Creation of Physical Realm - Philosophy of Existence


In English Frame Index the Creation, Create physical artwork, Create representation, Intentionally create is defined: "The Creator creates a new entity, the Created entity, possibly out of Components"; "A Creator creates an artifact that is typically an iconic Representation of an actual or imagined entity or event. The Representation may also be evocative of an idea while not based on resemblance"; A Creator produces a physical object which is to serve as a Representation of an actual or imagined entity or event, the Represented".

In Arabic the semantic frame Creation is embedded in Root: خ ل قIt is used 261 times in the Divine Discourse; nouns stemming from it 77 times and Form-I verb 184 times. Ibn Faris [died-1005] in his famous lexicon: مقاييس اللغة stated about this Root:

الخاء واللام والقاف أصلان: أحدهما تقدير الشيء، والآخر مَلاسَة الشيء

That it signifies the act of determining the measures and proportionality of a thing to other things, and then smoothening of the object.

Its general perception and meanings as creation are well known. The basic perception is that of the idea and intention of giving existence to the intended object. Thus the thing is created and exists firstly in Abstract Realm before it takes existence in the Physical Realm.  

The words that stem from this Root are result oriented. The semantic components: irreducible semantic features of this Root are:

(1) A Living Who is the Creator of the Object - the Created entity;

(2) The will - decision taken by the Living to create;

(3) The purpose the Creator has in view to create the object -  the Created entity;

(4) For what or for whom the  the Created entity is meant;

(5) Idea - blue print - determination of measures and proportionality of the thing to other things that creates interrelationships before the object takes existence;

(6) The span of time it will continue to exist or live.

(7) Assigning a name to the object -   the Created entity for its cognition.

 

The first occurrence of the word "creation" is about Man's creation, reflecting the honour he has in the physical realm, though he was made to emerge in physical form when all arrangements commensurate to his status and security were set in place:

  • O you the Mankind, listen attentively;

  • You people demonstrate subservience and allegiance to your Sustainer Lord. Your Sustainer Lord is He Who has created you people and had created those who existed in times before you

  • So that you people might protect - safeguard yourselves.  [2:21]

The first question of Metaphysics or first philosophy is existence and first cause. So the study of metaphysics has but to start from Man's existence.

Grand Qur’ān firstly reminds us of our existence. We need to know about our existence, because what else exists know quite well about us, our stature and position in the physical realm. They have their own levels of perception and understanding.

The moment a philosopher observes the relation of his existence with the existence of universe, he can deduce nothing but the fact that his being is the first cause of the existence of the universe he lives in. A philosopher cannot fail to observe that he is not the reason for the survival of the universe, but it is the universe which is sustaining him and causing his survival though he is not her creator. So his own being is the first cause of the existence of the universe. Therefore, the first point of reflection for a truthful philosopher is to find the reason  why the universe is at her service. This will lead him to find the first cause of his own existence. This will instantly lead him to the conclusion that he can not be one who causes the survival of the first cause of his own existence. Thinking otherwise will be a fallacy. The first cause must be living and surviving by His own self. He the Exalted is his Sustainer Lord Who is rightfully demanding that Humanity must show Him allegiance and servitude.

 

Subservience and allegiance to anyone other than one's creator costs compromising one's self-respect. But everything that is created is always subservient to the will and desire of its creator since the creator puts in it the built-in guidance for its each and every cell/component part to function for the achievement of the purpose for which it was created.