An Allegation of Contradiction Levelled against the Quran: Six or eight days?

The Heavens and Earth were Created in 6 Days but some Christian Missionaries seem
to think the Quran contradicts Itself on this Fact. All these references from the
Holy Quran show that the Heavens and the Earth were created in 6 days: 7:54, 10:3,
11:7, 25:59, 32:4, 50:38, 57:4 and 41:9-12.

The Christian missionary (or any other critic) agrees with all these references
but one (41:9-12). The critic tries to put this reference forward as a
contradiction. After simple analyses we realise the critic is completely wrong and
is basing his/her allegation solely on their own inadequate understanding of the
verses in question.

The Quran was revealed in the Arabic language and remains in the Arabic language
despite it being translated in numerous other languages, English is one of these
languages it has been translated in. The most popular English translation of the
Quran is by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. Often, Christian missionaries and other critics of
Islam utilize this translation when quoting from the Quran.

However, on this occasion the critics do not utilize the Yusuf Ali Translation.
This is very interesting as this particular translation disproves their claims and
clearly shows that there in no contradiction contained within the Quran. The
question that needs to be asked is; why would the critic of Islam depart from the
most popular translation of the Quran on this occasion?

The answer to this question may become apparent to the neutral observer during the
course of this refutation. Without further delay allow us to move on to the
Quranic verses that the critics allege to be contradictory.

The Quran teaches, in numerous verses, that the Earth was created in 6 days. The
critic would agree with this but they would allege that 41:9-12 teaches it was
created in 8 days, they come to this allegation as they incorrectly double count,
this is proven within this article. In order to highlight the errors of the critic
it requires us to quote the English translation of the Quran, I will use Abdullah
Yusuf Ali, and this is the translation of each verse (whatever is in the brackets
is commentary for clarification purposes from me):

41:9- Say: Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two Days? And do ye
join equals with Him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds.
This is the initial creation of the Earth and the earlier stage of Creation and
it lasted for two days. The next stage of the development of the Earth, as we know
it, is mentioned in the next verse of the Quran.

41:10- He set on the (earth), mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed
blessings on the earth, and measure therein all things to give them nourishment in
due proportion, in four Days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek
(Sustenance).
This is the next (last) stage of the Creation of the Earth and seems more like the
finishing touches (i.e. adding’ mountains’, ‘blessings’ and ‘nourishment’) and
this stage took four days while the initial stage took two days. Simple
Mathematics tells us that 4+2=6! Therefore it is clear that the duration of the
Creation of the Earth is 6 days. The next verse is a further reference to the
first two days but refers to the Heavens.

41:11- Moreover He comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke:
He said to it and to the earth: "Come ye together, willingly or unwillingly." They
said: "We do come (together), in willing obedience."
This verse refers to the ‘sky’ (Heavens) and teaches us that it was’ as smoke’
before its Creation. It is clear that this verse is referring to a stage of
Creation when the Earth had not been completed as the Earth had not ‘come
together’ with the sky at this stage. So, at this stage the Earth had not been
finalised (fully created), therefore it is clear that the creation of the Heavens
and the Earth are occurring simultaneously. The next verse mentions the Heavens.

41:12- So He completed them as seven firmaments in two Days, and He assigned to

each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights, and
(provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might, Full
of Knowledge.

The Creation of the Heavens is completed in two days. These two days fall within
the 6 days that God used to create the Earth. This is clear as the Earth is not
finalised whilst the Heavens were being Created. Therefore we can safely say that
the Earth and the Heavens were created simultaneously. This follows modern
scientific knowledge too.

So, it is clear that the Quran teaches 6 days for Creation. However, one may be
wondering how the critics claim that the Quran teaches eight (8) days rather than
six (6). The critic double-counts and confuses himself as he counts the two days
that it took for the Creation of the Heavens as extra days, thus adding these two
days onto 6 days, therefore the critic wrongly gets a total of 8 days. The error
is committed by the critic as the critic overlooks the fact that the Earth had not
been fully formed whilst the heavens were being created (i.e. both were being
created at the same time). In short, the critic does not realise that the Creation
of the Heavens and the Earth are Created simultaneously. I hope they realise
their errors after reading this article and God-Willing they will correct
themselves.

This article does give me the chance to address deceptive methods used by some
critics and anti-Islamic websites (mainly produced by Christian missionaries). As
earlier stated in the article; Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s translation of the Quran into
the English language is commonly used but for these verses in question (41:9-12)
many critics and anti-Islamic websites break from the norm and use alternative
translations. They do this as the first word in 41:11 is summa which can be
translated into three different English words:

1. Moreover (Abdullah Yusuf Ali uses this word to translate summa)

2. Then (the critics tend to use translations that use this word)
3. Simultaneously

It is sad that the critics would use a ‘pick and mix’ methodology and deliberately
ignore the best-known translation (Yusuf Ali) in order to try and further their
allegation. The critic who uses this methodology has been exposed but even the
translation of ‘summa’ to the word ‘then’ rather than ‘moreover’ or
‘simultaneously’ does not strengthen their claim as it is clear from the content
of 41:11 that the Earth had not been finalised whilst the Heaven was being created
in 2 days. Therefore, even if they use the word ‘then’, it is still clear that the
Earth and Heaven were Created simultaneously so there is no need for the critic to
double count!

I am pretty sure that the objective reader would acknowledge that this is a fair
explanation and accept that it is not a contradiction. However, I am equally sure
that the extreme critic (usually tend to be Christian missionaries) will dismiss
this explanation and continue down the route of deception. May Allah guide them,
aameen. I would also like to leave them with some food for thought:
As we have discussed the Creation of the Heavens and Earth let us conduct a quick
comparison between the Quran and the Bible concerning Creation. The Quran (50:38)
teaches us that God created the Heavens and Earth in 6 days and no fatigue touched
god, i.e. God was not tired after Creating the Heavens and Earth but the Bible
(Exodus 31:17 KJV) teaches us that God had a ‘rested’ and was ‘refreshed’ on the
seventh day. I ask you which one is correct. The Bible, (which teaches God has
rest and refreshment) or the Quran (which teaches that God does not get tired)?
The choice is yours! If a Christian can give me information concerning this then I
would be grateful. I do want to state that my objective is not to offend or
mislead so if a Christian has anything to add to this topic or the article in
general then they are more than welcome.

Informational points:

* The term ‘Christian missionary’ was used in this article not to tarnish all
Christians but merely to highlight the fact that much of the incorrect information
about Islam on the internet is being sourced from Christian missionary websites.
So the Christian missionary will publish it on their website (despite it lacking
truth) and bigots (of different faiths, not solely Christianity) would propagate
and reproduce that information as it fits their anti-Muslim agenda. These bigots
mostly tend to be fundamentalist Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, racists and militant-
atheists. Of course not all Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and atheists take part in
such unscholarly activity. We are only speaking about a crazed minority who do not
care about the truth but just want to mud-sling and name-call.

* The word days in Arabic (ayyaam) can mean long periods, i.e. epochs. So it is
not something that must be taken literally.

*This article leans heavily on Dr Naik’s research, may Allah bless him and all
those who helped in the production/propagation of this article. (www.irfnet.org)
and www.irf.net/irf/drzakirnaik/index.htm
* I thank Allah for giving me the health, time and ability to complete this work.
Please O Allah accept this deed and make my service solely for You and not for
show. O Allah You indeed are the Most Merciful and Most Loving, please shower me
with Your Mercy and Love. Please O Allah, I ask You to guide all those who read
this too. Ameen.

Article by Yahya Snow