Srđan Simić
University of East Sarajevo
Orthodoxs Theologigical Faculty
Foča

CREATION AND RESURRECTION IN THE QURAN

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The Quranic conception of creation, the world, and man, as well as resurrection suggests to European readers some Judeo-Christian aspects of Islamic exegesis and eschatology. Koranic exegesis discusses the creation of the world and man in six days, through the divine word "be", whereby all things are called into existence. The aim of the Quran is explicitly to point out that this world is a creation of the one and only God, and not by multiple divinities. Man, in the Quran, is created not in the image of God, but as a vicegerent (caliph) of God on Earth. The "signs and miracles" in Allah's creation, too, demonstrate that everything in this world is the work of the one God who is the master of life and death as well as the ultimate judge. Related to the divine master plan in Islamic eschatology is the teaching about the forthcoming Judgment Day, which will be preceded by numerous apocalyptic symbols in preparation for the cosmic catastrophe. The various symbols "judgment day", "decision day", "day of gathering" or "day of resurrection" all suggest a new or other creation of the world and man, i.e., the belief in the resurrection of the dead. The role of the Islamic Mahdi as a righteously guided Messiah and temporal saviour of mankind, as well as the expected return of Jesus, and the suggestion in certain traditions that these two are one and the same, point to a Judeo-Christian influence.

Key words: creation and resurrection, Allah as only creator and judge, judgment day, eschatology and apocalypse, first and second creation –resurrection of the dead, faith in Mahdi and second coming of Christ.