The cosmos or integrated and whole universe is made up of various parts. There are the galaxies and solar systems that are above and beyond earth. On earth, there are inanimate objects, such as the mountains, oceans and land. There is also the animal kingdom with all its great varieties. There are aspects of creation that humans are still discovering and coming across today. All of these are actually part and parcel of the creative work of God.

In the Quran, it is clear that it was Allah Who created the heavens and the earth. For example, Allah says, “He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. High be He Exalted above all they associate as partners with Him” (16:3). “He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term.

Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving” (39:5). In sum, Allah says, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He is the Disposer of affairs over all things” (39:62). Allah’s power to create i s beyond comprehension. It is simply a matter of Him giving the command and the object is created. Allah says, “[Allah] the Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, ‘Be!’—and behold it is” (2:117; also see 36:82 and 40:68). He is the One who created, shaped, determined portions and guided the different parts of the creation. Allah says, “Glorify the Name of your Lord, the Most High, Who has created (everything), and then proportioned it; And Who has measured; then guided” (87:1-3).

Allah has also stated that He created the heavens and the earth in six stages. “Allah it is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them in six Days.1 Then He rose over the Throne [in a manner that suits His Majesty]. You [humankind] have none, besides Him, as a protector or an intercessor. Will you not then remember (or be admonished)?” (32:4; also see 7:54; 10:3; 11:7; 25:59).

In the section entitled, “The Belief that God is the Sole Creator and Sustainer of all Creation,” there was a lengthy discussion of how the make-up of this creation clearly points to the fact that

there is only one Creator and Sustainer. There is no need to repeat that discussion here. However, some other very important points can be derived from pondering over this creation.

In numerous verses of the Quran, Allah points to different aspects of the creation and describes them as signs for those people who reflect.1 For example, Allah says, “And it is He Who spread out the earth, and placed therein firm mountains and rivers and of every kind of fruits He made two in pairs. He brings the night as a cover over the day. Verily, in these things, there are signs for people who reflect” (13:3). “He it is Who sends down water (rain) from the sky; from it you drink and from it (grows) the vegetation on which you send your cattle to pasture; With it He causes to grow for you the crops, the olives, the date-palms, the grapes, and every kind of fruit.

Verily! In this is indeed an evident proof and a manifest sign for people who give thought. And He has subjected to you the night and the day, the sun and the moon; and the stars are subjected by His Command. Surely, in this are proofs for people who understand. And whatsoever He has created for you on this earth of varying colors.

Verily! In this is a sign for people who remember” (16:10-13). As a final example, Allah also says, “Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, and the ships which sail through the sea with that which is of use to mankind, and the water (rain) which Allah sends down from the sky and makes the earth alive therewith after its death, and the moving (living) creatures of all kinds that He has scattered therein, and in the veering of winds And clouds which are held between the sky and the earth, are indeed signs for people of understanding” (2:164).

In the hustle and bustle of today’s world, many find little time to reflect upon this creation, their presence in this creation and any purpose behind it all. However, it is important that people take the time to reflect and think. When they do so, they will find signs and lessons that will bring them straight back to God—a most important step in their lives. The signs are actually all around them, if they would only reflect upon them. Thus, God says, “We will show them Our Signs in the universe, and in their own selves, until it becomes manifest to them that this (the Quran) is the truth. Is it not sufficient in regard to your Lord that He is a Witness over all things?” (41:53).
Reflecting upon the intricacy and order of this creation makes one realize that there must be some purpose behind this creation. It is unimaginable that any being would make something with such precision and perfection and yet there would be no rhyme or reason to the whole creation.1 This is a point that Allah makes in numerous places in the Quran.

For example, Allah says, “We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a (mere) play” (21:16).

Allah also says, “Verily! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah (always, and in prayers) standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and think deeply about the creation of the heavens and the earth, (saying): ‘Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory to You! (Exalted be You above all that they associate with You as partners). Give us salvation from the torment of the Fire’” (3:190191).

Allah also says, “Do they not think deeply (in their own selves) about themselves? Allah has created not the heavens and the earth, and all that is between them, except with truth and for an appointed term. And indeed many of mankind deny the Meeting with their Lord” (30:8). Again, Allah says, “Did you think that We had created you in play (without any purpose), and that you would not be brought back to Us?” (23:115).

The Quranic argument is that it is not logically possible to come to any other conclusion. Indeed, if a person believes in God as the Creator, by definition it is unbecoming of such a noble and great to create all of this order and beauty and yet have no purpose behind that creation. A person who believes in a creator yet believes that this creator had no purpose or thought behind his creation is describing a creator that is childlike and unintelligent. It is hard to believe that a creator like that could possibly come up with a creation like the one that everyone witnesses today. No, indeed, the creation points to certain attributes of the Creator and it points to there being an important and great purpose behind this entire creation. The whole nature of the existence points to the Creator being one of very special character who would not create anything of this nature simply in sport or jest. That Creator could only be Allah with His perfect and sublime attributes—that is, this creation needs Allah and it could not be just and proper except under the control of Allah, exactly as Allah Thus, Allah says in the Quran, “Had there been therein (in the heavens and the earth) gods besides Allah, then verily they both1 would have been ruined. Glorified be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, (High is He) above what they attribute to Him” (21:22).
A second very important conclusion that one can derive by simply pondering over this creation is that the one who created this from nothing can easily recreate it. If He has the ability to recreate things even after their demise, this also means that He has the ability to resurrect them and bring them all in front of Him. This thought, obviously, has very ominous repercussions for humans and their behavior in this world. Thus, Allah points out this fact and reminds humans of its meaning throughout the Quran.