God's Universal Foundation
As for the universe, some scientists compare it today to a curved sheet or plate. They say the universe has a specific density in the distribution of matter through it. This density makes it more like a slightly curved sheet, which means being flat. Then this universe, at the end of its life, will fold itself as it folds this paper. It will close and return as it began. They call it the theory of the recurring universe, which means that it starts from one point, then expands, then returns and shrinks on itself and returns as it began. Then why do we believe in this speech? Because God almighty says, "The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it." Those who believe in this theory use the word repeat, the same Koranic word used by scholars to express the end of the universe and the re-creation.
-- Dc. Charif Noureddine