ABOUT THE MAGAZINE
Spirit of Islam is a monthly magazine which is now in its Eighth
year of publication. The aim of this journal is to present Islam in
the contemporary idiom, while at the same time the contents are
of universal appeal and of interest to a wider circle of spiritual
seekers. It is our desire to help Muslims rediscover Islam, focusing
on its message of peace and spirituality as derived from the Quran
and the teachings of the Prophet, and in general we strive towards
religious understanding for bringing about greater harmony.
Another purpose of this magazine is to assist its readers to deal
with life’s challenges, deriving positivity even from negative
occurrences, gaining in spirituality and developing themselves
intellectually so that they may contribute constructively to society.
The magazine’s regular readers will appreciate that the entire
thrust of its articles is directed to the individual—a collection of
intellectually prepared individuals being the sole foundation on
which a peaceful and harmonious society can be built.
As the subtitle indicates, Spirit of Islam is working towards
enlightening people on the subject of global peace and regularly
addresses relevant contemporary issues. The articles on peace
based on the teachings of the Prophet of Islam offer us an ideology
of peace—principles which lay down how peace may be established
between conflicting groups, controversies resolved and conflicts
defused. We believe that violence begins in the mind and so an
effective ideology of peace needs to be presented to counter its
influence.
We hope and pray that God helps us in this noble endeavour
and grants us His special blessings!
FROM THE EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
Prof. Farida Khanam is an author, editor, translator, public speaker and former
professor of Islamic Studies at Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. Among her books are
‘A Simple Guide to Sufism’ and ‘A Study of World’s Major Religions’. She has translated
into English many books authored by Maulana Wahiduddin Khan. Currently the
chairperson of CPS International, she is a regular contributor of articles to various
publications. Prof. Khanam has edited Maulana’s English translation of the Quran
and has also translated his Urdu commentary of the Quran into English. She can be
reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
THE SCIENTIFIC APPROACH
OF THE QURAN
A STUDY of the Quran shows that the Quranic approach is based
neither on mythology nor on superstition, but on scientific
principles. When the term ‘scientific approach’ is used to describe
a way of thinking, it always means that such thinking is in accordance
with reality. A person having scientific approach will be scientific in all
his dealings in the world. His thinking will be totally in accordance with
realities.
The Prophet of Islam used to pray thus: ‘O God, show us the truth in
the form of truth and grant us the wisdom to follow it, and show us
falsehood as falsehood and grant us the strength to keep ourselves
away from it. Show us things as they are.’
This prayer of the Prophet of Islam is a fine example of the scientific
approach. The Quran wants to inculcate this spirit in every believer.
When a believer becomes eager to be granted this spirit to guide his
thoughts, he begins praying for it.
This teaching is expressed in different ways in the Quran. The Quran
enjoins believers to ‘fear God, and say the right word. He will bless your
works for you and forgive you your sins. Whoever obeys God and His
Messenger has indeed achieved a great success.’ (
This Quranic verse commands humankind to say what is fair. The
right word (qaul-e-sadid in Arabic) means saying the truth in exact
accordance with the facts. Just as the arrow reaches its target by being
shot in precisely the right direction, similarly qaul-e-sadid hits the mark
by making one’s words correspond in every detail with reality.
There are two kinds of human utterances: realistic and unrealistic.
Realistic utterances are those that tally exactly with reality. Conversely,
unrealistic utterances are those that do not take the actual state of
affairs into account and are based on suppositions, conjectures, or
mere opinion, rather than on fact. God approves of only the former
type of utterances.
A number of verses in the Quran aim at inculcating this scientific
temperament in the believers. In all matters believers are to be guided
by reason and logical thinking.
According to the Quran, there are two kinds
of thinking—sincere thinking and insincere
thinking. Insincere thinking may be called
double standard thinking. The scientific
temperament is the characteristic of a sincere
thinker. A sincere thinker cannot envision an
approach which is not based on realism. He
bases his life on sound and true foundations.
On the contrary, it is the insincere thinker or
hypocrite that has no principles or scruples.
His approach is based on opportunism and he
changes his point of view and way of thinking
to serve his own interests. That is why there
is not even a grain of the scientific approach
in him. His thoughts and deeds are totally
unpredictable.
A sincere person,
with a scientific
approach and a
scientific way of
looking at the world,
is one who comes up
to the standard set
by the Quran. The
insincere person is
wholly unaffected by
and in fact devoid
of the scientific
approach.
A sincere person, with a scientific approach and a scientific way of
looking at the world, is one who comes up to the standard set by the
Quran. The insincere person is wholly unaffected by and in fact devoid
of the scientific approach. Therefore, he fails in life’s test, as he is so
obsessed with his egocentric thinking that he refuses to adopt scientific
or realistic approach.
The Quran is not a book of science in the technical sense, but there is
no denying the truth that the Quranic approach is nothing other than
the scientific approach.
Prof. Farida Khanam
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ISLAMS CONTRIBUTION TO MODERN SCIENCE
Conquest of Nature
ISLAM inspires and propels its followers to seek knowledge for the
pleasure of their Lord, and to work towards and facilitate promotion
and welfare of humanity. In other words, the motto of education in
Islam is: acquisition of knowledge for the sake of serving God and His
creatures. That is why throughout Islamic history, equal attention has
been paid to the learning of both the religious sciences and the natural
sciences.
Islam places great emphasis on learning, and in order to facilitate
learning, supporting factors which are necessary to make progress in
learning have been provided by God. One of these special factors is the
freedom to conduct research.
Here is an example from the Prophet’s life. Once the Prophet passed
by an oasis where he found date palm planters at work. Upon enquiry
he found that they were pollinating the clusters of dates in order to
produce a better yield. The Prophet expressed his disapproval of
this process. Knowing this, the farmers immediately stopped it. Later
on the Prophet was told that due to lack of
proper pollination the yield had been very low
compared to the previous years. On hearing
this, the Prophet replied, “You know your
worldly matters better.” (Sahih Bukhari) In other
words, experiment and observation should
be the final criteria in such worldly matters.
