2. 1. Atheists do not believe in God or in the Qur’an
2. Congratulating an atheist
3. Logical concept of God
4. Concept of God according to Surah Al Ikhlaas
5. To Allah belongs most beautiful names
6. The Name ‘Allah’ preferred to God
1. Astronomy
2. Physics
3. Hydrology
4. Geology
5. Oceanography
6. Biology
7. Botany
8. Zoology
9. Medicine
10. Physiology
11. Embryology
12. General Science
QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE
QUR’ANIC CONCEPT OF GOD
3. 1. To understand the Qur’anic concept of God
2. To determine the veracity of the Glorious Qur’an beyond the
boundaries of time and age
3. To objectively analyse the Muslim belief regarding the Divine
origin of the Qur'an, in the light of established scientific discoveries
4. To realise that the Glorious Qur’an is the last and final revelation
of Allah (swt) sent to guide all of humanity
CONCLUSION
1. Qur’an is a book of S-I-G-N-S and not a book
of S-C-I-E-N-C-E
2. Theory of probability
3. Qur’an is the ‘Furqan’
4. Creator is the author of the Qur’an
5. Science is eliminating models of God but not God
4. Multiple Choice Questions
Matching the Columns
True or False
Video
Study Guide
Graphic Posts
Assessment
Total Duration
– 1 hour 55 min
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Facebook Posts
6. 6
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
QUR’ANIC
CONCEPT OF GOD
To the atheist who does not believe in the existence
of God, the question, ‘Is the Qur’an God’s word?’ is
baseless. He does not believe in God, therefore the
question whether the Qur’an is God’s word does not
arise.
Atheists do not believe
in God or in the Qur’an
7. To all the atheists, the first thing I would like to do is to con-
gratulate you. My special congratulations to you because
most of the other people who believe in a god are doing blind
belief; he is a Christian because his father is a Christian; he is
a Hindu because his father is a Hindu; he is a Muslim because
his father is a Muslim; the majority of the people in the world
are blindly following the religion of their fathers. An atheist
on the other hand, even though he may be belonging to a
religious family, uses his intellect to deny the existence of
God because whatever qualities of God he has learnt in his
religion do not seem to be logical.
Congratulating an Atheist
8. My Muslim brother may question me, Zakir how are you
congratulating an atheist? The reason that I am congratulat-
ing an atheist is because he agrees with the first part of the
Shahaadah i.e., Islamic creed, ‘La Ilaaha’, ‘there is no God.’
Half my job is already done, now the only part left is ‘Illal
laah’ i.e., ‘but Allah’ which I shall do In Sha Allah. With the
other people I have to first remove from their minds the
wrong concept of God they have and then put the correct
concept of one true God.
8
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
9. 9
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
My first question to the atheist will be, what is the definition of
God? For a person to say there is no God, he should know
what the meaning of God is. If I say, holding a book that ‘this is
a pen’ he should know what the definition of a pen is, even if
he does not know what I am holding in my hand, for him to say
there is no God, he should at least know the concept of God.
His concept of God is derived from the surroundings in which
he lives. The god that people worship has human qualities,
therefore he does not believe in such a god. Similarly, a
Muslim too does not have to believe in such false gods.
Logical Concept of God
10. If a non-Muslim believes that Islam is a merciless religion,
something to do with terrorism, a religion which does not
give rights to the women, a religion which contradicts with
science in his limited sense, a non-Muslim is correct to
reject such an ‘Islam’. The problem is that he has a wrong
picture of Islam. Even I reject such a false picture of Islam,
but at the same time, it becomes my duty as a true Muslim
to present the correct picture of Islam to that non-Muslim
i.e., Islam is a merciful religion; it gives equal rights to the
women; it does not contradict with logic, reason, and sci-
ence, then In Sha Allah, that non-Muslim will accept Islam.
Similarly, the Atheist rejects the false gods and it is the duty
of every Muslim to present the correct concept of God
which he shall In Sha Allah not refuse.
10
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ISLAM
11. 11
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
The best definition that you can find in the Qur’an of God
Almighty is in Surah Al Ikhlaas,
ٌ
د َح
َ
أ ُ
ٱل َ
وُه
ْ
ل
ُ
ق
ُ
د َم
ٱلص ُ
ٱل
ْ
د
َ
ل ْ
وُي ْ َ َ
و ْ
دِلَي ْ َ
ٌ
د َح
َ
أ ا ً
و
ُ
ف
ُ
ك ۥُ
ْ
ن
ُ
كَي ْ َ َ
و
Concept of God
according to Surah Al Ikhlaas
12. This is a 4-line definition of Allah (swt), God Almighty, acc-
ording to the Qur’an. If any candidate who claims to be God
Almighty fits in this 4-line definition, we Muslims have no
objection in accepting him as God. This Surah Al Ikhlaas is
the acid test. It is the ‘Furqan’ or the criteria to judge bet-
ween true and false gods.
12
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
“Say: He is Allah, the One and Only.”
“Allah, the Eternal, Absolute.”
“He begetteth not, Nor is He begotten.”
“And there is none Like unto Him.”
Al Qur’an 112:1-4
13. Whichever God any human being on the face of this earth is
worshipping, if it fulfills these 4 criteria then He is the true God.
For example, let us put this candidate to divinity, Bhagwan Rajn-
eesh, to the test of Surah Al Ikhlaas, the touchstone of theology.
13
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
A
The first criterion is “Say, He is Allah, One and Only.” Is Rajn-
eesh one and only, No! There are many people like Rajneesh
who claim divinity. Some disciples of Rajneesh may still hold
that Rajneesh is one and only.
B
The second criterion is, ‘Allah is Absolute and Eternal’. Rajneesh
was surely not absolute and eternal, he died in 1990. We know
from his biography that he suffered from diabetes, asthma, and
chronic backache. He alleged that the U.S. Government gave
him slow poison in jail. Imagine Almighty God being poisoned!
Rajneesh was neither absolute nor eternal.
14. 14
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
C
The third criterion is ‘He begets not, nor is He begotten’. We
know that Rajneesh was born in Jabalpur in India and had
mother as well as a father who later became his disciples.
In May 1981 he went to the U.S. and established a town called
‘Rajneeshpuram’. He later fell foul of the West and was finally
arrested and asked to leave the country. He came back to
India and started a commune in Pune which is now known as
the ‘Osho’ commune. The followers of Osho Rajneesh believe
that he is Almighty God.
A visitor to the “Osho Commune’ in Pune will find the following
epitaph on his tombstone: “Osho - never born, never died; only
visited the planet earth between 11th December 1931 to 19th
January 1990.”
15. D
The fourth test, which is the most stringent, is “There is none
like unto Him”. The moment you can imagine ‘God’ or com-
pare ‘God’ to anything then he (the candidate to divinity) is not
God. It is not possible to conjure up a mental picture of the
One True God. We know that Rajneesh was a human being
with a white flowing beard. He had two eyes, two ears, one
nose, and one mouth. Photographs and posters of Rajneesh
are available in plenty. The moment you can imagine what
god is, he is not God. We know, many are tempted to make
anthropomorphic comparisons to God.
What is the concluding remark to this section of “acid test?”
This acid test cannot be passed by anyone except the One
True God.
They forget to mention that he was not granted visa for 21 coun-
tries of the world. Can a person imagine a ‘God’ visiting the earth
and requiring a visa to enter a country! The Archbishop of Greece
said that if Rajneesh had not been deported, they would have burnt
his house and those of his disciples.
16. ٰ َ
ْ
سُْ
ٱ ُءاَ ْ
€
َ‚ ْ
ƒٱ ُ َ
َ
ف
۟
واُع ْ
د
َ
ت ا م ‰Š
‹
َ
أ ۖ َ
نٰـَ ْ
‘
ٱلر
۟
واُعْٱد ِ
و
َ
أ َ
ٱل
۟
واُعْٱد ِ
ل
ُ
ق
“Say: Call upon Allah, or Call upon Rahmaan, By
whatever name you call Upon Him, (it is well):
For to Him belong The Most Beautiful Names.”
Al Qur’an 17:110
To Allah belongs the
Most Beautiful Names
17. You can call Allah by any name, but that name should be beau-
tiful and should not conjure up a mental picture. The Qur’an
gives no less than 99 different attributes to God Almighty, Ar
Rahmaan, Ar Raheem, Al Hakeem, i.e., Most Gracious, Most
Merciful, All Wise, no less than 99 different attributes and the
crowning one is Allah. The Qur’an repeats this message that
to Allah belongs the most beautiful names in several places:
17
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
A Surah Al A’raaf, Chapter 7, Verse 180
C Surah Al Hashr, Chapter 59, Verse 24
B Surah Taha, Chapter 20, Verse 8
18. 18
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
Name ‘Allah’
preferred to God
The Muslims prefer calling God Almighty as Allah instead of
the English word God. The Arabic word Allah is pure and
unique unlike the English word God which can be played
around with.
If you add ‘s’ to God, it becomes Gods that is plural of God.
Allah is One and singular, there is no plural of Allah.
19. If you add ‘dess’ to God, it becomes Goddess, that is a female
God. There is nothing like male Allah or female Allah. Allah
has got no gender. If you add father to God, it becomes Godfa-
ther, ‘He is my Godfather’ i.e., he is my guardian. There is noth-
ing like ‘Allah Abba’ or ‘Allah father’ in Islam. If you add mother
to God, it becomes Godmother, there is nothing like ‘Allah
Ammi’ or ‘Allah mother’ in Islam. If you put ‘tin’ before God, it
becomes ‘tin god’ i.e., a fake God, there is nothing like ‘tin
Allah’ or fake Allah in Islam.
Allah is a unique word which does not conjure up a mental
picture nor can be played around with, therefore the Mus-
lims prefer saying Allah. But sometimes while speaking to
the non-Muslims, we may have to use the inappropriate word
God for Allah.
19
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
21. QUR’AN AND
MODERN SCIENCE
The methods discussed before of proving the exis-
tence of God to an atheist may satisfy some but
not all. Many atheists demand a scientific proof for
the existence of God. I do agree today is the age of
science and technology. Let us use the scientific
knowledge so that we can kill 2 birds with one stone
i.e., to prove the existence of God and simultane-
ously prove that Qur’an is a revelation of God.
