I have a question for Muslims regarding the creation verses:
"We have created the heavens and the earth, and everything between them in six days, and no fatigue touched us. "
Qur'an 50:38
I have read that this verse makes sense in terms of science because the arabic word for "days" can also be translated to "time periods" which I understand.
My question is regarding the similarity of this between the verse in the old testement. I'm guessing the original language of the old testement was Hebrew?
"For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day He RESTED, and was REFRESHED"
Exo. 31:17
So does the word "days" in Hebrew also mean "time period?"
Or do you think this verse was originally sent down in the Old testement as "time period" and people later changed the word to "days." Don't you think its just a little strange that the Bible says six days and the arabic word used can also mean "days"?
I hope I have made myself clear...if not I'll try to explain some more
Thanks for the help
That's interesting, Chris. I didn't realise that there were such similarities between the Quran and the OT with regards to the creation of the world ...
If I can add a question (without wanting to take this thread of topic), why does the Quran say "We have created the heavens and the earth, and everything between them in six days, and no fatigue touched us." Who are we in this case? Is it meant as a royal 'we', or does it mean more than one person/being?
As to your question, as far as I understand the Hebrew word for 'day' can also mean 'age' or 'period of time' - which would give the whole creation story a quite different perspective.
Some Christians believe that God created the world in literally 6 days,but my guess is that the majority of Christians do not believe that ...
Looking forward to hearing the Islamic perspective on this ...
Peace
Peace glo
Here I stand.
I can do no other.
May God help me.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down •
and kneel before the Lord our Maker
[Psalm 95]
By the way, glo - the We and Us is a royal way of speaking. I.e. if the queen addresses the people, she uses the word 'we' instead of 'me' and this is how Allaah Almighty addresses Himself in the Qur'an. And Allaah knows best.
Not all explanations of these verses translate "days" into "time periods". For instance, the explanation given by Ibn Katheer goes as far as to mention on which days certain events occurred. Also, there is a detailed analysis of these verses here:
If we go by the understanding that indeed these verses are referring to the concept of 'days' as we know them, is it so hard to believe that God created everything in six days? An interesting explanation of this is given here:
In the context of quran it means a cycle of time. There are some scholars who believe the day was = 24hrs (i.e. universe was created in the time span of 24hrs * 6). However, from objective point of view it is not clear whether it was 24hrs day or time span measures to something else - as the verse doesn't go into the detail of the measure of time span unlike some other verses that use the word 'day'.
Points to ponder:
In verse 22:47, Allah says that the time span of a day at the day of judgement will be about 1,000 years in relation to the time here on earth now.
In verse 70:4, Allah says that Angels and the Spirit ascend to Him in a day which corresponds to 50,000 years on earth.
Hebrew word for day is similar in meaning to the arabic word (i.e. it means a cycle of time, epoch, etc..)
Last edited by Chuck; 12-03-2006 at 09:34 PM.
It is not Al-Birr (piety, righteousness, and obedience to Allâh, etc.) that you turn your faces towards east and (or) west (in prayers); but Al-Birr is (the quality of) the one who believes in Allâh, the Last Day, the Angels, the Book, the Prophets and gives his wealth, in spite of love for it, to the kinsfolk, to the orphans, and to Al-Masâkîn (the poor), and to the wayfarer, and to those who ask, and to set slaves free, performs As-Salât, and gives the Zakât, and keep their word whenever they make a promise, and who are patient in extreme poverty and ailment (disease) and at the time of persecution, hardship, and war. Such are the people of the truth and they are Al-Muttaqûn (the pious).
I think the distinguishing difference of both the text in this place is the:
5and God calleth to the light `Day,' and to the darkness He hath called `Night;' and there is an evening, and there is a morning -- day one.
I always used to love reading those passages
Anyhow, the fact that evening and morning is written show a clear indication that it is speaking of a 24 hour period, where as the Qu'ran does not state such a thing.
Also Glo, it is a respect of plurality. I know others have explained, I'll give you a little insight.
In my original tongue which is pretty much close to Arabic and others, when we see our granfather, or someone who's an elder, we walk into the house and say 'Kemey Alekhum' This in english would be, 'How are you all' same as Salam Aleykum, Peace be upon you all.
And sometimes the grandfather or elder would say, 'Dahan Alena' which would be 'Ok we are' so they are refering to themselves as plural but he would be only one grandfather, it is part of the respect.
The path is long but I hope we meet,
After the grave and the Day, in paradise in bliss upon a reclined seat.
A traveler traveling - travelled from shirk to tawheed,
If I'm remembered for anything - let it be the Mercy I seek.
That's interesting, Chris. I didn't realise that there were such similarities between the Quran and the OT with regards to the creation of the world ...
If I can add a question (without wanting to take this thread of topic), why does the Quran say "We have created the heavens and the earth, and everything between them in six days, and no fatigue touched us." Who are we in this case? Is it meant as a royal 'we', or does it mean more than one person/being?
As to your question, as far as I understand the Hebrew word for 'day' can also mean 'age' or 'period of time' - which would give the whole creation story a quite different perspective.
Some Christians believe that God created the world in literally 6 days,but my guess is that the majority of Christians do not believe that ...
Looking forward to hearing the Islamic perspective on this ...
Peace
this question was Answer in this websit http://www.islamweb.net and this is what the both or sis said about the Quran sayin We..
Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
The Qur'an was revealed in Arabic. Arabs use many rhetorical styles. Among these styles is the use of 'We' instead of 'I' in order to show glorification on the part of a speaker.
This style is common in the Qur'an. Here are some examples:
Allah Says (interpretation of meaning): {And indeed We created the heavens and the earth and all between them in six Days …}[50:38]
Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {And (remember) when We said: "Enter this town (Jerusalem) ….}[2:58]
Allah also Says (interpretation of meaning): {And when We decide to destroy a town (population), We (first) send a definite order (to obey Allâh and be righteous) to those among them [or We (first) increase in number those of its population] who are given the good things of this life. …}[17:16].
As for the words "'Abodoon: You have to worship Me" and "Khafoon: fear Allah" and the like, they represent forms of instruction and order, not forms of notification and informing.
But, in case of singular imperative we use the singular "I", not "we" if we intend glorification.
Allah knows best.
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