Islam places great
emphasis on
learning, and in
order to facilitate
learning, supporting
factors which are
necessary to make
progress in learning
have been provided
by God. One of these
special factors is the
freedom to conduct
research.
In this way, the Prophet of Islam separated
scientific research from religion. This means
in the world of nature man must enjoy
full opportunities to conduct unrestricted
research and adopt the conclusions arrived
at. Placing such great emphasis on knowledge
resulted in the awakening of a great desire for
knowledge among the Muslims. This process
began in Makkah, and then it reached Madinah
and Damascus, later finding its centre in
Baghdad. Ultimately, it entered Spain. Spain flourished, making
extraordinary progress in various academic and scientific disciplines.
This flood of scientific progress entered Europe and culminated in the
modern scientific age.
Dr. Donald Campbell, a reputed British scientist in his book ‘Arabian
Medicine and its Influence on the Middle Ages’ writes: “When Europe was
lying torpid in the depth of intellectual obscurity and gloom in the dark
ages, culture and civilization were spread in the Islamic States under
the high patronage of the Caliphs of Baghdad and Cordova, and at a
time, when the Barons and Ladies of Medieval Europe could not even
sign their names, almost every adolescent boy and girl in Islam could
read and write freely and with ease.”
An article in The Guardian dated February,
2010 begins with these insightful words:
(…..) Science is the most universal of human
activities. But the means to facilitating
scientific advances have always been dictated
by culture, political will and economic wealth.
What is only now becoming clear (to many
in the west) is that during the dark ages
of medieval Europe, incredible scientific
advances were made in the Muslim world.
Geniuses in Baghdad, Cairo, Damascus and
Cordoba took on the scholarly works of
ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece,
India and China, developing what we would
call “modern” science.
The Quran lays
great emphasis
on acquisition
of knowledge
that is based
on observation,
experiment and the
inferences drawn
from them. In fact,
the faith based upon
discovery is given a
status much higher
than faith based
upon tradition.
The Quran lays great emphasis on acquisition
of knowledge that is based on observation, experiment and the
inferences drawn from them. In fact, the faith based upon discovery
is given a status much higher than faith based upon tradition. With its
unambiguous segregation of the Creator from the created, Islam made
the entire universe an object of investigation.
Fuelled by the zeal to conquer nature, the chief subjects that excited
the interest and exercised the ingenuity of the Arabian scholars were
astronomy, mathematics, and medicine. The practical phases of all
these subjects were given particular attention.
Mathematics
It is well-known that the so-called Arabian numerals date from this
period. The revolutionary effect of these characters, as applied to practical mathematics, can hardly be overestimated. Another
mathematical improvement was the introduction into trigonometry
of the sine—the half-chord of the double arc—instead of the chord
of the arc itself which the Greek astronomers had employed. This
improvement was due to the famous astronomer and mathematician
Al-Battani (d. AD 929).
Astronomy
For measurement of the Earth, instead of trusting to the measurement
of angles, the Arabs decided to measure directly degree of the Earth’s
surface. Selecting a level plain in Mesopotamia for the experiment, one
party of the surveyors progressed northward, another party southward,
from a given point to the distance of one
degree of arc, as determined by astronomical
observations. The result found was fifty-six
miles for the northern degree, and fifty-six
and two-third miles for the southern. It is
interesting to note that the two degrees were
found of unequal lengths, suggesting that the
Earth is not a perfect sphere—a suggestion
the validity of which was not to be put to the
test of conclusive measurements until about
the close of the eighteenth century. The Arab
measurement was made in the time of Caliph
Abdullah al-Mamun, the son of the famous
Harun-al-Rashid.
In medieval Europe,
Arabian science
came to be regarded
with superstitious
awe, and the works
of certain Arabian
physicians were
exalted to a position
above all the ancient
writers.
Harun-al-Rashid (d. AD 809) sent Charlemagne, as a token of friendship,
a marvellous clock which let fall a metal ball to mark the hours. This
mechanism, which is alleged to have excited great wonder in the West,
furnishes yet another instance of Arabian practicality.
Al-Battani made the important discovery of the motion of the solar
apogee. He found that the position of the sun among the stars, at the
time of its greatest distance from the Earth, was not what it had been in
the time of Ptolemy. The Greek astronomer placed the sun in longitude
too great to be accounted for by inaccuracy of measurement.
Physical Science
Ibn al-Haytham’s work on Optics, published about the year AD 1100,
found great favour throughout the medieval period. His original
investigations of the eye, and the names given by him to various parts of the eye, as the vitreous humor, the cornea, and the retina, are still
retained by anatomists.
Al-Haytham carried forward these studies, and made the first recorded
scientific estimate of the phenomena of twilight and of the height of the
atmosphere. The persistence of a glow in the atmosphere after the sun
has disappeared beneath the horizon is so familiar a phenomenon that
the ancient philosophers seem not to have thought of it as requiring an
explanation. Yet a moment’s consideration makes it clear that, if light
travels in straight lines and the rays of the sun were not deflected, the
complete darkness of night should instantly succeed to day when the
sun passes below the horizon. That this sudden change does not occur,
al-Haytham explained as due to the reflection of light by the Earth’s
atmosphere.
Chemistry
In Chemistry, we find the greatest Arabian name that of Jabir ibn
Hayyan (d. AD 815), who taught in the College of Seville in the first half
of the eighth century. The most important
researches of this remarkable experimenter
had to do with the acids. The ancient world
had no knowledge of any acid more powerful
than acetic acid. Jabir vastly increased
the possibilities of chemical experiment
by the discovery of sulphuric, nitric, and
nitromuriatic acids. He made use also of
the processes of sublimation and filtration,
and his works describe the water bath and
the chemical oven. Among the important
chemicals which he first differentiated is oxide
of mercury, and his studies of sulphur in its
various compounds have peculiar interest. In
particular is this true of his observation that,
under certain conditions of oxidation, the
weight of a metal was lessened.
It is certain that
in the time when
Western Europe
was paying little
attention to science
or education, the
Caliphs and viziers
were encouraging
physicians and
philosophers,
building schools, and
erecting libraries and
hospitals.
