"The creation of the heavens and of the Earth is "The creation of the heavens and of the Earth is indeed more grandiose than the creation of Man. Yet indeed more grandiose than the creation of Man. Yet most men understand not."most men understand not." (40:57)(40:57)

Age of the Earth and Age of the Age of the Earth and Age of the Universe from Religious Points Universe from Religious Points

of Viewof View

• Presented by:

Kamel BEN SALEM

SummarySummary

1. Introduction • Age of the earth• Age of the universe• Religion and cosmology

2. The creation process according to the Holy Books

3. Determining the age of the earth and of the universe

4. The evaluation of the dating methods

5.Conclusion

IntroductionIntroduction

Vision in the middle ages (blurred)• Earth = center of the universe• Sun = satellite of the Earth

• Stars = ornament of the sky

Concern limited to problem of the Earth

– Is it eternal ?

– Has it a beginning/end ?

– How old is it ?

1

Age of the EarthAge of the EarthVariations : few thousands few millions

few billions years

Stabilization (’08-’09) : 4.57 Gyr2

Modern cosmologyModern cosmology

Study of the cosmos (Discovery of galaxy)

Expansion of the universe

Estimation of the age of the universe* Variation : 10 20

Gyr* Stabilization : 13.7

Gyr

3

Religion and cosmologyReligion and cosmology

Contribution of the Qur’anic revelation • Addresses invitations to :

Reading/Science : "Read! In the Name of your Lord "Read! In the Name of your Lord Who has created (all that exists) ..." Who has created (all that exists) ..." (96 :1)

4

Position of the ancient church• Reason has to be subdued to faith : everything is in Genesis• Warn against discovery temptation (St-Augustine, IVth C.E)

Focusing oFocusing on whn what exists in the heavens and on at exists in the heavens and on Earth "Say :Earth "Say : “Behold all that is in the heavens and the “Behold all that is in the heavens and the

earth ...”.earth ...”. (10:101).(10:101).

5

Exploring earth and space : "O assembly of Jinns "O assembly of Jinns and Humans, if you can pass beyond the zones of the and Humans, if you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! Not heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! Not

without a power shall ye be able to pass!" without a power shall ye be able to pass!" (55 :33).

6

The The creation process creation process according to the Holy according to the Holy

BooksBooks

7

Creation according to the Creation according to the Bible: instantaneousBible: instantaneous

““For in six days the Lord made heaven For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day.” is, and rested the seventh day.” (Exodus 20:11).

““And God called the light Day, and the And God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. And the darkness He called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first evening and the morning were the first day.” day.” (Genesis 1:5)

Creation lasted six days (1 day = 24 hours)

8

Day 3 65421

Waters Below

0

9Sheol

Nature

Science Biblical Studies

Scripture

God

No Conflict

Creator of Author of

Potential Conflict

Hu

man

Inte

rpre

tati

on

Hu

man

Interp

retation

10

Creation according to the Creation according to the Qur’an: progressive creation Qur’an: progressive creation

(still lasting)(still lasting) Importance of the creation

• ""The creation of the heavens and of the Earth is The creation of the heavens and of the Earth is indeed more grandiose than the creation of Man. indeed more grandiose than the creation of Man. Yet most men understand not."Yet most men understand not." (40:57)

The Divine Command is expressed ≡ its realization follows for certain (in a slow progressive manner according to the human scale).• "God’s command comes, so seek not to hasten it.""God’s command comes, so seek not to hasten it."

(16:1)

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Bible / Qu’ran : the same number of days of creation (6 days) • Bible (1 day of creation = 24 hours)• Qur’an (1day of creation = a very long period)

Universality of the message • ""Say (O Muhammad) : “We believe in God, and in what has Say (O Muhammad) : “We believe in God, and in what has

been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord : given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord : We make no distinction between one and another among We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Him (God) we have submitted”.them, and to Him (God) we have submitted”."" (3:84)

Comparison between the Biblical and Comparison between the Biblical and the Qur'anic Thesesthe Qur'anic Theses

Abraham Moses Jesus Muhammad...... 12

Determination of the ages Determination of the ages of the Earth and of of the Earth and of

the Universethe Universe

13

Two types of days

days cited as classical days (24 hours) He (Zachariah) said: “O my Lord! Make a sign for me”. God said: “Your He (Zachariah) said: “O my Lord! Make a sign for me”. God said: “Your

sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals. sign is that you shall not speak to mankind for three days except with signals. And remember your Lord much (by praising Him again and again), and And remember your Lord much (by praising Him again and again), and glorify (Him) in the afternoon and in the morning”. glorify (Him) in the afternoon and in the morning”. (3:41)

days cited as a long period (epoch-day) "Yet they ask thee to hasten on the punishment! But God will not fail in His "Yet they ask thee to hasten on the punishment! But God will not fail in His

promise. Verily a day in the sight of thy Lord is as a promise. Verily a day in the sight of thy Lord is as a thousand yearsthousand years of of your reckoningyour reckoning. "" (22:47)

