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STUDY GUIDE PART 2 BY DR ZAKIR NAIK
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
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
Multiple Choice Questions Matching the Columns True or False Video Study Guide Graphic Posts Assessment Total Duration – 1 hour 55 min – 1 hour 15 min – 25 min – 10 min – 3 hours 45 min Facebook Posts
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’ANIC CONCEPT OF GOD
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
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
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 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
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 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
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
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 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.”
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.
ٰ َ  ْ ‫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
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 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.
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
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – ASTRONOMY
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
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
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 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
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 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?
iii The Spherical Shape of the Earth In early times, people believed that the earth is flat. For centu- ries, men were afraid to venture out too far, lest they should fall off the edge. Sir Francis Drake was the first person who proved that the earth is spherical when he sailed around it in 1577. Consider the following Qur’anic verse regarding the alterna- tion of day and night: ِ ‫ل‬ْ‫ي‬ ‫ٱل‬ ِ  ¦ َ ‫ار‬َ  §‫ٱل‬ ُ ¨ِ © ْ ‫و‬ُ‫ي‬ َ ‫و‬ ِ‫ار‬َ  §‫ٱل‬ ْ ِ  ¦ َ ‫ل‬ْ‫ي‬ ‫ٱل‬ ُ ¨ِ © ْ ‫و‬ُ‫ي‬ َ «‫ٱل‬ ‫ن‬ َ ‫أ‬ َ َ® ƒ ْ َ „ َ ‫أ‬ “See you not that Allah merges Night into Day and He merges Day into Night...” Al Qur’an 31:29
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
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
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 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
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 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 َ ِ Â َ ‫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 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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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 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 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.
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
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
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
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – PHYSICS AND HYDROLOGY
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.
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
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
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
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
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
ٍ ‫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
ِ ‫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
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
ُ‫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
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
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – GEOLOGY OCEANOGRAPHY
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
This phenomenon occurs in several places, including the divider between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean at Gibraltar. But when the Qur'an speaks about the divider between fresh and salt water, it mentions the existence of a forbid- ding partition with the barrier. َ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬‫و‬ ٌ ‫اج‬ َ ‫ج‬ ُ ‫أ‬ ٌ ‫ح‬ ْ ‫ل‬ ِ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ َ ‫ذ‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‫ه‬‫و‬ ٌ ‫ات‬ َ ‫ر‬ ُ ‫ف‬ ٌ ‫ب‬ ْ ‫ذ‬َ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ َ ‫ذ‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‫ه‬ ِ ْ“ ” َ ‫ر‬ ْ ‫ح‬َ‫ب‬ ْ ‫ٱل‬ َ ‫ج‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ‫م‬ ْ ‫ى‬ ِ ‫ذ‬‫ٱل‬ َ ‫و‬ُ‫ه‬ َ ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫ور‬ ُ ‫ج‬ْ© ‫ا‬ ً ‫ر‬ْ ِ ª‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫خ‬ َ ‫ز‬ْ َ ‰ ‫ا‬ َ‫م‬ُ َ ْ‫ي‬َ‫ب‬ “It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is not to be passed.” Al Qur’an 25:53
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – BIOLOGY, BOTANY ZOOLOGY
6 BIOLOGY 76 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 i Every Living Thing is made of Water Consider the following Qur’anic verse: ۖ ‫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 َ ‫ں‬ْ€‫ى‬ ِ ‫ذ‬ ‫ٱل‬ َ َ€ „ ْ َ َ ‫و‬ َ ‫أ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ْ ‫و‬ُ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ ْ ‫ؤ‬ُ‫ي‬ َ ‰ َ ‫ف‬ َ ‫أ‬ ۖ ٍّ َ Œ ٍ‫ء‬ ْ َ‘ ’ ُ “ ِ‫آء‬ َ ْ •‫ٱ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬ َ ‫و‬
“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 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
79 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 iii Human beings are created from Water The following verse refers to the creation of human beings from water: ‫ا‬ ً ‫ر‬ْ€‫ى‬ ِ ‫د‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ك‬§‫ب‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ َ ‫و‬ ۗ ‫ا‬ ً ‫ر‬ ْ ِ © ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ً‫ب‬ َ ‫س‬ َ ‫ن‬ ‫ۥ‬ُ َ ¢ َ‫ع‬َ® َ ¯ ‫ا‬ ً َ‘ °َ‫ب‬ ِ‫آء‬ َ ْ •‫ٱ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ ْ ‫ى‬ ِ ‫ذ‬ ‫ٱل‬ َ ‫و‬ُ‫ه‬ َ ‫و‬ “It is He Who has created man from water: Then has He established relationships of lin- eage and marriage: for your Lord has power (over all things).” Al Qur’an 25:54
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 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 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
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 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 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 ِ Â َ ‫و‬ ْ‫م‬ ِ ِ Ä ُ ‫ف‬ ْ ‫ن‬ َ ‫أ‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ‫م‬ َ ‫و‬ ُ ‫ض‬ ْ ‫ر‬ َ ْ ‫ٱ‬ ُ ‫ت‬ِ‫ب‬ۢ‫ن‬ ُ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ِ Â ‫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.