Medicine
Among Arabian physicians, there were always some investigators
who turned constantly to nature for hidden truths, and were ready to
uphold the superiority of actual observation to mere reading. Thus, the
physician Abd al-Latif al-Baghdadi (d. AD 1231), while in Egypt, made
careful studies of a mound of bones containing more than twenty thousand skeletons. While examining these bones he discovered
that the lower jaw consists of a single bone, not of two, as had been
taught by Galen. It was the Arabs who invented the apothecary,
and their pharmacopoeia, issued from the hospital at Gondishapur,
and elaborated from time to time, formed the basis for Western
pharmacopoeias. It is certain, however, that through them various
new and useful drugs, such as senna, aconite, rhubarb, camphor, and
mercury, were handed down through the Middle Ages.
In medieval Europe, Arabian science came to be regarded with
superstitious awe, and the works of certain Arabian physicians were
exalted to a position above all the ancient writers.
It was not the adoption of Arabian medicines, however, that has made
the school at Salerno famous both in rhyme and prose, but rather the
fact that women there practised the healing art. Greatest among them
was Trota, who lived in the eleventh century, and whose learning is
reputed to have equalled that of the greatest physicians of the day. She
is accredited with a work on Diseases of Women, still extant.
Avicenna (d. AD 1037), whose million-word encyclopedia, Canon
of Medicine remained the supreme medical reference book for six
centuries, can be considered the greatest physician of all peoples,
places and times. Furthermore, his philosophical encyclopedia, Book
of Healing, and his Book of Knowledge, place him among the world’s
foremost thinkers.
There can be little doubt that while the Arabians did copy and translate
freely, they also originated and added considerably to knowledge. It is
certain that in the time when Western Europe was paying little attention
to science or education, the Caliphs and viziers were encouraging
physicians and philosophers, building schools, and erecting libraries
and hospitals. They made at least a creditable effort to uphold and
advance upon the scientific standards of an earlier age.
(This article makes extensive use of the material furnished in Chapter 2:
Mediaeval Science among the Arabians in Volume 2 of A History of Science
by Henry Smith Williams and Edward H. Williams)
SCIENCE AND THEOLOGY
A Reaffirmation of God’s Existence
PROFESSOR Paul Davies, a well-known English physicist and author,
is the Director of ‘BEYOND’, a research centre of the Arizona
State University. He has several books to his credit, notably ‘The
Goldilocks Enigma’. He states in one of his articles, ‘Flaw in Creationists’
Arguments’ (The Guardian, June 26, 2007):
“Scientists are slowly waking up to an inconvenient truth―the universe
looks suspiciously like a fix. The issue concerns the very laws of nature
themselves. For 40 years, physicists and cosmologists have been
quietly collecting examples of all too convenient “coincidences” and
special features in the underlying laws of the universe that seem to
be necessary in order for life, and hence
conscious beings, to exist. Change any one of
them and the consequences would be lethal.”
The fundamental
challenge to account
for the impeccable
order in the universe
is that the concept
of the universe
presented by religion
and modern science
appeals to an agency
outside the universe
to explain its law-like
order.
He illustrates his point by citing the building
blocks of the universe. The entire universe
is made up of atoms, atoms which are a
combination of neutrons, protons and
electrons. A neutron is a little heavier than
a proton. This proportion is extremely
important. If it were the other way round, that
protons were heavier than neutrons, then
according to known laws, the atom could not
exist. And when there are no protons, there
can be no atomic nuclei and no atoms. No
atoms, no chemistry, no life.
This example shows that science today is facing unanswerable
questions. For instance, what is the origin of the present laws of
physics? Why do they take their present form? How is it that they are
so well-established, etc.? Traditionally, scientists supposed that these
laws were an integral part of the universe, that they were imprinted on
the universe at its birth and fixed thereafter. Enquiry into the origin of
nature and of its laws was not regarded as a proper part of science. But
now these questions are vexing the scientists.
The Cambridge cosmologist, Martin Rees, 60th President of The
Royal Society (2005-2010), suggests that the laws of physics are not
absolute and universal, but are more akin to local by-laws varying from place to place on a mega-cosmic scale. He calls this the ‘multiverse’
system. According to these researches, our universe is a universe
which possesses biofriendly laws. That is why we find ourselves in a
universe, which, in meeting all of our exact requirements, is apparently
customized for habitation. Had this not been so, our existence would
have been impossible. What is the origin of these absolute and universal
laws, which are controlling the universe in a highly organized manner?
The fundamental challenge to account for the
impeccable order in the universe is that the
concept of the universe presented by religion
and modern science appeals to an agency
outside the universe to explain its law-like
order. Still, modern thinkers maintain that
accepting a designer who exists before the
existence of the universe is not an explanation
of this problem. For this explanation of the
universe immediately begs the question: if the
designer designed the universe, who designed
the designer? Paul Davies concludes:
“If there is an ultimate meaning to existence, as I believe is the
case, the answer is to be found within nature, and not beyond it.
The universe might indeed be a fix, but if so, it has fixed itself.”
The Explanation
In the matter of theology, the modern mind is in grave confusion. As we
find from this article written by Paul Davies. The atheist philosophers
and physicists have frequently asked, “If God created the universe, who
created God?” But this question is totally illogical. It is sheer negation
of logic. Furthermore, this objection is based on a clear contradiction.
Those who believe in a universe without a Creator are not ready to
believe in a Creator without a Creator. If the universe can exist without
a Creator, the existence of a Creator is also possible without Him being
created.
The Rational Stand
The question of the existence of God must be addressed in a purely
rational manner. No other stand except a rational stand can be adopted
or is practicable, as other approaches will fail to satisfy this question.
It is an established fact that there is order in the universe in an absolutely
perfect sense. This order is apparent to everyone’s observation. Paul Davies says, “the universe seems just right for life.” To support this
statement, he has given a scientific example of the atom’s structure.
Thus, order in the universe is considered as an established fact by both
the theists and the atheists.
