The Question of Cosmogenesis—The Cosmos as a Subject of Scientific Study

Islamic thought has always considered the question of cosmogenesis to be religious and metaphysical, not merely extrapolation of the natural sciences. A constant feature of Islamic schools of thought has been the basic ontological dependence they accord the world vis-a-vis the Creator. In contrast to modern speculations on questions of cosmogenesis, absolute creative power and dominion are exclusively of God, Who is known in the Qur'an as Khaliq, Fatir, Barib, Musawwir, etc. Creation thus must be regarded as a sign of His existence and wisdom.
​
Keywords: cosmogenesis; sacred cosmology; the role of Godin Islamic and modern cosmogenies; an Islamic approach to the study of nature; nature as ayah.

Journal of Islam & Science, Vol. 4 (Summer 2006) No. 1

PDF

Seyyed Hossein Nasr

Seyyed Hossein Nasr is the University Professor of Islamic studies at The George Washington University, Washington DC and President of the Foundation for Traditional Studies.