InTurnAll

The Islamic creation narrative is derived from the Quran, which describes Allah’s act of bringing the universe into existence through His divine will and command. Unlike a single linear story, the account is spread across various surahs (chapters), emphasizing Allah’s oneness, power, and mercy. It portrays creation as a purposeful process completed in six days, with humanity’s origin tied to moral responsibility and submission to Allah.

Before creation, Allah existed alone, with His throne over the waters. He created a pen and commanded it to inscribe all that would ever occur on the Preserved Tablet (Lawh al-Mahfooz), encompassing destiny for 50,000 years. Then, Allah created the heavens and the earth in six days, without fatigue, and established Himself upon the throne. The heavens and earth were initially a single entity, which Allah clove asunder, spreading the earth with mountains as stabilizers, rivers, and pathways for guidance. He brought forth pairs of vegetation, covered the night with darkness, and created the sun, moon, and stars as signs for reckoning time and navigation.

Allah then populated the earth with creatures: animals on land, birds in the sky, and fish in the seas. For humankind, Allah announced to the angels His intention to create a vicegerent on earth. He fashioned Adam from clay or sounding clay like pottery, gathered from various colored soils, and breathed His spirit into him, granting life and knowledge. Allah taught Adam the names of all things and commanded the angels to prostrate before him; all did except Iblis (Satan), who refused out of pride and was cast out. From Adam’s side or essence, Allah created his wife, Hawwa (Eve), so they might find tranquility in each other. They were placed in Paradise with permission to enjoy all but one forbidden tree. Tempted by Satan, they ate from it, realizing their nakedness, and were expelled to earth as a test, with Allah promising guidance through prophets.

This narrative highlights themes of tawhid (unity of God), the signs of creation as evidence of Allah’s existence, and human accountability. The Quran repeatedly urges reflection on creation—such as the alternation of night and day, the rain reviving the earth—to affirm faith. Interpretations stress that the “days” may not be literal 24-hour periods but stages, underscoring Allah’s effortless mastery over all things.