Article appeared Friday, July 28th, 2017 in The News Today, Bangladesh

The Revelation (486) yousuf mahbubul Islam, PhD

Do you ever wonder how the universe came into being or how it was created? Interestingly,
scientists are still busy working out {1, 2} when it all began. Recent observations and
calculations {2} by scientists propose that the universe started expansion about 13.8 billion
years ago. The scientists also estimate {2} when atoms and other molecular gases were
formed. So, from observations and calculations astronomers have a theory or a set of rules that
show how the universe is behaving since its birth, enabling them to narrate a plausible story
about how the universe evolved from when it was a trillionth of a second old until today.
However, scientists are unable, as yet, to determine {2} what ensued before this time. As
science is based purely on observation, it can derive laws of how observed things behave, but
it cannot comment on how a law came into being. A law means that things in nature follow a
certain set of rules or patterns. It is interesting that scientists do research to look for laws and
patterns in all forms that they find they at least believe that laws must exist.

This brings us to two points of view. One view is that of the atheist who is forced to concede that
laws must be the product of random behavior. The other is that of a believer who works out
that laws in nature represent a highly intelligent way of integrating all the things that work
together in the universe. Both views can be tested by applying questions to each point of view.
For example, how does the stomach know how to break down the food that we/animals eat or
conversely, how is that foods compatible with the human/animal digestive system exist?
Intelligence is required not only to create the thought or design of integrated behavior, but also
to create and maintain objects that work together in an integrated manner.

Believers are then free to look elsewhere for answers to questions that scientists cannot
comment on. One place would be to analyze the concepts given in the Holy Scriptures to come
up with answers to source/origin or cause questions. For example, what/who caused the
universe to start expanding? What/who caused the Big Bang {1, 2} or the explosion that must
appear to occur when something suddenly comes into existence from nothing? The Al-Quran
has the following to say in response to the atheists point of view:
Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as
one unit of Creation) before We separated them and made from water every living thing.
Will they not then believe? [21.30]

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. [21.33]

Studying the Verses 21.30 and 21.33 one would realize that there has to be a cause behind why
the universe is expanding, a cause why the planets are on a computed elliptical course, a cause
behind why the earth rotates producing the effect of the night and day. In the Al-Quran God
informs us why He created the night and day effect.
We have made the Night and the Day as two (of Our) Signs: the Sign of the Night have
We obscured while the Sign of the day We have made to enlighten you; that you may
seek Bounty from your Lord and that you may know the number and count of the years:
all things have We explained in detail. [17.12]

What is a Sign of God? One could easily ask from where does the intelligence given in the Al-
Quran come. A sign could therefore be a miracle pointing to the Wisdom of God or an answer
to questions by those who ask such questions and seek answers. As we have a limited time on
earth, our Wise Creator furnishes two reasons to seek livelihoods using our given skills during
the day and also that with the passage of each day we have one day less to live on earth. The
passage of each day is therefore a warning God reminds us at the close of each day that each
of us has one less day to live have we used our time fruitfully? Do we use our time to reflect
on Gods creation and why He has created each of us individually?

The major question that this article asks is, as God has created everything in the universe from
nothing, would He be limited by the laws that He Himself has designed? For example, to create
anyone, would He have to procreate? Would God need to have a father-son relationship with a
created being? Has He created human beings to punish them? Would He have to sacrifice
anything in order to forgive? One of His Signs is that He created Jesus. He created Jesus
without a father in Marys womb. This got Mary into trouble with those who did not believe in the
Signs of God. So Mary asked the disbelievers to ask the new born baby about the truth.
But she pointed to the baby. They said: "How can we talk to one who is a child in the
cradle?" He said: "I am indeed a servant of God: He has given me revelation and made
me a prophet; [19.29 19.30]

19.34 Such (was) Jesus the son of Mary: (it is) a statement of truth about which
they (vainly) dispute.
Jesus was a very special prophet. Revelation consists of Words (or concepts directly given by
God). Mary was informed of the birth thus,
Behold! The angels said, "O Mary! God sends glad tidings of a Word from Him: his
name will be Christ Jesus the son of Mary held in honor in this world and the Hereafter
and of (the company of) those nearest to God. [3.45]

19.35 It is not befitting to (the majesty of) God that He should beget a son. Glory
belongs to Him! When He determines a matter He only says to it "Be" and it is.
Jesus pointed out,

19.36 Verily God is my Lord and your Lord: therefore serve Him: this is a Way
that is straight.
This Verse confirms what is given in Luke 4:8 (and John 20:17) of the Bible,
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" {3}

19.37 But the sects differed among themselves (regarding Jesus): so woe to
those who disbelieve from the Judgment given on a momentous Day!

19.38 How plainly will they see and hear the Day when they will appear before
Us! But the unjust today are in error manifest!
Disbelievers are doing an injustice not only to God and Jesus, but also to themselves.

19.39 But warn them of the Day of Distress when the matter will be determined:
for (behold) they are negligent and they do not believe!

19.40 It is We Who will inherit the earth and all beings thereon: to Us will they all
be returned.
On the Day of Judgment, how should God judge those who disbelieve in Him?
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{Notes}:
{1} https://www.britannica.com/topic/big-bang-model
{2} https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/20/science/hubble-constant-universe-expanding-
speed.html
{3} http://biblehub.com/luke/4-8.htm