When the Continents Spoke of Oneness

As geological history teaches us, all the continents were once joined together as one vast landmass known as Pangaea. Then, by the command of the Almighty, they drifted apart, each bearing the mark of its original wholeness. Upon the face of the Earth remain the signs of that unity, mountains split, seas carved, and valleys stretched like the pages of a divine manuscript.

This world is a realm bound by material laws of physics, where every motion follows a divine order, the day succeeds the night, and the night returns to veil the day.

Whoever is created or enters this world is destined to live only for an appointed span, and when that time is fulfilled, departure becomes inevitable.

The Qur’an reminds us of this eternal process of creation and separation:

“Have those who disbelieve not seen that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We separated them, and We made from water every living thing?”

(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:30)

This verse mirrors the very concept of Pangaea, the heavens and the earth once joined, then divided by divine decree, each part serving a purpose in the greater harmony of creation.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) in Nahjul Balagha said:

“He brought forth the earth from the waves of the ocean and fixed its rocks upon the flow of water. He joined its separated parts, and gave motion to its stillness.”

(Sermon 91, Nahjul Balagha)

From unity came division, and from division, recognition, that the One sustains the many, and the many testify to the One.

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The Logic of the One Beyond Number, Imam Ali’s Reflection on Tawḥīd (the Oneness)

Imam Ali (A.S.) explained the concept of divine unity with unmatched clarity and reason.

He said: ✔️ 

“To say that Allah is One does not mean He is one in number, for what can be numbered can be divided, and what can be divided is finite.

The oneness of God is not like the oneness of creation. A man is one among men, a star is one among stars, these are numeric and comparable. But Allah’s oneness is absolute and indivisible. He exists without beginning, without end, without parts, and without resemblance.

Thus, God is One, not in the sense of arithmetic, but in the sense that there is none other like unto Him. His existence precedes number itself, for number belongs to the created, while He is the Creator of all that can be counted.”

The Sermon on the Light of Oneness

(Inspired by Imam Ali’s Logic of Tawḥīd, with Qur’anic reflections)

Praise be to Allah, “the Light of the heavens and the earth” (24:35), the One whose existence is not of form, nor bound by dimension, nor contained by direction.

He is the Beginning without beginning and the End without end, “He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden” (57:3). His essence is beyond perception, yet His signs encompass all things (41:53).

He is Light, not the light the eyes behold, but the Light by which the eye beholds. His radiance dispels the darkness of ignorance and breathes life into the soul. “His light is like a niche wherein is a lamp… light upon light” (24:35).

He is not of color, for color is born when His light touches creation.

He is not of race, for “O mankind, We created you from a male and a female and made you nations and tribes that you may know one another” (49:13).

He is not of gender, for “He creates what He wills; He bestows male or female, or joins them, or makes whom He wills barren” (42:49-50).

He is not of form, for “There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing” (42:11).

If you combine His attributes, Mercy, Justice, Knowledge, and Power, you perceive but a shadow of His perfection, for “none encompasses Him in knowledge” (20:110). His Essence is beyond union or division, beyond likeness or imagination.

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The combination of Allah’s attributes reveals a reflection of His Beloved, a projection of His will, a manifestation of the Creator in the realm of creation. Through this, Allah wished to present to the angels a vision: the appearance of His chosen servant, Muhammad ﷺ, in a mortal form, yet endowed with a soul sanctified and raised upon the Mīzān — the scale of justice, the measure of right and wrong, and the foundation of a new order in the world.

In the heavens, the angels were unaware of the complexities of moral choice. They were beings of obedience, living in the certainty of divine command, without the burden or gift of free will. Yet the children of Adam were destined to walk a different path, to be tested, to choose, and to bear the responsibility of moral discernment.

Even Iblīs, though present among the angels, had prepared himself for rebellion. He accepted his role as a servant yet plotted betrayal, revealing the contrast between mere obedience and conscious choice. Through this interplay, Allah displayed the wisdom behind creation: that from the combination of His attributes arises both mercy and justice, guidance and trial, light and darkness, all designed to bring forth a world in which His beloved could serve as the ideal of humanity, the exemplar of divine love, and the standard of ethical conduct.

Thus, in the mortal form of Muhammad (peace be upon him), the angels beheld not only the perfection of human creation but also the unveiling of a cosmic plan, a lesson that obedience alone does not define closeness to Allah; understanding, choice, and moral responsibility are the true measures of one’s soul.

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He is with everything, yet not by proximity; apart from everything, yet not by distance. “We are closer to him than his jugular vein” (50:16), yet no eye can perceive Him (6:103).

Behold the One whose command “Be!” brings existence from nothingness (36:82),

Whose Mercy “encompasses all things” (7:156),

Whose Throne extends “over the heavens and the earth” (2:255).

That is Allah, the One, the Eternal, “He begets not, nor is He begotten, and none is comparable unto Him” (112:1-4).

