In
the name of Allah The Beneficent,The Merciful
When
we are dead and have become dust and bones,
shall we then, indeed be raised again?
Al
Quran Sura 37 verse l6
PREFACE
We
did not will ourselves into existence nor do we accept death
willingly. Life seems almost endless especially when things
are going well. As we rush through our daily business we hardly
notice the irony, that all this must eventually end.
All major religions of the world ascribe
to some form of belief in life after death. The Day of judgment
is one of the fundamental beliefs of the Muslims, Christians,
and Jews. Hindus also have their almost endless reincarnations
followed by the final reunion with the supreme being.
Even if we believe firrnly in "The day
of Judgment," anything that can enhance our belief is highly
desirable. In this context let us look at the story of Prophet
Ibrahim (peace be on him) given in the Quran. (Sura ii verse
260). Prophet Ibrahim wanted to know how Allah gives life
to the dead. He said that he believed that it is the truth
but he would like to have some reassurance. Allah then showed
him a miracle. If a great prophet like Ibrahim could wish
for reassurance then surely simple folks like us are in need
of a lot more. This is especially true in the present day
world where many beliefs have been demolished by advances
in science. Fortunately for the Muslims, scientific advancements
have explained many of the obscure verses in the Quran and
have given new meaning to others. Quran, because of this,
stands raised far above other religious books in its authority
as a truly revealed book.
There is only one version of the Quran.
It is the only religious book that even the critics of Islam
admit was never altered since its revelation to Prophet Mohammed
(Pbuh) fourteen hundred years ago. There are many verses in
the Quran that describe scientific facts that were discovered
only in the last one hundred years. There is consistency in
its description of various phenomenon. The verses accurately
describe ideas that are in agreement with modern observations
about the universe. According to the Quran, life originated
in w ater and was created in numerous stages. There is mention
of the orbits of sun and moon and possibility of numerous
other worlds like the earth. There is also the impression
of higher dimensions. The paradise and hell appear to be beyond
this universe in some other dimension.
In this article, I would like to propose
that even at the present time with our limited knowledge,
there are remarkable similarities between some theories of
cosmology and the day of judgment described in the Quran.
I believe in the future, science will reinforce these predictions.
However this is not the only way the day of judgment could
come and indeed the real knowledge is with Allah only.
In
the name of Allah The Beneficent,The Merciful
Man thinks that We shall not assemble
his bones Yes Truly! Yes, We are able to resfore his very
fingers!
Sura 75 verses 3 & 4
INTRODUCTION
TO COSMOLOGY
To
understand how the fiuture of the universe is linked to the
day of judgment we will need to know some cosmology. We will
in the next few pages learn, how the universe began, what
it is like now and what are the future possibilities in store
for us.
Our solar system consists of earth and
nine other planets that are moving in an orbit around a star
we call the sun. The sun along with two hundred billion other
stars, comprises our galaxy "The Milky Way," which is similar
to "The Andromeda" galaxy, that is shown on the cover of this
article. The galaxies are roughly shaped like a disc, with
the stars moving in circular orbits at various distances around
a large central mass.
THE
LIGHT YEARS
The
vastness of the universe requires, that the distances be measured
in "Light years." Light year is the distance, traveled by
light, in a year, at the speed of three hundred thousand kilometers
per second. The distance from the earth to the sun is eight
minutes at the speed of light. Compared to this the nearest
star from earth other than our sun is four light years away.
Our galaxy, "The Milky Way," is one hundred and fifty thousand
light years across. This means that traveling at the speed
of light, it will take one hundred and fifty thousand years
to go from one side of it to the other. Average separation
of the galaxies is about ten million light years. Many hundred
billion such galaxies are part of the truly gigantic universe.
The
creation of the heavens and the earth is definitely greater
thing than the creation of mankind, but most of mankind knows
not.
Sura 40 verse 57.
