Quran and Science

Allah knows what is best for us

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 07:52:00 +0000

Creation and making

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:28:00 +0000

Praise be Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth, and made the darkness and the light. Yet those who reject Faith hold (others) as equal, with their Guardian-Lord.

He it is created you from clay, and then decreed a stated term (for you). And there is in His presence another determined term; yet ye doubt within yourselves!

Chapter 6, Verses 1-2

God has created the heavens and the earth. God is the one Who created the whole universe. He has developed such a system of Matter and Energy that some bodies emit light and some do not. For example, the stars emit the light but planets do not emit the light. It is due to this system that darkness and light both exist in our universe.

Here there is one point which should be considered.

In this verse, God has used the word “created” for the birth of heavens and the earth and the He used the word “made” for darkness and the light. One reason of these choices of words can be that when these two words would be used simultaneously, “created” means something which is created from nothing, and “made” means something which is created from some already present material. This means that the darkness and the light both are the phenomenon of this universe. But the planets and heavens and earth, they all are created by God from scratch.

In this verse, God says that He has created humans from “clay”. What is the meaning of creation from clay? We will be discussing that in later posts but for now, it should be taken that in scientific terms, clay means Matter. It means that the man is created from matter.

This is really a great miracle of the God that He has created a beautiful, intelligent, living human from a non-living matter.

Creation of man and woman

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 16:45:00 +0000

O mankind! reverance your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered(like seeds) countless men and women;-reverance Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.

Chapter 4, Verse 1

This verse indicates that all the humans whether men or women, are originated from the “COMMON ORIGIN”. All the humans have a blood relation common in them. It means they all are relatives. Therefore they should love each other. They should respect each other and pass their lives happily living together.

Creation from a single person:
The Quran says that all the humans of this world are created from a single person. We are created from a single living entity.

Making of Mate:
Our God first created a living entity. Then He created a second living entity from that living entity. These two living entities formed a couple. And then the chain of birth of other human beings started from that couple.

According to Islam, that first living entity was Prophet “Adam (Peace Be Upon Him)” and the second living entity (his mate) was “Hawwa”.

But still the question is that how the first and second living entities were created.
In conventional meanings, it is said that at first the Prophet Adam was created from the clay. Then Hawwa was created from the remaining clay in the same manner.

But there can be one objection upon the above statement. The Quran says that all the humans are created from a single living entity but the above statement says that there were two humans who were created one after the other independent of each other. The concept of Creation from a single entity demands that first a single living entity is created and then the second living entity should be created from the first living entity. Otherwise there will be two separate living entities opposing the concept of the creation from a single living entity. Now there can be two different interpretations from here:

1. In conventional meanings , “creation from a single living entity” can be taken as the Prophet Adam. Since we usually relate children to their father, so may be the Quran uses the same theme in this verse and its interpretation can be taken as “You all are created from a single father”. Obviously, this interpretation doesn’t negate the presence of the mother. Similarly if we take it as “You all are created from a single mother” then this too doesn’t negate the presence of father.

We should try to understand that the main objective of the Quran in this verse is not to explain the biology of the human race. The main objective here is to make humans understand that they have a common origin; they are brothers and sisters to each other. They should live happily together, respect each other, spread love and share sorrows and grieves with each other.

2. The second interpretation can be taken as that the second living entity is created “physically” from the first living entity. This is such that the God has created Prophet Adam from the clay and then created Hawwa from the rib of Adam.

Even in the Bible, there is a concept of the birth of Hawwa from the side of the Prophet Adam:

Or took part of the man’s side (Holy Bible, New International version, International Bible Society)

The question is this that if the concept of the birth of Hawwa from the rib of the Prophet Adam is not correct then what is the correct explanation of this verse? How the second living entity was created from the first living entity. The Quran is silent in this regard. So whatever the concept will be presented on scientific and research level with solid evidences, it can be accepted by the reader of the Quran.

