What the Quran says about creation

The Qur’an speaks about “first creation” in several interconnected ways. It doesn’t give a single chronological narrative; instead, it offers layers of meaning metaphysical, cosmological, and spiritual.

Below is a clear, structured breakdown.


1. Creation of the Heavens and the Earth

The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes that the cosmos was the first major creation event.

Key themes:

Heavens and Earth were once a single entity
“Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were ratqan (joined together) and We split them apart…” (21:30)
Creation began from smoke-like matter
Then He turned to the heaven when it was dukhān (smoke/gaseous)…” (41:11)
The Throne existed before the heavens and the earth
“His Throne was upon water…” (11:7)


Reflection

These verses point to:

An initial unified state
A separation or expansion
A primordial gaseous phase
A pre‑cosmic reality (“water” and “Throne”)


This aligns beautifully with modern cosmology without being reducible to it.


2. Creation of Life

The Qur’an describes the first creation of life in elemental terms.

Key themes:

Life originates from water
“We made from water every living thing…” (21:30)
Creation from clay / dust / earth
Adam is described as being created from:• dust (turāb)
clay (ṭīn)
sticky clay (ḥama’ masnūn)
sounding clay (ṣalṣāl)

These are not contradictions — they are stages or descriptions of the same earthly origin.

3. Creation of the Human Being

The Qur’an distinguishes between:

The first human (Adam)
The process of human reproduction


Adam’s creation:

From earthly material
Shaped and proportioned
Given the rūḥ (divine breath)
Taught names (knowledge)


Human reproduction:

From a drop of fluid
Clinging clot
Lump of flesh
Bones
Flesh
Then “another creation” (the soul)


The Qur’an uses Adam’s creation as a sign, not a biological manual.


4. Creation Before the Universe

The Qur’an hints at realities that predate the physical universe:

Examples:

The Throne existed before the heavens and earth (11:7)
The Pen and the Tablet are mentioned in hadith literature
The world of souls (7:172) suggests a pre‑earthly covenant
Angels and jinn existed before humans (2:30, 15:27)


This shows a layered cosmology:

1. Divine command
2. Non-physical beings
3. Cosmic creation
4. Life on earth
5. Human emergence

5. Creation as a Continuous Process

The Qur’an emphasizes that creation is not a one-time event.

“Every day He is in a state of activity.” (55:29)
“We created you, then We shaped you…” (7:11)


Creation unfolds in stages cosmological, biological, spiritual.


6. First Creation vs. Resurrection

The Qur’an frequently uses the first creation as evidence for resurrection.

“He will repeat the creation as He originated it the first time.” (10:4)
“The One who created the first time will recreate.” (36:79)


This shows that “first creation” is not only cosmological — it’s also theological.