Introduction
22. If a new object or a machine, which no one in the world has
ever seen or heard of before, is shown to an atheist or any
person and then asked a question, ‘Who is the first person
who will be able to tell the mechanism of this unknown
object?’ After little bit of thinking, he will reply, ‘the creator of
that object.’ Some may say, ‘the producer’ while others may
say, ‘the manufacturer.’ Whatever answer the person gives,
keep it on your mind, the answer will always be either the
creator, the producer, the manufacturer or somewhat of the
same meaning i.e., the person who has made it or created it,
don’t grapple with words, whatever answer he gives, the
meaning will be the same, therefore accept it.
22
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
23. Scientific facts
mentioned in the Qur’an
1 ASTRONOMY
i Creation of the Universe – The Big Bang
The creation of the universe is explained by astrophysi-
cists in a widely accepted phenomenon, popularly known
as the ‘Big Bang’. It is supported by observational and exp-
erimental data gathered by astronomers and astrophysi-
cists for decades. According to the 'Big Bang’, the whole
universe was initially one big mass (Primary Nebula).
Then there was a ‘Big Bang’ (Secondary Separation)
which resulted in the formation of galaxies.
23
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
24. 24
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
These then divided to form stars, planets, the sun, the moon,
etc. The origin of the universe was unique and the probability
of its occurring by chance is zero.
The Qur’an contains the following verse, regarding the origin
of the universe:
ا َم ُهٰـَن
ْ
قَت
َ
ف
َ
ف ا
ً
ق
ْ
ت َ
ر اَت
َ
ن
َ
َ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ َ
و ِ
ت َٰ
وٰـ َم
ٱلس
ن
َ
أ
۟
ا ٓ
و ُ
ر
َ
ف
َ
ك َ
ں۟ى ِ
ذ
ٱل َ َ
ƒ ْ َ
„ َ
و
َ
أ
“Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens
and the earth were joined together (as one unit
of Creation), before we clove them asunder?”
Al Qur’an 21:30
25. The striking congruence between the Qur'anic verse and the
'Big Bang' is inescapable! How could a book, which first app-
eared in the deserts of Arabia 1400 years ago, contain this
profound scientific truth?
25
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ii There was an Initial Gaseous Mass before the Creation
of Galaxies
Scientists say that before the galaxies in the universe were
formed, celestial matter was initially in the form of gaseous
matter. In short, huge gaseous matter or clouds were present
before the formation of the galaxies. To describe initial celes-
tial matter, the word 'smoke' is more appropriate than gas. The
following Qur’anic verse refers to this state of the universe by
the word ‘Dukhan’ which means smoke.
26. 26
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ْ
و
َ
أ اًع ْ
و
َ
ط اَيِت
ْ
ٱئ ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
Šِل َ
و اَ َ
‹
َ
ال
َ
ق
َ
ف
ٌ
ان
َ
خُد َ ِ
“ َ
و ِء
•
ا َم
ٱلس ْ َ
–ِإ ˜
ى َ
وَت ْ
ٱس ُ›
œ
َ
ںْى ِعِئآ
َ
ط اَنْي
َ
ت
َ
أ آَت
َ
ال
َ
ق اًه ْ
ر
َ
ك
“Then He turned to the sky, and it had been (as)
smoke: He said to it and to the earth: Come
you together, willingly or unwillingly. They said:
We do come together, in willing obedience.
Al Qur’an 41:11
Again, this fact is a corollary to the 'Big Bang' and was not known
to the Arabs during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
What then, could have been the source of this knowledge?
28. Merging here means that the night slowly and gradually
changes to day and vice versa. This phenomenon can only
take place if the earth is spherical. If the earth was flat, there
would have been a sudden change from night to day and from
day to night.
The following verse also alludes to the spherical shape of
the earth:
َ
ارَ
§ٱل ُ
ر ّ
ِ
و
َ
كُي َ
و ِارَ
§ٱل ْ َ
±َع
َ
لْي
ٱل ُ
ر ّ
ِ
و
َ
كُي ۖ ّ
ِ
قَْ
´
µ
ِ¶
· َ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ َ
و ِ
ت َٰ
وٰـ َم
ٱلس َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ
ِ
لْي
ٱل ْ َ
±َع
“He created the heavens and the earth in true
(proportions): He makes the Night overlap the
Day, and the Day overlap the Night...”
Al Qur’an 39:5
29. The Arabic word used here is ‘Kawwara’ meaning 'to overlap
or 'to coil' – the way a turban is wound around the head. The
overlapping or coiling of the day and night can take place if
the earth is spherical. The earth is not exactly round like a
ball, but geo-spherical, i.e., it is flattened at the poles.
29
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
The following verse contains a description of the earth's shape:
آَ ٰ
§ َحَد
َ
كِل
َٰ
ذ َ
د ْعَب َ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ َ
و
“And the earth, moreover, has He extended (to
a wide expanse).”
Al Qur’an 79:30
30. The Arabic word for egg here is ‘Dahaha’ which means an
ostrich-egg. The shape of an ostrich-egg resembles the
geo-spherical shape of the earth.
Thus, the Qur'an correctly describes the shape of the earth,
though the prevalent notion when the Qur’an was revealed
was that the earth is flat.
30
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
31. 31
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
iv The Light of the Moon is Reflected Light
It was believed by earlier civilisations that the moon emits its
own light. Science now tells us that the light of the moon is
reflected light. However, this fact was mentioned in the Qur’an
1,400 years ago in the following verse:
ا ً
رْىِن ¾م ا ً
ر َ َ®
À َ
و ا ً
ج َٰ ِ
 ا َهْىِف
َ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و ا ً
وجُ ُ¶
ƒ ِء
•
ا َم
ٱلس ِ
¦
َ
ل َع َ
ج ْ
ى ِ
ذ
ٱل
َ
ك َ
ارَب
َ
ت
“Blessed is He Who made constellations in the
skies and placed therein a lamp and a moon
giving light.”
Al Qur’an 25:61
32. The Arabic word for the sun in the Qur'an, is ‘Shams’. It is referred
to as ‘Siraj’ which means a 'torch' or as ‘Wahhaj’ which means 'a
blazing lamp' or as ‘Diya’ which means 'shining glory'. All three des-
criptions are appropriate to the sun since it generates intense heat
and light by its internal combustion. The Arabic word for the moon
is ‘Qamar’ and it is described in the Qur'an as Muneer which is a
body that gives ‘Noor’, i.e., light. Again, the Qur’anic description
matches perfectly with the true nature of the moon which does not
give off light itself and is an inert body that reflects the light of the
sun. Not once in the Qur'an, is the moon mentioned as Siraj,
Wahhaj or Diya or the sun as Noor or Muneer. This implies that the
Qur’an recognizes the difference between the nature of sunlight
and moonlight. Consider the following verses related to the nature
of light from the sun and the moon:
32
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
33. 33
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ا ً
ور
ُ
ن
ن ِهْىِف َ
ر َم
َ
ق
ْ
ٱل
َ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و ا
ً
اقَبِط ٍ
ت َٰ
وٰـَ َ
Ç َعْب َ
س ُ
«ٱل َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ
َ
فْي
َ
ك
۟
ا ْ
وَ َ®
ƒ ْ َ
„
َ
أ
ا ً
اج َ ِ
 َ
س ْم
ٱلش
َ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و
“See you not how Allah has created the seven
heavens one above another. And made the moon
a light in their midst, and made the sun as a
(glorious) lamp?”
Al Qur’an 71:15-16
34. 34
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
v The Sun rotates
For a long time, European philosophers and scientists
believed that the earth stood still in the center of the uni-
verse and every other body including the sun moved
around it. In the West, this geocentric concept of the uni-
verse was prevalent right from the time of Ptolemy in the
second century BC. In 1512, Nicholas Copernicus put
forward his Heliocentric Theory of Planetary Motion,
which asserted that the sun is motionless at the centre
of the solar system with the planets revolving around it.
In 1609, the German scientist Johannes Kepler published
the ‘Astronomia Nova’. In this he concluded that not only
do the planets move in elliptical orbits around the sun,
they also rotate upon their axes at irregular speeds.
35. With this knowledge it became possible for European scien-
tists to explain correctly many of the mechanisms of the solar
system including the sequence of night and day.
(After these discoveries, it was thought that the sun was sta-
tionary and did not rotate about its axis like the earth. I rem-
ember having studied this fallacy from geography books
during my school days.)
Consider the following Qur’anic Verse:
َ
ن ْ
و ُ
حَب ْ
سَي ٍ
ك
َ
ل
َ
ف ْ ِ
¦
Î ُ
Ï ۖ َ
ر َم
َ
ق
ْ
ٱل َ
و َ
س ْم
ٱلش َ
و َ
ارَ
§ٱل َ
و
َ
لْي
ٱل َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ْ
ى ِ
ذ
ٱل َ
وُه َ
و
“It is He Who created the night and the day, and
the sun and the moon: All (the celestial bodies)
swim along, each in its rounded course.”
Al Qur’an 21:33
36. The Arabic word used in the above Verse is ‘Yasbahoon’. The
word ‘Yasbahoon’ is derived from the word ‘Sabaha’. It car-
ries with it the idea of motion that comes from any moving
body. If you use the word for a man on the ground, it will not
mean that he is rolling but would mean he is walking or run-
ning. If you use the word for a man in water, it will not mean
that he is floating but would mean that he is swimming.
Similarly, if you use the word ‘Yasbah’ for a celestial body
such as the sun, it would not mean that it is only flying
through space but would mean that it is also rotating as it
goes through space. Most of the school textbooks have in-
corporated the fact that the sun rotates about its axis. The
rotation of the sun about its own axis can be proved with the
help of an equipment that projects the image of the sun on
the tabletop so that one can examine the image of the sun
without being blinded.
36
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
37. It is noticed that the sun has spots which complete a circular
motion once every 25 days, i.e., the sun takes approximately
25 days to rotate around its axis.
In fact, the sun travels through space at roughly 150 miles
per second and takes about 200 million years to complete
one revolution around the center of our Milky Way Galaxy.