Those Who Understand

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:01:00 +0000

Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,-there are indeed signs for men of understanding,-

Men who celebrate the praises of Allah, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of ) creation in the heavens and the earth, (with the thought): “Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.

Chapter 3, Verses 190-191

In this verse, the Quran is inviting us to ponder. It is inviting us to ponder upon the creation of this universe, how it came into existence, what it is made up of, what are its different phenomenon, and the signs of the Existence of God in those phenomenon. This invitation is given to those people who use their intelligence, their intellect to know the truth.

Quran wants that a human should feel the Existence of God. He/She should believe that there is Someone, Who has the supreme authority and He is the Creator of this whole Universe and He is watching us all the time. A human’s intelligence cannot visualize the God into its circle. But a human intelligence can feel The God’s presence, His existence in this universe. This is why the Quran describes to us, different signs in this universe which clearly indicates towards the existence of Our Lord, the God.

Secondly, Quran also wants that a person should realize that he/she has been given tremendous number of boons, gifts and luxuries by the God and therefore he/she should be thankful to his/her God. For this, the Quran points towards different boons of the God in its various verses. Please refer to this post.

In this verse, the Quran describes two important signs of identification of those who use their intelligence and intellect (for those who understand):

1. To remember The God in every state and condition
2. To think and ponder over the creation of this universe

The reason for the creation of the human is this that he/she should become the one who makes The God happy and this is not possible for a human without completing his/her “humanity” in real sense.

When a person remembers his/her God in every state and condition and then he/she ponders over the creation of this universe, he/she then truly understands the purpose of the creation of this universe. He/she then understands, why he/she has been sent into this world. He/she then understands, that the God exists around us, inside us. So both of the above stated conditions should be met simultaneously if we want to make ourselves closer to our Creator, Our God.

Life and death

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 20:48:00 +0000

Thou causest the night to gain on the day, and thou causest the day to gain on the night; Thou bringest the Living out of the dead, and Thou bringest the dead out of the Living; and Thou givest sustenance to whom Thou pleasest, without measure.”

Chapter 3, Verse 27

In the whole year, the duration of of night and days keeps changing steadily and gradually. Sometimes, nights are long and days are short and sometimes days are long but nights are short. Similarly, we can say that the some part of night gets included in the day and some part of the day gets included in the night. This keeps happening throughout the year.

This verse tells us that this changing of durations of night and day is ordered by The God. Our God is the one Who sometimes makes days long and nights short and sometimes nights long but days short.

This verse contains the word “gain”. This means that the inclusion of the part of day into night or a part of day into night happens gradually and steadily. It doesn't happen abruptly.

We see that whenever the morning comes, the daylight slowly enters and the darkness slowly exits. Similarly when evening comes, the darkness slowly enters and the daylight slowly exits.

Why the duration of days and nights keeps changing?

This is because the earth is axially tilted at about 23.50 degrees in its orbit. This is why sunlight falls at different timings in the parts of earth.

But what is the advantage of this night and day duration changing?

It is due to this System of night and day duration changing that we have different seasons on our planet namely Summer, Winter, Autumn and Spring. These seasons affect directly to the minerals, plants and living beings.

The Birth of Living from the dead
Billions of years ago, when life opened its eyes on earth, there were inorganic substances upon earth from which a complex process was started. From this process, the life process was started since then, one living being is extracted or comes into existence from another already existed living being.

The living being’s body is made up of food and the food primarily is made up of a mixture of non-living matter components. A plant absorbs water and other chemical compounds from its roots. It absorbs Carbon dioxide from the air and gathers sunlight with the help of its leaves and other green parts. Then with the help of this sunlight, it prepares “food” by mixing these non-living matter components through a complex and long process.

When a human eats this food, it becomes a part of his/her body after digestion and takes part in the growth and development of living cells.

The Conversion of Living into Dead
When a living being dies, its body undergoes a decay process and splits into the non-living components of matter again.

