Cosmology
BTNews
Is modern scientific Cosmology compatible with Islamic Cosmology as
found in the Quran and vice versa?
Answer:-
You will find the following answer in The Alternate Way, Book 9-
Science. Chapter 2. Physics:-
Summary: -
1. The Physical world (the World of Causes in contrast to the World of
of Values) is explained in Modern Science By two Theories - The
Relativity Theory that deals with Gravity and the very large and the
Quantum Theory that deals with the very small. These two theories are
mutually exclusive and incompatible with each other. They cannot,
therefore, be a true explanation of the Universe. This is quite apart
from the fact that there is no explanation for the existence of the
these Theories - for why the universe should conform to them.
2. Relativity Theory predicts the existence of Black Holes, the
centres of which contain a Singularity that is point with infinite
gravity where space and time disappear and all the Laws of Physics
cease to operate. Masses can orbit around it, but if they fall into
it then nothing, not even light, can escape. The Singularity exists in
the Universe but it is obviously outside the Laws of Physics and there
is nothing predictable about it. In fact, the singularity could give
rise to anything whatever.
3. Black Holes have been found to be quite common throughout the
Universe and exist in various sizes. The centres of all Galaxies are
now though to have super-massive Black Holes. The sizes of the
Galaxies are proportional t0 the size of the Black Holes at their
centre showing that Galaxy is kept together by the gravity of the
Black Hole. The Galaxy is like the Solar system and the cells in
bodies in having a controlling nucleus.
4. According to Quantum Theory that which observed is affected by the
process of observation. Laws and processes are statistical in nature.
They are not certainties but various degrees of probability. Anything
whatever has a certain probability of arising though the
actualisations may happen in different conditions.
5. Observation has shown that the stars are receding from each other
so that the Universe is expanding. This means that we trace time
backwards then in past the Universe must have arisen in a Big Bang
from a Singularity, the very entity where no Physical Laws exist and
no causes of any kind. We can call this the Absolute Origin. The
Universe was, therefore, created Supernaturally as a miracle and all
its Laws must have arisen from that. There is no reason to believe
that no other sets of laws, an infinite number, could not also have
arisen in the same way. It is merely the case that creatures evolved
from one set of Laws are sensitive and adapted to those.
6. It is not difficult to see that all this is exactly as the Quran
describes the ultimate nature of existence to be. The Origin is Allah
who is a Singularity - Nothing is like Him - and He creates as He
will. However, it is not necessary that the only laws and processes
that exist are the ones described by Science. It is much more likely
that Science has selected certain features of nature for attention,
i.e. those that are most familiar and conform to acceptable
assumptions and predispositions, and that is what governs what it
sees.
7. Scientists are trying to find a Theory of Everything that will
incorporate both Relativity and Quantum Theories. But the problem
remains. It will be a description of the Universe which does not
explain why the Universe conforms to that description. Suppose the
origin and cause of the Absolute Singularity was to be discovered (it
would have to be Supernatural), then we would have to explain the
origin of that. And so on. We get an infinite regression which is
itself contained in the idea of an Infinite Absolute Self-existing
Allah. Ultimately, such a description will be one that is contained in
our consciousness and it will be connected with the nature of that
consciousness.
Hamid S. Aziz