"The angels and The Spirit will ascend unto Him within a day (period of time) "The angels and The Spirit will ascend unto Him within a day (period of time) the measure whereof is the measure whereof is fifty thousand yearsfifty thousand years." ." (70:4)

The Notion of Day according to the The Notion of Day according to the Qur'anQur'an

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The choice to define the term ‘year’ was dictated by social, cultural and religious considerations

The Qur’anic revelation was destined to Humanity in its entirety

"" We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them Glad tidings, We have not sent thee but as a universal (Messenger) to men, giving them Glad tidings, and warning them (against sin), but most men understand notand warning them (against sin), but most men understand not. . "" (34:28)

"" O assembly of Jinns and Humans, if you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and O assembly of Jinns and Humans, if you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! Not without a power shall ye be able to pass! " the earth, then pass beyond (them)! Not without a power shall ye be able to pass! " (55:33)

"O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations "O mankind! We have created you from a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of and tribes, that ye may know each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of God is (he who is) the most pious of you. And God has full knowledge and is well God is (he who is) the most pious of you. And God has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things)." acquainted (with all things)." (49:13)

The years quoted in the Qur’an are of sidereal nature 1 year = 365.256361414 days

The Nature of ‘Years’ in the Qur'an: The Nature of ‘Years’ in the Qur'an: Sidereal YearSidereal Year

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• Question : "A questioner asked concerning a fateful torment about to "A questioner asked concerning a fateful torment about to

befall the unbelievers, which none can avert. From God, befall the unbelievers, which none can avert. From God, the Lord of the ways of ascent." the Lord of the ways of ascent." (70:1-3)

• Answer : the date of this punishment (therefore of Judgement) will occur in a

time span of one day equivalent to 50000 years

"The angels and The Spirit will ascend unto Him within a "The angels and The Spirit will ascend unto Him within a day (period of time) the measure whereof is day (period of time) the measure whereof is fifty thousand fifty thousand yearsyears."." (70:4) 

Method of EstimationMethod of Estimation

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The punishment will arrive when a certain number of extraordinary events occur  : 

The Day that the sky will be like molten metal. The Day that the sky will be like molten metal. (70:8) And the mountains will be like flakes of wool.And the mountains will be like flakes of wool. (70:9)

This corresponds to the phenomena that touch particularly our planet and generally our solar system.

Method of EstimationMethod of Estimation

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Exegesis of Al-Qurtubi (13th century) : Ibn ‘Abbas (companion and cousin of Prophet Muhammad) said:

– the beginning of the creation Doomsday

– Big bang End of the solar system

50 000 years

50 000 years

Method of EstimationMethod of Estimation

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Method of EstimationMethod of Estimation

Period equivalent to :

50 000*365.256361414 = 18262818.070 days (non classical).

Reasons :

• “fifty thousand years” : not followed by “of your reckoning” • 1 non classical day = 1000 years “of human’s reckoning”.

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The ascent will occur at the deadline of 18262818070 years “of our reckoning”

So, be patient, with a good patience. Verily! They see it So, be patient, with a good patience. Verily! They see it (the torment) afar off, But We see it (quite) near. (the torment) afar off, But We see it (quite) near. (70:5-7)

Method of EstimationMethod of Estimation

20

Phases of Creation of the Universe and the Phases of Creation of the Universe and the Earth according to the Qur'anEarth according to the Qur'an

"We created the heavens, the earth and what is between them in "We created the heavens, the earth and what is between them in six days (periods), and no weariness touched Us. six days (periods), and no weariness touched Us. (50:38)Say : “Do you disbelieve Him Who created the earth in two Say : “Do you disbelieve Him Who created the earth in two periods? Do you ascribe equals to Him. He is the Lord of the periods? Do you ascribe equals to Him. He is the Lord of the Worlds”."Worlds”." (41:9)"He set in the (earth) mountains standing firm. He blessed it. He "He set in the (earth) mountains standing firm. He blessed it. He measured therein its sustenance in four periods, in due measured therein its sustenance in four periods, in due proportion."proportion." (41:10)

 

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2 3 4 5 6 7 81

6 days

2 days

4 days

Beginning of the Big Bang: The heaven, We have built it with power, Verily We are expanding itThe heaven, We have built it with power, Verily We are expanding it. (51:47)

Stabilization of the General Structure of our Universe:

Then He ordained them seven heavens in Then He ordained them seven heavens in twotwo periods, and He assigned to each heaven its mandate by Revelation. periods, and He assigned to each heaven its mandate by Revelation. (41:12)

