If we look at God's creation we will find extraordinary beauty. A beauty and majesty that shows the greatness of the Essence who created it. The order, harmony and beauty of the universe indicate the existence of an Almighty and All-Wise Essence. The sky with all its decorations. Earth with oceans and rivers flowing in it. The mountains are so strong that they tower high. Animals and plants of various types. Everything is created so beautifully. An extraordinary work from the Creator.
Thinking and thinking about God's creation will increase our faith in God Almighty. That is why Allah Ta'ala calls man to always contemplate his creation. Allah ta'ala said (which means), "Then do they not pay attention to the camel how it was created?" "And the heavens, how are they lifted up?" "And the mountains how are they erected?" "And how is the earth spread out?" (Qs. Al Ghoshyhah: 17-20.
Allah ta'ala also praised Ulul Albab (people with sense/intelligence) and explained their habit of pondering the verses of Allah ta'ala in the form of His creation. Allah Ta'ala said (which means), "Verily in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who have understanding" "(that is) those who remember Allah while standing or sitting or in lay down and they thought about the creation of the heavens and the earth (saying): "O our Lord, You did not create this in vain, Glory be to You, so protect us from the torment of Hell" (Qs. Al Imron: 190-191) .
Allah also refutes the Mushrikin who deny the Day of Resurrection. They reasoned that it was impossible for a dead soul to be brought back to life. They said, "Who can give life to bones that have been shattered?" (Qs. Yasin: 78). So Allah explained that resurrecting humans was nothing compared to the creation of the universe. If only God could create an incredibly large universe, how could it be done by simply resurrecting humans?! Of course Allah is more capable. Allah Ta'ala says (which means), "Indeed, the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of humans, but most humans do not know." (Qs. Ghofir: 57).
How did God create the heavens and the earth?
In the Qur'an, Allah Ta'ala explains the process of creating the heavens and earth clearly and in detail. Which was later proven to be true by modern science. The Qur'an - besides the Sunnah - is the only authentic source that can be trusted. As for the theories put forward by western scientists, they all return to the Qur'an. If it matches then it is taken, but if it is different then the Qur'an takes precedence.
Allah created the heavens and the earth for six days. Starting from Sunday and ending with Friday. It is for this reason that Friday is a holiday for Muslims1. On that day God Almighty finished creating the heavens and the earth. Allah Ta'ala said (which means), "It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six days, then He rests on the 'Arsh..." (Qs. As Sajadah: 3).
Even though the scholars have different opinions regarding the six days during the creation of the heavens and the earth. The majority of scholars state that what is meant by six days is the size of a normal day. Another opinion states that the six days there are different from ordinary days, but each day is like 1000 years of ordinary days2.
The creation of the earth came before the creation of the heavens. As shown by the word of God (which means), He is God, who created everything on earth for you then He went up and made the seven heavens. And He knows all things." (Al-Baqarah: 29)
Because it is like a building, the foundation or foundation is made first before the roof. So the earth is the basis or foundation and the sky is the roof.3 Allah Ta'ala said (which means), "It is Allah who made the earth for you to dwell in and the sky as a roof" (Qs. Ghofir: 64.
The heavens were created with seven layers. Likewise with the earth. Although the word earth is always mentioned in the singular form in the Qur'an. Not like the sky which is often mentioned in plural pronunciations. However, there is a verse that shows that the earth has seven layers like the sky. Allah Ta'ala says (which means), "It is Allah who created the seven heavens and like that the earth. Allah's command applies to him, so that you may know that Allah has power over all things, and indeed Allah's knowledge truly covers everything." (Qs. At Tholak: 12).
And it is strengthened by the words of Rasulullah Shallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, "Whoever commits injustice (takes up someone else's land, even if only) an inch of land, then Allah will cover it with seven layers of earth"44 a>.