THE
RECEDING GALAXIES
When
the light that is coming from galaxies other than our "Milky
Way," is analyzed, using an instrument called the spectroscope,
we find that they are moving away from us at tremendous speeds.
The more distant a galaxy is the greater is its speed of recession.
This motion of the galaxies is due to the expansion of the
universe. The universe began in a tremendous explosion called
"The big bang" and is expanding since then. The universe is
not just a sphere of galaxies rushing away from each other
into unending emptiness of space. It is like a balloon with
many dots on it, each representing a galaxy. The surface of
this balloon, that is two dimensional, represents all the
three dimensions of our space, and is expanding into a higher
dimension, that is beyond our imagination.
THE
FUTURE OF THE UNIVERSE
It
is not known if the universe would expand for ever, or one
day it uould start contracting. In either case the future
of all the inhabitants of the universe would be rather bleak.
If the expansion continues then aRer billions of years all
the energy of the sun and the stars will be exhausted and
every thing will die a cold death. After a while only expanding
emptiness will remain. Alternatively if there is enough mass
then the gravity will one day stop the expansion and the contraction
will begin. A contracting universe will eventually end in
a very hot and compressed state called "The Big Crunch." This
will destroy all the life forrns as we know.
Besides the above two depressing and
purposeless scenarios of the future there is a third possibility.
Some physicists feel that time may reverse when the universe
starts contracting. This possibility, has a striking resemblance
to the Quranic description of the day of judgment.
Now, let us turn our attention to the
evolution of the universe. We will learn how this leads to
the end that coincides with another beginning, that we call
the day of judgment. The uncanny agreement of cosmology with
the Quranic revelation will become self evident
THE
PHYSICS OF THE DAY OF JUDGMENT
For
some, science has taken the place of the miracles in the twentieth
centurys and religion is nothing more than an interesting
cultural pastime. The commonly overlooked fact is, that it
is God who has made the laws of the universe upon which science
and technology is based.
Physicists and cosmologists all over
the world, are working towards a better understanding of the
structure of the universe. However to the misguided mind,
the universe has a purposeless existence. It is a universe
with random design and aimless laws. From the Islamic point
of view, the universe has been created for a purpose and it
will exist till its purpose is fulfilled; then it will cease
to exist.
There are numerous scientifically accurate
facts in the Quran that was revealed fourteen hundred years
ago. This is nothing other than a miracle for the believers.
The scientific truths described in the Quran were discovered
only in the last one hundred years. Maurice Bucaille the author
of "The Bible The Quran And Science," says "There is not a
single scientific error in the Quran." It should not come
to us as a surprise that in the present day world that is
obsessed with science, the truth of the day of judgment may
become apparent because of the scientific knowledge given
in the Quran.
We
shall show them our signs on the horizons and within themselves
until it will become apparent to them that it is the Truth.
Is your lord nor sufficient since He is witness over all things?
Al-Quran Sura 41: verse 53
RESURRECTION:
IS LIKE. REVIVAL OF BARREN LAND
And
Allah it is Who sends the winds and they raise a cloud; Then
We lead it to a dead land and revive the earth after its death.
Such is the Resurrection.
Sura 35 verse 9.
Raising
of clouds and growth of plants following rain are not miracles
but are due to various laws of physics and biochemistry. The
Quranic verses suggest that revival aRer death is also based
on some physical laws, that we are not aware of as yet. We
believe that Allah is the creator of all the laws of the universe.
THE
BIG BANG
The
universe came into existence billions of years ago in a tremendous
explosion called"The big bang." This is mentioned in
the Quran in the follosing verses:
have
not "those who disbelieve " known that heavens and earth were
of one piece and We parted them and We made every living thing
of water. Will they not then believe?
Sura 21 verse30
The
discovery of "The Big Bang" and of "The aquatic origin of
life" was made by the non Muslims, ("those who disbelieve").
