The Eternal Miracle (2/2)

V. The Big-bang Theory

The big-bang is a theory of cosmology in which the expansion of the universe is presumed to have begun in a primeval explosion. In this theory the following principles are to be regarded unquestionable:

1) Observations:

Our observations supply us with information applicable to the universe as a whole. In other words, the part of the universe that we actually observe represents the entire cosmos. Allah says:

“...  And  indeed  you  will  never  find  any  alteration  in ’Allah’s order (and laws)  nor will you ever find any deformation in Allah’s enactment (and laws) .” (Surah Fatir: 43)

2) The expanding universe:

If no new matter is being added to the expanding universe, then the total mass of the entire universe remains constant. This simply means that all the matter in the universe must have once been close together. Once more, amazingly enough, one reads in the Qur’an:

a) “With power and skill did We construct the heavens (the universe) and indeed We are expanding them.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat: 47)

b) “Do not the disbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one until before We split them apart ...” (Surah Al-Anbyia’: 30)                                                         

Evidently, this means that once (before time) some original big explosion started-galaxies moving away from each other, and the red-shift law began to apply.

3) The universe must have a finite age:

Disregarding gravity, galaxies moving in space should have their speeds not changed since the explosion took place. A galaxy at a distance S units moving at a speed V units must have been receding from us for the time.

t =   S/V = 10 to 20 billion years

This represents the limits of the age of the universe.

4) About the geometry and space:

According to the general theory of Relativity, the geometry of space is affected by the presence of matter in it, and travel- ling in space is thus accomplished in curved lines. The Qur’an refers to this effect by the word (ya‘ruj), as mentioned in book (3) P. (115-116). The word means to move in curved all lines:

“He (Allah) knows all that goes into the earth and all that comes out thereof; all that comes down from the heaven and all that yan’nuj (mounts) thereto and He is Ar-Rahim Al-Ghafur.” (Surah Saba’: 2)

5) The velocities of escape of galaxies from each other depend on the mean density of matter in the universe. This has been estimated to be between 10-29 to 10-31 gram per cm 3.

Galaxies would eventually fall back together as soon as they start moving slower than some critical velocity of escape. This is made sure by the Qur’an  which says for example:

“On that day (the Hereafter) We shall roll up the heavens like the rolling up of the scrolls. As We originated the first creation We shall bring it forth again; a promise incumbent on Us; so shall We perform.” (Surah Al-Anbiya’: 104)

In conclusion, observational and theoretical evidences show that the universe is expanding as a result of its evolution form a big-bang billions of years ago. After the stage of expansion, the entire universe will collapse and shrink by gravity into a limited space as it happened to be at the beginning of creation. These conclusions also find support in some cosmic verses in the Qur’an.