Beginning of earth creation: Say: “Do you disbelieve Him Who created the earth in Say: “Do you disbelieve Him Who created the earth in two periods? periods? Do you ascribe equals to Him. He is the Lord of the Worlds”.Do you ascribe equals to Him. He is the Lord of the Worlds”. (41:9)

Actual state: God is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all God is He Who has created the heavens and the earth, and all

that is between them in that is between them in sixsix periods periods (32:4)

End of Solar System: He set in the (earth) mountains He set in the (earth) mountains standing firm. He blessed it. He measured therein its standing firm. He blessed it. He measured therein its

sustenance in sustenance in four periods, in due proportion… periods, in due proportion… (41:10)

2 days

Phases of Creation of the Universe and the Phases of Creation of the Universe and the Earth according to the Qur'anEarth according to the Qur'an

day ≡ period

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Ages of the Earth and the Universe Ages of the Earth and the Universe according to the Qur'anaccording to the Qur'an

8 periods= 18262818070 years

Period (P) = 2282852259 (2 billion 282 million 852 thousand 259 years)

Age of the Earth = 2P = 4565704517 years = 4 billion 565 million 704 thousand 517 years.

Age of the Universe = 6P = 13697113553 years = 13 billion 697 million 113 thousand 553 years.

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Terrestrial rocks : alteration in the course of timeMeteorites : non alteration in the course of timeThree methods applied to Allende meteorite

Method Obtained Age Amplitude

Uranium/Lead 4.480 – 4.620 Gyr 0.07 Gyr

Iodine/Xenon 4.561 – 4.565 Gyr 0.004 Gyr

Lead/Lead 4.565 – 4.568 Gyr 0.003 Gyr

4.565706 Gyr -

Evaluation of the Dating Methods Evaluation of the Dating Methods of the Age of the Earthof the Age of the Earth

Our approach

Stabilization (’08-’09) : 4.57 Gyr 24

We dispose of 3 different overlapping intervals

choice of the common subinterval

Evaluation of the Dating Methods Evaluation of the Dating Methods of the Age of the Earthof the Age of the Earth

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4.560 4.5684.562

4.561 4.563

4.564 4.566

4.565 4.567

4.480 4.620

Uranium/LeadIodine/Xenon Lead/Lead

Qur’anic value

• Interval width = 70 Myr• Interval width = 4 Myr

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• Interval width = 3 Myr

Evaluation of the Dating Methods Evaluation of the Dating Methods of the Age of the Earthof the Age of the Earth

Three categories of methods• Methods based on a cosmological model• Globular Cluster Ages• Methods based on radioactive dating

Method Age obtained Uncertainty WMAP data (ΛCDM) 13.4 Gyr ± 0.3 GyrWMAPext+ LSS 13.7 Gyr ± 0.2 GyrGlobular Cluster Ages 11 − 16 Gyr -White Dwarf 12.7 Gyr ± 0.7 GyrOGLEGC-17 10.4 − 12.8 Gyr -Radioactive dating 9.5 − 20 Gyr -

13.697115 Gyr - Our approach

Evaluation of the Dating Methods Evaluation of the Dating Methods of the Age of the Universeof the Age of the Universe

Stabilization (’08-’09) : 13.7 Gyr

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A New Re-evaluation of the A New Re-evaluation of the Hubble CoefficientHubble Coefficient

H = 1/Age of the universe =1/13.697115

=73.3008075058142 km/sec/Mpc

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The Biblical and Qur'anic creation theses seem to diverge

The Qur’anic revelation is a continuity of what had been revealed to the other prophets

"Say (O Muhammad) : “We believe in God, and in what has been "Say (O Muhammad) : “We believe in God, and in what has been revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, revealed to us and what was revealed to Abraham, Isma'il, Isaac, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, Jacob, and the Tribes, and in (the Books) given to Moses, Jesus, and the Prophets, from their Lord : We make no distinction and the Prophets, from their Lord : We make no distinction between one and another among them, and to Him (God) we have between one and another among them, and to Him (God) we have submitted”."submitted”." (3:84)

Position of western thinkers about the Qur'anic revelation.

  "(I swear)… by the canopy raised high and by the boiling sea...""(I swear)… by the canopy raised high and by the boiling sea..." (52:5-6)

ConclusionConclusion

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Qur’an leads the reader to think and meditate about the major events that will occur in our Universe

The discovery of accurate facts on phenomena is reserved for Men of Science

Presence of many Qur'anic statements which have a scientific appearance, seems to be a challenge to human explanation

"" Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully? Had it Do they not then consider the Qur'an carefully? Had it been from other than God, they would surely have found been from other than God, they would surely have found therein many a contradiction. " therein many a contradiction. " (4:82)

ConclusionConclusion

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Thanksfor

your ATTENTION.

Place to your Questions