The Universe from Beginning to End: A Dialogue Between the Qur’an and Modern Cosmology

By Dr. Afzal M. Dogar, New Age Islam 3 September 2025 The origin of the universe is a topic that has fascinated scientists, philosophers, and theologians for centuries. Various theories exist, ranging from scientific explanations grounded in physics to metaphysical or religious interpretations. In this article, these scientific theories are briefly outlined and then examined in light of what the Qur’an says about the creation and end of the universe, showing how divine revelation can be meaningfully engaged with modern cosmological theories. The Big Bang Theory The Big Bang Theory is the most widely accepted explanation for the origin of the universe. In 1965, Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson’s ground-breaking discovery of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), showed the remnant heat from the Big Bang still exists. It suggests that the universe began from an extremely hot, dense point approximately 13.8 billion years ago. Initially, it was in a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature, and then it began to expand rapidly in what is known as "cosmic inflation." According to this theory the universe began as a singularity, a point with infinite density. Followed by the rapid expansion as the universe cooled, particles formed. Over time, these particles combined to form atoms, stars, galaxies, and eventually all the structures we observe today (Hawking, S., 1988). Quantum Cosmology and the Multiverse Quantum cosmology explores the idea that quantum mechanics can explain the origin of the universe. One leading idea is that the universe could have emerged from a quantum fluctuation in a vacuum state. The concept of the multiverse also arises from this theory, suggesting that our universe might be one of many, each with different properties and laws of physics. This theory postulates that the universe may have spontaneously arisen from a quantum fluctuation. The multiverse theory also proposes that our universe is just one of many universes, potentially with different physical laws (Greene, B., 2004). Steady State Theory The Steady State Theory was a prominent theory in the mid-20th century that argued the universe has always existed and is constantly creating new matter as it expands, keeping its density constant over time. According to this theory the universe is in a steady state, with new matter continuously created as it expands (Fred Hoyle, Thomas Gold, and Hermann Bondi (1948). However, this theory fell out of favour after the discovery of the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), indicating that the universe has a beginning. Cyclic Model (Ekpyrotic Universe) The Cyclic Model (also known as the Ekpyrotic Universe) suggests that the universe undergoes an infinite series of cycles, each beginning with a Big Bang and ending in a Big Crunch, only to start over again. This model is an alternative to the idea of a single, linear creation event. This theory postulates that the universe expands and contracts in a series of cycles, with each cycle representing a new "big bang." This theory could explain some unresolved issues in cosmology, such as the flatness and horizon problems (Steinhardt, P., & Turok, N., 2002). Religious Views Many cultures have their own creation stories that explain the origin of the universe. However, three major Monotheistic religions Christianity, Judaism, and Islam agree on one point that the universe was created by God, implying that it has a beginning and an end. On this point they proved to be correct in rejecting the Steady State Universe Theory long before even the discovery of Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB). While the Big Bang Theory is the most widely accepted scientific explanation for the origin of the universe, there are still many unanswered questions, and alternative theories continue to be proposed and explored. The Quran contains several verses that allude to the origin of the universe. While the Quran does not provide a detailed scientific explanation akin to modern cosmology, it does present a divine account of creation, often using poetic and metaphorical language. Here are some key Quranic verses related to the origin of the universe. The Creation from Nothing It is generally believed that the Quran emphasizes that God created the universe from nothing, as an act of divine will. For example a verse in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:117) is used as reference “The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be,’ and it is.” ● Many believe that this verse highlights the concept of creation ex nihilo (creation out of nothing). "Ex Nihilo" is a philosophical and theological concept that asserts that the universe or existence itself came from nothing, caused by something outside of it, often attributed to a divine being, such as God (Craig, W. L., (1979). However, when examined closely, this verse indicates how God’s creative activity works in general as shown elsewhere in Quran 36:82, His (God’s) Being alone is such that when He wills a thing to be, He but says unto it, “Be” — and it is. Highlighting that first stage in the process of creation is command (امر) of God which can happen in the blink of eye Quran 54:50 and in the next stage the creation (خَلَقَ) appears through the process of كُن فَيَكُونُ which happens via God created laws of nature. For example, when God willed to create Jesus without a biological father Quran 3:59, God commanded كُن فَيَكُونُ but his mother Mary still has to go through all the pains of pregnancy and labour to give birth to Jesus as shown in Quran 19:21-26, indicating that كن فيكون works through laws of nature. ● The Latin term "creatio ex nihilo" specifically refers to the belief that the universe was created by God "out of nothing" as opposed to out of pre-existing matter. It argues for the existence of God as the necessary cause of the universe. It emphasizes the idea that there must be a transcendent cause or entity that is outside of time, space, and matter (Craig, W. L., 1979). While the Ex Nihilo argument is primarily philosophical and theological, some modern cosmological discussions surrounding the Big Bang theory resonate with this idea that the universe originated from a state of almost "nothing" (such as the singularity). ● In Quantum mechanics the concept of vacuum fluctuations also raises questions about the nature of "nothing," suggesting that "nothing" may not be as absolute as we think in quantum theory, a "vacuum" is not truly empty. On the transcendence point this argument is correct because God is outside of time, space and matter and is uncaused cause for the existence of the universe. But what about the nothingness, does God talks about it in the Quran? What Quran says about Creation of the Heavens and Earth The Quran speaks frequently of the creation of the heavens and the earth in a manner that suggests both a purposeful and ordered act of creation. Particularly two verses in Surah Al-Anbya are very important. 