[Most Philosophers Hold That the Matter of the World Preceded Its Form]
And this (1) view—that this world came into being—is the view of the leading philosophers who lived before Aristotle. Indeed, they state that Aristotle was the first to declare explicitly that the celestial spheres are eternal, whereas the leading philosophers before him maintained that this world came into being—either its form alone, or both its matter and form. Most of them held that (2) the matter of this world preceded its form.
This (3) accords with what the messengers [may Allah’s blessings be upon them] (4) reported. For Allah stated that He:
“created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water”
[Surah Hūd: 7] (5).
He also stated that He:
“turned to heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come, willingly or unwillingly.’ They both said, ‘We come willingly.’”
[Surah Fussilat: 11].
It is also established (6) in Sahīh Muslim, from Abd Allah ibn Amr ibn al-Ās, that the Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—said:
“Allah decreed the destinies of all created beings fifty thousand years before He created the heavens and the earth, and His Throne (7) was upon the water.” (8)