CHAPTER-31

QUR’AN AND SCIENCE

            In the preceding chapter we have already studied how Islam emphasizes the importance of education and knowledge, how it highlights the merits and the excellence of the learned people, and how it enjoins upon its followers to leave no stone unturned to search for knowledge and acquire it from wherever and from whomsoever it is possible. Needles to say that the knowledge stressed by Islam is not only knowledge of religion and articles of faith but it also includes knowledge of history, social studies, sciences, arts, humanities, etc. The revealed book of Islam, the Holy Qur’an, teaches its followers, in one of its famous prayers, to pray for welfare in this world and also in the next world (2:201). Knowledge helps in achieving such welfare, and, therefore, Islam gives due importance to all sorts of knowledge, material as well as spiritual, temporal as well as religious. Here lies the importance of knowledge of sciences, arts, humanities along with knowledge of religion.

The Qur’an approves science and has no clash with it

In this chapter we shall study how the revealed book of Islam agitates the human mind to think and how the information revealed by this book about universe, about the creation of heavens and the earth, about the sun and stars, about the moon and planets, about clouds and rain, about oceans and rivers, about man and other living beings displays certain scientific truths which modern science has approved some fourteen centuries after the revelation of the Qur’an. Dr. Maurice Bucaille of France, the author of renowned book “The Bible, The Qur’an And Science” says the Holy Qur’an’s concept of the creation of the world, while different from the ideas contained in the Bible, is in keeping with today’s general theories on the formation of the universe. According to him, the Qur’anic descriptions also agree with the current scientific information concerning the evolution and movements of heavenly bodies. He also states that the Qur’an includes predictions about conquest of space and ideas about the water cycle in nature and the earth’s relief, which were only proved scientifically many centuries later.

The Qur’an approves science and reason and it has no clash with them. That is why the Muslim thinkers and philosophers of Middle Ages were both religious scholars as well as scientists such as Razi, Ghazzali, Jabir-bin-Hayyan, Ibn-i-Sina, Ibn-i-Rushd, Ibn-i-Khaldun, Al-Beiruni and many others.

 

The Qur’an’s Scientific Approach

            The Qur’an adopts scientific approach. It does not claim blind following. It appeals to human reasoning. It urges man to shun his superstitions and make use of his thinking faculties. Man must visit the land, see the signs of God within himself and around him, think and meditate about the creations of God, keenly observe the natural phenomenon and understand the purpose of his life and then decide about his belief.

            Let us have a glance on the following few verses of the Qur’an which invite us to apply our minds. There are many such verses in the Qur’an but only few have been selected because of space constraints.

·        Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the day, and in the ships that sail through the sea with the things of benefit for mankind, and in the rain which Allah sends down from the sky and therewith revives the earth after its death and spreads in it all kinds of creatures, and in the change of the winds and clouds which are held between the sky and the earth; there are indeed signs for a people who use their wisdom.   (2:164)

·        Certainly, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of night and day there are signs for men of understanding. Those who remember Allah, standing, and sitting, and lying down on their sides, and meditate about the creation of the heavens and the earth (and say): Our Lord! You have not created all this as useless. Glory be to you. Give us salvation from the doom of fire.   (3:190-191)

·        Kindly also refer to verses 16:10-12 and 47:24.

Open invitation of the Qur’an to conquer the universe as everything created for service to man

The Qur’an states again and again that everything or most of the things in the universe like heavens, the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the rivers, the seas, the plants, the animals and many others have been made of use to man. Hence the Qur’an gives an open invitation to man to conquer the universe and make use of every thing to his direct or indirect benefit. It says:

·        Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth, and causeth water to descend from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you, and maketh the ships to be of service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command, and hath made of service unto you the rivers; And maketh the sun and moon, constant in their courses, to be of service unto you, and hath made of service unto you the night and the day.   (14:32-33)

