Heavens and the Earth? Were such His pleasure He could make you pass away, and cause a new creation to arise.' ¹

These passages which speak of the power of God to cause a new creation to arise are chiefly arguments for the resurrection and the hereafter, but the idea that the power of God to create is not limited to the creation which exists, but is indefinite, runs through the Qur'an.

4. There is nothing in the Qur'an which can rightly be called 'the story of creation'. Muhammad's statements are meagre and far from clear. The creation of the heavens and the earth and all that is between them was the work of six days. 'Your Lord is God, who in six days created the Heavens and the Earth.' ²

But when Muhammad makes even a very slight attempt to explain the sequence of events in the work of creation, the account he gives is confused and absolutely wanting in detail. The best we can say is that he apparently held that the formation of the earth occupied two days, that two more were taken up with the creation of the animal and vegetable kingdoms, making four, and that the creation of the heavens was the work of the last two days. 'Say: Do ye indeed disbelieve in Him who in two days created the earth? and do ye assign Him peers? The Lord of the worlds is He. He hath placed on the earth the firm mountains which tower above it; and He blessed it, and distributed food throughout it, for the cravings of all alike,

in four days: then He applied Himself to the Heaven, which then was but smoke: and to it and to the Earth He said, "Come ye, whether in obedience or against your will?" and they both said, "We come obedient". And He made them seven heavens in two days, and in each heaven made known its office; and We furnished the lower heaven with lights and guardian angels.' ¹

5. This world which God created He did not leave to its fate, withdrawing Himself from the works of His hands, and leaving its destiny to the working out of impersonal law or predetermined decree apart from actual living personal guidance. When the work of creation was accomplished, God took His seat on the Throne as Ruler, Governor, and Director of the world which He had made. And as He was the sole Creator, so now He is and ever has been and ever will be the sole Sustainer and Ruler. 'Verily your Lord is God who made the Heavens and the Earth in six days — then mounted His throne to rule all things.' ² 'And put thou thy trust in Him that liveth and dieth not, . . . who in six days created the Heavens and the Earth, and whatever is between them, then mounted His Throne: the God of Mercy!' ³

The providential government of the world is represented in the Qur'an as being accomplished by 'acts of creation'. 'For with God is the sovereignty of the Heavens and of the Earth, and of all that is between them! He createth what He will: and over all things is God Potent.' ⁴ 'And thy Lord createth what He