In the beginning all the matter and space (heavens) were at
one point (one piece). Then every thing was separated in what
the physicists describe as "The big bang." The evidence for
"The big bang" is so overwhelming that it is now considered
a fact and not a theory.
THE
EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSE
The
Universe has been expanding since its creation. This great
discovery was made by Hubble, an astronomer, in the early
part of this century. It was also predicted by the Einstein's
theory of "General Relativity." The expansion of the universe
is clearly mentioned in the following Quranic verses:
The
heavens we have built with power and We are expanding it.
Sura 51 verse 7
THE
CONTRACTION OF THE UNIVERSE AND REVERSAL OF TIME
Time
is one of the most elusive mysteries of the universe. No one
knows what time really is. Albert Einstein said that time
is the thing that we measure with the clock. Time passes slowly
at high speeds and stops- altogether at the speed of light.
Time has a direction, it always moves towards the filture.
We see rain falling from the sky, objects breaking up, people
getting older, and people dying. We never see a glass getting
unbroken or any one coming back from the dead. Physicists
like Michael BerTy, Thomas Gold, and Steven Hawking have proposed
that-time may reverse then the universe starts contracting.
Verses in the Quran suggest that one day the universe will
start contracting and then the day of judgment will begin.
The
day when We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolls
up a written scroll. As We began the first creation, We shall
repeat it.
Sura 21 verse 104
In
the above verses the contraction of the universe is compared
to the closing of a scroll. That is when time may reverse.
Reversal of time will cause man to rise back from his grave
and again become alive. Every event will happen again as every
thing, is recorded in time.
This
book pronounces agains you with truth. We have caused (all)
you did to be recorded. (in time).
Sura 5 verse 29
And
there is nothing hidden in the heavens or the earth but it
is a clear record ( in time)
Sura 27 verse 75.
As
the history of earth runs backwards, nations will retum one
after another. All the good and evil deeds of the individual
as well as the nations will become completely apparent as
the time runs backwards.
(time
reversal)
And you will see each nation crouching
each nation called to its record. (In time). And it will be
said to them: This day you are repaid for what you used to
do.
Sura 45 verse 28
Playing
back of time will make people see what they had done before.
They will have no control over their hands, feet, mouths,
and eyes. All the wrong and right things that were done before
will be repeated by them again. In this sense the hands, feet,
etc., will become witness against them in front of all the
angels and Allah. They will not be able to deny any of their
wrong doings.
(time
reversal)
On the day when the their tongues and
their hands ond their feet testify against them as to what
they used to do.
Sura 24: Verse 24
We
warn you of doom at hand. A day when a man will look on that
his own hand has sent before, and desbelievers will cry "Would
that we were dust "
Sura 78 verse 40
(Prophets
will be returned into their time as time runs backwards) And
the messengers are brought into their time appointed.
Sura 77 verse 11
NO
FREE WlLL IN THE CONTRACTING UNIVERSE
Man
is given free will to choose between right and wrong in the
expanding universe. That is when all his deeds are recorded
in time. In the contracting universe there will be no free
will, and no one will have power to harrn or do good to others.
A
day when no soul has power at all over any other soul. The
absolute command on that day is Allah 's
Sura 82 verse 19.
REVERSAL
OF GRAVITY
Gravity
is due to minute differences in time at different heights.
Time passes at slightly faster rate at the top of a mountain
as compared to sea level. This difference in time although
imperceptible to us, can be measured with the aid of atomic
clocks. If time reverses in the contracting phase of the universe
then this time difference will also reverse. This will cause
the gravity to reverse producing an earth quake of a magnitude
never seen before.
:
1 When earth is shaken with her final
earthquake
Sura 99: Earthquake (Gravity reversal)
When
the trumpet is blown one blast. And the earth with the mountains
shall be lifted and crushed with one crash.
Sura 69 (Reversal of gravity) Verse
13-14
(Breaking
up of mountains, throwing out of molten lava) When the sky
will be like molten copper and hills will be like flakes of
wool.
