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I am a practising Muslim and also do dawah work. I want to dedicate my life to Islam. The problem is ideas of atheism and what if there is no God is coming to my mind. Naudhubillah! It is there for some time now, it was there before Hajj and also present after hajj. It comes back every now and then try to calm my mind by researching in Science, like Big Bang theory and it confuses me even more. 1) I made a lot of dua. But whats the solution? 2) What does Islam say about Big Bang?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.

Sister in Islam,

When one experiences involuntary negative thoughts about Islam; that is a clear sign that one has Imān. The shaytān wishes to attack one`s Imān. Allah`s Messenger (peace and salutations be upon him) said to his companions that experienced similar thoughts:

ذاك  صريح الإيمان

Translation: that is the [sign of] essence of faith 

[Sahīh Muslim, 240; Sunan Abī Dawūd, 5111, Sunan al-Nasā`ī, 10500, Musnad al-Imām Ahmad, 9217]

Allah states in the Qur`an [7: 200-1]:

وَإِمَّا يَنزَغَنَّكَ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ نَزْغٌ فَاسْتَعِذْ بِاللّهِ إِنَّهُ سَمِيعٌ عَلِيمٌ.

Translation: If the devil provokes you (to do or think evil), seek the refuge of Allah; verily He is All Hearing, All Knowing.

When you experience such thoughts, recite اعوذ بالله من الشيطان الرجيم (I seek protection in Allah from the cursed Satan) and لاَ حَوْلَ وَ لاَ قُوَّةَ إِلاَّ بِالله‏‏ (There is no might or power except with Allah). And avoid thinking and discussing topics that will lead to confusion.

The question, “what does Islam say about [the] Big Bang [theory]?” is irrelevant since Islam does not bound us to or address any particular scientific theory. The Qur`anic descriptions are independent of any scientific theory and the Quran should not be made subject to ever-changing theories[1]. Unfortunately, there is a widespread and strong belief among contemporary Muslims that the Qur’an had prophesied scientific theories; the Muslims then seek and offer these prophecies as proof for the divine origin of the Qur’an. What if the Qur`an contradicts a scientific theory? What if Muslims use a scientific theory to assert the authenticity of the Qur`an and then years later the theory is proven wrong?

Science is known as being the midwife of atheism and there are many living examples of such before us. Religion cannot be made contingent on science and logic or else a person will eventually lose faith in his religion due to his ever-growing dependency on science and reliance on his own understanding and intellectuality. Sharia has come to reveal that which is beyond human comprehension. While Islamic teachings are divine, complete, authentic and sufficient; scientific theories are man-made, based on assumptions, incomplete research and can be proven wrong by another research so many years later. We are not responsible to question regarding or entertain believe in something not explicitly highlighted by sharia.

Our purpose is the pleasure of Allah and salvation in the hereafter. The nature of the Qur`an is to give guidance to mankind on how to seek the pleasure of Allah and spiritual elevation. It does not seek to expressly convey realities of a scientific nature. An example of this is when the sahābā asked why the moon passes through its lunar phases and the intent of the question was to understand this from a purely scientific perspective [Tafsīr Jalālayn], Allah gave a purely non-scientific answer and He ordered the Prophet (peace and salutations be upon him) to respond with how the lunar phases are applicable in religious rulings[2]. Hence, Allah taught the Muslim community that what should be of primary concern to them is their religious and spiritual needs, while other things should only be sought as an aide to this objective and not for its own sake.  

Nevertheless, the Big Bang theory is one of many scientific ideas submitted in the last century.[3] This theory posits that all the matter in the universe was once contained in a single infinitesimally small point, which then expanded. This notion does not conflict with Islam. The Qur’an [35: 1] says Allah brought heaven and earth into being from nonexistence:

الحمد لله فاطر السماوات والأرض

Translation: All praise is due to Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth

It also mentions that the heavens and earth were once joined together and Allah split them apart. It is mentioned in the Qur`an [21:30]:

أولم ير الذين كفروا أن السماوات والأرض كانتا رتقا ففتقناهما وجعلنا من الماء كل شيء حي أفلا يؤمنون

Translation: Do those who disbelieve not see that the heavens and the earth were once closed (in one piece)? We opened and parted them. And we created every living thing from water. Will they still not accept faith?

Finally, engage in the zikr (remembrance) of Allah, recite the Qur`an, keep the company of pious and righteous people, listen to the speeches of ulamā,

الا بذكر الله تطمئن القلوب 

Translation: Remember, in the remembrance of Allah is the solace [comfort and peace] of the heart. [Al-Qur`an, 13: 28]

Similarly, we advise you to conduct daily ta`līm of the following books:

“The Virtues of Actions” (Fadha`ile A`mal) written by Sheikh Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalvi found at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/34555215/Fazail-e-A-maal-By-Shaykh-Zakariyya-Kandhelvi-Complete-English

“Lessons in Islam” (Taleemul Islam) authored by Mufti Kifayatullah, found at: https://archive.org/details/Taleem-ul-Islam-English-ByShaykhMuftiKifayatullahr.a

Also refer to www.idealwoman.org website, dedicated for Muslim females of all works of life

Furthermore, make lots of du’a to Allah to keep you firm on īmān. Recite frequently the following supplications:

ربنا لا تزغ قلوبنا بعد إذ هديتنا وهب لنا من لدنك رحمة إنك أنت الوهاب

Transliteration: Rabbanaa laa tuzigh quloobanaa ba`da iz hadaytanaa wa hab lanaa min ladunka rahmah innaka antal wah`haab. 

Translation: Our Lord, let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us and grant us from Yourself mercy. You are the Giver of bounties without measure [Al-Qur`an, 3: 8].

اللهم مصرف القلوب صرف قلوبنا على طاعتك

Transliteration: Allaahumma Musar`riful quloobi sarrif quloobanaa `alaa taa`atik

Translation:  O Allah, Turner of the hearts, make our hearts firm on Your religion [Sahīh Muslim, 5686]

And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best

Hanif Yusuf Patel

Student Darul Iftaa
UK

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.

www.daruliftaa.net


[1] [Ma’āriful Quran vol. 6 pg. 188]

[2] يسألونك عن الأهلة قل هي مواقيت للناس والحج

They ask you [O Muhammad (peace and salutations be upon him)] concerning the new moons. Say: These are signs to mark fixed periods of time for mankind and for the pilgrimage [Hajj]

[Al-Qur`an, 2: 189]

[3]

This answer was collected from Askimam.org, which is operated under the supervision of Mufti Ebrahim Desai from South Africa.

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