The term al-ʿālam (“the universe”) does not occur in the Quran, in the words of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, or in the words of any of the Companions or Successors. What does occur is the term al-ʿālamīn (“the worlds”), which has a general scope, as in His words:

“Lord of the worlds (2).” [al-Fātihah: 2]

It may also be said to have a restricted scope, as in His words:

“We favoured them above the worlds (16).” [al-Jāthiyah: 16]

“And He has chosen you above the women of the worlds (42).” [Āl ʿImrān: 42]

“No one in all the worlds has done this before you (80).” [al-Aʿrāf: 80]

This is according to those who understand the intended meaning to be human beings or the people of their time.

Likewise, the term al-khalq (“creation”) has the definite article and thus has a general scope. Yet it may refer to something understood from the context whose scope is narrower than the totality of created things, as in his statement in the hadith about Adam’s creation:

“Creation has continued to diminish until now.”

The same applies to the hadith mentioned earlier, and likewise to his statement in the hadith about creation:

“And He created Adam after the afternoon prayer on Friday, the last of creation, in the final hour of Friday, between the afternoon prayer and nightfall.”