To know Him is not to comprehend Him,

but to stand in awe before the Infinite Light

that has no color, no shadow, no end.

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Just as the continents once formed a single landmass, so too were the faiths that trace their lineage to Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him), Islam, Christianity, and Judaism, united by a shared spiritual essence. Over time, distance and history have shaped their distinct forms, yet the trace of their shared origin remains.

The earth still bears the scars of its separation, yet its continents together form a complete globe in a balance, and in the same way, these faiths,  Judaism,  Christianity,  and Islam, despite their differences, reflect the oneness of their Creator, they are linked through many divine verses of their scriptures. 

For truth does not perish by division; it manifests anew in every form, just as rivers flow from one source but find many paths to the sea. The Almighty says:

“To each of you We prescribed a law and a path. Had Allah willed, He could have made you one community, but He tests you in what He has given you; so race to all that is good.”

(Surah Al-Ma’idah 5:48)

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Just as the continents drift and the forms of life evolve, yet remain bound by the same thread of origin, the kinship of fauna and flora, so too does faith transform, not divide.

Its essence remains untouched,

for beneath all change flows a single eternal strand:

The covenant of divine unity.

So let not mankind deny what is evident. All three Abrahamic faiths spring from one root, one promise, and one God, whose light still guides every heart that seeks Him in truth.

As Imam Ali (peace be upon him) said:

“The beginning of religion is the knowledge of Him, and the perfection of knowing Him is to bear witness to His Oneness.”

(Sermon 1, Nahjul Balagha)

And indeed, the One who joined and separated the earth is the same who joined and tested humanity that they may know Him through the diversity of His creation.

The Qur’an uses several powerful expressions that indicate the Earth was spread out, extended, and made habitable by divine command.

Here are some of the key verses with context:

 1. “And the earth, We spread it out.”

And the earth, We spread it out and cast therein firm mountains" to stabilize.

(Surah Al-Hijr 15:19)

Meaning: Allah describes how He “stretched out” (madadnāhā) the Earth, making it vast, stable, and suitable for life.

2. “And the earth, after that, He spread it out.”

“And the earth, after that, He spread it out.” or drifted apart. 

(Surah An-Naazi‘aat 79:30)

 Meaning: The word دَحَاهَا (dahāhā) in classical Arabic means He shaped, spread, or expanded it like an egg (ellipsoid), implying both formation and extension.

Many scholars interpret this as the stage where the Earth was made stable and habitable after being created.

 3. “Have we not made the earth as an expanse?”

 

“Have we not made the earth a wide expanse?”

(Surah An-Naba 78:6)

 Meaning: The word مِهَادًا (mihādan) means a cradle or a bed, referring to how the Earth was spread smoothly and made comfortable for human habitation.

 4. “And the earth, We have spread it out, and how excellent are We in spreading!”

“And the earth We have spread out, and how excellent are We in making it so!”

(Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:48)

 Meaning: Here, Allah emphasizes the perfection of His creation, not only spreading the Earth but also balancing its terrain and ecosystems.

 5. “And He placed on the earth firm mountains… and spread out therein every kind of creature.”

  

“And He placed on the earth firm mountains, blessed it, and apportioned its sustenance.”

(Surah Fussilat 41:10)

 Meaning: The verse describes both the stabilization and distribution stages, aligning closely with the concept of Earth’s development and spreading.

Summary of Key Words

Arabic Word

Root Meaning

English Sense

مَدَدْنَاهَا (Madadnāhā)

To stretch, extend

Spread out the earth

دَحَاهَا (Dahāhā)

To roll, expand, shape

Expanded or made habitable

مِهَادًا (Mihādan)

Cradle, bed

Made comfortable or stable

فَرَشْنَاهَا (Farashnāhā)

To lay out

Spread smoothly and evenly

These verses together give a cosmological and poetic picture of the Earth’s formation, its unity, expansion, and balance, mirroring even modern geological understanding of continental drift and planetary shaping.

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in Islamic scholarship, biblical history, and modern anthropology.

Let’s look at it carefully from all three perspectives, religious tradition, historical calculation, and scientific understanding.

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 1. Islamic & Abrahamic Tradition

According to traditional Islamic and Judeo-Christian sources (especially early narrations found in Tafsir and Israeliyat), the time span from Prophet Adam (peace be upon them) to Prophet Muhammad (peace  be  upon him) is often estimated around:

Approximately 6,000 to 7,000 years.

Classical sources:

Ibn Kathir (Al-Bidayah wa’l-Nihayah, vol. 1): mentions that between Adam and Nuh (Noah) were 10 generations.

Between Nuh and Ibrahim (Abraham), again about 10 generations.

From Ibrahim to Isa (Jesus), roughly 42 generations (according to Gospel genealogies).

From Isa (Jesus) to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them) approximately 600 years (based on historical record).

So, many classical scholars conclude:

From Adam to Muhammad (peace  be  upon  him)60 to 70 generations, roughly 6,000–7,000 years.

