The Story of Creation
Every creation has a creator and so does the Universe, Allah (SWT) the lord of the worlds and the creator of the heavens and the earth describes his creation through various verses in the Quran, beginning with the modern day widely accepted theory on the origin of the Universe, known as the Big Bang. This theory, which explains that the entire Universe began from one hot and dense single point, is consistent with what the Quran says in Surah Al-Anbiya Verse 30. This verse also subsequently refers to water as the source for the beginning of life on earth, which is compatible with various scientific theories existing today such as the Primordial Soup.
Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?
Surah Al-Anbiya – Verse 30
— Saheeh International
Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit of creation), before we clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
Surah Al-Anbiya – Verse 30
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Creation
As mentioned in the ‘Quran’ 1400 years ago, the Universe began from one single point, in confirmation with what modern science presents as the ‘Big Bang’ theory.
Begining
The ‘Quran’ reveals that every living thing was made from water, which is consistent with scientific theories on the origins of life on earth, such as the ‘Primordial Soup’.
Modern science also theorizes that since the beginning of the Universe it has been in a constant state of expansion as Galaxies keep moving apart from one another which is also reveled in the Quran.
And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat – Verse 47
— Saheeh International
With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat – Verse 47
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The Quran also makes reference to other scientific theories about the formation of the Universe such as how the initial celestial matter in the Universe was in the form of smoke as well as how matter and anti-matter paired off and annihilated each other with excess matter prevailing over anti-matter.
Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, “Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion.” They said, “We have come willingly.”
Surah Fussilat – Verse 11
— Saheeh International
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.”
Surah Fussilat – Verse 11
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The Divine Revelations
Tawrat (Torah)
Revelation to Musa (Moses) PBUH
— in Hebrew
Zabur (Psalms)
Revelation to Dawud (David) PBUH
— in Greek
Injil (Gospel)
Revelations to Isa (Jesus) PBUH
— in Aramaic
Quran
Revelation to Muhammed PBUH
— in Arabic
And We have revealed to you, [O Muhammad], the Book [i.e., the Quran] in truth, confirming that which preceded it of the Scripture and as a criterion over it. So judge between them by what Allah has revealed and do not follow their inclinations away from what has come to you of the truth. To each of you We prescribed a law and a method. Had Allah willed, He would have made you one nation [united in religion], but [He intended] to test you in what He has given you; so race to [all that is] good. To Allah is your return all together, and He will [then] inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.
Surah Al-Maidah – Verse 48
— Saheeh International
To thee We sent the Scripture in truth, confirming the scripture that came before it, and guarding it in safety: so judge between them by what Allah hath revealed, and follow not their vain desires, diverging from the Truth that hath come to thee. To each among you have we prescribed a law and an open way. If Allah had so willed, He would have made you a single people, but (His plan is) to test you in what He hath given you: so strive as in a race in all virtues. The goal of you all is to Allah; it is He that will show you the truth of the matters in which ye dispute;
Surah Al-Maidah – Verse 48
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The basics of Islam
Allah
God in Arabic cannot be pluralized and is beyond gender.
Islam
Peace acquired by submitting your will to almighty God.
Muslim
Any person who submits their will to almighty God.
Quran
Final revelation to lead humans from darkness to light.
Prophet
Human beings chosen by Allah to uphold divine guidance.
Shahada
There is no God but Allah, and Muhammad is his messenger.
Monotheism
A common misconception is that Islam was founded 1400 years ago by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), however the correct fact is that Islam has been in existence since time immemorial. It is the Monotheistic faith of believing and submitting ones will to the one and only, absolute and eternal, almighty creator of the heavens and the earth, the lord of the worlds.
Say, [O believers], “We have believed in Allah and what has been revealed to us and what has been revealed to Abraham and Ishmael and Isaac and Jacob and the Descendants and what was given to Moses and Jesus and what was given to the prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and we are Muslims [in submission] to Him.”
Surah Baqarah – Verse 136
— Saheeh International
Say ye: “We believe in Allah, and the revelation given to us, and to Abraham, Isma’il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and that given to Moses and Jesus, and that given to (all) prophets from their Lord: We make no difference between one and another of them: And we bow to Allah (in Islam).”