ٍ
ك
َ
ل
َ
ف ْ ِ
¦
Î ُ
Ï َ
و ۚ ِارَ
§ٱل ُ
قِاب َ
س
ُ
لْي
ٱل
َ َ
و َ
ر َم
َ
ق
ْ
ٱل
َ
ك ِر ْ
د
ُ
ت
ْ
ن
َ
أ آَ َ
‹ ْ ِ
Ñَب
ۢ
نَي ُ
س ْم
ٱلش
َ
َ
ن ْ
و ُ
حَب ْ
سَي
“It is not permitted to the sun to catch up the
moon, nor can the night outstrip the day: Each
(just) swims along in its own) orbit (According
to Law).”
Al Qur’an 36:40
38. This verse mentions an essential fact discovered by modern
astronomy, i.e., the existence of the individual orbits of the
sun and the moon, and their journey through space with their
own motion.
The fixed place towards which the sun travels, carrying with
it the solar system, has been located exactly by modern ast-
ronomy. It has been given a name, the Solar Apex. The solar
system is indeed moving in space towards a point situated in
the constellation of Hercules (alpha Lyrae) whose exact loca-
tion is firmly established.
The moon rotates around its axis in the same duration that
it takes to revolve around the earth. It takes approximately
29 1/2 days to complete one rotation.
38
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
39. One cannot help but be amazed at the scientific accuracy of the
Qur’anic verses. Should we not ponder over the question:
“What was the source of knowledge contained in the Qur’an?”
39
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
vi The Sun will Extinguish after a Certain Period
The light of the sun is due to a chemical process on its
surface that has been taking place continuously for the
past five billion years. It will come to an end at some
point of time in the future when the sun will be totally
extinguished leading to extinction of all life on earth.
40. Regarding the impermanence of the sun's existence the Qur’an says:
ِ
مْىِل َع
ْ
ٱل ِ
رْى ِ
ز َع
ْ
ٱل ُ
رْى ِ
د
ْ
ق
َ
ت
َ
كِل
َٰ
ذ ۚ اَ
‹ ٍّر
َ
قَت ْ
س ُ ِ
Ö ْ
ى ِرْ¶
َ®
× ُ
س ْم
ٱلش َ
و
“And the sun runs unto a resting place for him;
that is the decree of (Him) the Exalted in Might,
the All-Knowing.”
Al Qur'an 36:38
The Arabic word used here is ‘Mustaqarr’, which means a
place or time that is determined. Thus, the Qur'an says that
the sun runs towards a determined place, and will do so only
up to a predetermined period of time – meaning that it will
end or extinguish.
A similar message is conveyed in the Qur'an in 13:2, 35:13,
39:5 and 31:29.
41. 41
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
vii The Sky is a Protected Ceiling
The earth’s atmosphere acts as a filter that prevents
harmful radiation from reaching the surface. Short
wavelengths like X-rays and Ultraviolet rays are filtered
out at higher altitudes. Protection from these rays is
vital for the existence of life on earth.
ا
ً
ظ ْ
و
ُ
فْ
Ù ا
ً
ف
ْ
ق َ
س َء
•
ا َم
ٱلس اَن
ْ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و
“And We have made the heavens as a canopy
well-guarded.”
Al Qur’an 21:32
42. 42
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
viii The Presence of Interstellar Matter
Space outside organised astronomical systems was
earlier assumed to be a vacuum. Astrophysicists later
discovered the presence of bridges of matter in this in-
terstellar space. These bridges of matter are called
plasma, and consist of completely ionized gas contain-
ing equal number of free electrons and positive ions.
Plasma is sometimes called the fourth state of matter
(besides the three known states, viz., solid, liquid and gas).
The Qur’an mentions the presence of this interstellar
material in the following verse:
ا َمُ َ
§ْيَب ا َم َ
و َ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ َ
و ِ
ت َٰ
وٰـ َم
ٱلس َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ْ
ى ِ
ذ
ٱل
“He Who created the heavens and the earth
and all that is between.”
Al Qur’an 25:59
It would be ridiculous, for anybody to even suggest that the
presence of interstellar galactic material was known 1400
years ago.
43. ix The Expanding Universe
In 1925, an American astronomer by the name of Edwin Hubble,
provided observational evidence that all galaxies are receding
from one another, which implies that the universe is expand-
ing. The expansion of the universe is now an established sci-
entific fact. This is what the Qur’an says regarding the nature
of the universe:
َ
ن ْ
و ُع ِ
س ْ
و ُ َ
Ö
·ِإ
و ٍ
د۟يْي
َ
ِ¶
· ا َهٰـَنْيَنَب َء
•
ا َم
ٱلس َ
و
“We have built the Firmament with might. And
We indeed have vast power.”
Al Qur'an 51:47
44. The Arabic word ‘Musi'oon’ is correctly translated as ‘expan-
ding it’, and it refers to the creation of the expanding vast-
ness of the universe.
Stephen Hawking, in his book, A Brief History of Time” says,
The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the
great intellectual revolutions of the 20th century.” The Qur'an
mentioned the expansion of the universe, before man even
learnt to build a telescope!
44
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
45. Some may say that the presence of astronomical facts in
the Qur’an is not surprising since the Arabs were advanced
in the field of astronomy. They are correct in acknowledging
the advancement of the Arabs in the field of astronomy.
However, they fail to realize that the Quran was revealed
centuries before the Arabs excelled in astronomy. More-
over, many of the scientific facts mentioned above regard-
ing astronomy, such as the origin of the universe with a Big
Bang, were not known to the Arabs even at the peak of their
scientific advancement. The scientific facts mentioned in
the Qur’an are therefore not due to the Arabs' advancement
in astronomy. Indeed, the reverse is true. The Arabs adva-
nced in astronomy because astronomy occupies a place in
the Qur’an.
45
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
47. 2 PHYSICS
47
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
The Existence of Subatomic Particles
In ancient times a well-known theory by the name of ‘Theory
of Atomism’ was widely accepted. This theory was originally
proposed by the Greeks, in particular by a man called Dem-
ocritus, who lived about 23 centuries ago. Democritus and the
people that came after him, assumed that the smallest unit of
matter was the atom. The Arabs used to believe the same.
The Arabic word ‘Dharrah’ most commonly meant an atom.
48. In recent times modern science has discovered that it is
possible to split even an atom. That the atom can be split
further is a development of the 20th century. Fourteen cen-
turies ago, this concept would have appeared unusual even
to an Arab. For him the ‘Dharrah’ was the limit beyond which
one could not go.
The following Qur’anic verse, however, refuses to acknowl-
edge this limit:
ۖ ِ
بْي
َ
غ
ْ
ٱل ِ ِ
ٰـَع ْ ُ
نَيِت
ْ
أَت
َ
ل ْ ّ
ِ
َ
ر َ
و ٰ َ
َب
ْ
ل
ُ
ق ۖ
ُ
ةَاع
ٱلس اَنْيِت
ْ َ
َ
۟
وا ُ
ر
َ
ف
َ
ك َ„
ںْ†ى ِ
ذ
ٱل
َ
ال
َ
ق َ
و
ْ
ن ِم ُ
ر
َ
غ ْ
ص
َ
أ
‘ َ
َ
و ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ْ ِ
„
“
َ
َ
و ِ
ت َٰ
وٰـ َم
ٱلس ْ ِ
„
“ ٍة
ر
َ
ذ
ُ
ال
َ
ق
ْ
ث ِ
م ُهْنَع ُ
ب ُ
ز ْعَي
َ
ٍ
„
ںْ†ى ِب ¥م ٍ
بٰـَتِك ْ ِ
„
“
ِإ ُ َ
§
ْ
ك
َ
أ
‘ َ
َ
و
َ
كِل
َٰ
ذ
“The Unbelievers say, Never to us will come
the Hour: say, Nay! But most surely, by my
Lord, it will come upon you; by Him Who knows
the unseen -- from Whom is not hidden the
least little atom in the Heavens or on earth:
Nor is there anything less than that, or greater,
but is in the record perspicuous.”
Al Qur’an 34:3
48
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
49. This verse refers to the Omniscience of God, His knowledge
of all things, hidden or apparent. It then goes further and
says that God is aware of everything, including what is small-
er or bigger than the atom. Thus, the verse clearly shows that
it is possible for something smaller than the atom to exist, a
fact discovered only recently by modern science.
A similar message is conveyed in the Qur'an in 10:61.
49
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
50. 3 HYDROLOGY
i The Water Cycle
In 1580, Bernard Palissy was the first man to describe the pres-
ent-day concept of 'water cycle'. He described how water evap-
orates from the oceans and cools to form clouds.
The clouds move inland where they rise, condense and fall as
rain. This water gathers as lakes and streams and flows back
to the ocean in a continuous cycle. In the 7th century BC,
Thales of Miletus believed that surface spray of the oceans
was picked up by the wind and carried inland to fall as rain.
50
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
51. In earlier times people did not know the source of underground
water. They thought the water of the oceans, under the effect
of winds, was thrust towards the interior of the continents.
They also believed that the water returned by a secret passage,
or the Great Abyss. This passage is connected to the oceans
and has been called the Tartarus', since Plato's time. Even
Descartes, a great thinker of the eighteenth century, subscri-
bed to this view. Till the nineteenth century, Aristotle's theory
was prevalent. According to this theory, water was condensed
in cool mountain caverns and formed underground lakes that
fed springs. Today, we know that the rainwater that seeps into
the cracks of the ground is responsible for this.
51
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
52. The water cycle is described by the Qur'an in the follow-
ing verses:
ۦِهِب ُ
ج ِرْ„ ُ†
« ُ¬
® ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ْ ِ
„
“ َعْي ِبٰـَنَي ۥُه
َ
ك
َ
ل َ
س
َ
ف ًآء َم ِء
‘
ا َم
ٱلس َ
ن ِ
م
َ
ل َ„
ر
ْ„ى
َ
أ َ
·ٱل
ن
َ
أ َ َ
º ْ َ
»
َ
أ
ۥُه
ُ
ن َٰ
و
ْ
ل
َ
أ ا
ً
فِلَتْ„ ¥
½ اًع ْ
ر
َ
ز
“See you not that Allah sends down rain from
the sky, and leads it through springs in the
earth? Then He causes to grow, therewith,
produce of various colours.”
