Zubair Lone
To a cosmologist, this universe is the sum total of space and content- thought to be between 10 billion and twenty billion years old- mostly empty, dotted with galaxies for as far as our eyes and telescopes can see.
Several theories attempt to explain how the universe came into being, for example the Big Bang Theory of an expanding universe originating in a single explosion event or the contradicting Steady State Theory or Pulsating Universe Theory.
Similarly, several theories have been postulated to understand the nature of the universe. Time and again philosophers, thinkers and theologians have been puzzled by questions like – Is this universe purposive or just a random strand of existence and occurrence with no purpose or goals or ends at all. Descartes, Hobbes, Bacon, Nietzsche and Henri Bergson, all of whom argue that this universe, evolution and even every change that takes place in it are all purposeless. French philosopher, Henri Bergson stressing on its purposelessness writes, “The essential function of the Universe…is a machine for making gods.” To Neitzsche, “The world has no pre-determined purpose; it tends towards no goal. The Universe is a circular movement which has already repeated itself an infinite number of times and which plays its game for all eternity.”
Regarding the nature of the Universe, Iqbal points out in one of his couplets:
Ye kainaat abhi na tamaam hai shayad
K aarahi hai damaa’dam sadaa e kun’fayakun
(Baal e Jibreel)
“The Universe perhaps is still raw and incomplete:
Be and it becomes e’er doth a voice repeat.”
Kun’fayakun (“Be! And it is!”) has its mention in the Holy Quran cited as the symbolic representation of Allah’s power to create:
“Surely His Command, when He wills a thing, is only to say to it: Be! And it is!” Therefore glory be to Him in Whose hand is the Kingdom of all things, and to Him you shall be brought back.” – (Surah Yaseen)
And:
(Allah,) The Originator of the heavens and the earth. When He decrees a matter, He only says to it, “Be! And it is!
– (Surah Baqarah)
In his couplet, Iqbal subtly postulates two basic laws about the nature of this universe. In the first place, he negates the concept of Deism which proposes that God, after creating this universe, has left it at its own forever. Secondly, this Universe is a constantly growing universe, bursting and bubbling with life and creativity at every passing instant.
Deism is completely nullified in the Holy Quran as:
“Whoever is within the heavens and earth asks Him; every day He is bringing about a matter.” (Surah Ar’rahman)
Now this free and creative will can be conceived in two ways. Either it is a blind force, having no purpose behind or before it or it is purposive that determines its creation and being with a view to an end. Analyzing this hypothesis of our universe being driven by a blind force, doubts creep in on two grounds. Firstly, this world is not a chaotic and contradictory clutter. This universe, as we know it, has a reason and a rhyme and is so far as we can see a rational whole. Secondly, our own consciousness also points in the same direction. Our life and our day to day activities are also not chaotic. We as rational beings always tend to be purposive. Although we constantly create our ends and purposes and we know ourselves as free agents in doing so; but even this varying and free choice of ends itself leads to a final stage. Therefore, consequently, we accept the second alternative, that is, our universe is purposive that determines its creation and being with a view to an end. Therefore, it should be conceived to be in essence as a rationally directed creative life.
In fact, the universe, then, on the analogy of our own self, is a free creative character with well defined purposes, goals and ends, as Iqbal states:
Mazmoon Firaaq Ka Huun, Suraiya Nishan Huun Main
Ahang-e-Taba-e-Naazim-e-Kaun-o-Makaan Huun Main
(Asrar e Khudi)
“Theme of separation I am, the exalted one I am!
Design of the Will of the Universe’s Lord I am!”
(zubairulrehman
@yahoo.co.in)
