Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr":

1. The earth came first. [Mujāhid]
2. The heavens came first. [Muqātil] (Ed: this view is more evident based on external factors, and the various passages in the Qur'an which seem to indicate one or the other sequence can be interpreted in multiple ways.)

Which was created first: the heavens or the earth?

Imām Ibn al-Jawzī (d. 597 AH / 1201 CE) summarized the scholars' opinions in his book "Zād al-Masīr":

1. He began by creating the earth in two days, then created the heavens in two days, then He spread out the earth and made it firm with mountains. Then He measured its provisions in two days. [Ibn ʿAbbās] 
2. He carried out the creation of the earth and all that is on it in four consecutive days, then created the heaven in two days. [al-Ḥasan, Mujāhid]

In what duration was the earth and its contents created?