Creationists believe that God created the world and everything in it in six days. Creationists adhere to the literal account of creation as told in the Book of Genesis, and dismiss science which conflicts with biblical accounts.
Islamic Creationism
Similarly, Muslims believe that One God (Allah) is responsible for the creation of the world.
Islamic creationism is based on verses in the Holy Qur'an that deal with creation, including: "Allah created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, in six days." (Qur’an 7:54)
The Relativity of Time in Islam
While the Qur'an states creation was accomplished in six days, the Arabic word for days (ayyam) in this verse also translates to "ages" or "long periods of time.”
These latter translations are in keeping not only with scientific evidence which suggests the universe took billions of years to form, but also with Einstein’s Theory of Relativity of Time.
Additional reference to the relativity of time is found elsewhere in the Qur'an, when Allah describes human perception of time: "He directs the whole affair from heaven to earth. Then it will again ascend to Him on a Day whose length is a thousand years by the way you measure." (Qur'an 32:5); and "The angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a day whose length is fifty thousand years." (Qur'an 70:4)
Theory of Evolution and Islam
In the 19th century, Charles Darwin proposed the Theory of Evolution based on natural selection.
Most famously, Darwin suggested that mankind evolved from apes.However, the idea that man evolved from apes has no place in Islam, since Allah states: "He began the creation of man from clay, and made his progeny from a quintessence of fluid." (Qur'an 32:7-8).
Mankind is distinguished from apes and other animals by high intellect, physical form, and more importantly, a soul, conscience and free will.
Nonetheless, Allah says that humankind is not His greatest creation: "Indeed, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of mankind do not realize it." (Qur'an 40:57)
Big Bang Theory and Expansion of the Universe
The universe, then, is a more complex and impressive creation than mankind himself. Modern scientific findings support the Big Bang Theory, which proposes that the universe took shape out of nothingness after a massive explosion, and that particles resulting from this blast came together to form planets, stars and entire galaxies. Similar reference is made in the Qur'an:
"Do the Unbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together, before We clove them asunder?" (Qur'an 21:30); and, "Then He turned to the heaven when it was smoke: He said to it and to the earth: 'Come together, willingly or unwillingly.' They said, 'We do come together, in willing obedience.'" (Qur'an 41:11)
The Qur’an also supports scientific findings that indicate the universe is in motion and continues to expand, with stars and galaxies moving further away from each other: "And it is We who have constructed the heaven with might, and verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it." (Qur'an 51:47)
Intelligent Design and Islam
Intelligent Design emerged as a creation theory in the 1990s and argues that creation is the act of an intelligent designer. Science, not theology, is used to prove this point, and God (Allah) is not specified as the designer.
While on the surface Intelligent Design seems to be in sync with Islamic creationism – numerous verses in the Qur’an direct Muslims to contemplate the wondrous nature of creation – Muslim critics of Intelligent Design observe that the theory not only discredits Allah by neglecting to name Him as Creator, but encourages Muslims to align themselves with a Western separation of religion from science.
Science, Qur’an and Islam
In actuality, science and Islam are often compatible. Many verses in the Holy Qur’an contain scientific knowledge which has only been proven factual in modern times. These include verses which mention life originating from water, embryonic development, and mountains stabilizing the earth.
Muslims consequently believe that creation is both a scientific marvel and the act of Allah. When science conflicts with Allah's revelation in the Qur'an – such as Darwin's theory that man evolved from apes – Muslims believe the Word of Allah remains absolute.