In every living being (plants, animals and humans), there are two processes which take place. One is called “Anabolism” and the other is “Katabolism”. They are known collectively as “Metabolism”.

In Anabolism, in every cell, non-living components of matter which enters into our body through either digestion or respiration, are converted into living form through a complex process.

While in Katabolism, the living matter in a body converts into non-living form such as water, Carbon dioxide and other nitrogen compounds.

This is the system devised by The God. In this system, the non-living matters are converted into living and the living gets converted into non-living.

In broader meanings, the rule of life and death is followed throughout the universe. A star is born from dust and gases. It passes through different development stages and in the end it dies.

The rule of life and death is also followed among nations. There are many nations in the world which rise from different parts of the world, pass through different periods of time and then fall one day. This process continues.

So my dear friends, don’t you think that our God is extremely powerful. He is the One who converts a dead piece into living and a living piece into dead. There are many people in this world who consider that this life is the only one they have got. The would never live again once they are dead. But this verse informs us that The God is capable to make us living again even after our death. When we will die, our body will be completely decayed even our bones will no longer exist. But even then The God can convert us back into living just like He did before. We were nothing but the non living components of matter. But He converts us into living from that non living. And therefore we should have faith upon this that our God can repeat it again. He would give us the new life for the “Day of Judgment”. When we will be presented in the Court of God and He will decide our eternal place which will be either Hell or the beautiful heavens (Jannat).

If you think that you want to discuss something over this matter then you can always use the commenting section. Remember the God invites you to first ponder and then decide what is correct and what is wrong. I hope that you would accept this “Invitation to Ponder”.

Knowledge of everything and the mother’s womb

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:23:00 +0000

From Allah, verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens.

He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He, the Exalted in Might, the Wise.

Chapter 3, Verses 5-6

This verse tells us that the God, the Creator of this whole universe, is the one who has all the knowledge. Knowledge of everything. There are many other verses in the Quran which indicates towards the God’s “Knowledge of everything”.

This is the God’s decision, His choice for a person, His rule of creation according to which a child grows up inside the wombs of his/her mother. His/Her shape, hands, feet, lips and many other body parts are formed inside his/her mother’s womb.

The modern embryology has proved that a child is born after a long, complex development process inside the womb of his/her mother. In the very beginning, it is just a cell. We call it a “Zygote”. Even the Zygote is made up of two cells; one is called “Sperm” which comes from the father(male) and the other is called “Ovum” which comes from the mother(female). This zygote then grows through a no. of development stages and finally takes into the form of a complete child. We will discuss this process in detail later posts Insha Allah.

Inside the womb, genes are responsible for the type of shape, its size, other physical properties.

So my dear friends, don’t you think that this is the power of the God, our Creator that he forms a complete child , a complete human being from a little cell? Yes, indeed this is an example of The God’s power. He has the knowledge of everything. We know many things and we don’t know many things but Our God knows everything. And if you just try to ponder you would find that the God’s definition is incomplete without having the knowledge of everything.

So do you accept the invitation to ponder? if yes then please go ahead and answer to the call of your Creator.

Eight Signs of The God

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:23:00 +0000

Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky and the earth;-(Here) indeed are signs for a people that are wise.

Chapter 2, Verse 164

This verse is one of those very prominent verses of the Quran in which the Quran is giving an “Invitation to ponder” to all of those who use their intelligence. Quran is inviting them to ponder upon the universe, its happenings, and the signs of the God. Quran is a book which awakes your sense of pondering and thinking. Quran wants that people should use their intelligence, their thinking to the maximum extent. For example, The Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) once said:

Intelligence is the root of my religion.

In this verse, the God has directed our attention towards at least 8 of His signs:

1. The creation of the universe (heavens and the earth)
2. The system of cycling of the night and the day (one comes after the other)
3. The movement of boat in water (Sea Travel)
4. The rainfall
5. The living of the dead land(the growth of crops and minerals in a land which was once dead and without water)
6. The creation of the living beings and their scattering in the universe
7. The system of the winds
8. The hanging of clouds in the sky and their movement

”Heavens and the earth” are the words which are giving meanings of the word “universe” that we use today which includes milky ways, galaxies, stars and other bodies.