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 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
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 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.
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 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
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – MEDICINE AND PHYSIOLOGY
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 َ„
“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
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
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.
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
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 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
Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – EMBRYOLOGY
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
iv Human Beings Created from Sulalah (Quintessence of Liquid) 117 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 ٍ ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ ِ „ ¨ ٍ‫آء‬ „‫م‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِّ ‫م‬ ٍ َ ©ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ل‬ ُ ‫س‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ ‫ۥ‬ُ َ © ْ ‫س‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬ „ ُ® ¯ “And made his progeny from a quintessence of despised fluid.” Al Qur’an 32:8
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
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
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
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 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.
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 ْ َ  َ ‫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
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
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
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
Embryonic Stages ٍ ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ِ‫ك‬ „‫م‬ ٍ‫ار‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫ق‬ ْ ِ ‘ È ً ‫ة‬ َ ‫ف‬ ْ ‫ط‬ ُ ‫ن‬ ُ‫ه‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬ „ ُ® ¯ ٍ ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ِ‫ط‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِّ ‫م‬ ٍ َ ©ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ل‬ ُ ‫س‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ َ ‫ن‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫س‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ­ ْ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ ْ ‫د‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ً‫م‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ظ‬ ِ‫ع‬ َ ‫ة‬ َ ‫غ‬ ْ ‫ض‬ ُ ْ Ñ‫ٱ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬َ‘ َ‘ ½ ً ‫ة‬ َ ‫غ‬ ْ ‫ض‬ ُ‫م‬ َ ‫ة‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ ْ ‫ٱل‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬َ‘ َ‘ ½ ً ‫ة‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ة‬ َ ‫ف‬ ْ ‫ط‬¢‫ٱلن‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ „ ُ® ¯ َ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ِ‫ق‬ِ‫ل‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‘ْ Ò‫ٱ‬ ُ ‫ن‬ َ ‫س‬ ْ‫ح‬ َ ‫أ‬ ُ „ ©‫ٱل‬ َ ‫ك‬ َ ‫ار‬َ‫ب‬َ‫ت‬ َ ‫ف‬ ۚ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫اخ‬َ‫ء‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫ق‬ ْ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ ُ‫ه‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ْ ‫أ‬ َ ‫ش‬ ْ ‫ن‬ َ ‫أ‬ „ ُ® ¯ ‫ا‬ ً‫م‬ْ َ Ò َ‫م‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ظ‬ ِ‫ع‬ ْ ‫ٱل‬ َ‘ ‹ ْ ‫و‬ َ ‫س‬ َ ‫ك‬ َ ‫ف‬ “Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay), then we placed him as a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed; Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood, then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump: then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators.” Al Qur’an 23:12-16 127 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 viii
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
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
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 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.
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
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 ْ َ  َ ‫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 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
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.
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.
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
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Is the Quran Gods Word by dr zakir naikPart-2.pdf

  • 1. STUDY GUIDE PART 2 BY DR ZAKIR NAIK
  • 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 – 1 hour 15 min – 25 min – 10 min – 3 hours 45 min 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
  • 20. Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – ASTRONOMY
  • 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?
