Six or eight days of creation?

Question:

Six or eight days of creation? Sura 7:54, 10:3, 11:7, and 25:59 clearly state that God created "the heavens and the earth" in six days. But in 41:9-12 the detailed description of the creation procedure adds up to eight days.

Answer:

Let us look at Ayah (verse) 7:54 "Your Guardian-Lord Is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He established Himself on the Throne (of authority):  He draweth the night as a veil O'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession:  He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command.  Is it not His to create and to govern?  Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds !"

Let us look at Ayah (verse) 10:3 "Verily your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He established Himself on the Throne (of authority), regulating and governing all things.  No intercessor (can plead with Him) except after His leave (Hath been obtained).  This is Allah your Lord; Him therefore Serve ye:  will ye not recieve admonition?"

Let us look at Ayah (verse) 11:7 "He (Allah) it is Who created the heavens and the earth in six days and His Throne was over the waters that He mighty try you, which of you is best in conduct.  but if thou wert to say to them, 'ye shall indeed be raised up after death,' the unbelievers would be sure to say, 'this is nothing but obvious sorcery!'"

Let us look at Ayah (verse) 25:59 "He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between, in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of authority):  Allah, Most Gracious:  Ask thou, then, about Him of any acquainted (with such things)."

Let us look at Ayah (verse) 32:4 "It is Allah Who has Created the heavens and the earth, and all between them, in six days, then He established Himself on the Throne (of authority); ye have none, besides Him, to protect or intercede (for you):  Will ye not then recieve admonition?"

Let us look at Ayat (verses) 41:9-12 "(verse 9) Say:  Is it that ye Deny Him (Allah) Who created the earth in two days?  And do ye join equals with Him?  He is the Lord of (all) the worlds.  (verse 10) He set on the (earth) mountains standing firm, high above it, and bestowed blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them nourishment in due proportion, in four days, in accordance with (the needs of) those who seek (sustenance).  (verse 11) Moreover, He Comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as) smoke:  He said to it and to the earth:  'Come ye together, Willingly or unwillingly.'  They said:  'We do come (together), in willing obedience.'  (verse 12) So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command.  And We (Allah) adorned the lower heaven with lights, and (provided it) with guard.  Such is the Decree of (Him) The Exalted in Might, Full of Knowledge."

There is no contradiction in the Noble Verses above.

In the above Holy Verses (7:54, 10:3, 11:7, 32:4, and 25:59) we see that Allah Almighty clearly states that He created the universe in six days.  Holy Verses (41:9-12) describe the primal creation of our physical earth and the physical heavens around us.  If we count the two days mentioned in (41:9), the four days, mentioned in (41:10), and the two days mentioned in (41:12), we get a total of eight days.  However, the four days in (41:10) include the two days in (41:9), because the processes described in (41:9-10) form one series.  In the one case it is the creation of the formless matter of the earth; and in the other case it is the gradual evolution of the form of the earth, its mountains and seas, and its animal and vegetable life, with the "nourishment in due proportion, (41:10)" proper to each.

To further understand the complexity of the creation of the earth, let us look at Ayat (verses) 15:19-20 "And the earth We (Allah) have spread out (Like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.  And We (Allah) have provided therein means of subsistence- for you and for those for whose sustenance ye are not responsible."  Majesty, order, beauty, and harmony are shown in all Allah's Creation, but especially in the heavens.  Coming nearer to man, Allah's care for man and His goodness are shown (besides His other qualities) in His creation of the earth.  In highly poetical language, the earth is described as spread out like a carpet, on which the eternal hills act as weights to keep it steady.

Let us also look at Ayah (verse) 13:3 "And it is He (Allah) Who spread out the earth, and set thereon mountains, standing firm, and (flowing) rivers: and fruit of every kind He (Allah) made in pairs, two and two:  He draweth the night as a veil O'er the day.  Behold, verily in these things are Signs for those who consider!"
Let us also look at Ayah (verse) 16:15 "And He (Allah) has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves,"


In Holy Verses (15:19-20, 13:3, and 16:15) we see that Allah Almighty took special care in planet earth to provide all the necessary means for us to be able to survive.  This shows that the four days in(41:10) include the two days in (41:9), because the processes described in (41:9-10) form one series.
Note: (41:9) talks about the creation of earth.  (41:10, 13:3, 15:19-20, 13:3, and 16:15) talk about the gradual improvment and gifts from Allah Almighty of earth for us.  The creation of earth without its complexity took two days, and the wonderful creations and gifts that Allah Almighty provided for us on earth took another two days.