In the vast silence of nonexistence, before time began, before the first star flickered into life, there was only Allah, the Eternal. The Creator whose power was beyond comprehension and whose wisdom encompassed all. It was His will that the universe should come into being, and with a single command, He set into motion the divine act of creation.
The Command
There was no sound, no flash of light, only His Word, and the heavens and the earth began to form. It was as if the universe awakened at that moment, for the heavens and the earth were once a singular mass. Then, by Allah’s decree, they were torn apart, and the formless expanse began to take shape. "Do not the disbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them..." (Quran 21:30).
The heavens stretched across the void, expanding into seven vast layers, each one with a purpose, invisible yet tangible in their grandeur. There were no stars yet, no planets, no time to be marked. But in this nascent creation, everything was held in balance. The lowest of these heavens, closest to the earth, was soon adorned with stars—bright and powerful. They blazed across the sky, casting light into the dark expanse, some of them serving as protection against rebellious beings seeking to breach the divine boundaries. "And We adorned the lowest heaven with stars..." (Quran 67:5).
Above and beyond, the other layers of heaven stood, silent and immense, watching over the new universe like sentinels of divine order.
The Formation of the Earth
Below the heavens, the earth was coming into its own. Allah spread it wide, crafting its contours with precision. Once a barren, desolate mass, it began to take form, firm and stable. Mountains rose from its surface, anchored deep into its foundations to prevent it from shifting. The valleys, the hills, and the plains stretched out as far as the eye could see, empty but waiting, ready for life. "And We placed within the earth firmly set mountains, lest it should shift with them..." (Quran 21:31).
Rivers and seas traced their paths across the land, carving their way through the mountains, creating a network of life-giving water that would nourish all that was to come. Rain began to fall from the sky, giving the barren soil its first taste of moisture. In response, the earth burst with life. Plants of all kinds, each unique, pushed through the ground—lush forests, delicate flowers, and towering trees. Grains and fruits hung from branches, and meadows spread their verdant blankets far and wide.
The earth, once lifeless, now teemed with life, prepared for the next phase of creation.
The Creation of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars
But the earth needed more than water and vegetation; it needed light and warmth to sustain what would come. So Allah created the sun, a blazing orb of fire, its energy reaching every corner of the earth. It was placed in perfect proximity, neither too close to burn nor too far to freeze the planet below. "And made therein a burning lamp..." (Quran 78:13).
Next, the moon was created, its pale glow reflecting the light of the sun, guiding the night. It moved in phases, waxing and waning, marking the passage of time. The stars that had been set into the heavens now dotted the night sky, twinkling above, guiding travelers and casting beauty across the firmament.
Allah had set the universe in perfect order—day and night, light and darkness, all in harmony.
The Creation of the Angels and Jinn
Before life could walk the earth, other creations had already been brought into existence. The angels, beings of pure light, were created long before the earth took form. They were creatures of absolute devotion, without will except to fulfill Allah’s commands. Each angel had its purpose—some carried the throne of Allah, others managed the winds, the rain, or the affairs of creation. They filled the heavens, moving unseen, praising and worshipping endlessly. "They exalt [Him] night and day and do not slacken." (Quran 21:20).
Alongside the angels, Allah created the jinn, a race of beings made from smokeless fire. Unlike the angels, the jinn were granted free will. They could choose to obey or disobey, to worship or rebel. The jinn were hidden from human eyes, but they roamed the earth and the heavens, living in realms unseen by mankind. Some among the jinn, like Iblis, were once devout in their worship, rising in status due to their dedication.
Yet, as the divine plan unfolded, Iblis’ heart would soon darken with pride, setting him on a path that would forever alter the course of creation.
The Creation of Life on Earth
With the earth now ready, Allah turned His attention to life upon its surface. He filled the seas with fish, great and small, their scales gleaming beneath the waves. The skies were soon alive with birds of every kind, their wings spreading wide as they soared through the air. On the land, creatures of all forms appeared—some that grazed, others that prowled, each with its purpose, all in perfect harmony with their environment. "And He has created the grazing livestock for you; in them is warmth and [numerous] benefits, and from them you eat." (Quran 16:5).
Each species was unique, and each played its role in the delicate balance of life. The earth flourished with creatures, from the tiniest insect to the mightiest of beasts, all under the watchful gaze of their Creator. Every living thing owed its existence to the will of Allah, for He had decreed, "And We made from water every living thing." (Quran 21:30).
The Creation of Adam
Yet, there was one final creation, the one for whom the earth had been prepared. From the clay of the earth, Allah shaped a new being—Adam. Unlike the angels and the jinn, Adam was unique, for he was formed with both body and soul, given intellect and the ability to choose. From dust and clay, Adam’s form was molded, but it was not until Allah breathed into him of His spirit that Adam came to life. "He created him from dust, then said to him, 'Be,' and he was." (Quran 3:59).
Adam opened his eyes, his first sight the grandeur of creation around him. He was unlike any being that had come before, capable of speech, understanding, and reasoning. Allah, in His mercy, taught Adam the names of all things—every plant, every animal, the stars, and the mountains. This knowledge was a gift, setting Adam apart, giving him the capacity to comprehend the world around him.
When Allah presented Adam before the angels, He commanded them to bow in recognition of the honor bestowed upon him. The angels obeyed without question, bowing in submission. But Iblis, filled with arrogance, refused. He saw himself as superior, for he was made of fire, while Adam was made of clay. "I am better than him. You created me from fire, and You created him from clay." (Quran 7:12).
For this act of defiance, Iblis was cast out of paradise, condemned to a life of enmity with Adam and his descendants. But even in his exile, Iblis swore vengeance, vowing to mislead Adam and all those who would come after him.
The Creation of Eve and the Test
To Adam, Allah gave a companion—Eve, created to share in the joys of life, to walk beside him in paradise. Together, they lived in peace, surrounded by the beauty of the garden. They were free to enjoy everything around them, except for one simple command: to stay away from a particular tree. "O Adam, dwell you and your wife in Paradise and eat from wherever you will, but do not approach this tree, lest you become among the wrongdoers." (Quran 2:35).
For a time, they lived in blissful harmony, unaware of Iblis’ lurking presence. But Iblis had not forgotten his promise. Whispering to Adam and Eve, he planted seeds of doubt in their hearts. "Did Allah forbid you this tree only so you would not become angels or live forever?" he said, twisting the truth with deception.
Eventually, they succumbed to temptation. They tasted the forbidden fruit, and in that instant, they realized their mistake. Their state of innocence was lost, and they became aware of their nakedness. In shame, they covered themselves with leaves from the garden, but it was too late.
Allah called out to them, "Did I not forbid you from that tree and tell you that Satan is your clear enemy?" (Quran 7:22).
Filled with regret, Adam and Eve cried out in repentance, "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers." (Quran 7:23).
Allah, in His infinite mercy, accepted their repentance. But as a consequence of their disobedience, they were sent down to earth, to live, work, and build their lives. Yet, Allah did not leave them without hope. He promised them guidance, and as long as they followed His path, they would find peace and salvation.
And so, the heavens and the earth were completed. The stars shone brightly.
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