Al Qur’an 39:21
52
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
53. ٍ
تٰـَي
َ
اÀـ
َ
ل
َ
كِل
َٰ
ذ ْ ِ
„
“
نِإ ۚ آَ ِ
 ْ
و َم َ
د ْعَب َ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ِهِب ِْ
ْ
Äُي
َ
ف ًآء َم ِء
‘
ا َم
ٱلس َ
ن ِ
م
ُ
لّ
ِ
„ َ„
§ُي َ
و
َ
ن ْ
و
ُ
لِق ْعي ٍ
م ْ
و
َ
ق
ّ
ِل
“And He sends down rain from the sky and
with it gives life to the earth after it is dead:
Verily in that are signs for those who are wise.”
Al Qur’an 30:24
53
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
54. ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ْ ِ
„
“ ُهٰـن
َ
ك ْ
س
َ
أ
َ
ف ٍر َ
د
َ
قِب ًآء َم ِء
‘
ا َم
ٱلس َ
ن ِ
م اَن
ْ
ل َ„
ر
ْ„ى
َ
أ َ
و ۖ
َ
ن ْ
و ُ
ر ِ
دٰـ
َ
ق
َ
ل ِهِب ٍ
ابَه
َ
ذ ٰ َ
َع „
ِإ َ
و
“And We send down water from the sky accor-
ding to (Due) measure, and We cause it to soak
in the soil, and We certainly are able to drain it
off (with ease).”
Al Qur’an 23:18
No other text dating back 1400 years ago gives such an acc-
urate description of the water cycle.
54
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
55. ii Winds Impregnate the Clouds
ُه ْ
و ُ ُ
Éٰـَنْي
َ
ق ْ
س
َ
أ
َ
ف ًآء َم ِء
‘
ا َم
ٱلس َ
ن ِ
م اَن
ْ
ل َ„
ر
ْ„ى
َ
أ
َ
ف َ ِ
Ê َٰ
و
َ
ل َ
حٰـَي ِّٱلر اَن
ْ
ل َ
س ْ
ر
َ
أ َ
و
“And We send the fecundating winds, then
cause the rain to descend from the sky, there-
with providing you with water (in abundance).”
Al Qur’an 15:22
55
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
56. ُآء
َ
شَي
َ
فْي
َ
ك ِء
‘
ا َم
ٱلس ْ ِ
„
“ ۥُه
ُ
ط ُ
سْبَي
َ
ف ً
ا َ َ
Ñ ُ
رْ†ىِثُت
َ
ف َ
حٰـَي ِّٱلر
ُ
ل ِ
سْ ُ†
º ْ
ى ِ
ذ
ٱل ُ
·ٱل
ۦِهِب َ
اب َ
ص
َ
أ آ
َ
ذِإ
َ
ف ۖ ۦِ ِ
·ٰـ
َ
ل ِ
خ ْ
ن ِ
م ُ
ج ُ
رْ„ َ†
«
َ
قْد َ
و
ْ
ٱل ىَ َ
§
َ
ف ا
ً
ف َ
سِك ۥُ ُ
· َعْ َ†
« َ
و
َ
ن ْ
و ُ ِ¬
Øْب
َ
ت ْ
سَي ْ ُ
Ú ا
َ
ذِإ ٓۦِه ِادَب ِع ْ
ن ِ
م ُآء
َ
شي ْ
ن َم
The Arabic word used here is ‘Lawaqih’ which is the plural of
‘Laqih’ from ‘Laqaha’, which means to impregnate or fecun-
date. In this context, impregnate means that the wind
pushes the clouds together increasing the condensation that
causes lightning and thus rain.
A similar description is found in the Qur’an:
“It is Allah Who sends the winds and they raise
the clouds: then does He spread them in the
sky as He wills and break them into fragments,
until you see rain-drops issue from the midst
thereof; then when He has made them reach
such of His servants as He wills, behold, they
do rejoice!”
Al Qur’an 30:48
56
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
57. The Qur’anic descriptions are absolutely accurate and agree
perfectly with modern data on hydrology. The water cycle is
described in several verses of the Glorious Qur'an, including
2:19, 7:57, 13:17, 25:48-49, 36:34, 50:9-11, 56:68-70, 67:30
and 86:11.
57
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
59. 4 GEOLOGY
i Mountains are like Pegs (stakes)
In geology, the phenomenon of 'folding' is a recently discov-
ered fact. Folding is responsible for the formation of mountain
ranges. The earth's crust, on which we live, is like a solid shell,
while the deeper layers are hot and fluid, and thus inhospitable
to any form of life. It is also known that the stability of the
mountains is linked to the phenomenon of folding, for it was
the folds that were to provide foundations for the reliefs that
constitute the mountains.
59
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
60. Geologists tell us that the radius of the earth is about 3,750
miles and the crust on which we live is very thin, ranging
between 1 to 30 miles. Since the crust is thin, it has a high
possibility of shaking. Mountains act like stakes or tent pegs
that hold the earth's crust and give it stability.
The Qur’an contains exactly such a description in the fol-
lowing Verse:
اًد َ
ْ
و
َ
أ
َ
الَب ِ
ْ
ٱ َ
و ا ً
دٰـَ ِ َ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ِ
ل َعْ
َ
ْ َ
َ
أ
“Have We not made the earth as a wide expa-
nse, and the mountains as pegs?”
Al Qur’an 78:6-7
61. The word ‘Awtad’ means stakes or pegs (like those used
to anchor a tent); they are the deep foundations of geolog-
ical folds.
A book named 'Earth' is considered as a basic reference
textbook on geology in many universities around the world.
One of the authors of this book is Frank Press, who was the
President of the Academy of Sciences in the USA for 12
years and was the Science Advisor to the former US Presi-
dent Jimmy Carter. In this book he illustrates the mountain
in a wedge-shape and the mountain itself as a small part of
the whole, whose root is deeply entrenched in the ground.
According to Dr Press, the mountains play an important role
in stabilizing the crust of the earth.
61
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
62. The Qur’an clearly mentions the function of the mountains
in preventing the earth from shaking:
َ ِ
َٰ
و َ
ر ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ْ ِ
اَن
ْ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و
“And We have set on the earth mountains stan-
ding firm.”
Al Qur’an 21:31
The Qur’anic descriptions are in perfect agreement with
modern geological data.
62
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
63. ii Mountains Firmly Fixed
The surface of the earth is broken into many rigid plates that
are about 100 km in thickness. These plates float on a partially
molten region called asthenosphere. Mountain formations
occur at the boundary of the plates. The earth's crust is 5 km
thick below oceans, about 35 km thick below flat continental
surfaces and almost 80 km thick below great mountain
ranges. These are the strong foundations on which mountains
stand.
The Qur'an also speaks about the strong mountain foun-
dations in the following verse:
اَ ٰ
َ
س ْ
ر
َ
أ
َ
الَب ِ
ْ
ٱ َ
و
“And the mountains has He firmly fixed...”
Al Qur’an 79:32
A similar message is contained in the Qur'an in 88:19,
31:10 and 16:15.
63
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
64. iii Mountains Prevent Shaking of the Earth
Qur’an clearly mentions the function of the mountains as to
prevent the earth from shaking.
ْمِ ِ
َ
دْيِ
َ
€
ْ
ن
َ
أ َ ِ
َٰ
و َ
ر ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ِ
اَن
ْ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و
“And We have set on the earth mountains stan-
ding firm, lest it should shake with them.”
Al Qur’an 21:31
A similar message is given in 31:10 and 16:15.
64
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
65. 5 OCEANOGRAPHY
i Barrier between Sweet and Salt Waters
Consider the following Qur’anic Verses:
ِ
انَي ِغْبَي
ٌ
خ
َ
زْ َ
‰ ا َمُ َ
ْيَب ِ
انَيِقَت
ْ
لَي ِ
ْ“
” َ
ر ْ
حَب
ْ
ٱل َ
ج َ
ر َم
“He has let free the two seas meeting togeth-
er. Between them is a barrier which they do
not transgress.”
Al Qur’an 55:19-20
65
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
66. In the Arabic text the word ‘Barzakh’ means a barrier or a
partition. This barrier is not a physical partition. The Arabic
word ‘Maraja’ literally means 'they both meet and mix with
each other'. Early commentators of the Qur’an were unable
to explain the two opposite meanings for the two bodies of
water, i.e., they meet and mix, and at the same time, there is
a barrier between them. Modern science has discovered
that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a
barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so
that each sea has its own temperature, salinity, and density.
Oceanographists are now in a better position to explain this
verse. There is a slanted unseen water barrier between the two
seas through which water from one sea passes to the other.
66
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
67. But when the water from one sea enters the other sea, it
loses its distinctive characteristic and becomes homoge-
nized with the other water. In a way this barrier serves as a
transitional homogenizing area for the two waters. This sci-
entific phenomenon mentioned in the Qur'an was also con-
firmed by Dr William Hay who is well-known marine scientist
and Professor of Geological Sciences at the University of
Colorado, USA.
The Qur’an mention this phenomenon also in the follow-
ing Verse:
ا ً
ز ِ
اج َح ِ
ْ“
” َ
ر ْ
حَب
ْ
ٱل َ ْ“
œَب
َ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و
“And made a separating bar between the two
seas (Can there be another).”
Al Qur’an 27:61
69. Modern science has discovered that in estuaries, where
fresh (sweet) and saltwater meet, the situation is some-
what different from that found in places where two seas
meet. It has been discovered that what distinguishes fresh
water from salt water in estuaries is a “pycnocline zone with
a marked density discontinuity separating the two layers.”
This partition (zone of separation) has a salinity different
from both the fresh water and the salt water.
This phenomenon occurs in several places, including Egypt,
where the river Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
69
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
70. ii Darkness in the Depths of the Ocean
Prof. Durga Rao is an expert in the field of Marine Geology and
was a professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah.