  • 27. iii The Spherical Shape of the Earth In early times, people believed that the earth is flat. For centu- ries, men were afraid to venture out too far, lest they should fall off the edge. Sir Francis Drake was the first person who proved that the earth is spherical when he sailed around it in 1577. Consider the following Qur’anic verse regarding the alterna- tion of day and night: ِ ‫ل‬ْ‫ي‬ ‫ٱل‬ ِ  ¦ َ ‫ار‬َ  §‫ٱل‬ ُ ¨ِ © ْ ‫و‬ُ‫ي‬ َ ‫و‬ ِ‫ار‬َ  §‫ٱل‬ ْ ِ  ¦ َ ‫ل‬ْ‫ي‬ ‫ٱل‬ ُ ¨ِ © ْ ‫و‬ُ‫ي‬ َ «‫ٱل‬ ‫ن‬ َ ‫أ‬ َ َ® ƒ ْ َ „ َ ‫أ‬ “See you not that Allah merges Night into Day and He merges Day into Night...” Al Qur’an 31:29
  • 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 َ ِ Â َ ‫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
  • 46. Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – PHYSICS AND HYDROLOGY
  • 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
  • 58. Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – GEOLOGY OCEANOGRAPHY
  • 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
  • 68. This phenomenon occurs in several places, including the divider between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean at Gibraltar. But when the Qur'an speaks about the divider between fresh and salt water, it mentions the existence of a forbid- ding partition with the barrier. َ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬‫و‬ ٌ ‫اج‬ َ ‫ج‬ ُ ‫أ‬ ٌ ‫ح‬ ْ ‫ل‬ ِ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬ َ ‫ذ‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‫ه‬‫و‬ ٌ ‫ات‬ َ ‫ر‬ ُ ‫ف‬ ٌ ‫ب‬ ْ ‫ذ‬َ‫ع‬ ‫ا‬ َ ‫ذ‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‫ه‬ ِ ْ“ ” َ ‫ر‬ ْ ‫ح‬َ‫ب‬ ْ ‫ٱل‬ َ ‫ج‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ‫م‬ ْ ‫ى‬ ِ ‫ذ‬‫ٱل‬ َ ‫و‬ُ‫ه‬ َ ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫ور‬ ُ ‫ج‬ْ© ‫ا‬ ً ‫ر‬ْ ِ ª‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫خ‬ َ ‫ز‬ْ َ ‰ ‫ا‬ َ‫م‬ُ َ ْ‫ي‬َ‫ب‬ “It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is not to be passed.” Al Qur’an 25:53
  • 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
  • 75. Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – BIOLOGY, BOTANY ZOOLOGY
  • 76. 6 BIOLOGY 76 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 i Every Living Thing is made of Water Consider the following Qur’anic verse: ۖ ‫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 َ ‫ں‬ْ€‫ى‬ ِ ‫ذ‬ ‫ٱل‬ َ َ€ „ ْ َ َ ‫و‬ َ ‫أ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ْ ‫و‬ُ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ ْ ‫ؤ‬ُ‫ي‬ َ ‰ َ ‫ف‬ َ ‫أ‬ ۖ ٍّ َ Œ ٍ‫ء‬ ْ َ‘ ’ ُ “ ِ‫آء‬ َ ْ •‫ٱ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬ َ ‫و‬
  • 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
  • 79. 79 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 iii Human beings are created from Water The following verse refers to the creation of human beings from water: ‫ا‬ ً ‫ر‬ْ€‫ى‬ ِ ‫د‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ك‬§‫ب‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ َ ‫و‬ ۗ ‫ا‬ ً ‫ر‬ ْ ِ © ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ً‫ب‬ َ ‫س‬ َ ‫ن‬ ‫ۥ‬ُ َ ¢ َ‫ع‬َ® َ ¯ ‫ا‬ ً َ‘ °َ‫ب‬ ِ‫آء‬ َ ْ •‫ٱ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ ْ ‫ى‬ ِ ‫ذ‬ ‫ٱل‬ َ ‫و‬ُ‫ه‬ َ ‫و‬ “It is He Who has created man from water: Then has He established relationships of lin- eage and marriage: for your Lord has power (over all things).” Al Qur’an 25:54
  • 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 ِ Â َ ‫و‬ ْ‫م‬ ِ ِ Ä ُ ‫ف‬ ْ ‫ن‬ َ ‫أ‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ‫م‬ َ ‫و‬ ُ ‫ض‬ ْ ‫ر‬ َ ْ ‫ٱ‬ ُ ‫ت‬ِ‫ب‬ۢ‫ن‬ ُ ‫ت‬ ‫ا‬ ِ Â ‫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
  • 98. Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – MEDICINE AND PHYSIOLOGY
  • 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
  • 106. Dr Zakir Naik QUR’AN AND MODERN SCIENCE – EMBRYOLOGY
  • 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.
