INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC UNIVERSITY MALAYSIA

KULIYYAH OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY
SEMESTER I 2009/2010

UNGS 2030K

ASSIGNMENT : CREATION AND EVOLUTION (HUMAN AND UNIVERSE)

GROUP MEMBERS:

NUR SAIDATUL FARAHIYA MOHD SUHAIMI (0919256)

NURHAZLIN AB RAHMAN (0919262)
FAUZIAH ROMALI (0918484)
NOR NAJWA MUHAMED (0919)
CONTENTS

page

Introduction and appreciation……………… 1

Creation of human…………………

Creation of universe…………………

Human evolution……………………

Evolution of universe……………………

Bibliography………………………
INTRODUCTION AND APPRECIATION
EVOLUTION OF UNIVERSE

According to science, there are three main theories put forward to explain the origin and
evolution of the universe. They are :

1. The Big Bang Theory

2. The Steady State Theory
3. The Pulsating Theory

1. The Big Bang Theory: Le Maitre and Gammow proposed this theory.

According to this theory, at the beginning of the universe, the whole matter of the universe was
once concentrated in an extremely dense and hot (~10 12K) fireball. Then about 20 billion years
ago a vast explosion (big bang) occurred. The matter was broken into pieces, which were thrown
out with high speed in all directions forming stars and galaxies; which are still moving way from
one another. According to Hubble's law, the velocity of recession of a galaxy becomes equal to
the velocity of light at a distance equal of 20 billing light years. It means, the light rays from
stars and galaxies, which are situated at a distance of 20 billion light years or more, can never
reach us. Thus this distance becomes the boundary of observable universe. On account of
continuous recession, more and more galaxies will go beyond this boundary and the will be lost.
As a result of this, the number of galaxies per unit volume will go on decreasing and ultimately a
time may come when we may have empty universe.

2. Steady State Theory: Bondi, Gold and Fred Hoyle developed this theory.

According to this theory, the number of galaxies in the observable universe is constant and new
galaxies are continuously being created out of empty space, which fill up the gaps caused by
those galaxies, which have crossed the boundary of the observable universe. As a result of it, the
overall size of mass of the observable universe remains constant. Thus a steady state of the
universe is not disturbed at all.

3. Pulsating Theory: According to this theory, the universe is supposed to be expanding and
contracting a lternately i.e. pulsating.

At present, the universe is expanding. According to pulsating theory, it is possible that at a

certain time, the expansion of the universe may be stopped by the gravitational pull and the may
contract again. After it has been contracted to a certain size, explosion again occurs and the
universe will start expanding. The alternate expansion and contraction of the universe give rise to
pulsating universe.
Creation and evolution in Islam

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)

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 use of the word “day” in the quran

Verse 5 of the sura The Prostration and Verse 4 of the sura The Heights not only point to the
relativity of time, but give also a clear meaning of the Arabic word “yawm” that denotes not only
the space of time of one day - which comprises 24 hours - but also a certain period of time. This
makes it easier to understand the six “yawm”s mentioned in the Quran (See: 7-The Purgatory,
54; 11-Hud, 7; 10- Jonah, 3; 25-The Distinguisher, 59; 32-The Prostration, 4; 57-Iron, 4.) Before
the creation of the universe and the world there was no notion of “day,” a period of 24 hours.
Therefore, the six “yawm”s must be understood as six “periods.”

If we remember the stories of creation of ancient Egypt, China and India, we encounter wild
fancies such as a universe standing on a tortoise or as an eternally existing entity. None of the
past civilizations had made any reference to the stages of this evolution. This message of the
Quran contributes to a correct interpretation of Biblical exegeses of the concept of day. The
message in the Bible that reads: “And on the seventh day God finished His work that He had
done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that He had done.” (Genesis 2, 2) was
thus corrected, as fatigue was certainly out of the question for God.

38- We created the heavens and the earth, and all that lies between them in six days, and no
fatigue touched us.
50-Qaf, 38

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)

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.

In contrast, the Quran describes the formation of the universe as a big bang, beginning with the
creation of the heavens and the earths. The plurality of these terms is stressed in order to indicate
that there are numerous galaxies. Next, the formation of water, the development of the land, and
the creation of plants and animals took place (7:54, 41:9-12, 21:30, 44:7, 78:37). This account
coincides with current scientific data. For example, according to the Quran, humans were created
in the fourth period on earth, and geologists have concluded that humans appeared in the
quaternary, or fourth, era. Furthermore, the Quran indicates that water was the first thing created
on earth, and this is also supported by the scientific conclusion that water is the basis of life.
Plus, the Quran advocates evolutionary change (15:19-21), unlike the Christian scriptures. Not
all religions conflict with science, as has been shown of Islam. Many of the ideas present in the
Quran have been adopted by evolutionists. Today, many Christian scholars have reluctantly
compromised traditional theories and are willing to accept the scientific data concerning
evolution; however, they maintain that the biblical accounts are symbolic and inspired by God.

QURAN AND EVOLUTION:

Origin of Life:
Science tells us now that the life on earth originated from water. Even today while we are
exploring the galaxies and actively searching for life on other planets, the 1st question we ask; is
there any water on that planet to sustain life, because without water life is impossible.Quran has
told us about this reality some 1400 years ago, before the discovery of science, said the same
thing in

| Surah Al Anbiya verse 30

(Out of their sheer ignorance some people take natural phenomena as deities or divinities. This is
despite the fact the entire continuum of the universe has been created by Allah Almighty and
remains fervently in action according to His given programme. At present various phenomena in
the universe appear to them as functioning separately from one another, but) Do they not
seriously understand that in the initial stages of creation all of them were one mass which We
then parted, so that the various celestial bodies started floating in their own orbits (21:33. 36:40).
(Take for example the planet earth. In its initial stages it separated from the original mass, just
like a stone thrown out from a catapult - 79:30). Later (when the earth became ready to bear or
produce living things) We started life from water. (All living things are created from a mixture of
water - 24:45. And over this fountain of life Allah Almighty has kept His own control - 11:7). It
is strange that even after all this explanation, they do not believe that only Allah Almighty wields
absolute sovereignty over everything in the universe.

First living thing was algae in plant kingdom then animal kingdom started. Quran makes
reference to plant kingdom in;
Surah Taha verse 53 | He is the One Who has stored means of nourishment for all of you
everywhere on this spacious earth. made and traced out ways for your movements. and sends
down water from the sky and with which He grows various vegetation and plants |.

The Ayah also points out the sexual reproduction in plant kingdom, much before science
discovered it. In Surah Raad verse 3 male and female fruit plants are described. Similarly
reference is made to the water origin of animals in

Surah Nur verse 45

| And according to His Law, Allah Almighty has created every living being out of water (in that
the process of life was initiated from water and its survival also depends on it - 21:30). Among
living objects there are some which crawl on their bellies, some walk on two legs and some on
four. Allah Almighty creates whatever He likes according to His Law of creation. He has set
measures for everything; and He has absolute control over everything |.

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)
BIBLIOGRAPHY

Source – books :

Chown, Marcus, Birth of the Universe, New Scientist, February 26, 1994, v141, n1914, pA1(4).

Novikov, I.D., Evolution of the Universe, Cambridge, U.K. : Cambridge University Press, 1983.

Gribbin, John R., In Search of the Big Bang: Quantum Physics and Cosmology, Toronto; New
York: Bantam Books, 1986.

Source - internet :

http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/02144/basics/univevol.htm