He was asked to comment on the following Verse:
ۚ ٌ
اب َ َ
® ۦِهِق ْ
و
َ
ف ْ
ن ِّ
م ٌ
ج ْ
و َم ۦِهِق ْ
و
َ
ف ْ
ن ِّ
م ٌ
ج ْ
و َم ُهٰى
َ
ش
ْ
غي ٍّ
ّ ِ
·
¸ ٍرْ َ
ْ ِ
ٍ
تٰـ َ ُ
º
ُ
ظ
َ
ك ْ
و
َ
أ
ِ
ل َعْ
َ“
ْ ْ
ن َم َ
و ۗ اَ ٰ َ َ“
‰ ْ
د
َ
كَي ْ َ
ۥُه َ
دَي َ
ج َ
ر
ْ
خ
َ
أ آ
َ
ذِإ ٍ
ض ْعَب
َ
ق ْ
و
َ
ف ا َ ُ
Æ ْعَب ٌ
تٰـ َ ُ
º
ُ
ظ
ٍر ْ
و
·
ن ْ
ن ِ
م ۥُ َ
É ا َ َ
Ê ا ً
ر ْ
و
ُ
ن ۥُ َ
É ُËٱل
“Or (the Unbelievers' state) is like the depths of
darkness in a vast deep ocean, Overwhelmed
with billow topped by billow, topped by (dark)
clouds: Depths of darkness, one above another:
if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly
see it! For any to whom Allah gives not light,
there is no light!”
Al Qur’an 24:40
70
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
71. Prof. Rao said that scientists have only now been able to
confirm, with the help of modern equipment that there is
darkness in the depths of the ocean. Humans are unable to
dive unaided underwater for more than 20 to 30 meters and
cannot survive in the deep oceanic regions at a depth of
more than 200 meters. This verse does not refer to all seas
because not every sea can be described as having accumu-
lated darkness layered one over another. It refers especially
to a deep sea or deep ocean, as the Qur’an says, darkness
in vast deep ocean.
This layered darkness in a deep ocean is the result of two
causes:
71
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
72. a A light ray is composed of seven colours. These seven colours
are, Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red (VIB-
GYOR). The light ray undergoes refraction when it hits water.
The upper 10 to 15 metres of water absorbs the red colour.
Therefore, if a diver is 25 metres under water and gets wound-
ed, he would not be able to see the red colour of his blood, be-
cause the red colour does not reach this depth. Similarly
orange rays are absorbed at 30 to 50 metres, yellow at 50 to
100 metres, green at 100 to 200 metres, and finally, blue
beyond 200 metres and violet and indigo above 200 metres.
Due to successive disappearance of colour, one layer after an-
other, the ocean progressively becomes darker, i.e., darkness
takes place in layers of light. Below a depth of 1000 metres
there is complete darkness.
72
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
73. b The sun's rays are absorbed by clouds which in turn scatter
light rays thus causing a layer of darkness under the clouds
This is the first layer of darkness. When light rays reach the sur-
face of the ocean, they are reflected by the wave surface giving
it a shiny appearance. Therefore, it is the waves that reflect
light and cause darkness. The un-reflected light penetrates
into the depths of the ocean. Therefore, the ocean has two
parts. The surface characterised by light and warmth and the
depth characterized by darkness. The surface is further sepa-
rated from the deep part of the ocean by waves.
The internal waves cover the deep waters of seas and oceans
because the deep waters have a higher density than the waters
above them.
The darkness begins below the internal waves. Even the fish in
the depths of the ocean cannot see; their only source of light is
from their own bodies.
74. The Qur’an rightly mentions: Darkness in a vast deep ocean
overwhelmed with waves topped by waves.
In other words, above these waves there are more types of
waves, i.e., those found on the surface of the ocean. The
Qur’anic verse continues, topped by (dark) clouds; depths
of darkness, one above another.
These clouds, as explained, are barriers one over the other
that further cause darkness by absorption of colors at diff-
erent levels.
Prof. Durga Rao concluded by saying, 1400 years ago a
normal human being could not explain this phenomenon in
so much detail.” Thus, the information must have come from
a supernatural source.
74
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
77. “Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens
and the earth Were joined together (as one unit
of Creation), before We clove them asunder?
We made from water every living thing. Will
they not then believe?”
Al Qur’an 21:30
Only after advances have been made in science, do we now
know that cytoplasm, the basic substance of the cell is made
up of 80% water. Modern research has also revealed that
most organisms consist of 50% to 90% water and that every
living entity requires water for its existence. Was it possible
14 centuries ago for any human being to guess that every
living being was made of water? Moreover, would such a
guess be conceivable by a human being in the deserts of
Arabia where there has always been scarcity of water?
78. 78
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ii Every living animal is made of water
The following verse refers to the creation of animals from water:
ٍآء م ْ
ن ِّ
م ٍةآبَد
ُ
“ َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ُ
¢ٱل َ
و
“And Allah has created every animal from water.”
Al Qur’an 24:45
80. 7 BOTANY
80
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
i Plants created in Pairs, Male and Female
Previously humans did not know that plants too have
male and female gender distinctions. Botany states that
every plant has a male and female gender. Even the
plants that are unisexual have distinct elements of both
male and female.
81. 81
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
“And has sent down water from the sky. With it
We produced diverse pairs of plants each sep-
arate from the others.”
Al Qur’an 20:53
ٰ
µ́
َ
ش ٍ
اتَب
ن ْ
ن ِّ
م ا ً
ج َٰ
و
ْ
ز
َ
أ ٓۦِهِب اَن ْ
ج َ
ر
ْ
خ
َ
أ
َ
ف ًآء َم ِء
»
ا َم
ٱلس َ
ن ِ
م
َ
ل َ
ر
ْ
ى
َ
أ َ
و
82. 82
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ii Fruits Created in Pairs, Male and Female
ِ
ْ€
½َن
ْ
ٱث ِ
ْ€
½ َ
ج ْ
و
َ
ز ا َهْ€ىِف
َ
ل َع َ
ج ِ
ت َٰ
ر َم
ٱلث
ّ
ِ
ُ
“ ْ
ن ِ
م َ
و
“And fruit of every kind He made in pairs, two
and two.”
Al Qur’an 13:3
83. Fruit is the end product of reproduction of the superior
plants. The stage preceding fruit is the flower, which has
male and female organs (stamens and ovules) Once pollen
has been carried to the flower, they bear fruit, which in turn
matures and frees its seed. All fruits therefore imply the exi-
stence of male and female organs; a fact that is mentioned
in the Qur'an.
In certain species, fruit can come from non-fertilized flowers
(parthenocarpic fruit), e.g. bananas, certain types of pineap-
ple, fig, orange, vine, etc. They also have definite sexual char-
acteristics.
83
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
84. 84
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
iii Everything made in Pairs
ِ
ْ€
½ َ
ج ْ
و
َ
ز اَن
ْ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ٍء ْ َ‘
’
ّ
ِ
ُ
“ ْ
ن ِ
م َ
و
“And of everything We have created pairs.”
Al Qur’an 51:49
This refers to things other than humans, animals, plants and
fruits. It may also be referring to a phenomenon like electrici-
ty in which the atoms consist of negatively – and positively
charged electrons and protons.
85. 85
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
“Glory to Allah. Who created in pairs all things
that the earth produces, as well as their own
(human) kind and (other) things of which they
have no knowledge.”
Al Qur’an 36:36
َ
ا ِ
 َ
و ْم ِ ِ
Ä
ُ
ف
ْ
ن
َ
أ ْ
ن ِم َ
و ُ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ُ
تِبۢن
ُ
ت ا ِ
 ا َه
ُ
È َ
ج َٰ
و
ْ
ز
َ ْ
ٱ َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ْ
ى ِ
ذ
ٱل َ
نٰـ َ
حْب ُ
س
َ
ن ْ
و ُ َ
Ì ْعَي
The Qur’an here says that everything is created in pairs, incl-
uding things that the humans do not know at present and
may discover later.
86. 8 ZOOLOGY
i Animals and Birds live in Communities
ْ ُ
Í
ُ
ال
َ
ث ْم
َ
أ ٌ َ
Ï
ُ
أ
»
ِإ ِهْي َاحَنَ® ِ®
Ó ُ
رْ€ىِطي ٍ ِ
ÕÖـ
َ
ط
َ َ
و ِ
ض ْ
ر
َ ْ
ٱ ْ ِ
Ø ٍةآبَد ْ
ن ِ
م ا َم َ
و
“There is not an animal (that lives) on the
earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but
(forms part of) communities like you.”
Al Qur’an 6:38
Research has shown that animals and birds live in communi-
ties, i.e., they organize, and live and work together.
86
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
87. 87
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ii The Flight of Birds
ْ ِ
Ø
نِإ ۗ ُ
¢ٱل
ِإ
نُ ُ
Ù ِ
س ْ ُ€
Ú ا َم ِء
»
ا َم
ٱلس ّ
ِ
و َ
ج ْ ِ
Ø ٍ
ت َٰ
ر
خ َ
س ُم ِ
ْ€
Õ
ٱلط ْ َ
Üِإ
۟
ا ْ
وَ َ€
„ ْ َ َ
أ
َ
ن ْ
وُن ِ
م ْ
ؤ§ي ٍۢ
م ْ
و
َ
ق
ّ
ِل ۢ
ٍ
تٰـَايÞـ
َ
ل
َ
كِل
َٰ
ذ
“Do they not look at the birds, held poised in
the midst of the air and the sky? Nothing holds
them up but (the power of) Allah. Verily in this
are signs for those who believe.”
Al Qur’an 16:79
88. 88
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
A similar message is repeated in the Qur'an in the verse:
ۚ ُ
نٰـَ ْ
á
ٱلر
ِإ
نُ ُ
Ù ِ
س ْ ُ€
Ú ا َم ۚ َ
ن ْ
ض ِب
ْ
قَي
و ٍ
تٰـ
فÖـ َ
ص ْمُ َ
ä́ ْ
و
َ
ف ِ
ْ€
Õ
ٱلط ْ َ
Üِإ
۟
ا ْ
وَ َ€
„ ْ َ َ
و
َ
أ
ٌ
رْ€ى ِ
صَب ٍۭء ْ َ‘
’
ّ
ِ
ُ
çِب ۥُه
نِإ
“Do they not observe the birds above them,
spreading their wings and folding them in? None
can uphold them except the Most Gracious:
Truly it is He that watches over all things.”