In the universe there are millions of galaxies, in each galaxy there are billions of stars. The galaxy in which we are present is called “The Milky Way”. There are billions of stars in our milky way. Our sun is a medium sized star in this galaxy. There are 8 planets(considering Pluto as a dwarf planet not a full planet) rotating around the sun.

In a galaxy, the stars are present at long distances from each other. These distances are so long that even the unit of Light Year becomes too short for their measurement. Light Year is the distance which the light travels in one year considering that the speed of light is 300000 km per second. So now we can get a slight idea how large this universe would be.

The earth’s structure, its making, its mass, its body, its distance from the Sun, its orbital movement around the sun, its spin upon its own axis, its climatic conditions which are suitable for the living beings, these all aspects include a lot of food for thought for those who want to ponder.

The cycling system of the day and night is one of the greatest boons of the God. The day and night keep coming after each other, the day replaces the night and the night replaces the day.

Without this cycling system, it would not be possible for the life to exist on this earth. If there would be only night, then the temperature of the earth would be very low and all the water upon this earth would be ice. If there would be only day, then the temperature of the earth would be very high and all the water would be in the form of vapors. The earth’s surface would be so hot that life would not be able to exist.

This is a great sign of the God that He has developed such an excellent system for the cycling of the day and night. So that they keeps replacing each other, and thus life can exist.

The earth spins upon its own axis. So the part of earth which comes in front of the sun brings day in that part and the part which is not in front of the sun has night in it. The earth’s spinning speed is so suitable that it supports life upon it. Neither the day and night are too long nor too short.

The movement of the boats and ships upon the surface of water is also a great gift of the God. God has given this skill and thinking power to the humans to think and determine that how he can use these seas, oceans and rivers for traveling and transportation.

The fluidity and the density of water are such that the objects can float over its surface if the density of the object is less than the density of the water. Similarly humans have developed small and big boats and ships and determined the methods to make them float on the surface of water.

In today’s age, the sea travels and transportation is of high importance. Millions of boats,ships, fleets, submarines are traveling through water today, transporting humans, their goods from one place to another.

Some ships are so large and huge that there are even cities present on them. There are airports making planes to land and take off from the surface of the ships.

”In the sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of mankind” are the words which are highlighting the importance of sea travel and sea transportation.

The Rainfall is the sign of the God’s greatness.

The dead, un-watered land when watered, gets green and fertile.

There are seeds of plants present in the land but they cannot grow without water because they are in the dormant state. The land remains dead. When that land gets water from the God’s decision, then the same seeds starts growing as plants and the same land which was once dead converts into green and fertile.

The rainfall is a system of providing that water. This water is then used to fertile the farms, crops thus giving the living beings the gifts of the God.

This should also be taken into account that the main component of the food of the living beings are the plants. For example, human beings eat vegetables, fruits as well as meat. Vegetables and fruits are obtained directly from the plants but the meat is obtained from the animals which eat different plants. So plants remain the primary component of our food.

There is an atmosphere present around us. Due to the variation in the temperature, a difference in the air pressure is created as a result, the wind blows. But this blowing of winds, this changing of winds, is according to a systematic system devised by the God.

There are many advantages of the changing of winds. It refreshes the environment. It conveys oxygen from the plants to humans and animals and carbon dioxide from the humans and animals to the plants. At some points, it keeps a definite proportion of gases in the atmosphere.

The winds move the clouds from one place to another. Their changing keeps the temperature moderate. It brings the coldness from the colder areas to the hotter areas and the hotness from the hotter areas to the colder areas.

They helps in the pollination process among the plants. The take part in the dispersion of seeds that is transferring them from one place to another.