As regards the rational stand, the concept of order or organization
cannot exist without the concept of an organizer. Wherever there is
organization, there certainly exists an organizer. Believing in order
and organization without believing in an organizer is rationally
impossible. The presence of organization leaves no room for refusing
to acknowledge the presence of an organizer. Failing to find an
explanation for the existence of an organizer is no logical pretext to
deny the existence of the organizer.
What has been stated by Mr Davies with
reference to atomic structure holds true also
for the macroworld. Each part of this world,
big or small, is so balanced, ordered and
proportionate that even the minutest change
in its structure could disturb the entire system
of nature.
Believing in
intelligent action
without believing in
an intelligent Creator
is like believing in
a complex machine
without believing in
its engineer.
For instance, the Earth’s gravity is exactly in
accordance with our needs. If the force of
gravity were to be doubled, or halved, either
way the survival of human civilization on the planet Earth would
become impossible. As we know, we have two immediate neighbours
in space—the sun and the moon. If the sun were replaced by the moon
and the moon by the sun, let alone human life on Earth, the entire
Earth would burn to ashes.
Intelligent Universe
There are innumerable things in the universe and everything is in
the form of a compound. Formerly, the atom was regarded as an
indivisible unit and not a compound. When the atom was split in the
age of Einstein, it was discovered that it was also a compound and not
a single unit.
Everything is scientifically studied in the modern age. All the things
consisting of certain compounds have many options about the form
they take, but science tells us that nature inevitably opts for the one
form―out of the many possible forms that they could take―which is
exactly in accordance with the overall scheme of the universe. This is
why, in this world, everything is in its perfect and ultimate form.
This principle prevailing in the universe may be termed an intelligent
selection. There are billions and trillions of things in the universe,
but everything, without exception, is an example of this intelligent
selection. This principle is so common that a British Nobel Prizewinning physicist, Dr Fred Hoyle, chose the title The Intelligent Universe
for a book he wrote on this subject.
This phenomenon of the universe provides
conclusive proof of God’s existence.
Intelligent design is clearly a proof of an
intelligent Creator. Logically, it is unthinkable
that intelligent action should exist without an
intelligent Creator.
If we deny the
existence of God, we
shall have to deny
the existence of the
universe as well.
Since we cannot
refute the existence
of the universe, we
are compelled to
accept the existence
of God.
Believing in intelligent action without believing
in an intelligent Creator is like believing in
a complex machine without believing in its
engineer.
Dr Fred Hoyle explains in his book, that in
the initial stages of scientific discovery, the
violent reaction of the Christian Church
against the scientists still lingers in human
memory. People fear that if proof of the existence of an intelligent
Creator behind the universe is declared, there will be a resurgence of
the religious extremism of former times. This is a baseless fear. After
the scientific acknowledgement of the intelligent Creator, history will
witness the return of the true divine religion.
Two Options
We have two explanations for the extraordinary order and proportion
existing in the universe. One is that the universe is its own designer.
Yet all the research conducted on the universe refutes this, because
the order discovered by science in the universe is clearly based entirely
on intelligent design. On the other hand, atheists claim that there is
everything in the universe except what is called ‘intelligence’. We are
then asked to believe that the universe discovered by science is totally
designed, but that at the same time, it is totally non-intelligent. In such
a state of affairs if we believe that the universe is the designer of its
own design, it is like believing a statue is a self-created being and has
moulded itself into a meaningful design. Given this situation we are left
with only one option to explain the universe. And that is to accept some
agency outside the universe as being responsible for its underlying
design. We have no other choice besides this one.
In reality, the choice does not lie between the universe without God
and the universe with God; but rather between the universe with God
and no universe at all. That is to say, if we deny the existence of God,
we shall have to deny the existence of the universe as well. Since we
cannot refute the existence of the universe, we are compelled to accept
the existence of God.
The Choice before Us
One of the principles of rationality is that in such circumstances as
leave us practically a solitary option, we are faced with a compulsive
situation. That is, we are compelled to accept that option. Going against
that is possible only when there is more than one choice. But when
there is no other choice available, it becomes incumbent upon us to
accept that single course of action. In this context, this single option
means to accept the existence of God as a fact, for no other choice is
available except for the acceptance of the existence of God.
Types of Logical Argument
Logic is the study of the principles and criteria of valid inference
and demonstration. Logic is man’s greatest possession. It influences
every decision human beings make in their lives. It enables them to
understand concepts at the rational level. Through logic, ideas are
made rationally understandable. There are two major kinds of logic—
optional logic and compulsive logic. Both of these methods of logic are
equally dependable methods. When either of these logical methods is
applied to prove any point, the result will be accepted as established.
Optional Logic
Optional logic is that which allows the possibility of accepting either
of two propositions. By applying certain methods, we can make a
reasoned choice. For instance, take sunlight. When we look at sunlight
with the naked eye, it appears to be of a single colour. But on seeing
sunlight through a prism, this same light is divided into seven colours.
This leaves us with two options regarding the colour of sunlight. Now,
thanks to advances in science, it becomes possible for us to see which
option carries more logical weight. That is why the seven-colour option
has come to be accepted as a reality. It has been upheld by a superior
logic.
Compulsive Logic
The case of compulsive logic differs in that only one option presents
itself. One is compelled to accept that option and no other, for no other option is available. An example of compulsive logic is that of
acknowledging the identity of one’s mother. Everyone believes one
particular woman to be his mother. Despite not having seen himself
being born, he is compelled to accept this as a fact, and clings to it
as a matter of conviction. His belief results from compulsive logic. He
maintains this belief because, in this matter, his position is that he has
no other option but to accept one particular woman as his mother.
Belief in the existence of God pertains to this same kind of compulsive
logic. On the question of God’s existence, the actual point is that we
have no option in this matter. We are compelled to believe in the
existence of God. For if we did not believe in the existence of God, we
would have to negate the existence of not only the universe but also
our own existence. Since we can negate the existence neither of the
universe nor our own, we cannot logically deny the existence of God.
