Does ether (substance) and the proof of huduth (being created later) contradict each other?

- Imam Ghazali states the following in “al Maznunu bihi ala ghayri ahli”:
“Whether substance is divisible or not depends on whether it takes up space or not.”
“If it is impossible for substance to divide, it does not take up space and is indivisible. If it is not impossible for substance to divide, it takes up space and is divisible.”
- The following is written in the Kalam books:
“Movement is a transition from one place to another.”
- It is also known that the essence of matter is a particle of ether, which cannot be divided and therefore does not take up space because the last indivisible matter must be subtle and not take up space in order to be indivisible forever.
- Since it is impossible for a particle of ether that does not take up space to move and stay still, the proof of movement and stillness is cancelled.

Dear Brother / Sister,

- First of all, we have to admit that Imam Ghazali’s views on physics might be incomplete when viewed from the window of today’s scientific developments though they are excellent according to the level of science of that day.

- Until recently, a particle/atom was considered the smallest indivisible matter. However, it is now known that the atom consists of many parts.

According to the information given by experts the movement of atoms (which, according to the theory at that time, was considered indivisible and not taking up space) is quite limited but they still vibrate. In liquid and gas, on the other hand, “atoms” make movements of rotation and displacement in addition to vibrational movements. In liquid, atoms are in constant motion but are still bound together; but in the gas phase, atoms act almost as if they were independent of one another. There is no reason to exclude ether atoms from this rule.

- The research made in the 19th and 20th centuries reinforced the following information: Matter is like a set of billiard balls, which is determined by coordinates in space, has a speed limit and can transform into states such as solid-liquid-gas. Each atom is related to a neighboring atom within its own boundaries and shares electrons in motion.

- The huduth proof of kalam scholars is based on two foundations: Tasalsul (succession) and taghayyur (change). Movement and stillness are important as they are clear indicators of this variability.

In fact, it is known that almost the entire universe is in motion without referring to the ether substance. As kalam scholars point out, each movement expresses stillness in relation to its previous position. The transition from the first time to the second time puts the first time in a state of stillness.

- There is information in the Quran that the heavens and earth are in motion in the air/space (that is, although they are not positioned in any place) and that they are suspended in the air by Allah. The earth globe, which we know closely, is in motion even though it is not based on any place.

According to the statement of Badiuzzaman Said Nursi, “It has been established empirically that while remaining as ether, it has various forms and formations like other matter. Just as there are three states of the same matter, liquid, gas and solid, for instance, steam, water, and ice; so there is nothing to reasonably prevent ether having seven states or levels; it cannot be objected to in any way.” (see Lem’alar, p. 67)

- It is understood from the statement above that ether substance is a changeable thing. The evidence put forward by kalam scholars for huduth is not only movement, but also variability rather than movement. Their inferences such as “Since the world is changeable/variable...” is an indication of it. Change itself is a movement.

- According to some new scientific studies, what provides the environment for rapid movements in space is ether.

“Ether leads to increased elasticity of space-time, and this situation occurs. Space-time is often imagined as a stretchy sheet being bent and twisted by the presence of a heavy object. Ether causes this elastic sheet to be more bendable partly. Thus, matter seems to have a greater gravitational effect than would be expected from its weight. According to calculations, the high velocities observed in stars in galaxies and attributed to dark matter today can only be explained with the support of this gravitational force caused by Ether.”

-Nursi, who presents the Quran to the understanding of our age and interprets the secrets of nature and the Universe, interprets the term water in a verse as ether and states that it is the origin of material creation:

The verse “and the throne of His almightiness has rested upon water” alludes to this matter, which resembles water. “After its creation, the ether received the Maker’s first manifestation giving existence; that is, He created the ether, then He made it into the fundamental atoms (jawahir farda).” (see İşaratü’l-İ’caz)

- Nursi describes ether as “a matter which fills space is the bond of the laws governing the heavenly bodies like those of attraction and repulsion, and is the conductor and transmitter of such forces in matter as light, heat, and electricity” and considers it as “the most changing and the most varying and the most dispersed through space”.

After stating that the space is full of ether Nursi says, “Just as fruits clearly demonstrate the existence of the tree that bore them, flowers their flower-bed, shoots their seed-bed, and fishes the sea, the stars also thrust before the mind’s eye the necessary existence of their source, seed-bed, sea, and flower-bed.” (see Sözler, p. 569) Thus, he states that ether is the field of both formation and activity of the beings.

- As we have just quoted, Nursi states that ether forms the fabric of each realm and that the seven realms are subject to structuring according to the separate rules as follows:

“It has been established empirically that while remaining as ether, it has various forms and formations like other matter. Just as there are three states of the same matter, liquid, gas and solid, for instance, steam, water, and ice; so there is nothing to reasonably prevent ether having seven states or levels; it cannot be objected to in any way.” (see Lem’alar, p. 67)

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