Salafus-Saaliheen سلف صالحين

Q 3: It is mentioned in the Qur'an that Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) created the heavens and the earth in six days. Would you please explain this matter, given that we know it is enough for Allah to say: “Be!” - and it is. ?



A: Allah (Glorified be He) created the heavens, the earth, and what is between them in six days. He stated so, and He is the Truthful One (Glorified and Exalted be He). He could have created them in a moment, as He (Glorified and Exalted be He) states: Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" - and it is! However,

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the scholars (may Allah be merciful with them) said that He created them in six days in order to teach His Servants deliberation and patience. Their Lord who knows everything and is Omnipotent did not in a hurry create the heavens and the earth, but he created them in six days. He was not hasten to create Adam or other creatures; He managed them very well in order to teach His Servants how to manage their affairs patiently, systematically, perfectly, with deep insight and knowledge, and without hastening or disorder. He (Glorified be He) is Omnipotent; however, He was not in a hurry and created them in six days although He was able to do in a minute or a moment. Verily, His Command, when He intends a thing, is only that He says to it, "Be!" - and it is! He (Glorified and Exalted be He) made them organized and systematic in a few days in order to teach His Servants how to work and organize their affairs patiently; so that their affairs are set right in a way that brings benefit and repels harm from them.

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Allah (Glorified be He) explained this in many Ayahs (Qur'anic verses). He (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. He told us that He created them to test us and find who is going to work better and perfect deeds more, as a hasty person might perform things improperly. Allah created the world in six days to teach His Servants how to perfect their deeds and not do them hastily, so that their affairs are not disturbed. And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth in six Days and His Throne was on the water, that He might try you, which of you is the best in deeds. He (Glorified be He) also says: Verily! We have made that which is on earth as an adornment for it, in order that We may test them (mankind) as to which of them are best in deeds. [i.e. those who do good deeds in the most perfect manner, that means to do them (deeds) totally for Allâh’s sake and in accordance to the legal ways of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم]. He created everything on the earth, whether mountains, trees, plants, animal, minerals and so on to test the people and see who is going to use what is on earth best.

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He (Glorified be He) also says: Who has created death and life that He may test you which of you is best in deed.

In these Ayahs and others which carry the same meaning, there is evidence that Allah (Glorified be He) created these things in that period of time and in that systematic way to test His Servants and see who would be best in deeds, not those who achieve most. What matters is quality and perfection, not quantity.




taken from: http://alifta.com/Fatawa/FatawaChapters.aspx?View=Page&PageID=5359&PageNo=1&BookID=14