Man’s Existence is the Proof of God’s Existence
In the vastness of the universe, it is man alone who denies the existence
of God, in spite of the fact that man’s own existence is the greatest
proof of God’s existence. If a being like man exists, then a being like
God, too, certainly exists. All the qualities which we envisage existing in
God in a perfect form, exist in man in an imperfect form. If an imperfect
being exists, a perfect being can certainly exist. Believing in one and
denying the other is such a contradiction in logic that no one endowed
with any reason can afford it.
Rene Descartes, the famous French philosopher, (1596-1650) was also
faced with the question: ‘If man exists, what is the rational proof of his
existence?’ After long reflection, he gave this answer:
‘I think, therefore I exist.’
The answer he gave is entirely sound in terms of logic. But this logic,
which proves the existence of man, proves something far greater, and
that is, rational proof of the existence of God. In the light of this logical
principle, we would be right in saying:
‘Thinking exists, therefore God exists.’
Those who deny God, deny Him because He appears to them as abstract
and therefore incomprehensible. They find it difficult to believe in
something which has no material existence. But human beings are
thinking creatures. Everyone believes in the existence of the faculty of thinking on the basis of his own experience, even though thinking is
totally an abstract activity, with no material existence.
Now, if man believes in the existence of one kind of abstract concept, then
there is no reason why he should not accept the existence of another
kind of abstract concept―that of God’s existence. The soundness of
this logic is quite apparent. If the existence of thinking―which is an
integral part of everyone’s experience—is denied, then, certainly, man
shall have to deny his own existence. And no one can deny his own
existence. That is why it is not logically possible for anyone to deny the
existence of God.
God’s being invisible is not a sufficient reason for denying His
existence. The truth is that denying God’s existence because of His
being invisible is an outdated argument in the age of modern science.
In the beginning of the 20th century, when the atom was smashed and
scientific knowledge embraced the subatomic world, it was brought to
light that, in this realm, everything was invisible.
Everything previously perceived to be palpably solid was shown to be
made up of components which were invisible. This being so, taking the
stand that God’s existence may be denied on the grounds of invisibility
has come to be regarded as unscientific.
The following two books provide details on this subject:
1. Science and the Unseen World by Sir Arthur Eddington.
2. Human Knowledge by Bertrand Russell
Therefore, we can say that:
The option that we have is not between a ‘universe with God’ or a
‘universe without God’. The only option we have is between a ‘universe
with God’ or ‘no universe at all’.
EVIDENCE OF GOD
Knowledge Leads the Way
AN ARTICLE written by the American Nobel Prize-winning physicist
Charles Townes (1915-2015) appeared in The Times of India on
January 31, 2015. The article was titled: A Physicist’s Faith in
Science and God. In the article Townes speaks about the universe and
religion. He says:
“No one can deny that the universe is the outcome of intelligent
placing. It is unusual. We, too, are unusual. To make it possible for life
to exist, special physical laws are required. So, I would say that this
is a very special universe. It has been intelligently planned. How can
anyone refute that? So, there is indeed a spiritual world; a Creator.
Most people do not realise that science, like
religion, requires faith. We make so many
assumptions. We believe that the laws of
physics are reliable—that’s a kind of faith…I
do believe there is a spiritual presence in the
universe. It is difficult to define God, but I can
feel an Omnipresence everywhere. People
ask, if God created the universe, who created
God? So, there’s always a problem with a
beginning.”
When we accept
the existence of the
world, it becomes
necessary to accept
that this world has
had a beginning.
Since a beginning
without a beginner
is impossible, we are
compelled to believe
in the existence of
the Beginner.
Everyone admits that our universe is an
intelligently designed universe. Therefore,
there must be a beginning of such a universe.
The existence of a meaningful universe is an
undeniable fact. The only thing about which
some people are sceptical is its beginning―
how did it begin and who is the beginner? However, when looked at
closely, this question seems illogical. It is an obvious fact that where
there is a beginning, there is a beginner. The phenomenon of beginning
itself proves the existence of a beginner. If we are compelled to believe
in the beginning, then we must also, out of the same compulsion,
believe in the beginner.
All our knowledge points to the fact that there is a world that exists
outside of us. When we accept the existence of the world, it becomes
necessary to accept that this world has had a beginning. Since a
beginning without a beginner is impossible, we are compelled to
believe in the existence of the Beginner.
SIGNS OF GOD
Mathematical Precision in Nature
JAMES CLERK MAXWELL, the Scottish physicist represented the
laws of electromagnetic interactions in mathematical equations
so beautifully, that when the great Austrian physicist Ludwig
Boltzmann saw them, he exclaimed “Who was the God who wrote
these signs?
To a keen observer of the universe, the most astounding fact is that
every study of nature culminates in a conclusion that is incredibly
meaningful and intelligent. Every study of the universe shows that
it has not been randomly put together, but impeccably planned and
systematically organized. This obvious fact compels an observer to
acknowledge that a supreme intelligence is responsible for the creation
and functioning of the universe.
Albert Einstein was of a purely scientific temperament. In spite of this,
he has acknowledged that he is more of a philosopher than a physicist.
"I am more a philosopher than a physicist, for I believe there is a reality
outside of us".
With this belief, Einstein would say about himself: To know that what is
impenetrable to us really exists, manifesting itself as the highest wisdom and the most radiant beauty which our dull facilities can comprehend only
in the most primitive forms—this knowledge, this feeling, is at the centre of
true religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I belong in the ranks
of the devoutly religious men.
Nature is a sign of God and speaks to us about God. As a creation
of God, it presents a picture of its Creator. One who observes nature
and the universe with an open mind is sure to discover its Creator.
Nevertheless, a biased mind will remain in darkness in the midst of
light and will be unable to find God in the midst of God’s signs.
THE FOUNDATION OF REALITY
Contemporary Intellect
MODERN theological science is a substantiation of religious
beliefs with due regard for contemporary intellect. This is
truer indeed of a presentation of Islamic teachings according
to modern rational methods. To begin with, we must ascertain
exactly what this contemporary intellect is. Contemporary intellect is
synonymous with scientific intellect, or that intellect which emphasizes
the importance of the essential nature of things. In other words, modern
mind validates those beliefs that are observable and demonstrable.