Sura 70 verse 8
Despite
reversal of gravity, mass of the earth will not disperse completely,
as reversal of time will constantly direct all the matter
to return to its previous position.
EARTH:
"EMPTY FROM INSIDE"
The
reversal of gravity will cause the earth to throw out all
of its insides to become a gigantic empty ball.
And
when earth is spread out.
And cast out all that was in her and
is "empty".
Al-Quran: Sura 84 verses 3-4
THE
CENTER SKY IN THE HOLLOW EARTH.
As
reversal of gravity changx the eath into a hollow structure,
sky or heaven will also ch~ so that it will be in the center
of the hollow earth.
On
the day when the earth will be changed to other than this
earth, and the heavens also. And they will come forth unto
Allah, The One The Almighty.
Al-Quran:Sura 14 verse 48
The
following verses describe the day of judgment in a comprehensive
manner. The day of judgment will start with the final earthquake
as the gravity reverses. The reversal of gravity will cause
the earth to throw out all that was inside it to become completely
empty. The people will come back alive one after another,
(in scattered groups) inside this hollow earth that will have
sky towards its center. The history of nations will be played
back as time passes backwards. Nations as well as people will
then see what they had done before, and they will be judged
accordingly.
1.
When earth is shaken with her final earthquake.
2. And earth yields its burdens. (From
within)
3. And man says what aileth her.
4. That day she will relate her chronicles..(History
in time)
5. Because your Lord inspires her.
6. That day mankind will issue forth
(from earth) in scattered groups to be shown their deeds.
(As time runs backward)
Sura 99: Earthquake.
To
an inquiring mind it may occur now that reversal of time will
lead to resutrection from the grave and then we should get
younger, go through our childhood and regress into nothingness
in our mothers wombs. This is what the time reversal theories
would have us believe; again a purposeless exercise. Well
not quite so. The great earthquake is not to scare us, it
is part of the phenomenon that will make the higher dimensions,
the beyond, accessible. That is where, is hell and the gardens
of Eden. In the next few pages we will see how precisely God
has designed the universe. Not only life is recreated, arrangements
have been made for it to escape the collapsing universe, into
the worlds that exist in the higher dimensions.
THE
HIGHER DIMENSIONS
Mathematically
there are infinite number of dimensions. However we live in
only a three dimensional space. Every object in our daily
lives, has a length, width, and height. The concept of dimensions
more than our three is impossible to imagine. Near the sun
the gravity is more intense and an extra curvature in the
space in a higher dimension is present. This was first taken
into account by Einstein to accurately calculate the orbit
of the inner planet, Mercury.
There
was a time when people believed that the earth is flat. They
were afraid of the possibility of falling off the earth if
they traveled too far. This cannot happen because the surface
of the earth is curved and continuous like that of a ball.
To get off the earth we just need to move in a dimension (direction)
that is perpendicular to the surface. That is straight up,
from any where we are.
We
face a similar conceptual problem in understanding the higher
dimensions. We may imagine that we can leave the universe
only by traveling very far, and that is not true. Even if
we travel billions of miles, we will still remain within the
confines of our three dimensional space.
And
we know that we cannot escape from Allah in the earth, nor
can we escape by flight.
Sura 72 verse 12
The
only way to go beyond the universe is by moving into a higher
dimension in a direction that is perpendicular to our three
dimensional space, from right where we are. However that is
also not possible as our space is not continuous with the
higher dimensions. For that to occur, our space will have
to be literally torn apart first and then get connected to
the higher dimensions. This may happen only in the center
of the black holes.
And
heaven is opened and becomes as gates .
Sura 78 verse 19
THE
BLACK HOLES
The
opening of gates in the sky is a concept similar to that of
black holes. Such openings can be the gate ways to beyond
the universe through the higher dimensions. Massive stars
that collapse inward under their own weight can form the black
holes. Gravity in such objects is so strong that even light
cannot escape and they become completely invisible. Hence
the name black holes. Physicists believe that space time may
be ripped apart in the black holes, producing gateways to
beyond this universe. SQwever th~ mas of the black holes also
obstructs the opening it is supposed to produce.
