Scientists have several different ideas about how the universe began. For a long time, the most popular theory was called “The Big Bang Theory”. The scientists who believe that this idea might be true say that billions of years ago, all the matter in the universe was in one small, closely-packed area. It was heavier than anyone could imagine. All this matter was so tightly packed together that the atoms bumped into each other so much and so fast that the matter was heated to a temperature of trillions of degrees. The mass of matter was so very hot that even the strongest force we know — the force that holds the nucleus of the atom together — was overcome. The nuclei of the atoms were ripped apart by this tremendous heat and motion, and finally this fireball of all the matter in the universe exploded in an event that scientists call “the big bang”. The exploded fireball cast its matter outward. The Big Bang Theory says that galaxies may have formed as the matter cooled, and that the galaxies will continue to fly apart until finally all of the hydrogen—the stuff stars are made of—will be used up and the universe will expand into cold, dark nothingness.
There is another idea that says the “Big Bang” idea is partly right but that the future of the universe will be different. This idea is called “The Oscillating Universe Theory”. To oscillate means to swing back and forth. This theory says that the universe will continue to expand only to a certain point. Then the gravitational forces of the galaxies will make the universe begin to pull together again. Eventually, all the matter would be tightly packed into one area, and then can you guess what would happen? The fireball would again form and explode in another "Big Bang" and the whole process would start again. This process could go on forever.
Recently, there is another new idea about the universe. This idea says that it is not gravity that "drives" the universe, but complex electrical forces. This theory says that the universe had no beginning and will have no end. It says that the universe is always changing and being created. Worlds in the universe may begin and end, but the universe itself always was and always will be.
What do our Bahá’í teachings say about the universe? Bahá’u’lláh and ‘Abdu’l-Bahá had a lot to say about the universe and creation. Here are a few things They said that might make you think about the theories we’ve talked about and let you decide for yourself how right each one might be.
Baha’u’llah has said:
"Know assuredly that God’s creation hath existed from eternity, and will continue to exist forever. Its beginning hath had no beginning, and its end knoweth no end." (Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah)
“All-praise to the unity of God, and all-honor to Him, the sovereign Lord ... Who, out of utter nothingness, hath created the reality of all things. Who, from naught, hath brought into being the most refined and subtle elements of His creation…” (‘Gleanings from the Writings of Baha’u’llah’)
‘Abdu’l-Baha has also explained that:
“Thus, as that Essence of Oneness, or divine Being, is eternal and everlasting—that is, as it has neither beginning nor end—it follows that the world of existence, this endless universe, likewise has no beginning. To be sure, it is possible for some part of creation—one of the celestial globes—to be newly formed or to disintegrate, but the other countless globes would continue to exist and the world of existence itself would not be disrupted or destroyed. On the contrary, its existence is perpetual and unchanging.” (‘Some Answered Questions’ – 2014 revised translation by the Baha’i World Centre)
Aren't we fortunate to have such beautiful explanations in our Baha’i Writings!? So, keep on investigating the many mysteries of life!
(by Deborah Bley; Brilliant Star magazine, July-August 1989)