Clouds are the large reservoirs of water vapors. The water gets evaporated from the water reservoirs (sea, oceans, rivers, lakes) when sun energy falls on it and then it forms the clouds in the sky.

It is a fact of interest that even remaining under the gravitational field of the earth, the clouds remains floating in the sky, traveling from one place to another. This is because their weight is less than the weight of the air.

These all are the great signs of the God. The clouds carry billions of tons of water from one place to another. Without this system, it would not be possible for the living beings to get such a huge amount of drinkable water.

The water molecules are lighter than the molecules of nitrogen and oxygen which are the main gases of the air. Therefore the water vapors rise up and gets collected up in the sky. If we just concentrate over this single point that if air would be lighter than the water vapors that is if there would be an excess concentration of hydrogen or helium gas molecules in the air, then water vapors would not be able to rise up and thus clouds would not be able to form and would not be able to transfer water from one place to another.

These all are the great signs of the God. Quran invites all of us to ponder, use our intelligence, without any descrimination. If we would ponder honestly over these signs we would get a clear idea of the God’s existence and His oneness.

Please feel free to comment regarding this post and discussion. I hope you would accept the Invitation to Ponder.

The Big bang

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 05:32:00 +0000

To Him is due the primal origin of the heavens and the earth: When He decreeth a matter, He saith to it: “Be,” and it is.
Chapter No. 2, Verse 117

This verse includes the word “primal origin” which means something which is made from a point where nothing existed. This verse is directing towards the fact that the Universe came into being from the point at which nothing was present. In the past, there was a specific moment at which it came into existence. Before that moment, it did not exist. This is a fact which today is getting proved by many evidences at Scientific level.

In today’s highly developed age, it is estimated at the Scientific level that the universe came into existence about 13.5 million years ago. This theory is named as the “Big Bang Theory”.

Thus, the formation of this universe, means that this universe came into existence at a particular moment, is a scientific fact today.But how interesting is this to know that Quran has described this fact about 1500 years ago.

The meaning of saying “Be”:

The God’s saying of “Be” doesn’t mean that this order has been given in the form of “words”. Actua

lly this is a type of order which is called a “Creational Command”. It means that the God decided to bring something into existence, and that thing came into existence in exactly the same way which the God wanted.

This also doesn’t mean that the a thing comes into existence in a second following the order of the God. Actually what it means is this that it comes into existence in the same way in which the God wants it to be, in the same time in which the God wants it to come. For example: if the God wants to create universe in 6 sequential stages, then the universe will be created in exactly in those 6 sequential stages, in the same time which the God has allocated it.

creation of the Seven heavens

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:59:00 +0000

It is He Who hath created for you all things that are on earth; Moreover His Design comprehended the heavens, for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He hath perfect knowledge.

Chapter 2 Verse

This verse discusses the nature, the God and His boons to human beings. It is God Who has produced all the things on earth for humans. He is the one Who has created the heavens.

Moreover in this verse, it is said that Allah decided to create seven heavens and then He created them with the best perfection. Here the word “seven” doesnt necessarily means exactly seven. In Arabic language, seven is used to indicate excess quantity. So it may mean here as “many heavens”. It is also possible that this is an indication towards the extensiveness of the universe and its hugeness.

The Comfortable Bed and The Protective Roof

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 07:34:00 +0000

Who has made the earth your couch, and the heavens your canopy; and send down rain from the heavens; and brought forth therewith Fruits for your sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye know (the truth).

Chapter No. 2, Verse No. 22

In Arabic Language the word of "earth" is used in extensive meanings. Basically the word "earth" means every that thing which is below the feet of humans or anything which is below something.

Similarly the word "heavens" is itself a very extensive word. However its basic meaning is of something which is above the head of or anything above something. Earth and Heavens are the two opposites in each other. Another meaning of earth can be taken as "downfall" while that of heavens as "rise".

The word "heavens" is used in different meanings. For example , the atmosphere above our heads, clouds, horizon, that blue roof, that seems to be present above our heads, cosmic space and heavenly bodies etc.

