Atheism Fortress Falters (3) Why Allah Created Man After 14 Billion Years?
Atheistic doubts have escalated and
spread remarkably through social media, exploiting the speed of dissemination
and the lack of scrutiny as a means to cast suspicion. Many of these doubts
rely on logical fallacies and fragmented interpretations of religious texts,
which mislead the untrained audience, especially the youth. Hence arises the
importance of confronting such doubts with knowledge and wisdom, by presenting solid
rational and textual responses that fortify public awareness.
The Misconception about Creation Timeline
“If Allah’s goal was the existence of
mankind, then why did He take 14 billion years to create us? The universe is 14
billion years old, the earth 4 billion years, and humanity at most 300,000
years. Imagine the age of the universe compressed into a single year: humanity
would appear in the twelfth month, on the last day, in the final two seconds.
Does an all-powerful God need all that time to achieve His goal? Where is His
power that He claims: He says ‘Be’ and it is?”
Response to the Doubt
First: Allah’s Absolute Power to
Create in an Instant
The Qur’an affirms that Allah is capable of
creating anything instantly, without condition: “All
it takes, when He wills something ˹to be˺, is
simply to say to it: “Be!” And it is!” (Ya Sin 36: 82), “Our command is
but a single word, done in the blink of an eye” (Al-Qamar 54: 50)
Examples of instantaneous creation:
- The creation of Jesus (`Isa, peace be upon
him) without a father:
“Mary wondered, ‘My Lord! How can I have a child when no man has ever touched me?’ An angel replied, ‘So will it be. Allah creates what He wills.’” (Ali `Imran 3: 47) - The creation of Adam (peace be upon him) directly
from clay:
“Indeed, the example of Jesus in the sight of Allah is like that of Adam. He created him from dust, then said to him, “Be!” And he was!” (Ali `Imran 3: 59)
Thus, Allah—the eternal Creator—needs
neither time nor tools for creation. Time itself is created, and Allah is
beyond it. As Ibn Sina said: “There is nothing
like Him” (Ash-Shura 42: 11)
So Allah can create humanity and the
universe in an instant. His choice of gradual creation is not weakness, but
wisdom.
Just as a skilled artist could paint a
masterpiece in moments but chooses to craft it with care to display beauty and
detail—so too, and to Allah belongs the highest example, He created the
universe in stages to manifest His greatness, not out of incapacity.
Second: The Wisdom Behind Gradual
Creation
Though Allah could have created instantly,
His choice of gradual creation of the heavens and earth in six days, and the
emergence of humanity after 14 billion years, reflects profound wisdom:
1. Demonstrating Order and Divine Laws
“˹This is˺ Allah’s way, already long established ˹in the past˺. And you will find no change in Allah’s way” (Al-Fatḥ 48: 23)The universe was not created aimlessly but through precise order. Modern science shows cosmic development through stages: the Big Bang, atoms, stars, planets… until earth was prepared for life.
Had mankind appeared suddenly without
preceding stages, he would miss the grandeur of what surrounds him. Each star,
each law of physics becomes a sign that his existence was deliberate, not
random.
2. Manifesting Allah’s Greatness
Gradual creation allows humanity to reflect on His signs:“We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this ˹Quran˺ is the truth” (Fuṣṣilat 41: 53)
3. Preparing the Universe for Humanity
The elements of human life (carbon, iron, etc.) were formed only within massive stars. Earth required eons to cool, stabilize, and form its atmosphere, water, and protective fields—all prerequisites for life.The magnificence lies in the entire cosmos
being built as a palace for its final guest: mankind.
4. Teaching Humanity Patience
As Imam Al-Ghazali said: “Gradual creation instills humility in man before Allah’s greatness.”Not all that can be done instantly is best. A palm tree takes years to yield fruit, yet its outcome is richer and longer-lasting than a plant that sprouts and withers in a day.
Third: The Meaning of “Days” for Allah
The “days” of creation are not human
24-hour days. Allah says:
“But a day with your Lord is indeed like a
thousand years by your counting” (Al-Ḥajj 22: 47), “…on a Day fifty thousand years in length” (Al-Ma`arij 70: 4)
Thus, “days” refer to lengthy stages. Ibn
Kathir said: “Days with Allah are not like our days, but are phases known to
Him.”
Fourth: The Scientific Explanation
Modern science supports the concept of six
stages in cosmic development:
1. The Big Bang (13.8 billion years ago): The beginning of time, space, matter, and energy.
2. Formation of atomic building blocks: Hydrogen and helium formed within minutes.
3. Formation of stars and galaxies: Hundreds of millions of years later, stars formed,
producing heavier elements.
4. Formation of planets and solar systems: Around 4.6 billion years ago, our solar system
emerged.
5. Earth’s preparation for life: Cooling, atmosphere, water, and geology developed
over vast time spans.
6. Emergence of life: Life appeared 3.8 billion years ago, gradually
progressing until humanity.
This sequence aligns with the Qur’anic “six
days,” interpreted as six stages of creation.
Fifth: Why “Six Days” Specifically?
The number six symbolizes completeness and
order: six directions (up, down, right, left, front, back). At-Ṭabari said: “Choosing six days reflects divine
order, enabling human comprehension of creation’s sequence.”
Mentioning “six days” teaches mankind the
value of reflection:
“Say, ˹O
Prophet,˺ ‘Travel
throughout the land and see how He originated the creation’” (Al-`Ankabut 29: 20)
The long cosmic timeline does not indicate
delay but reveals mankind’s honored status: “Indeed,
We have dignified the children of Adam” (Al-‘Isra’ 17: 70), “Indeed, We have
created everything, perfectly preordained”
(al-Qamar 54: 49)
Humanity’s late arrival marks not
insignificance but culmination—mankind is the crown of
creation, not its margin.
The doubt arises from a limited human view
of time and the nature of Allah.
Allah can create instantly, but He chose
gradual creation to manifest His wisdom and to honor mankind, whom He appointed
as His vicegerent on earth.
