The big-bang theory: A critical examination of words used by Allah in the Quran to describe it (II)
In the first instalment of the above captioned article published in The Ghanaian Times, the Quranic words used in describing the big-bang theory were critically examined. This critical examination is continued in this second instalment.
The size of the single matter from which evolved the present universe was not defined in both the Quran and the big-bang theory. From the theory scientists tell us that matter was of infinite density. The nearest equivalent of matter having infinite density is the infinitesimally small nucleus of the atom packed with nuclear particles like protons and neutrons. Thus making the nucleus of the atom the densest matter in the universe. From which can be deduced the fact that the size of the nuclear radius housing the nuclear particles must be of the same order as the size of the single matter for the fact that both are densest. Similarly, when we use terms like fireball in connection with the size of the single matter, here as well things are not defined. We can only deduce from it the fact that it is of the size of a ball. Perhaps, the maximum dimension of a fireball is that of a modern football used in playing games. In the Holy Quran, the size of this single matter can be deduced from the verse; “And they have not estimated Allah as He rightly is in His true estimation. And the entire earth shall be in His grasp (Qabdat) on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens rolled (Matwiyaat) in His right hand” (Quran 39:68).
Meaning that the reduction of the entire size of the earth to a grasp in His hand should give you the correct estimate of His Powers and Might. Similarly, the rolling of the rest of the universe (minus the earth) to the small size of a scribe’s manuscript in His right Hand shall serve as another estimate of His Might. Apart from Him who else can do that? None. From the word Qabdat, grasp is deduced the scientific fact that the single matter could be of that size. For the fact that the entire size of the earth shall be crunched in the Hand of Allah to that small incredible size.
Similarly, from the word Matwiyaat, meaning a folded up object, can be deduced the use of force by Allah in crunching the infinite size of the universe to that vanishingly small size of the measure of a scroll in the hand of a scribe. Matwiyaat derive from Tawaa, meaning to fold in which process you apply force to fold a mat, carpet or scroll.
Notwithstanding the lack of it’s precise definition in terms of size it is unmistakably clear that a grasp of the entire earth in a hand of the size of man’s hand and a folded up universe in a hand of the size of a man’s hand, truly falls within the order of sizes prescribed by the single matter and the fireball. The two key words Qabdat (Grasp) and Matwiyaat (Folded up matter) aptly implies the use of force in reducing the entire matter in the earth and in the universe to the respective sizes of a grasp of an object in the hand and folded up scroll respectively (See Fig 1 and 2).
The following verse also throws more light on Quran 39:68: “The day when We shall fold up (Natwii) the heaven like the folding up of written scroll by a scribe. As We began the first creation so shall we repeat it – a promise binding on us” (Quran 21:105). Meaning that there is an appointed day (Day of Resurrection) when Allah, the Omnipotent, shall reduce the size of the entire universe (heaven) to the size of a scroll on which scribes write. This size of a scroll defines the size of the single matter. The term “As we began the first creation” refers to the big-bang that marked the birth of the universe from which man, eventually, evolved as last of creations created by God. Similarly, the term “So shall We repeat it (Nu-iiduhu)” mean that when the on-going expansion reaches its maximum it shall be reversed and then continuously reduced in size by Allah till the original size of single matter is attained once more. This view by Allah in the Holy Quran is remarkably similar to views expressed by modern science: “The two choices for the fate of the universe are expansion forever and expansion leading eventually to contraction”. In other words from the big-bang theory can be deduced the following two options. Namely, either the expansion of the universe goes on indefinitely or expands to its maximum limit. Then reverses and begins to reduce in size (contraction). The following views makes matters clearer; “On the day the universe reaches its maximum size, the dim galaxies will pause for a moment and then will begin to fall towards each other with increasing speed”. Meaning that at the distance of maximum expansion (from the earth) the galaxies will look dimmer than as at now. They will then stop moving momentarily. This is what is meant by “will pause for a moment”. After that they will then begin to move with speed, in the opposite direction, towards each other from all angles. This is what is meant by “and then will begin to fall towards each other with increasing speed”. Elsewhere we also read: “The implication of that observation will be that all the galaxies are rushing towards an appointment with each other in what has been called the “Big Crunch”. Meaning that the galaxies including the sun and the planets, will be rushing to a common point, where they will be crunched into single matter under a “big-crunch”. Compare “crunch” to “grasp” (Qabdat) and “to fold up” (Tawaa). You will not fail to appreciate the fact that there is the use of force in all of them.
Conclusion
Modern science and the Holy Quran are agreed on the possibility of the repeatability or reproducibility of the big-bang from single matter to maximum expansion and back from expansion to single matter. Once more the Quran uses words in the technical scientific sense to convey that message. These are; Qabdat (Grasp), Matwiyaat (Folded up scribes), Aada (To return to an original state, to repeat).
BY KHALID KOFI AHMAD