Al Qur’an 67:19
89. The Arabic word ‘Amsaka’ literally means, 'to put one's hand
on, seize, hold, hold someone back,' which expresses the
idea that Allah holds the bird up in His power. These verses
stress the extremely close dependence of the birds' behav-
ior on Divine order. Modern scientific data has shown the
degree of perfection attained by certain species of birds
with regard to the programming of their movements. It is
only the existence of a migratory program in the genetic
code of the birds that can explain the long and complicated
journey that very young birds, without any prior experience
and without any guide, are able to accomplish. They are also
able to return to the departure point on a definite date.
89
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
90. Prof Hamburger in his book 'Power and Fragility' gives the-
example of 'mutton-bird' that lives in the Pacific with its
journey of over 15,000 miles in the shape of figure 8! It
makes this journey over a period of 6 months and comes
back to its departure point with a maximum delay of one
week. The highly complicated instructions for such a jour-
ney have to be contained in the birds’ nervous cells. They
are definitely programmed. Should we not reflect on the
identity of this ‘Programmer'.
90
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
91. iii The Bee
ا ِ
 َ
و ِر َ
ج
ٱلش َ
ن ِ
م
و ۭ
ً
ếوُيُب ِ
الَب ِ®
ْ
ëٱ َ
ن ِ
م ى ِ
ذ ِ
Ó́ٱ ِ
ن
َ
أ ِ
ل ْ
حٱلن
َ
Üِإ
َ
ك§ب َ
ر ٰ َ
Œ ْ
و
َ
أ َ
و
ۢ
ن ِم ُ
ج ُ
رْ َ€
Ó ۚ ۭ
ً
‰
ُ
ل
ُ
ذ ِ
كّ
ِب َ
ر
َ
لُب ُ
س ِ
ì
ُ
ل ْ
ٱس
َ
ف ِ
ت َٰ
ر َم
ٱلث
ّ
ِ
ُ
“ ن ِ
م ِ
ُ
î ُ‘
ï .
َ
ون
ُ
ش ِر ْعَي
ٍۢ
م ْ
و
َ
ق
ّ
ِل ۭ
ً
ةَايÞـ
َ
ل
َ
كِل
َٰ
ذ ِ
Ø
نِإ ۗ ِ
اسلن
ّ
ِل ٌۭآء
َ
ف ِ
ش ِيهِف ۥُه
ُ
ن َٰ
و
ْ
ل
َ
أ
ٌ
فِلَتْ §
ó ۭ
ٌ
اب َ َ‘
õ اَ ِ
öو
ُ
طُب
َ
ون ُ
ر
ك
َ
فَتَي
“And your Lord taught the bee to build its cells
in hills, on trees, and in (men's) habitations.
Then to eat of all the produce (of the earth), and
follow the ways of your Lord made smooth.”
Al Qur’an 16:68-69
Bee has a sophisticated method of navigation
a
92. Von-Frisch received the Nobel Prize in 1973 for his research
on the behaviour and communication of the bees. The bee,
after discovering any new garden or flower, goes back and
tells its fellow bees the exact direction and map to get
there, which is known as 'bee dance'. The meanings of this
insect's movements that are intended to transmit informa-
tion between worker bees have been discovered scientifi-
cally using photography and other methods. The Qur’an
mentions in the above verse how the bee finds with skill the
spacious paths of its Lord.
92
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
93. 93
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
In Surah An-Nahl, chapter no. 16, Verses 68 and 69 the
gender used for the bee is the female gender (Fasluki
and Kuli), indicating that the bee that leaves its home for
gathering food is a female bee. In other words, the sol-
dier or worker bee is a female bee.
However, in Shakespeare's play, Henry IV, some of the
characters speak about bees and mention that the bees
are soldiers and that they have a king. That is what
people thought in Shakespearean times. They thought
that the worker bees are male bees, and they go home
and are answerable to a king bee. This, however, is not
true. The worker bees are females and they do not report
to a king bee but to a queen bee. But it took modern inve-
stigations 300 years to discover this.
The worker bee or the soldier bee is a female bee
b
94. iv Spider's Home is Fragile
ۖ اۭ
ًتْيَب ْ
ت
َ
ذَ
Ó́ٱ ِ
ت ْ
وُب
َ
نك َع
ْ
ٱل ِ
ل
َ
ث َ َ
ù َآءَيِل ْ
و
َ
أ ِ
¢ٱل ِ
ن ْ
وُد ْ
ن ِ
م
۟
وا
ُ
ذَ
Ó́ٱ َ
ںْ€ى ِ
ذ
ٱل
ُ
ل
َ
ث َم
َ
ن ْ
و ُ َ
Ì ْعَي
۟
وا
ُ
ن
َ ْ
و
َ
ل ۖ ِ
ت ْ
وُب
َ
كْن َع
ْ
ٱل ُ
تْيَب
َ
ل ِ
ت ْ
وُيُب
ْ
ٱل َ
نَه ْ
و
َ
أ
نِإ َ
و
“The parable of those who take protectors
other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds
(to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of
houses is the spider's house; if they but knew.”
Al Qur’an 29:41
Besides giving the physical description of the spider's web
as being very flimsy, delicate, and weak, the Qur’an also
stresses on the flimsiness of the relationship in the spider's
house, where the female spider many a time kills its mate,
the male spider.
95. 95
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
v Lifestyle and Communication of Ants
Ö
µ́ َح
َ
ن ْ
وُع
َ
ز ْ
وُي ْمُ َ
ä ِ
ْ€
Õ
ٱلط َ
و ِ
س
ْ
ن ِü
ْ
ٱ َ
و ّ
ِ
ن ِ®
ْ
ëٱ َ
ن ِ
م ۥُهُد ْ
وُن ُ
ج َ
نٰـ َمْي
َ
ل ُ
سِل َ ِ‘
° ُح َ
و
َ ْ ُ
þَنِكٰـ َ
س َم
۟
وا
ُ
ل
ُ
خْٱد
ُ
ل ْمٱلن اَ §€
ö
َ
أ
ٓÿـَي
ٌ´ َ
¢ ْ َ
Ú ْ
ت
َ
ال
َ
ق ِ
ل ْمٱلن ِد
ْ
ا َ
و ٰ َ
~َع
۟
ا ْ
و
َ
ت
َ
أ آ
َ
ذِإ
َ
ن ْ
و ُ
ر ُع
ْ
شَي
َ ْ ُ
| َ
و ۥُهُودُن ُ
ج َ
و ُ
نٰـ َمْي
َ
ل ُ
س ْ ُ
þن َمِطْ َ€
Ó
“And before Solomon were marshalled His
hosts, of Jinns and men and birds, and they
were all kept in order and ranks. At length,
when they came to a valley of ants, one of the
ants said: O you ants, get into your habita-
tions, lest Solomon and his hosts crush you
(under foot) without knowing it.”
Al Qur’an 27:17-18
Consider the following Qur’anic verse:
In the past, some people would have probably mocked at the
Qur’an, taking it to be a fairy tale book in which ants talk to
each other and communicate sophisticated messages.
96. In recent times, research has shown us several facts about
the lifestyle of ants, which were not known earlier to human-
kind. Research has shown that the animals or insects
whose lifestyle is closest in resemblance to the lifestyle of
human beings are the ants.
This can be seen from the following findings regarding ants:
96
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
The ants bury their dead in a manner similar to the humans.
a
They have a sophisticated system of division of labour, whereby
they have managers, supervisors, foremen, workers, etc.
b
Once in a while they meet among themselves to have a chat.
c
They have an advanced method of communication among
themselves.
d
97. 97
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
They hold regular markets wherein they exchange goods.
e
They store grains for long periods in winter and if the grain
begins to bud, they cut the roots, as if they understand that if
they leave it to grow, it will rot. If the grains stored by them get
wet due to rains, they take these grains out into the sunlight to
dry, and once these are dry, they take them back inside as
though they know that humidity will cause development of root
systems and thereafter rotting of the grains.
f
99. 9 MEDICINE
99
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
Honey has Healing Properties
The bee assimilates juices of various kinds of flowers and
fruits and forms within its body the honey, which it stores in its
cells of wax. Only a couple of centuries ago, man came to
know that honey comes from the belly of the bee.
This fact was mentioned in the Qur’an 1400 years ago in the
following Verse:
ِ
اسلن
ّ
ِل ٌآء
َ
ف ِ
ش ِهْيِف ۥُه
ُ
ن َٰ
و
ْ
ل
َ
أ
ٌ
فِلَتْ
ٌ
اب َ َ
اَ ِ
ْ
و
ُ
طُب ۢ
ن ِ
م ُ
ج ُ
رْ َ„
100. “There issues from within their bodies a drink
of varying colours, wherein is healing for men.”
Al Qur’an 16:69
We are now aware that honey has a healing property and
also a mild antiseptic property. The Russians used honey
to cover their wounds in World War II. The wound would ret-
ain moisture and would leave very little scar tissue. Due to
the density of honey, no fungus or bacteria would grow in
the wound.
100
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
101. Thus, the knowledge contained in the Qur’an regarding
honey, its origin and properties, was far ahead of the time it
was revealed.
A person suffering from an allergy of a particular plant may be
given honey from that plant so that the person develops resis-
tance to that allergy. Honey is rich in fructose and vitamin K.
101
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
102. 10 PHYSIOLOGY
102
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
Blood Circulation and the Production of Milk
The Qur'an was revealed 600 years before the Muslim scien-
tist Ibn Nafees described the circulation of the blood and
1000 years before William Harvey brought this understanding
to the Western world. Roughly thirteen centuries before it was
known what happens in the intestines to ensure that organs
are nourished by the process of digestive absorption, a verse
in the Qur'an described the source of the constituents of milk,
in conformity with these notions.
103. To understand the Qur’anic verse concerning the above con-
cepts, it is important to know that chemical reactions occur in
the intestines and that, from there, substances extracted from
food pass into the blood stream via a complex system; some-
times by way of the liver, depending on their chemical nature.
The blood transports them to all the organs of the body,
among which are the milk-producing mammary glands. In
simple terms, certain substances from the contents of the
intestines enter into the vessels of the intestinal wall itself,
and these substances are transported by the blood stream to
the various organs.
