Contemplating the vast universe and what it contains of planets, stars, and galaxies, along with the astonishing natural phenomena it boasts, inevitably leads us to sense the greatness of the Creator, Glory be to Him. The universe, with all its intricate details and precise order, bears witness to God's limitless power, knowledge, and wisdom. The creation of the universe is not merely a random event or a blind coincidence, but rather evidence of the existence of a great Creator, a wise planner, who brought it into existence from nothing and perfected its design.
The Precision and Grandeur of the Cosmic Order
When a person lifts their gaze to the sky, they see the stars, planets, and galaxies moving in defined paths without the slightest disruption or disorder, which is evidence of the precision of the cosmic order established by God, Glory be to Him. He said: "The sun and the moon run their courses according to a precise calculation" (Ar-Rahman: 5), meaning they move according to an exact account that neither advances nor delays. If this order were to be disrupted, life on Earth would be corrupted, and humanity would not find a suitable environment for living. Scientists have pointed out that the universe has been expanding since the moment of its creation, a fact that the Holy Quran affirmed many centuries ago when God said: "And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander" (Adh-Dhariyat: 47). This continuous expansion of the universe is evidence of God's greatness, as He created this universe according to precise laws that govern it, without any human intervention.
The Precise Balance on Earth
God created the Earth in a way that makes it suitable for life, establishing a precise balance between living beings and inanimate objects, so that each complements the other. The air we breathe contains the oxygen needed by living organisms, while plants release carbon dioxide in an integrated process that sustains life. If the levels of any of these gases were to increase or decrease, the ecosystem would be disrupted and life would become impossible.
Moreover, the Earth's position in the solar system is meticulously designed; it is located in the "habitable zone," where it is neither too close to the sun to burn nor too far away to freeze. All of this indicates meticulous divine planning, as Allah says: "Have We not made the earth a resting place?" (An-Naba: 6).
The Miracle in the Creation of Man
One of the greatest signs of God's greatness in His creation is man himself, that creature whom God has favored over many other beings and granted intellect and perception. Allah says: "And in yourselves; will you not see?" (Adh-Dhariyat: 21), meaning that if a person reflects on themselves, they would discover the greatness of God's creation.
The human body contains systems that work in astonishing harmony, such as the nervous system that transmits signals faster than the speed of light, the circulatory system that pumps blood throughout the body without pause, and the immune system that defends the body against diseases. Additionally, the human brain possesses an immense capacity for thinking, remembering, and analyzing, making it the most complex organ known to modern science.
Among the wonders of human creation is that every cell in the body contains a genetic code (DNA) that carries its unique information, and if this code were to be unraveled and organized, it would fill thousands of books, demonstrating the greatness of divine precision.
Diversity in Creation
One of the manifestations of God's greatness is also the immense diversity in His creations. Each planet, star, and galaxy has unique characteristics that differ from one another. In our galaxy alone, the Milky Way, there are hundreds of billions of stars, each with its own system. There are planets of different sizes, shapes, and compositions, some rocky and some gaseous, some suitable for life and some not.
This diversity is not limited to celestial bodies only, but also includes living beings on Earth. God created millions of species of creatures, each with its own function and role in the ecosystem. Allah says: "And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Indeed, in that are signs for those of knowledge" (Surah Ar-Rum: 22). Thus, the diversity in creation is a sign of God's signs that indicates His power and wisdom.
Reflection on God's Greatness is a Path to Faith
God has commanded us to reflect on His creation, as this leads to an increase in faith and fills the heart with reverence and submission to the Creator. He says: "Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding" (Surah Al-Imran: 190). The more a person contemplates the universe, the more they realize their own weakness in the face of this divine greatness.
Early Muslim scholars studied cosmic phenomena and used them as evidence for the existence of God, because true sciences do not contradict faith, but rather lead to a deeper knowledge of the Creator. Imam Al-Shafi'i said: "The more knowledge I gain, the more I realize my ignorance, and the more knowledge I gain, the more certain I become of God's greatness."
The Scientific Miracles in the Quran
The Holy Quran is filled with scientific references that indicate God's greatness in creating the universe. Long before modern science discovered these truths, the Quran mentioned them accurately. For example, Allah Almighty says: "By the sky, having constellations" (Al-Dhariyat: 7). Scholars have interpreted "constellations" as the paths or lines that appear in the sky due to the movement of stars and galaxies, which aligns with modern images of the universe that clearly show these lines.
Additionally, Allah Almighty says: "And each in an orbit is swimming" (Al-Anbiya: 33). This verse indicates that every celestial body swims in its own orbit, which has been proven by modern science. Planets revolve around stars, stars revolve around the center of the galaxy, and galaxies move in the vast universe. All these movements are governed by precise physical laws established by Allah Almighty.
Contemplating the creation of the universe leads to a firm conviction in God's greatness, for He created everything with a known measure and embedded within it endless secrets. It is the duty of humans to thank Allah for His countless blessings and to reflect on His cosmic signs, increasing in humility and submission, and to live their lives according to God's guidance, to attain His pleasure in this world and the Hereafter.
Thus, contemplating the creation of the universe is not only a means to recognize God's greatness but also a way to strengthen faith and feel humility before the Creator's power. Glory be to Allah, who created and perfected, and glory be to Allah, who mastered everything He created.
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