1. Story of Creation
Throne and Kursi
There was only Allah (set). He created the Throne and Water.
Cosmic View: https://youtu.be/8Are9dDbW24
The Prophet (PBUH) narrated in a Hadith related to the story of creation that the throne (‘arsh) in comparison to the footstool (kursi) was that the kursi is like a small ring thrown into a desert.
Allah also stated in Surah al-Baqarah that His kursi covers all of the Heavens and the Earth (2:286)
وَسِعَ كُرْسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفْظُهُمَا ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلْعَلِىُّ ٱلْعَظِيمُ
Hence, we can see that the kursi, which is comparatively minuscule against the ‘arsh, is actually greater than the Heavens and the Earth. The greatness and magnificence of the ‘arsh is far and beyond our comprehension. If the ‘arsh, i.e., the throne is far beyond our comprehension, then what about Allah himself? There is no way for humans to perceive his greatness in a quantifiable form.
Also, in Surah Mulk (67:3), Allah says
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ ٣
He is the One˺ Who created seven heavens, one above the other.
Then (67:5), وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَـٰهَا رُجُومًۭا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ ٥
And indeed, We adorned the lowest heaven with ˹stars like˺ lamps
In other words, all the stars visibile n the skys are only part of the first heaven. Also, per scientist, the furthest star from from earth is 28 billlion light years away.
Then when you compare the first heaven to second heaven, it’s like a ring in desert. And compare second heaven to third heaven, it’s like a ring in desert. And on and on. All way to seventh heaven compared to Kursi of Allah. Then, Kursi to Arsh of Allah.
Pen and Tablet
The Prophet (PBUH) told us that it was the pen that Allah created after the throne and water. This was to be used in the next step, which was to write down everything that will ever happen in the universe.
The Prophet (PBUH) said in a Hadith (Abu Dawud) that Allah told the pen to write. The pen asked what it should write about. Allah told it to write down the decree of everything that will ever happen until the last hour.
Lawh al-Mahfooz is also known as the “Preserved Tablet” and has an important place in the story of creation. Once Allah ordained the measure of all things, the pen wrote them down. The tablet is “preserved” since it can not be changed. All things that have ever happened or are happening today or will happen tomorrow are available in the tablet.
This doesn’t mean free will humans do not have free will. We do have a choice in matters, but Allah, due to His All-Encompassing Knowledge, already knows what will happen. Thus, it is all documented in Lawh al-Mahfooz.
Creation of Heavens and Earth
Allah says in Surah al-A’raf that He created the Heavens and the Earth in six days. Some Christians also believe that God created the world in six days. However, they offer a caveat: That God rested on the seventh day. This is not acceptable in Islam because Allah does not need rest. Rest is a necessity for human beings, which is derived from a weakness, i.e., tiredness.
Allah describes the formation of the Heavens and the Earth in Surah al-Anbiya. He directs His statement toward the disbelievers. Allah says that the Heavens and Earth were all joined together as “one piece,” then He “parted them,” creating living things with water. Allah then admonishes those who fail to believe, with the story of the creation of the Heavens and the Earth here used to make a point.
Water
In the verse mentioned above, Allah says that He made all living things from water. Allah is the Creator of everything, and this is also true of water, which is known as the essence of life. Allah says in Surah al-Muminun that He sent water down from the Heavens, and He made Earth the dwelling place for water.
Allah also states in Surah al-Baqarah that He sent down water from the Heavens, and the water brought life to Earth. It gave life to every kind of land animal, by Allah’s will. Allah then discusses the winds and the clouds, both critical parts of the ecosystem that ensures life continues to function on Earth, according to Allah’s Supreme Will.
We have water on Earth in many different forms. More than 70% of the Earth’s surface is comprised of water. Oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, etc., are all part of this system. The cycle of life is such that this water from different sources eventually reaches different parts of the Earth courtesy of wind, clouds, and rain. This rain is the key to life as it makes the land fertile, allowing crops to grow. Some also claim that around 60% of the human body itself indeed consists of water.
Sun and Moon
Creation of Angels, Jinns and Humans
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