There is a fixed rule among chemists and physicists to the effect that matter is neither destroyed nor created from nothing, and these sciences are based on this rule.
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The questioner : The questioner says: There is a fixed rule among chemists and physicists to the effect that matter is neither destroyed nor created from nothing, and most sciences are based on this rule. And Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He, says: [Ar-Rahman 55:26-27] Is there a contradiction between the rule and the verse? And if there is no contradiction, what is the point of reconciliation?
The Shaykh : Yes, we say to these physicists and chemists—whether you call them chemists, chemists, or chemists; I think "chemists" is the term for fertilizer—we say to these physicists and chemists that their sciences are built on experiments, and much of it is conjecture, not reality. But what the Book and the Sunnah indicate with clear indication is certain and true, because it came from the Creator of the universe. And we say to them secondly: There is no doubt that this universe came into existence from nothing, and whatever came into existence from nothing is capable of ceasing to exist. This is a theoretical, rational issue: whatever has a possible existence has a possible non-existence. Nothing in existence has an obligatory existence except the Creator of existence, Glorified and Exalted is He. So the entire universe came into existence from nothing, and whatever is possible to exist is possible to cease to exist. If the indication of the Book and the Sunnah is that matter perishes, then matter perishes, and we strike their faces with every rule they establish. I do not say "through the wall," but we strike their faces with it, because anything that contradicts the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger in a clear contradiction, it is obligatory to strike the face of its holder with it until he returns to his reason. Yes, this is our answer to this question.
(26) Everyone upon the earth will perish, (27) And there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.
كل من عليها فان ويبقى وجه ربك ذي الجلال والإكرامThe Shaykh : Yes, we say to these physicists and chemists—whether you call them chemists, chemists, or chemists; I think "chemists" is the term for fertilizer—we say to these physicists and chemists that their sciences are built on experiments, and much of it is conjecture, not reality. But what the Book and the Sunnah indicate with clear indication is certain and true, because it came from the Creator of the universe. And we say to them secondly: There is no doubt that this universe came into existence from nothing, and whatever came into existence from nothing is capable of ceasing to exist. This is a theoretical, rational issue: whatever has a possible existence has a possible non-existence. Nothing in existence has an obligatory existence except the Creator of existence, Glorified and Exalted is He. So the entire universe came into existence from nothing, and whatever is possible to exist is possible to cease to exist. If the indication of the Book and the Sunnah is that matter perishes, then matter perishes, and we strike their faces with every rule they establish. I do not say "through the wall," but we strike their faces with it, because anything that contradicts the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger in a clear contradiction, it is obligatory to strike the face of its holder with it until he returns to his reason. Yes, this is our answer to this question.