Peace be upon you. Can you please explain the wisdom behind the fact that Allah created the heavens and earth in six days? We are asked this question repeatedly by Hindus working here in the Kingdom. They say: If your lord can create everything just by saying “Be” and it is, why did he create them in six days? Please give us a convincing answer. Glorified be Allah above all that they associate as partners with Him. May Allah reward you with good and benefit the Muslims from your knowledge!

Firstly: Allah says: “He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” To those who do not know the Creator I say: He cannot be asked about anything He does while the created ones can be asked. Everything the Creator does or says has a reason. He teaches His creations by means of His Actions. He teaches them the importance of gradation and that creations evolve and develop. Just like a small boy grows up slowly until he is mature, the universe is created gradually. This is one of the wisdoms. Another is that time and place are closely connected in the journey of existence. Allah decreed that these six days and the seventh one are the bases of all calculations. The connection between time and place is very strong. This is how everything went according to a set plan until the world became ready for us, with its heavens and earth. Time is not a tangible factor while place is a tangible one and that is why Allah connected them both. Such matters cannot be understood except by people who are heedful and who submit their will to Allah.
Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah be merciful to him) said, “Tell those with blurry eyes that sunrise and sunset are seen by other eyes. Some people are content with appearances and do not even look for the essence.”
Ask those people about the wisdom behind creating days or time. This is only known to the Creator and man is weaker and more trivial to ask the Creator and question Him. “He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned.” (Al-Anbiya’, 21:23) Everything Allah does has a reason and if man does not see it, this is because of his inability to see. That is what I have to say in this regard and Allah knows best.