In Quran, this word is also used in the meanings of Universe. It is also used in the meanings of Spiritual or Metaphysical world. But besides all these meanings, its basic meaning remains the same that is the peak, the rise, the height.

From the context of this verse, we can easily determine that here the word heavens is used for what meanings.

Couch is a word that means something which is lied down so that one can feel comfort over it. This means that the earth is created in such a manner that Humans and other living beings can survive on it. For example, there is a balance between the hardness and softness of the earth's surface. It is neither very hard, nor very rocky, nor very sharp and neither it is very soft nor very sandy.

Earth is rotating and revolving with a very high speed in the universe but we don't get even a single feeling of such a fast speed.

The structure of earth, its distance from the the Sun, its climate, everything is very suitable for life to survive comfortably.

The earth's crust which basically serves as a couch (floor). The inside layers of the earth is very hot and is made of extremely hot and molten matter called Magma in which convectional currents keep flowing.

Due to Geological Process, the upper layer of earth becomes solid and it takes the form of a floor and gradually it becomes so suitable that living beings can exist now on it.

This floor like surface of earth doesn't mean that the earth is flat in shape. This is in the same way that there are huge high mountains present upon earth but they don't negate the curvilinear shape of earth.

"Canopy" means something which is built. This word is used for building, roof, ceiling and camp etc. Here this word is used in contrast with "Couch". Couch is used for something which is lying below our feet and Canopy means something which is present above our heads.

Here the word "heavens" is used for Atmosphere which is present as a protective layer around the earth, just like a roof or ceiling. It saves earth from exterior anomalies, meteorites, harmful rays e.g ultraviolet rays, cosmic rays and the magnetic effects of the Sun.

The soft and comfortable couch and a protective and safe roof are the beautiful metaphors used in this verse. Without these two, it was not possible for humans to live life on earth comfortably. These are the gifts of our Creator to us, so we should be thankful to Him for such great gifts. This is what Quran wants, to propagate the feeling of thankfulness in humans to their Creator,
Allah- the Almighty.

The second word of "heavens" here means the place above us where clouds are present. Rainfall comes from the clouds.

This is certainly a miracle of our Creator, that He has constructed such a great system of providing Fresh Water to all the living beings on this earth.

When sun rays fall on the water surface of water resources, then water evaporates and gets collected in the atmosphere in the form of vapors. This makes the clouds. The wind blows the clouds from one place to another and then due to precipitation, these vapors fall on earth in the form of rain or snow. These all are the great signs of God's existence.

Water is the basic need of life. This helps the growth of crops, fruits, minerals, vegetables etc. These are then consumed by the Humans and Animals and Plants as their feed. Plants also fulfil many other needs of Humans.

So what do you think my dear friends? Aren't these concepts, these statements true for all of us? Are they not created by Someone extremely powerful and extremely unique? For everyone who possess a little bit of thinking power even, would be able to understand that there is Someone behind all these system and that Someone is no one but Allah, the Almighty, our Creator, our God. If you don't understand it yet, take some time and read it again with your minds open to accept the invitation to ponder and you will get the feeling of the God, the One and the Only One Who created you this whole universe.

For further discussion on this verse, please comment below preferably in English.

May God Bless You!

Invitation To Ponder

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 18:35:00 +0000

The Quran is the last Holy Book of Almighty Allah. It was revealed around 1500 years ago upon the last Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). It is the book of guidance. It contains more than 750 verses related with Science. This blog is about these verses, as they unleashed the hidden mysteries of science 1500 years ago and mankind has been able to discover few of them just today.

I invite you all, without any descrimination of religion, color, caste or gender, to read, ponder and discuss these verses as no one ever would be able to prove them incorrect. This is an INVITATION TO PONDER to all of you. Let those facts known to you which Quran describes and be confident that whatever you get from these verses is 100% PURE TRUTH.

Search Results

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 02:12:00 +0000