Qur’anic Perspective

The Qur’an does not specify exact years or generations — rather, it emphasizes the succession of nations and messengers:

“Then We sent Our messengers in succession; every time there came to a nation their messenger, they denied him…”

(Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:44)

This implies a long chain of generations between Adam and Muhammad (peace be upon him), but no fixed number is mentioned, as the purpose is moral continuity, not chronology.

 2. Historical & Scientific Perspective

Modern science dates the emergence of anatomically modern humans (Homo sapiens) to about 200,000–300,000 years ago in Africa.

If we take a generation to be roughly 25 years, then:

300,000 ÷ 25 = about 12,000 generations of humans have lived since the beginning of our species.

However, from the viewpoint of religious Adam, who represents the first human given divine guidance, not just biological life,  that timeline is symbolic rather than genetic.

 3. Synthesis, Spiritual vs. Biological Lineage

Biological humanity: ~12,000 generations, 200,000+ years.

Prophetic lineage (Adam to Muhammad (peace be upon them): ~60–70 generations, 6,000–7,000 years.

So, the spiritual history of humankind, as carried througthe prophetsts, covers about 7 millennia, while biological human history extends hundreds of thousands of years.

 Summary

Type

Generations

Approx. Years

Source

Religious / Prophetic Lineage

~60–70

~6,000–7,000

Islamic & Biblical

Human Anthropological Lineage

~12,000

~200,000–300,000

Science

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blending timeless wisdom, Qur’anic imagery, and scientific awareness, written in the eloquent rhythm of Nahjul Balagha-inspired prose:

The Generations of Adam: A Reflection on Time and Divine Continuity

In the beginning, when the command “Be!” was uttered, existence took its form, and the breath of life was entrusted to Adam (peace be upon him) the first of humankind to receive both body and spirit, form and faith.

From him flowed generations like the waves of an endless sea. Nations rose and vanished, yet the covenant of divine guidance endured, passed from one chosen heart to another. Between Adam and Nuh, ten generations walked the earth; between Nuh and Ibrahim, another ten. And so the line continued, prophets succeeding prophets, each rekindling the flame that time sought to dim.

As Imam Ali (peace be upon him)** said in Nahjul Balagha (Sermon 1):

“He sent His prophets in succession, to remind mankind of the covenant of His creation, to recall to them His forgotten blessings, and to awaken within them the buried wisdom of the soul.”

From Ibrahim to Isa (Jesus), the message carried the fragrance of Tawheed. one God, one truth, until it reached its perfection in Muhammad ﷺ, the Seal of Prophets. From the dawn of Adam to the light of Muhammad, scholars count some sixty to seventy generations, spanning nearly seven thousand years, yet in the measure of the Eternal, it is but a moment.

The Qur’an reminds us:

“Then We sent Our messengers in succession; every time there came to a nation its messenger, they denied him...”

(Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:44)

Thus, mankind multiplied, but truth remained one — unbroken, though centuries passed like shadows over the sand.

And beyond the reckoning of faith, the earth itself bears witness to older ages still. The mountains whisper of hundreds of thousands of years, and the bones of our kind lie beneath layers of forgotten earth — signs for those who reflect. For science speaks of twelve thousand generations of humankind upon this planet, while revelation speaks of the chosen lineage that carried divine light through a fraction of that span.

So understand: time does not confine the will of God. He unfolds creation in cycles — from dust to life, from life to spirit, and from spirit to eternal return.

Generations may pass, but the thread of guidance never breaks.

As Imam Ali (عليه السلام) said:

“The world wears out new garments and renews old ones; every age has its own torchbearer of truth.”

Thus, from Adam to Muhammad, from clay to consciousness, from the first breath to the final trumpet — all are signs of the One.

The generations pass like ripples on the ocean of His mercy, but His Word endures, eternal and undivided:

“All that is upon it will perish, and there remains the Face of your Lord, full of Majesty and Honor.”

(Surah Ar-Rahman 55:26-27)

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The universe was brought into existence upon measured laws, and all that lies within it moves in obedience to them until an appointed end. Every created thing has a fixed beginning and a destined conclusion, like structures raised for a time, buildings, machines, and bridges, that endure only for the span decreed for them.

The Creator of the heavens and the earth is the supreme authority over all existence, exalted beyond all comparison, aware of every movement and witness to every deed. Upon this small earth, suspended within a vast universe, the human being appears as no more than a dot, yet within this physical dot lies a mind of unfathomable depth, capable of containing the reflection of the universe itself.

To administer His command, He brought forth forces and means, wind and water, heat and cold, fire and energy, through which His will is carried into effect. None of these act by their own power; all remain in complete submission to Him.

When He wills a matter, He says, “Be,” and it comes into existence through the means He has created. And when His power is expressed as “We,” it is a proclamation of majesty, for every force and every system belongs to Him, and the entire order of existence moves only by His command.

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