Laws of Science or Creed of Tawḥīd?
The Theory of Conservation of Matter and Energy in Clear Conflict with Allah’s Eternal Attributes
Compiled by: Tauheed.com
◈ The Core of Islamic Creed
The foundation of Islamic belief is that only Allāh is the One who:
- was never created,
- will never perish,
- nothing originates from Him except by His will,
- and no law or principle can ever apply to Him.
Modern scientific theories such as the Law of Conservation of Matter and the Law of Conservation of Energy state:
❝Matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed.❞
If this is taken as a limited observational fact, it may be acceptable.
But if it is believed to be an absolute, eternal reality, then it stands in direct contradiction to the creed of Tawḥīd in Islam.
Allah’s Eternal and Everlasting Attributes
“He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden; and He has knowledge of all things.”(Sūrah al-Ḥadīd: 3)
“Everyone upon it (the earth) will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor.”(Sūrah al-Raḥmān: 26–27)
From these verses it is clear:- Allah has existed eternally and will remain forever.
- Everything besides Him is created and will perish.
- Allah is not bound by any natural law or scientific principle.
The Conflict with Scientific Theories
Science claims:
❝Matter and energy can neither be created nor destroyed.❞
If understood to mean:
❝They have existed forever and will remain forever❞
→ Then this collides with the attributes of Allah as the sole Creator and Everlasting One.
Because:
✔ Only Allah is the Creator, not matter and energy.
✔ Only Allah is eternal, not matter and energy.
✔ Only Allah brings everything into existence and causes it to perish.
Scholars’ Statements
- Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah رحمه الله
❝To claim that any created thing is eternal with Allah is shirk, because it attributes to creation what belongs to Allah alone.❞
Majmūʿ al-Fatāwā, 18/210 - Shaykh Ṣāliḥ al-Fawzān حفظه الله
❝To say that matter can neither be destroyed nor created is disbelief, because it denies Allah’s power to create and annihilate.❞
al-Muntaqā min Fatāwā al-Fawzān, 1/341 - Dr. Bilal Philips – Fundamentals of Tawheed
“Belief in eternal matter or energy is a form of shirk in Allah’s attribute of creation and uniqueness. Only Allah is uncreated and eternal.” - Shaykh ʿAbd al-Ḥalīm Maḥmūd (former Grand Mufti of Egypt)
❝Allah is the Creator, and every system of the universe follows His will. No system can confine Him.❞
Lectures in al-Azhar al-Sharīf
Conclusion
✔ Allah alone is eternal and everlasting.
✔ Matter and energy are His creations.
To regard them as eternal or indestructible is shirk in Allah’s attributes.✔ Scientific principles are valid only when understood as subject to Allah’s will and decree.
Accepting them as absolute truth independent of Allah is denial of His attributes and a deviation from Tawḥīd.
A Call to Reflection
Muslim scientists, scholars, and students must examine scientific theories through the lens of Islamic creed.
They are acceptable only as limited principles under Allah’s will — never as eternal truths opposing His divine attributes.