The scientific revolution has had a profound effect on human thought.
Owing to science, theories are required to be based on experiment and
observation rather than on hypothesis and analogy. The intellectual
and material upheaval of the present age has occurred because of the
discovery of the realities of nature.
The intellectual and
material upheaval of
the present age has
occurred because
of the discovery
of the realities of
nature. All things,
from the bicycle to
the aeroplane, from
light bulbs to huge
factories, operate
on the basis of these
natural realities.
All things, from the bicycle to the aeroplane,
from light bulbs to huge factories, operate
on the basis of these natural realities. This
is the revolution which has, in fact, stolen
the limelight in our modern age, for it has
affected every department of human life. For
thousands of years man was engaged in a
futile attempt to turn iron into gold by means
of highly secret formulas. Now, thanks to the
discovery of natural realities, iron is converted
into machines more precious than gold. These
developments have added credibility to the
theories which are proven by the realities of
nature. This mindset is to be expected. Since
the progress of modern man has been due to
his discovery of natural realities, he is bound
to attribute importance only to that theory
which is supported by these realities.
This difference between the modern and ancient intellect may be
understood by means of a simple example. A century ago, drugs
were claimed to be manufactured following medicinal prescriptions
based on family tradition, or prescriptions used by knights and kings.
Terms such as “family prescription”, “hereditary cure”, “royally mixed
medicine”, etc., used to carry great weight with physicians. If any of these terms were used with respect to any medicine or tooth powder, it
meant that it contained hidden properties. Nowadays, however, these
terms have no value.
Today’s doctor will not use this outmoded terminology when explaining
the efficacy of a certain medicine. Rather he will point out that this
product has been prepared scientifically and that its advantages have
been ascertained by means of established evidence and experiments,
the validity of which can always be tested by repetition. The very
phrase “family cure” implies that its medicinal properties are not open
to general investigation and that the connection between illness and
cure has not been ascertained by any specific experiment. Rather its
acceptability is attributable to its wide usage over a long period of time.
Today’s customer seeks a product which has been manufactured on
scientific lines. Likewise, it is only those ideas whose truth is verified by
natural realities that he is ready to accept.
FROM THE SPIRITUAL TREE
There is a tree beside my house. I call
it the 'Spiritual Tree'. I derive spiritual
inspiration from it. A tree is an evergrowing being that was initially a seed
possessing the potential of becoming a
full-grown tree. A seed takes food from the
universe around it and then grows into a
tree. The same is true with spirituality,
the desire for which is intrinsic to, and an
integral part of, the very nature of every
human being. To realize this spirituality,
man must derive spiritual food from the
universe around him. A tree converts
carbon-dioxide into oxygen; a spiritual person is one who can take positive lessons
from negative situations. From this perspective, a tree is an embodiment of a
spiritual personality. —Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
SCIENCE—AN AID TO
GOD-REALIZATION
WHILE ON A TRIP away from the city, if you chance to lift your
head up at night and look at the sky, you will see thousands
of stars; beautiful, magnificent and wonderful stars. If you
observe them carefully for some time, you will see that they are slowly
moving across the sky. This apparent movement of the stars across
the sky is because of the Earth’s rotation. In fact, some stars seem to
move faster than others. This is because of the distance between the
stars. This difference in apparent movement is called parallax. In the
case of stars, this is very helpful, since it helps us measure the distance
between us and the star in question.
Fourteen centuries ago, however, little was known about the stars. The
Earth was thought to be flat and the heavens a kind of vault resting on
the hilltops which provided a roof over the Earth. Stars were considered
as close to one another as they appeared to be. It was generally believed
that the Earth was stationary and that the sun revolved around it.
People believed that the universe had existed since eternity. Even the
greatest thinkers of the time believed in a static model of the universe.
At such a time, the Quran said:
Do not those who deny the truth see that the heavens and the earth
were joined together and that We then split them asunder? (
Up to about a hundred years ago, it was generally accepted that the
universe existed in infinite time. Only now modern studies in astronomy
have confirmed the truth of this Quranic verse. According to the
prevailing and current scientific view of cosmology, the universe had
a distinct and singular beginning about 13.7 billion years ago in what
is commonly referred to as the Big Bang. This model of the universe
also describes how the universe expanded from a very high density
and high temperature state, offering a comprehensive explanation to
various natural phenomena including the formation of galaxies, stars
and planets, our Earth and the elements required to sustain life.
The star nearest to Earth, apart from the sun, is called Proxima Centauri
and is about 4.
star takes about 4.
kilometres. Our sun, in comparison, is just
eight light-minutes away. The stars seem to be
spread across the entire sky but are actually
concentrated in one particular band, which
we call the Milky Way galaxy. We now know
that the Milky Way, our galaxy, is not the only
galaxy. In 1924, the American astronomer
Edwin Hubble found many others, with huge
areas of empty space in between them. These
galaxies were so far away that they appeared
not to move at all and their distance from us
could not be directly measured.
Up to about a
hundred years ago,
it was generally
accepted that the
universe existed in
infinite time. Only
now we find that
modern studies in
astronomy have
confirmed the truth
of this verse in the
Quran.
Scientific developments have enabled us to
study and observe these stars and galaxies
which would not have been possible when
the Quran was revealed in the 7th century AD.
Another way to measure the distance of a star or galaxy from Earth is
by its brightness. The temperature of a star can also be calculated by
focusing a telescope on a particular distant star and passing its light
through a prism. This light splits up into different colours which is then
called the star’s spectrum. Different stars have different spectra, but a
specific temperature shows a specific spectral pattern. If we know the
temperature of a star, and therefore its luminosity, and its apparent
brightness, its distance from Earth can be calculated.
As astronomers began to study these distant galaxies, they discovered
that the light from each galaxy showed the same spectral pattern. To
understand the implications of this, we must first understand that light
travels in waves. The size of one wave (comprising of one crest and one
trough), called wavelength, determines its colour. Visible light consists
of seven colours: red―which has the longest wavelength and therefore
the largest waves, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet―which
has the shortest wavelength and therefore the smallest waves.
