Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
Aristotle’s Metaphysics
Aristotle, the eminent Greek philosopher of the 4th century BCE, posited that the universe is eternal, without beginning or end. This perspective is elaborated in his works, particularly in “Physics” and “Metaphysics,” where he presents several arguments to support the concept of an eternal cosmos.
Argument from Motion
In “Physics,” Aristotle contends that motion is perpetual and without origin. He reasons that if motion had a starting point, there must have been a transition from a state of rest to motion. However, initiating motion from absolute rest would necessitate a preceding cause, leading to an infinite regress. To avoid this paradox, Aristotle concludes that motion must be eternal, implying an everlasting universe.
The Unmoved Mover
Central to Aristotle’s metaphysical framework is the concept of the “Unmoved Mover,” an eternal, immutable entity that instigates motion without itself undergoing any change. This prime mover serves as the ultimate cause of all motion and existence in the universe. Since the Unmoved Mover is eternal, the motion it initiates—and consequently the universe—must also be eternal.
Impossibility of Creation Ex Nihilo
Aristotle challenges the notion of creation from nothing, asserting that everything that comes into existence arises from a substratum or underlying matter. If the universe had a beginning, it would have emerged from pre-existing matter. However, this leads to a contradiction, as it implies the existence of matter before its creation. Therefore, Aristotle argues that matter—and by extension, the universe—must be eternal.
Eternal Natural Order
Aristotle observes that natural processes, such as the cycles of seasons and celestial movements, exhibit a consistent and unending pattern. This perpetual regularity suggests an eternal natural order, reinforcing the idea of an everlasting universe. He posits that the constancy observed in nature reflects the universe’s eternal nature.
Influence on Medieval Thought
Aristotle’s doctrine of an eternal universe significantly influenced medieval philosophy, especially within Islamic and Christian scholastic traditions. Philosophers like Averroes and Thomas Aquinas grappled with reconciling Aristotle’s views with theological doctrines of creation. This led to extensive debates on the nature of the universe’s existence and the relationship between reason and faith.
Conclusion
Aristotle’s assertion of the universe’s eternality is a cornerstone of his philosophical system, intertwining his theories of motion, causality, and natural order. By positing an eternal cosmos, he provides a framework that challenges the concept of temporal creation, prompting profound discussions that have resonated through centuries of philosophical inquiry.
Aristotle’s ideas were considered gospel truth before the Renaissance and formed the general scholarly opinion until the recent centuries.
The Big Bang Theory
The Big Bang theory, a cornerstone of modern cosmology, posits that the universe originated from an extremely hot and dense singularity approximately 13.8 billion years ago. This model challenges the notion of an eternal universe by suggesting a definitive beginning to space, time, and matter.
Finite Age of the Universe
The concept of a finite universe age is central to the Big Bang theory. Observations indicate that galaxies are receding from each other, implying that, in the past, they were closer together. Extrapolating this expansion backward leads to a singular point of origin, marking the commencement of the universe. This contradicts the idea of an eternal, unchanging cosmos.
Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
The discovery of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation provides compelling evidence for the Big Bang. This faint glow, permeating the universe, is the residual heat from the initial explosion, now cooled and stretched due to cosmic expansion. The existence of the CMB supports a universe that has evolved over time, rather than one that has existed eternally in a steady state.
Elemental Abundance
The observed proportions of light elements, such as hydrogen, helium, and lithium, align with predictions from Big Bang nucleosynthesis models. These models describe the formation of elements in the early universe, suggesting a specific timeline for their creation. An eternal universe would likely exhibit a different elemental composition, inconsistent with current observations.
Olbers’ Paradox
Olbers’ paradox questions why the night sky is dark if the universe is infinite and eternal, filled uniformly with stars. The Big Bang theory addresses this by proposing a finite age for the universe, limiting the number of stars whose light has reached us. Additionally, the expansion of the universe redshifts distant starlight beyond the visible spectrum, contributing to the darkness of the night sky.
Conclusion
The Big Bang theory provides a robust framework for understanding the universe’s origins, presenting substantial evidence against the concept of an eternal cosmos. By introducing a finite beginning, it reshapes our comprehension of cosmic history and the evolution of the universe.
The Quranic verses
The Quran, the holy scripture of Islam, contains verses that some scholars and believers interpret as aligning with modern scientific understandings of the universe’s origins, particularly the Big Bang theory. While the Quran was revealed in the seventh century the Big Bang theory was proposed and accepted in the twentieth century.
One of the most frequently cited verses in this context is:
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” (Quran 21:30)
This verse suggests that the heavens and the earth were once a unified entity before being separated, which some interpret as a reference to the initial singularity and subsequent expansion described by the Big Bang theory. Islam Religion
Another verse that is often associated with modern cosmology is:
“And the heaven We created with might, and indeed We are [its] expander.” (Quran 51:47)
This has been interpreted to correspond with the discovery that the universe is expanding, a concept first proposed by Edwin Hubble in the 20th century. About Islam
The alignment between these Quranic verses and modern scientific theories has been a topic of discussion among scholars and believers. Most contemporary Muslim scholars take these correlations as evidence of the Quran’s divine origin, containing knowledge that predates modern scientific discoveries.