In an ancient era, long before the heavens and the earth were created, there was an absolute void wrapped in silence and tranquility—a vast, endless emptiness where no sound echoed and no light penetrated, like a boundless ocean of darkness, untouched and unbroken. It was a boundless abyss, dark and deep, with an eerie stillness that seemed to stretch forever, like an endless chasm where time stood still and even the concept of movement was an impossibility. There was no night or day, no sun to rise, nor moon to illuminate the darkness. Nothingness reigned, where there was neither matter nor movement, and time itself had yet to be measured. It was an unfathomable silence, a state of pure potential waiting for the command that would spark creation.
In this boundless void, there existed one eternal, everlasting presence—the divine existence without beginning or end. A presence unlike any other: _"No vision can grasp Him, but His grasp is over all vision. He is Subtle, the All-Aware"_ (Quran 6:103). The divine will lay hidden in the realm of the unseen, like a seed buried deep within the earth, waiting for the appropriate moment to bring forth light and creation. The stillness of the void seemed to stretch infinitely, but within it, there was the promise of something wondrous—a promise held in the divine decree.
There were no angels, no jinn, no humans. No stars twinkled, and no planets orbited. The universe was a blank canvas, untouched and unwritten. The empty vastness held no color, no shape, no essence, yet everything was contained within the knowledge of the Creator. And in this profound silence, the divine power manifested itself, beginning the story of creation that would transform the void into the most magnificent form of existence—a journey from nothingness to the breathtaking beauty of existence.
As the divine existence contemplated the void, the decision was made to reveal His signs to all that would come to be. This was the moment when light emerged from the depths of darkness, and life began to pulse through the veins of the cosmos. A wise will and absolute power would scatter the stars across the heavens, plant life on the earth, and script chapters of wonder and secrets. The divine knowledge encompassed every detail—the placement of every star, the flow of every river, the breath of every living being. The plan for existence was more intricate than the most delicate fabric, woven by the hands of divine power.
The divine command, _"Be!"_ and so it came to be. This marked the beginning of all creation, the very first moment where existence took shape, and the universe began to unfold. In an instant, the stillness of the void gave way to motion, light burst forth, and the vast emptiness was filled with purpose. _"Indeed, your Lord is Allah, who created the heavens and the earth in six days and then established Himself above the Throne. He covers the night with the day, chasing it rapidly; and [He created] the sun, the moon, and the stars, subjected by His command. Unquestionably, His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, Lord of the worlds"_ (Quran 7:54). The command set into motion the creation of realms upon realms, each more wondrous than the last, each a testament to the divine artistry.
The angels were fashioned from pure light, created to serve, praise, and fulfill the commands of the Creator. Some were tasked with carrying the Throne of Allah, others recorded the deeds of all beings, and still others acted as messengers, delivering divine revelations. Each angel had a distinct role that contributed to the divine order, highlighting the beauty and precision of the Creator's plan. Their essence was ethereal, radiant, and inherently pure, reflecting the divine light from which they were made. Each angel had a specific role, from carrying the Throne of Allah to safeguarding humanity, and they were unwavering in their obedience, embodying the very spirit of devotion and loyalty. For instance, the angel Jibril (Gabriel) was entrusted with delivering divine revelations to the prophets, directly impacting humanity's understanding of the Creator's guidance. Their presence was both awe-inspiring and comforting, a reminder of the divine mercy that permeated all of creation. Among them were those who would carry the Throne, those who would record deeds, and those who would deliver messages. Their creation brought forth the first stirrings of life beyond the void. The angels, though mighty, were humble, knowing their purpose lay in devotion and submission to the divine will.
And then there were the jinn, created from smokeless fire, beings of free will, capable of both obedience and defiance. The jinn were mysterious, with emotions and desires, and unlike the angels, they possessed the ability to choose their path. Some chose to live in harmony, while others, like Iblis, chose defiance, refusing to bow to Adam and thus setting a precedent for rebellion and free will among their kind. Iblis's defiance led to his expulsion from the divine presence, marking him as an outcast and establishing the ongoing struggle between good and evil. Their creation added another layer of complexity to the unfolding story of existence.
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Dialogue: The Divine Contemplation
As the void stretched endlessly, a voice echoed—a conversation between the angels that would soon be created.
**Angel 1:** "What will He create in this emptiness?" one wondered, sensing the stirrings of divine power.
**Angel 2:** "We do not know," replied another. "But His wisdom is beyond our comprehension. When He wills something, He simply says 'Be,' and it comes to exist."
The first angel paused, contemplating the unfolding mystery. "Do you think we will have a role in this creation? Will we be given tasks to perform?"
**Angel 2:** "Undoubtedly. He does not create without purpose. Everything He brings into being has meaning, and we shall have our roles, whatever they may be."
And thus, the void waited, filled with potential, while the divine decree unfolded, one miracle at a time. The anticipation grew as the angels sensed the magnitude of what was about to come—a creation that would be filled with signs of the Creator's boundless power and mercy.
**Angel 1:** "Will there be beings to witness this beauty? Will they understand the majesty of what is being created?"
**Angel 2:** "Surely, He does not create without purpose. We shall soon see wonders that no eye has ever seen, nor ear has ever heard. Perhaps there will be beings who will reflect on the signs and recognize the greatness of their Lord."
**Angel 1:** "But what if they forget? What if they fail to see the signs and turn away from their purpose?"
**Angel 2:** "That is their test, is it not? To see whether they will remember or forget, to choose between gratitude and neglect. And we shall be there, fulfilling our duty, guiding them as He commands."
**Narrator:** And so, the universe began, a magnificent expression of divine creativity, where every atom and every light particle bore witness to the grandeur of its Creator. The heavens were adorned with stars, and the earth was shaped with mountains, valleys, and oceans. Life began to take form, each creature a unique testament to divine artistry. The angels marveled at the beauty of creation, praising their Lord with every breath, while the jinn observed in awe, knowing they too were part of this great plan.
The divine plan was set into motion, and the story of existence began. It was a story that would span across the ages, filled with trials, lessons, and the eternal struggle between light and darkness. The creation was not merely an act of beauty. It was also a manifestation of divine wisdom and mercy, where every being had a purpose, and every moment carried the potential for reflection and growth.
The void that once was now brimmed with life, movement, and purpose—vibrant colors filled the emptiness, celestial bodies danced across the heavens, and the first sounds of creation reverberated like a symphony, marking the dawn of a new existence. From the angels to the jinn, from the heavens to the earth, all were united in their origin and purpose—to serve, to reflect, and to bear witness to the truth of their Creator. And thus began the greatest story ever told, a journey from the void to a universe overflowing with signs, each one pointing back to the One who brought it all into existence.