is clearly mentioned in Quran (in many verses) and Hadeeth. No one can claim that this world is eternal.

Wassalam.

116745

Universe . Asexuality

We believe that the universe is not self caused. But how do we then explain the asexual reproduction of a bacteria that makes more copies of itself?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 1 year ago

Interesting question!

A further answer from a different perspective:

The universe is a closed system and therefore caused by something outside itself (it is not something from nothing).

However, a bacterium is not a closed system - it takes in energy and material from the outside, and uses this to reproduce. So therefore it a different situation.

If it could originate itself or reproduce infinitely without feeding or requiring any materials or energy, this would be an example of self-causing its existence. (Thanfully this does not happen, or it we would be overwhelmed!)

Universe . Asexuality

We believe that the universe is not self caused. But how do we then explain the asexual reproduction of a bacteria that makes more copies of itself?

Who created that bacteria and every bacteria? Any one but Allah? Allah (SWT) is The only Creator of every thing. ( Sura 39, Verse 62). Allah created in every creature it's own system of reproduction.

Wassalam.

76519

Universe

Are there any other universes beyond the one we exist in?

Bismillāh

Thank you for your question. There is a metaphysical realm which comprises of a number of levels and in scriptural terms is called the Malakut. As for other universes in the physical realm, the discovery of that is the realm of science.

May you always be successful

112341

Universe . God (Allah) . Prophet Jesus

I understand that Allah has never left this universe without a Hujjat. Who was doing this duty between the time of Prophet Issa AS and Prophet Mohammad SAWS for several hundred years?

The Hujjat is must in every time, either publicly known or hidden from public for reasons, as Ameerul Mo'mineen (AS) said (Nahjul Balaghah, 497).

After Prophet Easa (AS) the Hujjat was Sham'oon Ibn Hammon al-Safa, then Yahya ibn Zakaria, the Munthir, then Sulaimah, then Burdah, then Muhammad (SAWA).(Amaali al-Tousi, 443)

In al-Kaafi 1:177 you can find many Hadeeths in this regard.

Khalib ibn Sinan has been mentioned as a prophet fifty years before Prophet Muhammad ( Rawdhat al-Kaafi 342).

Abu Talib (AS) was from deputies (AWSIYAA') after the prophets.

Ameerul Mo'mineen Ali (AS) was asked: Who was the last Wasi ( Deputy) before Muhammad? He replied: My father. Al-Ghadeer 7:389 from Dhiaul Alameen by al-Fotouni.

Wassalam.

73349

Universe

How would we respond to the suggestion that it is not logically impossible for there to be two or more gods who are in perfect agreement with each other as to the order of the universe?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. The nature of hypothesizing is such that many things are hypothetically possible. However, the proofs for the existence of God, based on causality or on the nature of possibility and necessity are such that they only prove the existence of one first cause or one necessary being. In order to posit more than one God, there would need to be proof of that.

If the existence of God is derived from an inductive proof that there is order in the universe, then unless some Attributes of God are presupposed, the limitation of such an argument is that while it establishes the existence of a powerful, intelligent being, it does not prove that that being is One. Islamic philosophers do not seek to establish that from this proof either. But by the same token, it also doesn't establish more than one being and so that would have to be supposed. What it argues for is at least one being. However, what is misunderstood here is the conception of what is meant by the Oneness of God and assuming that it is numerical oneness rather than the lack of any limitation.

The Oneness of God is established through our conception of Him, and this is derived from the scriptural sources that describe Him as without limitations such that even the conception of a second is not possible. This method of argumentation is perfectly acceptable and is why the philosophy of religion discusses the conception of God before His existence as it is important to first know what is being established. In this sense, if God is unlimited, it is logically impossible for there to be two or more gods and that would contradict the concept of an unlimited Being.

May you always be successful

90673

Universe . Atheism

What would be the Islamic answer to the assertion that the universe created itself?

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. This is traditionally answered by the using the principle of cause and effect and so for the universe or part of it to exist it would have needed an external cause. As for the hypothesis that the universe created itself, it is completely opposed to the presuppositions of Islamic philosophy and so an argument is not even required to reject it. Rather, the onus of proof is on the person asserting the claim and of course this is something outside of the realm of proof. As a presupposition in itself it therefore can simply be rejected.

May you always be successful