103
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
104. This concept must be fully appreciated if we wish to under-
stand the following verses in the Qur’an:
اًنَب
ل ٍ
مَد
و ٍ
ث ْ
ر
َ
ف ِ
ْ„
Žَب ۢ
ن ِ
م ۦِهِنو
ُ
طُب ْ ِ
’ ا ِّ
“
ُ
”ْيِق ْ
س
ن ۖ
ً
ةَ ْš
› ِع
َ
ل ِ
مٰـ َع
ْ
ن
َ¡ ْ
¢ٱ ْ ِ
’ ْ ُ
¤
َ
ل
نِإ َ
و
َ
ںْ„ىِب ِرٰـ
لش
ّ
ِل ا
ً
غِئآ َ
س ا ً
صِلا
َ
خ
“And verily in cattle (too) will you find an instr-
uctive Sign. From what is within their bodies,
between excretions and blood, We produce, for
your drink, milk, pure and agreeable to those
who drink it.”
Al Qur’an 16:66
105. 105
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
“And in cattle (too) you have an instructive ex-
ample: From within their bodies We produce
(milk) for you to drink; there are, in them. (Be-
sides), numerous (other) benefits for you; and
of their (meat) you eat.”
Al Qur’an 23:21
The Qur'anic description of the production of milk in cattle is
strikingly similar to what modern physiology has discovered.
ٌ
ة َ
رْ„ىِث
َ
ك ُعِفٰـَن َم ا َهْ„ىِف ْ ُ
¤
َ
ل َ
و اَ ِ
ْ
و
ُ
طُب ْ ِ
’ ا ِّ
“
ُ
”ْيِق ْ
س
ن ۖ
ً
ةَ ْš
› ِع
َ
ل ِ
مٰـ َع
ْ
ن
َ¡ ْ
¢ٱ ْ ِ
’ ْ ُ
¤
َ
ل
نِإ َ
و
َ
ن ْ
و
ُ ُ
´
ْ¡ َµ
¶ اَ ْ
· ِ
م َ
و
107. 11 EMBRYOLOGY
i Man is Created from ‘Alaq – Leech-like Substance
A few decades ago, a group of Arabs collected all information
concerning embryology from the Qur’an and followed the inst-
ruction of the Qur'an:
َ
ن ْ
و ُ َ
ْع
َ
ت
َ
ْ ُ
ْن
ُ
ك
ْ
نِإ ِر
ْ
ك
ّ
ِ
ٱلذ
َ
لْه
َ
أ
۟
ا ٓ
و
ُ
لـ ْ
س
َ
ف
“If you realise this not, ask of those who possess
the Message.”
Al Qur’an 16:43 21:7
108. He was asked to give his opinion regarding the information
present in the Qur’an concerning the field of embryology.
After carefully examining the translation of the Qur’anic
verses presented to him, Dr Moore said that most of the in-
formation concerning embryology mentioned in the Qur’an
is in perfect conformity with modern discoveries in the field
of embryology and does not conflict with them in any way.
He added that there were however a few verses, on whose
scientific accuracy he could not comment.
All the information from the Qur'an so gathered, was trans-
lated into English and presented to Prof (Dr) Keith Moore,
who was the Professor of Embryology and Chairman of the
Department of Anatomy at the University of Toronto, in Can-
ada. At present he is one of the highest authorities in the
field of embryology.
108
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
109. He could not say whether the statements were true or false,
since he himself was not aware of the information con-
tained therein. There was also no mention of this informa-
tion in modern writings and studies on embryology.
One such verse is:
109
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ٍ
ق
َ
لَع ْ
ن ِ
م َ
نٰـ َ
نس ِ
ْ
ٱ َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ْ
ى ِ
ذ
„
ٱل
َ
كّ
ِب َ
ر ِ
ْ
ˆ
‰
ِŠ
‹
ْ
أ َ
ر
ْ
ٱق
“Proclaim! (Or Read!) In the name of your Lord
and Cherisher, Who created. Created man, out of
a leech-like Clot.”
Al Qur’an 96:1-2
110. The word 'Alaq' besides meaning a congealed clot of blood
also means something that clings, a leech-like substance.
Dr Keith Moore had no knowledge whether an embryo in the
initial stages appears like a leech. To check this out he stud-
ied the initial stage of the embryo under a very powerful mi-
croscope in his laboratory and compared what he observed
with a diagram of a leech and he was astonished at the strik-
ing resemblance between the two!
In the same manner, he acquired more information on embry-
ology, that was hitherto not known to him, from the Qur'an.
110
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
111. Dr Keith Moore answered about eighty questions dealing
with embryological data mentioned in the Qur’an and Hadith.
Noting that the information contained in the Qur’an and
Hadith was in full agreement with the latest discoveries in
the field of embryology, Prof Moore said, If I was asked
these questions thirty years ago, I would not have been able
to answer half of them for lack of scientific information.
Dr Keith Moore had earlier authored the book, ‘The Develop-
ing Human’. After acquiring new knowledge from the Qur’an,
he wrote, in 1982, the 3rd edition of the same book, The Dev-
eloping Human'. The book was the recipient of an award for
the best medical book written by a single author. This book
has been translated into several major languages of the
world and is used as a textbook of embryology in the first
year of medical studies.
112. In 1981, during the Seventh Medical Conference in Dammam,
Saudi Arabia, Dr Moore said, It has been a great pleasure
for me to help clarify statements in the Qur’an about human
development. It is clear to me that these statements must
have come to Muhammad from God or Allah, because almost
all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centu-
ries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have
been a Messenger of God or Allah.
112
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
113. Dr Joe Leigh Simpson, Chairman of the Department of Obst-
etrics and Gynaecology, at the Baylor College of Medicine,
Houston, USA, proclaims, “These Ahadith, sayings of Muh-
ammad (pbuh) could not have been obtained on the basis
of the scientific knowledge that was available at the time of
the writer (7th century). It follows that not only is there no
conflict between genetics and religion (Islam) but in fact
religion (Islam) may guide science by adding revelation to
some of the traditional scientific approaches... there exist
statements in the Qur'an shown centuries later to be valid
which support knowledge in the Qur’an having been derived
from God.”
113
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
114. ii Man Created from a drop emitted from between the
Backbone and the Ribs
ُ
ج ُ
ر ْ‘
ح„“ى ٍ
قِافَد ٍآء „م ْ
ن ِ
م َ
قِل
ُ
خ َ
قِل
ُ
خ „ ِ
˜ ُ
نٰـ َ
س
ْ
ن ِ
ْ
ٱ ِر
ُ
ظْنَي
ْ
ل
َ
ف
ِ
بِئآَ „
Ÿٱل َ
و ِ
ب
ْ
ل ¢
ٱلص ِ
‘ ْ“
¤َب ۢ
ن ِ
م
“Now let man but think from what he is created!
He is created from a drop emitted. Proceeding
from between the backbone and the ribs.”
Al Qur’an 86:5-7
114
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
115. In embryonic stages, the reproductive organs of the male
and female, i.e., the testicles and the ovaries, begin their dev-
elopment near the kidney between the spinal column and
the eleventh and twelfth ribs. Later they descend, the female
gonads (ovaries) stop in the pelvis while the male gonads
(testicles) continue their descent before birth to reach the
scrotum through the inguinal canal. Even in the adult after
the descent of the reproductive organ, these organs receive
their nerve supply and blood supply from the abdominal
aorta, which is in the area between the backbone (spinal
column) and the ribs. Even the lymphatic drainage and the
venous return go to the same area.
115
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
116. iii Human Beings Created from Nutfah (Minute Quantity
of Liquid)
116
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
The Glorious Qur'an mentions no less than eleven times
that the human being is created from ‘Nutfah’, which
means a minute quantity of liquid or a trickle of liquid
which remains after emptying a cup. This is mentioned
in several verses of the Qur'an including 16:4, 18:37, 22:5,
23:13, 35:11, 36:77, 40:67, 53:46, 75:37, 76:2 and 80:19.
Science has confirmed in recent times that only one out
of an average of three million ejaculated sperms is requ-
ired for fertilizing the ovum. This means that only a 1/three
millionth part or 0.00003% of the quantity of ejaculated
sperms that are emitted is required for fertilization.
118. The Arabic word ‘Sulalah’ means quintessence or the best
part of a whole. We have come to know now that only one
single spermatozoon that penetrates the ovum is required
for fertilization, out of the several millions produced by man.
That one spermatozoon out of several millions, is referred to
in the Qur’an as ‘Sulalah’. ‘Sulalah’ also means gentle ex-
traction from a fluid. The fluid refers to both male and
female germinal fluids containing gametes. Both ovum and
sperm are gently extracted from their environments in the
process of fertilization.
118
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
119. v Man Created from Nutfatun Amshaj (Mingled Liquids)
119
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
“Verily We created Man from a drop of min-
gled sperm.”
Al Qur’an 76:2
Consider the following Qur'anic Verse:
ٍ
اج
َ
ش ْم
َ
أ ٍة
َ
ف
ْ
ط
¢
ن ْ
ن ِ
م َ
نٰـ َ
س
ْ
ن ِ
ْ
ٱ اَن
ْ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ „‘
‹ِإ
120. The Arabic word ‘Nutfatin Amshajin’ means mingled liquids.
According to some commentators of the Qur’an, mingled liq-
uids refer to the male or female agents or liquids. After mixture
of male and female gamete, the zygote still remains ‘Nutfah’.
Mingled liquids can also refer to spermatic fluid that is formed
of various secretions that come from various glands.
Therefore ‘Nutfatin Amshaj’, i.e., a minute quantity of mingled
fluids refer to the male and female gametes (germinal fluids or
cells) and part of the surrounding fluids.
120
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
121. vi Sex Determination
121
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
The sex of a foetus is determined by the nature of the
sperm and not the ovum. The sex of the child, whether
female or male, depends on whether the 23rd pair of
chromosomes is XX or XY respectively.
Primarily sex determination occurs at fertilisation and
depends upon the type of sex chromosome in the sperm
that fertilizes an ovum. If it is an 'X' bearing sperm that
fertilizes the ovum, the foetus is a female and if it is a 'Y'
bearing sperm then the foetus is a male.