Now, the spectral pattern of the galaxies was all found to be slightly
shifted to the red side. Different stars emit light at different wavelengths.
If the stars were stationary, the light we receive would be in the same
wavelength in which it was emitted. If the stars were moving away from
us, the light would be being stretched as it was emitted―which means
its wavelength would keep increasing―becoming red. If all galaxies
were being shifted to the red, it meant that
they were all moving away from Earth. This
meant that the universe was expanding―just
as points marked on a balloon move further
and further away from each other as the
balloon grows in size.
Fourteen centuries ago, the following verse
was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad in
the Quran (
We built the universe with Our might, and
truly, it is We who are steadily expanding it.
For a serious reader,
there is enough
evidence in the
Quran having had
its source in an
Omnipresent and
Eternal Mind—one
which knows all
facts in their true
forms and whose
knowledge has not
been conditioned
by time and
circumstances.
With the advances made in the field of
science and technology, the range of
human observation and experiment has
vastly increased, opening up great vistas of
knowledge about the universe. In all spheres
of existence and in all disciplines of science, previously established
concepts are being proved wrong by latest research. This means no
human work dating back 1500 years can claim total accuracy, because
all ‘facts’ must now be re-evaluated in the light of recent information.
But when one reads and understands the verses in the Quran related
to the universe, one can observe that it is free of incongruities.
For a serious reader, this can be an evidence of the Quran having had its
source in an Omnipresent and Eternal Mind―one which knows all facts
in their true forms and whose knowledge has not been conditioned by
time and circumstances.
SCIENCE OPENS NEW HORIZONS
Discover the Creator through Creation
THE Quran refers to the Divine plan in these words (
We shall show them Our signs in the universe and within
themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this is the Truth.
Is it not enough that your Lord is the witness of all things?
The signs of God whose emergence was predicted in this verse of the
Quran came into full expression in the 19th and 20th centuries. One
aspect of the modern scientific revolution is that it has fully brought to
life these signs of God. The modern scientific revolution has provided
a commonly accepted intellectual ground between those who engage
in dawah work (dayees or preachers) and their addressees (madus or
addressees), through which dawah (missionary) work can be engaged
in a more effective way
.
Some 3000 years ago, the Prophet Moses started his prophetic mission
in Egypt. He promulgated the message of the unity of God (tawhid) to
Pharaoh, who was then the ruler of Egypt. But Pharaoh mocked this
message. The Quran (
Pharaoh said, “O nobles, I know of no god for you other than
myself. So, Haman, burn me bricks of clay, and build me a high
tower, so that I may have a look at the God of Moses, though I
consider him to be one of the liars.”
Something similar to this happened closer to our own times. Nikita
Khrushchev (d. 1971) was one of the top leaders of the former Soviet
Union. In 1957, the Soviet Union sent its first satellite into space. It was
called Sputnik. The satellite entered space, travelled around, taking
many pictures, and then returned to Earth. After this, Khrushchev,
mocking religion, declared that their spacecraft had travelled in space
but no God was to be seen there, nor any Paradise.
To rebut such claims, earlier no solid scientific basis was available. But
now the situation is completely altered, with great advances in science.
According to modern researches, only around four per cent of the vast
universe is observable for man. The remaining 96% of the universe is
beyond our observation. Much of this 96% is thought to consist of dark
matter and dark energy, which are poorly understood, if at all.
This modern scientific finding is a great basis for the votary of Truth in
presenting a rationale for belief in the existence of the Creator God.
On the basis of this finding, one can say that man, given his present
abilities, can arrive only at indirect knowledge about God and Paradise.
Man simply cannot obtain direct observational evidence on these
matters.
Science has opened up new doors of Godrealization. What is science? Science is
concerned with the study of nature, and
nature is another name for the creation
of God. So, science can be said to be the
discipline that studies the creation of God, the
Maker of all things. In this study, man does not
see the Creator directly. Rather, studying and
contemplating on the creation of the Creator,
he learns more about the Creator.
Science has opened
up new doors of
God-realization.
Science is concerned
with the study of
nature, and nature is
another name for the
creation of God. So,
science can be said to
be the discipline that
studies the creation
of God, the Maker of
all things.
Before the emergence of modern science,
man’s knowledge of nature was limited. In
other words, man knew relatively little about
the creations of God. In such a situation, his
understanding of the greatness of God was
limited. Modern scientific revolution marked
a watershed in this regard. It enabled man to
study the creation of God in much greater detail. Scientists developed
many instruments for this purpose. By uncovering many of the signs of
God scattered about in the universe, they opened up new opportunities
for a higher level of realization of the power and glory of God.
In this regard, it is pertinent to note that in Muslim literary history there
have been many writers who penned numerous books on the glories of
the Prophet of Islam. But there have been hardly any who wrote on the
glories of God. For the glories of the Prophet, an impressive historical
record was available. But the issue of the glories of God was a different
one. It is not possible for us to see God physically and estimate His
greatness directly. There is only one way to get some sort of idea of
God’s greatness, and that is, to discern God’s greatness in and through
God’s creation. That is to say, one can get an idea of the greatness of the
non-observable Creator through His observable creations. Before the
advent of modern science, man did not have a detailed knowledge of
the creations of God. On account of the limited intellectual framework
in this period, belief in God remained largely a mysterious sort of belief, not a belief that was deeply rooted in
consciousness of God’s greatness and glory.
By studying the
amazing creations
of God, modern
science has provided
man new grounds
for fortifying his
faith in God and
for deepening one’s
appreciation of God’s
greatness and glory
By studying the amazing creations of God,
modern science has provided man new
grounds for fortifying his faith in God and
for deepening one’s appreciation of God’s
greatness and glory. Thus, modern scientific
revolution can be said to be a support to
Islam. It is favourable to Islam, not a challenge
to it. Through modern scientific research,
new facts about nature were brought to light,
which proved to be a great support for the
claims of Islam. These discoveries opened the
doors to higher levels of realization about God. Along with this, they
made available a new and more effective possibility for inviting people
to the Truth. That is, the work of dawah, inviting people to God, could
now be done on the basis of the accepted scientific knowledge and
intellectual principles of the madus themselves.