1) Quran 21:30, “Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth were a closed-up mass, then We opened them out?” ● This verse clearly indicates that the universe being in a "singular mass" God then "opened out", which can be likened to the expansion of the universe following the Big Bang. The phrase "opened them out" can be seen as an indication of the expansion of the universe, which is central to the Big Bang model. After the initial singularity, the universe began expanding rapidly in a process known as cosmic inflation, which fits with the idea of the universe expanding from a previously "closed" or singular state. ● Expansion of the universe is also mentioned elsewhere in Quran 51:47, “And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.” This verse refers to the expansion of the universe, which is a concept supported by modern cosmology. The "expansion" mentioned in this verse is seen by some as a reference to the ongoing expansion of the universe, a phenomenon first observed by Edwin Hubble in the 20th century. Ex Nihilo Argument vs. Creation from the Pre-Existing Matter The Ex Nihilo argument posits that the universe was created out of absolutely nothing by God. This view is often seen in traditional theological doctrines. ● But the Quranic verse 21:30 doesn't necessarily say creation from nothing. Rather, it suggests that the universe originated from a prior state (a "closed-up mass"), and then God caused it to expand. This interpretation does not directly contradict the Big Bang theory but rather aligns with it: the idea that the universe expanded from a very dense, hot state. ● The verse doesn't explicitly say that God created the universe "out of nothing" in the strict philosophical sense, but rather that God created it from a previously existing state, and the expansion follows as a process initiated by God's will. ● The Big Bang theory itself doesn’t necessarily rule out a divine origin or first cause. In fact, scientists like Alister McGrath or Francis Collins see no inherent conflict between science and belief in a divine Creator. The Big Bang could be viewed as the moment when God set the universe into motion from an initial state, as described in this Quranic verse. ● The key point is that God is the initiator of creation, whether from a state of singularity, chaos, or even a "nothing." However, as stated above God’s creation activity works through the laws which are observable in nature. And the creation from nothing defies the first law of thermodynamics. 2) Quran 21:104: "The Day We will fold the heaven like the folding of a written sheet. As We began the first creation (from a single mass state 21:30), We will repeat it. That is a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it." ● This verse further clarifies whether God created the universe from nothing or pre-Existing Matter. The verse speaks about a cosmic event where God will fold the heavens like a sheet of paper, returning it to a previous state, potentially like the singular state mentioned in Quran 21:30. It’s a powerful image of the universe collapsing, after which God will "start a new creation. This begs the question about the geometry of the universe whether it is curved or flat at a grand cosmological level. ● Current evidence strongly supports the idea that the universe is flat, or very close to flat, on large scales. The most compelling evidence comes from observations of the cosmic microwave background (CMB), which is the afterglow of the Big Bang. The CMB provides a snapshot of the universe when it was only about 380,000 years old and reveals a remarkably uniform and isotropic (the same in all directions) universe. Key Evidence for a Flat Universe 1. Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB): Data from the Planck satellite and the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) have provided detailed measurements of the CMB. The angular power spectrum of the CMB suggests that the universe is flat or very close to flat, with a slight possibility of small curvature. In particular, the distribution of temperature fluctuations in the CMB matches the predictions for a flat universe (Planck Collaboration., 2018). 2. Supernova Observations: Observations of distant Type Ia supernovae, which act as standard candles for measuring cosmic distances, suggest that the expansion of the universe is accelerating. This is consistent with the presence of dark energy, which fits well with a flat universe model when considering the overall balance of matter, dark matter, and dark energy (Riess, A. G., et al., 1998). 3. Large-Scale Structure: The large-scale structure of the universe, such as the distribution of galaxies and galaxy clusters, also supports a flat universe. Models of how matter is distributed across vast distances align with predictions made by the flat universe model in cosmological simulations (Weinberg, S., 2008). In the light of above evidences 21:104 can be understood in a few keyways: 1. Cosmic Collapse and Rebirth: ● "Folding of the heavens" is often interpreted by scholars as a cosmic collapse or contraction. The image of folding could symbolically represent the collapse of space-time or a reversal of the expansion of the universe (which has been ongoing since the Big Bang). ● The idea of the universe being "rolled up" and then re-created or renewed is often linked with eschatological (end-time) concepts. In Islamic eschatology, this could refer to the end of the current universe, followed by God's power to recreate it in a different form. ● This verse may mirror ideas of a Big Crunch (a theoretical scenario in cosmology) where the universe, after expanding for billions of years, could eventually collapse back into a singularity. This collapse could eventually be followed by a new creation or rebirth. 