122. 122
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ٰ َ‘
· ْ ُ
¸ ا
َ
ذِإ ٍة
َ
ف
ْ
ط
¢
ن ْ
ن ِ
م ٰ َ®
·
ْ
ن
ُº ْ
ٱ َ
و َ
ر
َ
ك
„
ٱلذ ِ
‘ ْ“
¤ َ
ج ْ
و „
ٱلز َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ۥُه
„
ن
َ
أ َ
و
“That He did create the pairs, – male and female,
from a sperm-drop when lodged (in its place).”
Al Qur’an 53:45-46
The Arabic word ‘Nutfah’ means a minute quantity of liquid
and ‘Tumna’ means ejaculated or planted. Therefore ‘Nutfah’
specifically refers to sperm because it is ejaculated.
123. The Qur'an says:
ُهْن ِم
َ
ل َعَŠ
َ‘
½ ٰ
ى „
و َ
س
َ
ف َ
ق
َ
لَ‘ َ‘
½
ً
ة
َ
ق
َ
لَع
َ
ن
َ
¿ „ ُ®
¯ ٰ َ‘
· ْم¢“ى ٍّ ِ‘
· „م ْ
ن ِّ
م
ً
ة
َ
ف
ْ
ط
ُ
ن
ُ
كَي ْ َ
Â
َ
أ
à َ®
·ن
ُº ْ
ٱ َ
و َ
ر
َ
ك
„
ٱلذ ِ
‘ ْ“
¤ َ
ج ْ
و „
ٱلز
“Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly
form)? Then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in
due proportion. And of him He made two sexes,
male and female.”
Al Qur’an 75:37-39
123
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
124. Here again it is mentioned that a small quantity (drop) of
sperm (indicated by the word Nutfatan min Maniyyin) which
comes from the man is responsible for the sex of the foetus.
Mothers-in-law in the Indian subcontinent, by and large prefer
having male grandchildren and often blame their daugh-
ters-in-law if the child is not of the desired sex. If only they
knew that the determining factor is the nature of the male
sperm and not the female ovum! If they were to blame any-
body, they should blame their sons and not their daugh-
ters-in-law since both the Qur'an and science hold that it is the
male fluid that is responsible for the sex of the child!
124
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
125. vii Foetus protected by three Veils of Darkness
125
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
ٍ
ثٰـ
َ
ل
َ
ث ٍ
تٰـ َ ُ
ُ
ظ ْ ِ
‘
È ٍ
ق
ْ
ل
َ
خ ِ
د ْعَب ۢ
ن ِّ
م ا
ً
ق
ْ
ل
َ
خ ْ ُ
Êِتٰـَ „
¨
ُ
أ ِ
ن ْ
و
ُ
طُب ِ
‘
È ْ ُ
Ê
ُ
ق
ُ
لْ‘ َ“
Ì
“He creates you, in the wombs of your moth-
ers, in stages, one after another, in three veils
of darkness.”
Al Qur’an 39:6
126. According to Prof Keith Moore these three veils of darkness
in the Qur’an refer to:
126
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
Anterior abdominal wall of the mother
i
The uterine wall
ii
The amnio-chorionic membrane.
iii
128. In this verse Allah states that man is created from a small
quantity of liquid, which is placed in a place of rest, firmly
fixed (well established or lodged) for which the Arabic word
‘Qararin Makin’ is used. The uterus is well protected from
the posterior by the spinal column supported firmly by the
back muscles. The embryo is further protected by the amni-
otic sac containing the amniotic fluid. Thus, the foetus has a
well-protected dwelling place.
This small quantity of fluid is made into 'Alaqah, meaning
something that clings. It also means a leech-like substance.
Both descriptions are scientifically acceptable as in the very
early stages the foetus clings to the wall and also appears to
resemble the leech in shape. It also behaves like a leech
(blood sucker) and acquires its blood supply from the mother
through the placenta.
128
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
129. The third meaning of the word ‘Alaqah is a blood clot. During
this ‘Alaqah stage, which spans the third and fourth week of
pregnancy, the blood clots within closed vessels. Hence the
embryo acquires the appearance of a blood clot in addition
to acquiring the appearance of a leech. In 1677, Hamm and
Leeuwenhoek were the first scientists to observe human
sperm cells (spermatozoa) using a microscope. They thought
that a sperm cell contained a miniature human being that
grew in the uterus to form a new-born. This was known as
the perforation theory. When scientists discovered that the
ovum was bigger than the sperm, it was thought by De Graf
and others that the foetus existed in a miniature form in the
ovum. Later, in the 18th century Maupertuis propagated the
theory of biparental inheritance.
129
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
130. The 'Alaqah is transformed into ‘Mudghah’ which means
‘something that is chewed (having teeth marks)' and also
something that is tacky and small, which can be put in the
mouth like gum. Both these explanations are scientifically
correct. Prof Keith Moore took a piece of plaster seal and
made it into the size and shape of the early stage of foetus
and chewed it between the teeth to make it into a ‘Mudghah’.
He compared this with the photographs of the early stage of
foetus. The teeth marks resembled the 'somites' which is
the early formation of the spinal column.
This Mudghah is transformed into bones (Izama). The bones
are clothed with intact flesh or muscles (Lahm). Then Allah
makes it into another creature.
130
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
131. 131
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
He was asked to comment on the verses of the Qur'an deal-
ing with embryology. He said that the verses of the Qur'an
describing the embryological stages cannot be a coinci-
dence. He said it was probable that Muhammad (pbuh) had
a powerful microscope. On being reminded that the Qur'an
was revealed 1400 years ago, and microscopes were invent-
ed centuries after the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh),
Prof Johnson laughed and admitted that the first micro-
scope invented could not magnify more than 10 times and
could not show a clear picture.
Prof Marshall Johnson is one of the leading sci-
entists in US and is the head of the Department
of Anatomy and Director of the Daniel Institute at
the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia
in the U.S.
132. Later he said: I see nothing here in conflict with the concept
that Divine intervention was involved when Muhammad
(pbuh) recited the Qur’an.
According to Dr Keith Moore, the modern classification of
embryonic development stages that is adopted throughout
the world, is not easily comprehensible, since it identifies
stages on a numerical basis, i.e., stage I, stage II, etc. The divi-
sions revealed in the Qur'an are based on distinct and easily
identifiable forms or shapes, which the embryo passes
through. These are based on different phases of prenatal
development and provide elegant scientific descriptions
that are comprehensible and practical.
132
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
133. Similar embryological stages of human development have
been described in the following verses:
َ
ل َعَŠ
َ‘
½ ٰ
ى „
و َ
س
َ
ف َ
ق
َ
لَ‘ َ‘
½
ً
ة
َ
ق
َ
لَع
َ
ن
َ
¿ „ ُ®
¯ ٰ َ‘
· ْم¢“ى ٍّ ِ‘
· „م ْ
ن ِّ
م
ً
ة
َ
ف
ْ
ط
ُ
ن
ُ
كَي ْ َ
Â
َ
أ
à َ®
·ن
ُº ْ
ٱ َ
و َ
ر
َ
ك
„
ٱلذ ِ
‘ ْ“
¤ َ
ج ْ
و „
ٱلز ُهْن ِ
م
“Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (In lowly
form)? Then did he become a leach-like clot;
then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due
proportion. And of him He made two sexes,
male and female.”
Al Qur’an 75:37-39
134. 134
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
“Him Who created you, fashioned you in due pro-
portion, and gave you a just bias; in whatever
form He wills, does He put you together.”
Al Qur’an 82:7-8
َ
كَب
„
ك َ
ر َآء
َ
ش ا „م ٍة َ
ر ْ
و ُ
ص ّ
ِ
ى
َ
أ ٓ ِ
‘
È
َ
ك
َ
ل َ
د َع
َ
ف
َ
كٰى „
و َ
س
َ
ف
َ
ك
َ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ ْ
ى ِ
ذ
„
ٱل
135. ix Embryo Partly Formed and Partly Unformed
135
Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2
At the ‘Mugdhah’ stage, if an incision is made in the
embryo and the internal organ is dissected, it will be
seen that most of them are formed while the others are
not yet completely formed.
If we describe it as an incomplete creation, then we are only
describing that part which is not yet created. So, is it a com-
plete creation or an incomplete creation? There is no better
description of this stage of embryogenesis than the Qur'an-
ic description, partly formed and partly unformed.
According to Prof. Johnson, if we describe the
embryo as a complete creation, then we are only
describing that part which is already created.
136. The Qur’an says in the following verse:
ٍة
َ
ق
„
لَ‘ ¢
Ý ٍة
َ
غ ْ
ض ¢م ْ
ن ِ
م „ ُ®
¯ ٍة
َ
ق
َ
لَع ْ
ن ِ
م „ ُ®
¯ ٍة
َ
ف
ْ
ط
¢
ن ْ
ن ِ
م „ ُ®
¯ ٍ
ابَ ُ
ß ْ
ن ِّ
م
ُ
àٰـَن
ْ
ق
َ
ل
َ
خ „‘
‹ِإ
َ
ف
ْ ُ
Ê
َ
ل َ‘ ّ
ِ“
¤َبُن
ّ
ِل ٍة
َ
ق
„
لَ‘ ُ
Ý ِ
ْ“
Ÿ
َ
غ َ
و
“We created you out of dust, then out of sperm,
then out of a leech-like clot, then out of a morsel
of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed.”
Al Qur’an 22:5
Scientifically we know that at this early stage of develop-
ment there are some cells that are differentiated and there
are some cells that are undifferentiated – some organs are
formed and yet others unformed.
137. x Sense of Hearing and Sight
The first sense to develop in a developing human embryo
is hearing. The foetus can hear sounds after the 24th week.
Subsequently, the sense of sight is developed and by the
28th week, the retina becomes sensitive to light.
Consider the following Qur'anic verses related to the de-
velopment of the senses in the embryo:
َ
ة َ
دٔ
ِـ
ْ
ف
َº ْ
ٱ َ
و َ
رٰـ َ
صْب
َº ْ
ٱ َ
و َع ْم „
ٱلس ُ ُ
Ê
َ
ل
َ
ل َع َ
ج َ
و
“And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing
and sight and understanding.”
Al Qur’an 32:9