·        See ye not how Allah hath made serviceable unto you whatsoever is in the skies and whatsoever is in the earth and hath loaded you with His favours both without and within? Yet of mankind is he who disputeth concerning Allah, without knowledge or guidance or a Scripture giving light.   (31:20)

·        Allah it is Who hath made the sea of service unto you that the ships may run thereon by His command, and that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may be thankful; And hath made of service unto you whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth; it is all from Him. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who reflect.   (45:12-13)

·        Kindly also refer to 22:65 and 55:33

Everything Created in Pairs

            God has created every living being i.e. humans, animals and plants in pairs. This is a great scientific truth which the scientists have discovered only in recent age much after the revelation of the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an in the following verses highlights the fact of creation in pairs of everything living.

·        Glory be to Him Who created all the sexual pairs, of that which the earth groweth, and themselves, and of that which they know not!   (36:36)

·        The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He hath made for your pairs of yourselves, and of the cattle also pairs, whereby He multiplieth you. Naught is as His likeness; and He is the Hearer, the Seer.   (42:11)

·        And all things We have created by pairs, that haply ye may reflect.   (51:49)

·        Where is every kind of fruit in pairs?   (55:52)

Everything Created of Water

God has created life from water. Every living being – mankind, animals, plants – has been created of water. This is again a great scientific truth which modern science has discovered only recently. It was certainly not known when the Qur’an was revealed some fourteen centuries ago. And this establishes beyond doubt that the Holy Qur’an is a divine book.

The Qur’an in its following verses brings to light this fact that everything has been created by God from water.

·        Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?   (21:30)

·        Allah hath created every animal of water …… (24:25)

·        And He it is Who hath created man from water, and hath appointed for him kindred by blood and kindred by marriage; for thy Lord is ever Powerful.   (25:54)

After laying down in the preceding paragraphs some of the basic scientific facts about creation, let us now throw light as to how the Qur’an presents before us the creation of the universe, the heavens and the earth, sun, moon, stars, natural phenomenon, plants, animals, human beings, etc.

Creation of the universe and of the heavens and the earth

In the Qur’an there are hundreds of verses which throw light on the creation of the universe, on the creation of the heavens and the earth, and on creation of all which is in the heavens and the earth. These verses also throw light on how the universe, how the heavens and the earth, and how the things therein function and Who has created them and who keeps them in order. Although the Qur’an does not reject (rather it indirectly supports) the Big Bang Theory regarding creation of the universe as a result of a big  explosion, but it certainly rejects the view that the universe came into existence all of a sudden as a matter of an accident without any intended purpose. In the following verses the Qur’an tells us how Allah, the God of the universes, created the heavens and the earth and everything therein with a purpose.

·        The originator of the heavens and the earth! When He decree a thing, He says unto it only: Be! And it is.   (2:117)

·        Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for men of understanding, Such as remember Allah, standing, sitting, and reclining, and consider the creation of the heavens and the earth, (and say): Our Lord! Thou createdst not this in vain, Glory be to Thee! Preserve us from the doom of Fire.   (3:190-191)

·        Lo! Your Lord is Allah Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then mounted He the Throne. He covereth the night with the day, which is in haste to follow it, and hath made the sun and the moon and the stars subservient by His command. His verily is all creation and commandment. Blessed be Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!   (7:54)

·        Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were of one piece, then We parted them, and We made every living thing of water? Will they not then believe?   (21:30)

·        Say (O Muhammad, unto the idolaters): Disbelieve ye verily in Him Who created the earth in two Days, and ascribe ye unto Him rivals? He (and none else) is the Lord of the Worlds. He placed therein firm hills rising above it, and blessed it and measured therein its sustenance in four Days, alike for (all) who ask: Then turned He to the heaven when it was smoke, and said unto it and unto the earth: Come both of you, willingly or loth. They said: We come, obedient. Then he ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower.   (41:9-12)

Sun, Moon, Stars and Planets

Creation of sun, moon, stars and planets is highlighted by the following Verses of Al-Qur’an:

