Both the revealed Law and sound reason hold that this world, in all its parts, is originated and preceded by non-existence, depending for its existence on an Originator without beginning, before whom nothing was.

The proof of origination, joined to the refutation of infinite regress, is among the strongest grounds relied upon in answering the claim that matter is eternal.

What the proof of origination says

The proof begins from a plain premise: the bodies we observe change and alter, and whatever changes is originated and preceded by non-existence.

The Qurʾān points to this in Sūrat al-Ṭūr, verse 35.

Since a thing cannot bring itself into being, nor come to be without a bringer, reason requires a Creator who brought it into being after non-existence.

What infinite regress means, and why it fails

The regress in question is the supposition that every originated originator was itself brought about by another originated originator, endlessly into the past.

This fails rationally, for it makes today's coming-to-be wait upon the completion of an endless series, and an endless series is never completed; so nothing would exist now.

That the world does exist now is decisive proof that the chain is finite and must end at a First Originator before whom nothing was.

The Creator's beginninglessness and priority

Reason and revelation establish that the Creator is the First, before whom nothing was: without beginning, and in no need of anyone to bring Him into being.

In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: «O Allah, You are the First, and nothing is before You.»

By this priority the regress is cut off, and the origin of existence is explained in a way that reason and innate disposition both accept.

Conclusion

The proof of origination and the impossibility of infinite regress together form a conclusive rational argument that the universe has a beginning and one Creator who brought it into being by His wisdom and power.