  • 117. iv Human Beings Created from Sulalah (Quintessence of Liquid) 117 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 ٍ ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ ِ „ ¨ ٍ‫آء‬ „‫م‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِّ ‫م‬ ٍ َ ©ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ل‬ ُ ‫س‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ ‫ۥ‬ُ َ © ْ ‫س‬ َ ‫ن‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬ „ ُ® ¯ “And made his progeny from a quintessence of despised fluid.” Al Qur’an 32:8
  • 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 ْ َ  َ ‫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
  • 127. Embryonic Stages ٍ ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ِ‫ك‬ „‫م‬ ٍ‫ار‬ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫ق‬ ْ ِ ‘ È ً ‫ة‬ َ ‫ف‬ ْ ‫ط‬ ُ ‫ن‬ ُ‫ه‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ج‬ „ ُ® ¯ ٍ ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ِ‫ط‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِّ ‫م‬ ٍ َ ©ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ل‬ ُ ‫س‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ ‫م‬ َ ‫ن‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫س‬ ْ ‫ن‬ ِ­ ْ ‫ٱ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ ْ ‫د‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫و‬ ‫ا‬ ً‫م‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ظ‬ ِ‫ع‬ َ ‫ة‬ َ ‫غ‬ ْ ‫ض‬ ُ ْ Ñ‫ٱ‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬َ‘ َ‘ ½ ً ‫ة‬ َ ‫غ‬ ْ ‫ض‬ ُ‫م‬ َ ‫ة‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ‫ع‬ ْ ‫ٱل‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬َ‘ َ‘ ½ ً ‫ة‬ َ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬َ‫ع‬ َ ‫ة‬ َ ‫ف‬ ْ ‫ط‬¢‫ٱلن‬ ‫ا‬َ‫ن‬ ْ ‫ق‬ َ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ „ ُ® ¯ َ‘ ‫ں‬ْ“‫ى‬ِ‫ق‬ِ‫ل‬ٰ‫ـ‬َ‘ْ Ò‫ٱ‬ ُ ‫ن‬ َ ‫س‬ ْ‫ح‬ َ ‫أ‬ ُ „ ©‫ٱل‬ َ ‫ك‬ َ ‫ار‬َ‫ب‬َ‫ت‬ َ ‫ف‬ ۚ َ ‫ر‬ َ ‫اخ‬َ‫ء‬ ‫ا‬ ً ‫ق‬ ْ ‫ل‬ َ ‫خ‬ ُ‫ه‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ن‬ ْ ‫أ‬ َ ‫ش‬ ْ ‫ن‬ َ ‫أ‬ „ ُ® ¯ ‫ا‬ ً‫م‬ْ َ Ò َ‫م‬ٰ‫ـ‬ َ ‫ظ‬ ِ‫ع‬ ْ ‫ٱل‬ َ‘ ‹ ْ ‫و‬ َ ‫س‬ َ ‫ك‬ َ ‫ف‬ “Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay), then we placed him as a drop of) sperm in a place of rest, firmly fixed; Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood, then of that clot We made a (foetus) lump: then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature. So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators.” Al Qur’an 23:12-16 127 Is the Qur’an God’s Word? – Part 2 viii
  • 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 ْ َ  َ ‫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