Imam Jafar Sadiq theorized that everything in the universe is in perpetual motion, even if the motion is not visible. This included inanimate objects constantly vibrating and moving at the molecular level. While criticized in his time, modern science has proven this theory true, as molecules are now known to vibrate trillions of times per second. Both Imam Sadiq and Einstein's theory of relativity recognized that all motion is relative to a frame of reference, and everything in the universe exists in some state of motion.

1. The Theory of PerpetualThe Theory of Perpetual
MotionMotion
Imam Jafar Sadiq (as)Imam Jafar Sadiq (as)
Reference: The Great Muslim ScientistReference: The Great Muslim Scientist
and Philosopher,and Philosopher,
Jafar As-SadiqJafar As-Sadiq

2. Everything is in motionEverything is in motion
 Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) has said that everythingImam Jafar Sadiq (as) has said that everything
in the Universe, including inanimate objects, isin the Universe, including inanimate objects, is
always in motion although we may not see it.always in motion although we may not see it.
 This theory was unacceptable in his time.This theory was unacceptable in his time.
 However, today this theory is a scientific fact.However, today this theory is a scientific fact.
 Every object in the Universe is in motion.Every object in the Universe is in motion.
 Motion is the essence of being. If there is noMotion is the essence of being. If there is no
motion, there is no existence.motion, there is no existence.

3. Two kinds of motionTwo kinds of motion
 There are two kinds of motion in every object – motionThere are two kinds of motion in every object – motion
inside the atoms and perpetual vibration within theinside the atoms and perpetual vibration within the
molecules.molecules.
 The molecules vibrate from zero to ten trillion times perThe molecules vibrate from zero to ten trillion times per
second according to the degree of temperature.second according to the degree of temperature.
 In 1738, Swiss physicist and mathematicianIn 1738, Swiss physicist and mathematician
Daniel BernoulliDaniel Bernoulli publishedpublished HydrodynamicaHydrodynamica, which laid the, which laid the
basis for the kinetic theory of gases. In this work,basis for the kinetic theory of gases. In this work,
Bernoulli argued that gases consist of great numbers ofBernoulli argued that gases consist of great numbers of
molecules moving in all directions, that their impact on amolecules moving in all directions, that their impact on a
surface causes the gas pressure that we feel, and thatsurface causes the gas pressure that we feel, and that
what we experience aswhat we experience as heatheat is simply the kinetic energyis simply the kinetic energy
of their motion.of their motion.

4. Matter cannot be destroyedMatter cannot be destroyed
 Imam Sadiq (as) also said that it seems to us that whenImam Sadiq (as) also said that it seems to us that when
a person dies, his actions and movements come to ana person dies, his actions and movements come to an
end. However, this is not the case.end. However, this is not the case.
 The matter will be converted into energy.The matter will be converted into energy.
 Even the smallest particles of the human body areEven the smallest particles of the human body are
converted from matter into energy and they will continueconverted from matter into energy and they will continue
to move in the form of energy till the end of time.to move in the form of energy till the end of time.
 The physicist says, that it is impossible to destroy theThe physicist says, that it is impossible to destroy the
energy. There is no such action with which energy isenergy. There is no such action with which energy is
lost.lost.
 Matter can be converted to energy while energy can beMatter can be converted to energy while energy can be
converted into matter. In essence there is only drivingconverted into matter. In essence there is only driving
factor behind the two ‘appearances’: Motion.factor behind the two ‘appearances’: Motion.

5. Time is nothing but motionTime is nothing but motion
 Imam Sadiq also said that we feel the passing ofImam Sadiq also said that we feel the passing of
time because of our internal movement.time because of our internal movement.
 Similarly our sense of space is due to thisSimilarly our sense of space is due to this
movement. Without it we cannot feel themovement. Without it we cannot feel the
passage of time and have a sense of space.passage of time and have a sense of space.
 Scientists today realise that time is nothing butScientists today realise that time is nothing but
motion. All is motion, the things have a differentmotion. All is motion, the things have a different
amount of motion, so some actions are very fastamount of motion, so some actions are very fast
and some less.and some less.
 There is no absolute time. Everything is relative.There is no absolute time. Everything is relative.

6. Einstein’s relativity theoryEinstein’s relativity theory
consistent with our Imam’s theoryconsistent with our Imam’s theory
 Everything is in motion. As you sit in the Imambargah,Everything is in motion. As you sit in the Imambargah,
you are actually in motion around the center of the Earthyou are actually in motion around the center of the Earth
because of the rapid rotation of the Earth on its axis.because of the rapid rotation of the Earth on its axis.
 The Earth is in motion around the Sun, the Sun is in orbitThe Earth is in motion around the Sun, the Sun is in orbit
around the center of our Galaxy, the Galaxy is movingaround the center of our Galaxy, the Galaxy is moving
toward a large group of galaxies, etc.toward a large group of galaxies, etc.
 When you say something has aWhen you say something has a velocity,velocity, you areyou are
measuring its change of position relative to somemeasuring its change of position relative to some
reference point which may itself be in motion. All motionreference point which may itself be in motion. All motion
isis relativerelative to a chosen frame of reference. That is whatto a chosen frame of reference. That is what
the word ``relativity'' means in Einstein's Relativitythe word ``relativity'' means in Einstein's Relativity
theories.theories.

7. Einstein’s relativity theoryEinstein’s relativity theory
consistent with our Imam’s theoryconsistent with our Imam’s theory
 Everything is in motion. As you sit in the Imambargah,Everything is in motion. As you sit in the Imambargah,
you are actually in motion around the center of the Earthyou are actually in motion around the center of the Earth
because of the rapid rotation of the Earth on its axis.because of the rapid rotation of the Earth on its axis.
 The Earth is in motion around the Sun, the Sun is in orbitThe Earth is in motion around the Sun, the Sun is in orbit
around the center of our Galaxy, the Galaxy is movingaround the center of our Galaxy, the Galaxy is moving
toward a large group of galaxies, etc.toward a large group of galaxies, etc.
 When you say something has aWhen you say something has a velocity,velocity, you areyou are
measuring its change of position relative to somemeasuring its change of position relative to some
reference point which may itself be in motion. All motionreference point which may itself be in motion. All motion
isis relativerelative to a chosen frame of reference. That is whatto a chosen frame of reference. That is what
the word ``relativity'' means in Einstein's Relativitythe word ``relativity'' means in Einstein's Relativity
theories.theories.