Then God separated the heavens and the earth, so that the wind blew, the rain fell, all kinds of plants grew, mountains were planted in their place, God made created creatures in pairs, created life from water, created the sun as a light, and stars and moon as decorations. All of that is proof of the greatness of God Almighty.5
The distance between heaven and earth is five hundred years of travel. The same is true between one layer of the sky and the next. Mentioned in the hadith of the narration of Abbas bin Abdul Muttalib Radhiyallahu 'anhu said, Rasulullah Shallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam said, "Do you know the distance between the heavens and the earth? We said, "Allah and His Messenger know best", then he said, "The distance between them is a journey of five hundred years, and between one heaven and the next heaven is a journey of five hundred years, and the thickness of each heaven is a journey of five hundred years, and between the seventh heaven with the throne there is a sea whose distance between the bottom and its top is like the distance between the sky and the earth, and God is above it all, the deeds of men are not hidden from him....”6
Jewish beliefs; Allah finished creating the heavens and the earth on Friday and rested on Saturday
The Jews denounced God. They say that Allah Ta'ala finished creating the heavens and the earth on Friday and rested on Saturday7. They thought that Allah Ta'ala was tired after creating the heavens and the earth and needed rest. Glory be to Allah for what they accused.
God contradicted their words. Allah Ta'ala said (which means), "And verily We have created the heavens and the earth and what is between them in six seasons, and We are not afflicted with fatigue in the slightest" (Qs Qaf: 38).
Allah Ta'ala is Almighty over all things. If God willed, the heavens and the earth could have been created in an instant. Allah ta'ala said (which means), "Indeed His condition when He wills something is only to say to it: "Be!" so it happened." (Qs. Yasin: 82).
But Allah has the Name Al Hakim; Most Wise. All of God's provisions contain wisdom. With the process of creating the heavens and the earth, Allah wanted to show His creatures the greatness of Allah. And teaches that everything requires a process. With this, humans learn to be patient.
Creation of oceans and rivers
Among the signs of God's power on earth is the creation of seas and rivers. With the sea, someone can sail in search of sustenance. Provided fresh fish for human food. Inside there are beautiful and valuable diamonds and pearls. All of that was created just for humans.
Allah Ta'ala said (which means), "And among the signs of His power are ships in the middle (that sail) in the sea like mountains" "If He wills, He will calm the wind, so be ships -the ship stopped on the surface of the sea. Indeed, in that there are signs (of his power) for everyone who is patient and grateful" (As Syuro: 32-33).
"Don't you notice that the ship is actually sailing on the sea with God's favor, so that He may show you some of His signs (of power). Indeed, in such a thing there are truly signs for all those who are very patient and grateful." (Qs. Lukman: 31).
"And it is He, God, who subdues the sea (for you), so that you can eat from it fresh meat (fish), and you take out of the sea the ornaments that you wear; and you see the ark sailing on it, and that you seek (benefit) from His bounty, and that you be grateful.” (Qs. An Nahl: 14).
Oceans and rivers are two creations that make the earth more beautiful. It is not surprising that when Allah mentions heaven, it is always associated with the rivers that flow beneath it. Because indeed, without a river, life would feel barren. With rivers and oceans, the air is clean, not polluted by animal carcasses. That's why Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam when asked about sea fish carcasses, he said, "The water (sea water) is pure and the (animal) carcasses are halal."8
Wallahu ‘Alam bis Shawab.
***
footnote
1 Al bidayah wan nihayah (1/16)
2 This is the opinion of Ibn Abbas, Dhohak, Mujahid (See Al Bidayah Wan Nihayah, (1/16)
3 Al bidayah wan nihayah (1/17)
4 HR. Bukhori No. 2453 dan Muslim No. 1611
5 See Al Bidayah wan Nihayah (1/17)
6 HR Abu Dawud (4723) Tirmidhi (3320) and Ibnu Majah (193)
8 Narrated by Malik in Muwatho' (45) also by Ashabus Sunan, and authenticated by Ibn Khuzaimah (111).
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Author: Muhammad Singgih Pamungkas
Article Muslim.Or.Id
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