2. Parallel to the Big Bang and Big Crunch Theories: ● The Big Bang theory suggests that the universe expanded from a singularity (a very dense and hot state), and if the expansion were to eventually reverse, the universe could collapse back into that singularity, which is sometimes called the Big Crunch. The Quranic verse’s description of "folding the heavens" could be seen as analogous to the idea of the universe collapsing back to a dense state before a new creation begins. ● The "new creation" mentioned in the verse might symbolize a new phase of existence after this cosmic event, which fits with the cyclical nature suggested by some cosmological models and religious interpretations of rebirth and renewal. 3. The "Rolling Up" of the Universe: ● The idea of God rolling up the heavens also conveys God's ultimate control over the universe. It emphasizes that the entire cosmos is under God’s command, and He has the power to not only create it but to also end and recreate it as He wills. ● This verse points to the finality of the universe's current existence, which will one day be folded up, just like a sheet of paper being rolled up, signifying the end of the current order of things and the commencement of a new one. 4. Relation to the Flat Universe: ● This imagery in Quran 21:104 could be symbolic of the universe returning to a singular mass state, which could be akin to a "flat" universe before its eventual re-expansion into a new form. ● The idea of "rolling up" might also resonate with the flatness of the universe at certain points in cosmological models. If we interpret this in a non-literal sense, it might refer to a time when the universe is compressed or reduced back to a highly uniform state before being renewed. 5. "As We Began the First Creation, We Will Repeat It": ● This part of the verse suggests a cyclic process of creation—a return to the beginning, as though the universe is born, undergoes a period of existence, and then returns to the state from which it began, only to be re-created again. ● It draws a parallel with the eternal nature of God’s power and will, suggesting that just as God created the universe once, He will repeat the act of new creation. Comparison to Modern Cosmological Theories While the Quranic verses can metaphorically align with certain scientific models of the universe's lifecycle, such as the Big Bang and a potential Big Crunch, it's important to note that these interpretations are speculative. From a scientific standpoint: ● Big Bang theory describes the universe's expansion from a highly dense state. ● The Big Crunch theory posits that the universe might eventually contract back into a singularity. ● The Quranic verses (21:30 and 21:104) resonate with these theories, especially in the sense of the universe having a definite beginning and end, with potential re-creation afterward. Spiritual and Theological Insights ● From a theological perspective, these verses remind us of the impermanence of the universe and the ultimate power of God over creation. The universe is not eternal in itself but was created by God and will eventually return to Him in a form of renewal, emphasizing His sovereignty. ● In Islamic thought, the concept of re-creation (or resurrection) is not just about the cosmos but can also be seen as a symbol of the eternal renewal that happens after physical death. The universe's end and re-creation reflect the divine cycle of life, death, and rebirth, symbolizing the ultimate renewal of existence in the afterlife. Conclusion The verses in Quran 21:30 and 21:104 can be interpreted as descriptions of both the origins and end of the universe, with God being the active agent in both its creation and eventual re-creation. The imagery of the universe as a closed-up mass that is opened out (in 21:30) and later folded back (in 21:104) reflects a cosmic cycle that could be likened to scientific concepts such as the Big Bang and Big Crunch. These verses invite reflection on the impermanence of the universe and the ultimate authority of God over all things, while leaving room for alignment with modern cosmological theories. References ● Hawking, S. (1988). A Brief History of Time. Bantam Books. Greene, B. (2004). The Fabric of the Cosmos: Space, Time, and the Texture of Reality. Vintage. ● Hoyle, F., Gold, T., & Bondi, H. (1948). The Steady-State Theory of the Expanding Universe. Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. ● Steinhardt, P., & Turok, N. (2002). Endless Universe: Beyond the Big Bang. Doubleday. ● Craig, W. L. (1979). The Kalam Cosmological Argument. Macmillan. ● Planck Collaboration. (2018). Planck 2018 results. VI. Cosmological parameters. Astronomy & Astrophysics. ● Riess, A. G., et al. (1998). Observational evidence from supernovae for an accelerating universe and a cosmological constant. The Astronomical Journal, 116(3), 1009–1038. ● Weinberg, S. (2008). Cosmology. Oxford University Press. ----- Dr. Afzal M. Dogar is an independent scientific writer based in Zurich, Switzerland. He is a former Associate Professor at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) with a background in molecular biology, RNA therapeutics, and biotechnology. He has conducted research in gene regulation, cancer biology, and RNAi/miRNA-based therapeutics, and has trained graduate students in advanced molecular techniques. Currently based in Switzerland, he writes on the intersections of science, society, and interfaith dialogue, with a focus on reconciling scientific inquiry with ethical and spiritual perspectives. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islam-science/universe-dialogue-quran-modern-cosmology-science/d/136701 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism