The Expansion of the Universe
Until the 20th century, nowhere in the world, did a scientist put forth a theory regarding the expansion of the world. They even did not raise such a possibility. Stephan Hawking calls this discovery to be the most important occasion of the 20th century.
In the Qur’an, Allah informed the believers about the creation and expansion of the universe. It should be highlighted that this information was revealed in the 6th century.
With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space.
Surah Al- Dhariyat 47
The Perfection in the Universe
He Who created the seven heavens one above another: No want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious. So turn thy vision again: seest thou any flaw? Again turn thy vision a second time: (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out. Surah Al- Mulk 3-4
Millions of stars and galaxies in the universe revolve in their separate orbits in a great harmony. Stars, planets and satelites rotate around their axis and in their separate systems altogether. Furthermore, sometimes galaxies consisting about 200-300 billions of stars flow through each other. During this gigantic transition, no collusion occurs.
The concept of velocity in the universe is hard to comprehend. The dimensions in space are enourmous when compared with the measurements on earth,. Stars, planets of billions or trillions of tons and galaxies with sizes that can only be grasped with the help of mathematical formulas, whirl toward specified destinations in the space at incredible velocities.
For instance, the earth rotates around its axis at a mean velocity of about 1670 kilometers per hour. If we compare earth’s velocity with that of a bullet having an average velocity of 1.800 km, one can understand the huge velocity of earth despite its giant size.
The mean linear velocity of the earth in its orbit is 108.000 kilometers per hour; almost 60 times of the velocity of the bullet. (If it was possible to design such an automobile, it would travel around the equator in 22 minutes.)
These figures only relate to the earth. We come across with tremendous figures when we examine the dimensions of the solar system. In the universe, as systems increase in size, the velocity also increases. The solar system revolves around the center of the galaxy at a velocity of 720.000 kilometers per hour. The velocity of the Milky Way comprising some 200 billion stars is 950.000 kilometer per hour.
This tremendous speed is in fact an obvious indicator of the sensitive equilibrium established in the universe, which is vital to the existence of life on earth. In such a complex and speedy system, it is highly probable that giant accidents may occur any time. However, as it is stated in the verse, in this system one can not “see a flaw in the Merciful’s creation.” That is because nothing in the universe is left on its own. Every single item is under the control of Allah (swt) and operates under the divine laws.