·        He it is who appointed the sun a splendour and the moon a light, and measured for her stages, that ye might know the number of the years, and the reckoning. Allah created not (all) that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge.   (10:5)

·        And verily in the heaven We have set mansions of the stars, and We have beautified it for beholders. And We have guarded it from every outcast devil, save him who stealeth the hearing, and them doth a clear flame pursue.   (15:16-18)

·        And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit.   (21:33)

·        And the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till the return like an old shriveled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.   (36:38-40)

·        Lo! We have adorned the lowest heaven with an ornament, the planets.   (37:6)

Day and Night, Months and Years

·        Lo! In the creation of the heavens and the earth and (in) the difference of night and day are tokens (of His sovereignty) for the men of understanding.   (3:190)

·        He is the Cleaver of the Daybreak, and He hath appointed the night for stillness, and the sun and the moon for reckoning, That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.   (6:96)

·        Lo! the number of the months with Allah is twelve months by Allah’s ordinance in the day that He created the heavens and the earth.   (9:36)

·        He it is Who appointed the sun an splendour and the moon a light, and measured for her stages, that ye might know the number of the years and the reckoning. Allah created not (all) that save in truth. He detaileth the revelations for people who have knowledge.   (10:5)

·        He it is Who hath appointed for you the night that ye should rest therein and the day giving sight. Lo! herein verily are portents for a folk that head.   (10:67)

Water, Clouds, Rain and Winds

            The Qur’an in its following Verses tells us how God sends winds and clouds, how rain falls on earth and how water revives the dead earth and causes all types of vegetation and plants to grow:

·        And He it is who sendeth the winds as tidings heralding His mercy, till, when they bear a cloud heavy (with rain), We lead it to a dead land, and then cause water to descend thereon and thereby bring forth fruits of every kind. Thus bring We forth the dead. Haply ye may remember. (7:57)

·        And We send down from the sky water in measure, and We give it lodging in the earth, and lo! We are able to withdraw it. Then We produce for you therewith gardens of date-palms and grapes, wherein is much fruit for you and whereof ye eat.   (23:18-19)

·        Hast thou not seen how Allah wafteth the clouds. Then gathereth them, then maketh them layers, and thou seest the rain come forth from between them; He sendeth down from the heaven mountains wherein is hail, and smiteth therewith whom He will, and averteth it from whom He will. The flashing of His lightning all but snatcheth away the sight.   (24:43)

Oceans and Rivers

In the following verses, the revealed book of Islam, Al Qur’an brings in focus how the oceans and rivers were created and how they are useful for human beings:

·        Allah is He Who created the heavens and the earth, and causeth water to descend from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you, and maketh the ships to be of service unto you, that they may run upon the sea at His command and hath made of service unto you the rivers;   (14:3)

·        And He it is Who hath constrained the sea to be of service-that ye eat fresh meat from thence, and bring forth from thence ornaments which ye wear. And thou seest the ships ploughing it that ye (mankind) may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks. And he hath cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with you, and stream and roads that ye may find a way.   (16:14-15)

·        And two seas are not alike: this, fresh, sweet, good to drink, this (other) bitter, salt. And from them both ye eat fresh meat and derive the ornament that ye wear. And thou seest the ship cleaving them with its prow that ye may seek of His bounty, and that haply ye may give thanks.   (35:12)

·        He hath loosed the two seas. They meet. There is a barrier between them. They encroach not (one upon the other) Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny’? there cometh forth from both of them the pearl and coralstone. Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?   (55:19-23)

Creation of Man

God created mankind from a single soul and that single soul (Adam) was created of potter’s clay of black mud altered. From that single soul was created its mate (Eve) and from them twain (Adam and Eve) was created a multitude of men and women. This fact is brought home by the Holy Qur’an, in its various verses. The Qur’an in these verses also tells us how drop of fluid in mother’s womb develops into a living baby and how a baby gets its birth into this world. How an infant attains full strength and enters into youth and how he grows into old age which is the most abject time of life. Thus speaks the Qur’an: 