In
the contracting universe this problem will not exist. The
reversal of gravity in the contracting phase will change all
the heavenly bodies into massive hollow structures leaving
ernpty skies towards the center, where even the reversed gravity
of relatively lighter objects like earth, will have a run
away effect. Thus the fabric of space time will be torn apart,
forming portals or gateways to the higher dimensions in the
center sky of the hollow earth.
And
the heavens will split asunder For that day it will be frail.
.
Sura 69 verse 16
ANGELS
DESCEND THROUGH THE PORTALS IN THE CENTER SKY, NO ONE WILL
BE LEFT BEHIND
A
day when the heavens and the clouds will be rent asunder
and the angels will be sent down a grand descent .
Sura
25 verse 25
And
think of the day when We remove the hills and you see the
earth emerging and we gather them together So as to leave
not one of them behind.
Sura l8 verse47
The
collapsing universe will be ultimately destroyed in a fireball
which physicists call the "Big Crunch." Every one will be
gathered. Any one remaining behind will regress to nothingness,
because the time will be running backwards. The gathering
and removal of humans to "The beyond " would probably be accomplished
by the angels of "the grand descent."
In
our final journey through the gates that will open in the
center sky we would go across many planes or dimensions. The
word "ride" is used in the Quran as if this journey will be
accomplished by riding on "something."
That
you shall "ride" on from plane to plane.
.
Sura 84 verse 19
WHEN
WILL THE DAY OF JUDGMENT ARRIVE?
Men
ask you of the Hour. Say the knowledge of it is with Allah
only. What can convey to you it may be that the Hour is Near.
Sura 33 verse 63
They
bid you to hasten on the doom And if a term had not been appointed,
the doom would have deSnitely come on them. And it will come
upon them suddenly when they perceive not.
Sura 29 verse 53
Superficially
it seems that if we knew the rate at which the expansion of
the universe is slowing down then we should be able to predict
when the day of judgment will begin. However if time is related
to the expansion of space, then we cannot observe the slowing
of the expansion. This would be like trying to measure the
speed of a car with a clock that is connected to its wheels.
As the car slows down the clock will also slow down and speed
would always appear the same.
The
threatened hour is near. None beside Allah can disclose it.
Are you surprised then at this statement?
Sura 53 verse 57,58,59
Even
the most advanced civilization in the universe would always
Observe that the universe is expanding at the same rate as
it started with. This of course means that the day of judgment
cannot be predicted by any one and may come at any time. Only
God or the angels who are independent of our time will perceive
the slowing of time in the universe as the day of judgment
approaches. The concept of slowing of time and higher planes
is implied in the following verses.
1.
A questioner questioned concerning the doom to fall.
2. Upon the disbelieves, which none
can repel.
3. From Allah, Lord of the Ascending
Stairways.
4. As the angels and the Spirit ascend
to Him in a day
The span of that is fifty thousand years.
Sura 70 verse 1-4
The Ascending Stairways. (Dimensions)
The
ascending stairways imply many levels, planes or dimensions,
and Allah is the Creator of all the dimensions. As the day
of judgment approaches, an observation made from outside our
universe will suggest, that our time has slowed down as compared
to some standard time that exists beyond our universe. The
above verses do not say that human beings will make this observation.
The observation that one day on earth has become like fifty
thousand years appears to be made by Allah as the angels come
back to him.
WAITING
IN THE GRAVE FOR THE DAY OF JUDGMENT TO ARRIVE?
In
the Quran the soul is compared to consciousness and death
is compared to sleep. Once death overcomes us there is no
perception of passage of time and next thing we would see
will be the Day of Judgment.
.
And agony of death comes in truth.