Surah Baqarah – Verse 136
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
Oneness
Monotheism and ‘Tawheed’ in Islam requires believing in the oneness of ‘God’ and submitting your will by following the guidance of the one and only, absolute and eternal, almighty creator of the heavens and the earth, the lord of the worlds.
Guidance
Since time immemorial, God has revealed divine guidance through Prophets and Messengers helping human beings understand and judge what is right and what is wrong, leading us from darkness to light, helping to pass the test given in this world.
Why Prophets and Messengers?
Since time immemorial, almighty God has revealed divine guidance through Prophets and Messengers helping human beings understand and judge right from wrong and lead them from darkness to light. According to tradition 124,000 Prophets and 313 Messengers were sent before Muhammed (PBUH), who is the seal of the Prophets and the final Messenger of Allah. It is revealed through the Quran that every nation and amongst every people a Messenger has been sent with divine guidance, implying that guidance has been sent down to humans right from the beginning of time.
And We certainly sent into every nation a messenger, [saying], “Worship Allah and avoid ṭāghūt.” (False objects of worship) And among them were those whom Allah guided, and among them were those upon whom error was [deservedly] decreed. So proceed [i.e., travel] through the earth and observe how was the end of the deniers.
An-Nahl – Verse 36
— Saheeh International
And We did not send any messenger except [speaking] in the language of his people to state clearly for them, and Allah sends astray [thereby] whom He wills and guides whom He wills. And He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.
Surah Ibrahim – Verse 4
— Saheeh International
For We assuredly sent amongst every People a messenger, (with the Command), “Serve Allah, and eschew Evil”: of the People were some whom Allah guided, and some on whom error became inevitably (established). So travel through the earth, and see what was the end of those who denied (the Truth).
An-Nahl – Verse 36
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
We sent not a messenger except (to teach) in the language of his (own) people, in order to make (things) clear to them. Now Allah leaves straying those whom He pleases and guides whom He pleases: and He is Exalted in power, full of Wisdom.
Surah Ibrahim – Verse 4
— Abdullah Yusuf Ali
The Purpose of Existence
From the time we come into existence as a newborn infant or collectively as a group, nation or civilization, we are constantly facing tests that lead to attaining both materialistic and non-materialistic outcomes. In addition to conforming to societal norms that advertise contentment, these numerous worldly gains also lead to pleasures that stimulate the body and mind. Every individual person or collective of people have a life cycle from birth, to being a toddler, reaching adolescence, maturity, old age and finally death. Our current position in the life cycle determines the various gains and pleasure that we seek and these wants and needs change or evolve during our lifespan.
So is the purpose of our life to merely obtain the pleasures of this world? Well Islam requires humans to seek a higher purpose in life that encourages people to live life to the fullest while helping better the things around us and the best way to achieve this is by following the guidance of the creator of our existence. Just like every other test we face during our individual or collective life time, God almighty has given us the ultimate test of life where we need to find our creator and move closer to him by submitting our will and attaining eternal joy in the hereafter. In other words, as mentioned in the Quran in Surah Al-Mulk, Allah (SWT) has created death and life in order to test which of us is good in deeds.
Purpose
The purpose of existence is to live life obeying the commandments of God, in order to pass the test of this world through good deeds and helping better the things around us. This divine guidance will help us in this life as well as lead us to Heaven in the hereafter.
The Quran in Surah Adh-Dhariyat reveals that the Jinns and Humans were created for the worship of Allah (SWT) and in Surah Faatir it is mentioned that it is the humans who require Allah (SWT), meaning that the various acts of worship help human beings and benefits us. These acts of worship known as ‘Ibadah‘ in Arabic can be translated to as the acts and a lifestyle that obey the commandments of God. Following divine guidance by performing ‘Salah’ prayers, fasting ‘Sawm’ and giving charity ‘Zakat’ as well as living a Halal lifestyle that avoids Haram activities are all acts of submitting ones will by following the commandments. So the purpose of our existence is to live life according to the revealed guidance of our creator so that divine guidance will help us in this life as well as lead us to Heaven in the hereafter.