·        O mankind! Be careful of your duty to your Lord Who created you from a single soul and from it created its mate and from them twain hath spread abroad a multitude of men and women.   (4:1)

·        He it is Who did create you from a single soul, and therefrom did make his mate that he might take rest in her. And when he covered her she bore a light burden, and she passed (unnoticed) with it, but when it became heavy they cried unto Allah, their Lord, saying: If Thou givest unto us aright we shall be of the thankful.   (7:189)

·        O mankind! If ye are in doubt concerning the Resurrection’ then lo! We have created you from dust, then from a drop of seed, then from a clot, then from a little lump of flesh shapely and shapeless, that We may make (it) clear for you. And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed time, and afterward We bring you forth as infants, then (give you growth) that ye attain your full strength. And among you there is he who dieth (young), and among you there is he who is brought back to the most abject time of life, so that, after knowledge, he knoweth naught.   (22:5)

·        Verily We created man from a product of wet earth; Then placed him as a drop (of seed) in a safe lodging; Then fashioned We the drop a clot, then fashioned We the clot a little lump, then fashioned We the little lump bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, and then produced it as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators! Then lo! After that ye surely die.   (23:12-15)

Creation of Animals

            He is God who has created cattle and animals and provides them sustenance. God has made them subservient unto man who uses them as beasts of burden, rides over them and also eats their meat. The Qur’an in its following verses brings these facts into light:

·        There is not an animal in the earth, nor a flying creature flying on two wings, but they are peoples like unto you. We have neglected nothing in the Book (of Our decrees). Then unto their Lord they will be gathered.   (6:38)

·        And the cattle hath He created, whence ye have warm clothing and uses, and whereof ye eat; And wherein is beauty for you, when ye bring them home, and when ye take them out to pasture. And they bear your loads for you unto a land ye could not reach save with great trouble to yourselves, Lo! Your lord is Full of Pity, Merciful. And houses and mules and asses (hath He created) that ye may ride them, and for ornament. And he createth that which ye know not.   (16:5-8)

·        Allah hath created every animal of water. Of them is (a kind) that goeth upon its belly and (a kind) that goeth upon two legs and (a kind) that goeth upon four. Allah createth what He will. Lo! Allah is Able to do all things.   (24:45)  

Plants, Crops, Gardens, Fruits

In the following Verses, the Qur’an tells us how God creates plants, vegetation, crops, gardens, fruits from the earth by irrigating it with rain water, springs and flowing streams:

·        Who hath appointed the earth a resting-place for you, and the sky a canopy; and causeth water to pour down from the sky, thereby producing fruits as food for you. And do not set up rivals to Allah when ye know (better).   (2:22)

·        He it is Who produceth gardens trellised and untrellised, and the date-palm, and crops of divers flavour, and the olive and the pomegranate, like and unlike. Eat ye of the fruit thereof when it fruiteth, and pay the due thereof upon the harvest day, and be not prodigal. Lo! Allah loveth not the prodigals.’   (6:141)

·        And He it is who spread out the earth and placed therein firm hills and flowing streams, and of all fruits He placed therein two spouses (male and female). He covereth the night with the day. Lo! herein verily are portents for people who take thought. And in the Earth are neighbouring tracts, vineyards and ploughed lands, and date-palms, like and unlike, which are watered with one water. And We have made some of them to excel others in fruit. Lo! Herein verily are portents for people who have sense.   (13:3-4)

·        Have they not seen how We lead the water to the barren land and therewith bring forth crops whereof their cattle eat, and they themselves? Will they not then see?   (32:27)

Conclusion

We have described above only few of the creations of God and that too in a summary way. There are in the universe innumerable and countless things which we do not know. In the creation of these things and in their existence and functioning there are many scientific truths which the man may not discover or know till the very end of himself and of the world.

 

Copyright (c) Dr. Muhammad Sharif Chaudhry. All rights reserved. For more information, please contact at alshaufi(at)yahoo(dot)com