This is what you wished to avoid
. And the trumpet is blown.
This is the threatened Day.
Sura 50 verse 19-20
.
And on The Day when the Hour arrives the guilty will swear
that they remained (dead) butfor an hour, thus they were ever
deceived. But to those to whom knowledge andfaith are given
will say: "The truth is that you have remained (dead) until
the Day of Resurrection By Allah 's decree. This is the Day
of Resurrection, Butyou used not to know.
Sura 30 verse 55-56
On
that Day, when the real truth will become apparent to every
one, those who disbelieved will be regretful and full of remorse.
They would wish that they had never existed; but then, there
would be no room for a second chance on the Day of judgment.
And
to Allah belongs the Sovereignty of heavens and the earth
On the Day when the Hour rises, Those who follow falsehood
will be lost.
Sura 45 verse 27
SUMMARY
With
the tremendous scientific advancements of the twentieth century,
we have placed our trust in science and technology to solve
all our problems. Daaled by the ability of technology to give
quick results, our faith in Allah has become weak. Our actions
are for worldly goals although a stronger belief in God and
accountability in afterlife would have made better people
out of us. We can see the results of this in the moral decay
that is afflicting many societies all over the world.
Allah
has sent guidance to human beings according to the conditions
existing at that moment in-history. When Pharaohs ruled, magic
was a very popular past time. Then Moses (Peace be on him:Pbuh)
came with miracles from Allah and defeated the magicians of
the Pharaohs court. The people at the time of Jesus (Pbuh)
were deep into miracle mongering, and we can see that life
of Jesus (Pbuh) is full of miracles. When Mohammad (Pbuh)
came, Arabic language and poetry was at the height of its
development. Quran with its clear message was revealed in
the most eloquent poetry with a unique unmatched style. Quran
is a miracle and guidance for all times, therefore it is only
appropriate to believe, that it may be the source of the most
exciting discovery of the age of science. Science with help
from Quran may discover, what religion has maintained all
along, that rising from the grave is going to happen. There
are many theories about the future of the universe. Despite
a great deal of knowledge scientists are unable to decide
which one of these is really correct. The belief that the
universe has a purpose and the knowledge given in the Quran,
may be the best guide in search for the truth. Hopefully Muslims
will play a major role in any such future discoveries.
Many
verses in the Quran describe the day of judgment. We live
in a universe that is expanding since its creation billions
of years ago. Both the birth of the universe in the "Big Bang"
and its expansion are described in the Quran. Scientists do
not know if the expansion of the universe will continue for
ever or one day it will start contwacting. Qur!anic verses
suggest that the universe will not expand for ever and that
the day of judgment will begin with the contraction of the
universe. Similar to some theories of cosmology it appears
that time and gravity will reverse with the contraction of
the universe. Reversal of time will bring about the resurrection
from the graves. In this time reversed world we will see again
all the good and evil that we did in our life. Reversal of
gravity will change the structure of the earth so that it
will be turned inside out and will transform into a giant
hollow ball. This event is clearly described in the Quran
in many verses. Reversal of gravity will be the cause of the
final earthquake, mentioned in the Quran. The reversed gravity
focused towards the earth's hollow center will have a runaway
affect on space. The space in the center of the hollow earth
will be literally torn apart to produce openings or gates
to the higher dimensions that are beyond our universe. Through
these openings we will be able to escape the collapsing universe.
Every one will be taken away to escape the unrelenting effect
of time reversal that could take us back to nothingness in
our mothers wombs. In the higher dimensions we will face the
judgment for our deeds and hell or heaven. From the Quran
it appears that the timing of the day of judgment will be
never known and it may come at any time. However again I would
like to add that the real knowledge of the day ofthe day of
judgment is with Allah only.
I
hope this article would serve as a source of warning as well
as encouragement for the believers. As for the non believers
I hope this would become a starting point for further investigation
into the world of Islam.
Source:http://www.islamiska.org/
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