God is watching over His servants,
those who say, "Our Lord, we believe
in You; forgive us our sins, and save us
from the torment of the Fire'- and who
are patient, steadfast, self-controlled,
truthful, devout, and charitable, and
who pray for God's forgiveness at
daybreak. THE QURAN 3: 15-17
A DELAY OF NINE DAYS
Divine Intervention or Chance?
ACCORDING to a report that appeared on March 18, 2014 in
the journal Nature Communications, a massive magnetic storm
erupted on the surface of the sun on July 23, 2012. This event
may have proved to be destructive for the planet Earth. But luck saved
us from this catastrophe. And, that luck was that Earth was on the other
side of the sun at that time.
Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, and another
Chinese research team, both reported separately that a rapid
succession of coronal mass ejections―the most intense eruptions
on the sun―sent a pulse of magnetized plasma barrelling into space
and through Earth’s orbit. The massive magnetic storm had a speed of
3,000 km per second―enough to circle Earth five times in one minute.
Had the eruption come nine days earlier, when the ignition spot on the
solar surface was aimed exactly at Earth, it would have hit the planet.
Researchers say that the solar burst tore
through Earth’s orbit but, fortunately, Earth
and the other planets were on the other
side of the sun at the time. Had Earth been
in the line of sight, it would have suffered
severe magnetic storms as the magnetic
field of the outburst would have tangled with
the planet’s own magnetic field. This would
have wreaked havoc with the electrical grid,
disabling satellites and GPS, and disrupting
our electronic lives.
What is “luck”? It
is an intervention
by the Lord of the
universe. In the vast
space, such events
happen very often.
However, through
sheer ‘luck’, we
remain safe from
danger. It is a proof
that there is a high
control of check
and balance in the
universe.
What was this “luck”? In fact, it was an
intervention by the Lord of the universe.
In the vast expanses of space, such events
happen quite often. However, every time
our planet remains safe from danger. This
phenomenon is a proof that there is a high
control of check and balance in the universe.
It is this control that saves us from being a catastrophic victim to such
events. This universal management has been mentioned in the Quran
in these words: “Say, ‘Who will save you from the Most Gracious, by
night and by day?’ Yet they turn away from the remembrance of their
Lord.” (
SCIENCE SPEAKS ABOUT GOD
The Perfection of Natural Laws
NATURE is the subject of science. Science studies nature and
discovers those laws through which nature is being governed.
In other words, science studies the creation without referring to
the Creator.
It is not the concern of scientists to discover the Creator. However,
this kind of bifurcation is practically impossible. One cannot detach the
engineer from the machine, then how can one detach the Creator from
the creation? Science discovers the marvels of nature, but the question
arises as to who created these marvels? When we try to find out the
answer to this question, we cannot help arrive at the conclusion that
God exists.
A number of books have been written on this subject. A recent one is
‘Why Science Does Not Disprove God’, written by Amir D. Aczel (d. 2015),
a lecturer in mathematics and science, and an author.
The following are excerpts taken from a review on this book by the
physicist Alan Lightman:
“There is plenty of good scientific evidence that our universe began
about 14 billion years ago, in a Big Bang of enormously high density
and temperature, long before planets, stars and even atoms existed.
But what came before? [The physicist Lawrence] Krauss in his book
discusses the current thinking of physicists that our entire universe
could have emerged from a jitter in the amorphous haze of the
subatomic world called the quantum foam, in which energy and matter
can materialize out of nothing. Krauss’s punch line is that we do not
need God to create the universe. The quantum foam can do it quite
nicely all on its own. Aczel asks the obvious question: But where did the
quantum foam come from? Where did the quantum laws come from?
Hasn’t Krauss simply passed the buck? Legitimate questions, but ones
we will probably never be able to answer.
“…Aczel discusses the mysteries of “emergent” phenomena—when
a complex system exhibits a qualitative behavior that cannot be
explained in terms of the workings of its individual parts: for example,
the emergence of self-replicating life from inanimate molecules or the
emergence of consciousness from a collection of connected neurons.
He writes, “The inexplicability of such emergent phenomena is the
reason why we cannot disprove the idea of some creative power behind
everything.
“…[The fine-tuning problem] For the past 50 years or so, physicists have
become more and more aware that various fundamental parameters
of our universe appear to be fine-tuned to allow the emergence of life
—not only life as we know it but life of any kind. For example, if the
nuclear force were slightly stronger than it is, then all of the hydrogen
atoms in the infant universe would have fused with other hydrogen
atoms to make helium, and there would be
no hydrogen left. No hydrogen means no
water. On the other hand, if the nuclear force
were substantially weaker than it is, then the
complex atoms needed for biology could not
hold together.
Science discovers
the marvels of
nature, but the
question arises as to
who created these
marvels? When
we try to find out
the answer to this
question, we cannot
help arrive at the
conclusion that God
exists.
In another, even more striking example, if
the cosmic “dark energy” were a little denser
than it actually is, our universe would have
expanded so rapidly that matter could never
have pulled itself together to form stars. And
if the dark energy were a little smaller, the
universe would have collapsed long before
stars had time to form. Atoms are made in
stars. Without stars there would be no atoms
and no life.
So, the question is: Why? Why do these parameters lie in the narrow
range that allows life?
If our particular universe did not have the right parameters to allow
the emergence of life, we wouldn’t be here to talk about it. In a similar
way, Earth happens to be at the right distance from the sun to have
liquid water, a nice oxygen atmosphere and so on. We can ask why our
planet has all these lovely properties, amenable to life. …But if we lived
on Mercury, where the temperature is 800 degrees Fahrenheit, or on
Neptune, where it is 328 degrees Fahrenheit below zero, we could not
exist.” (The Washington Post, April 10, 2014)
THE GREATNESS OF GOD
Faith of a Believer
DISCOVERY of God is the foundation of faith. The higher the
discovery, the higher is the faith. The culmination of this
discovery is the discovery of God with all His glory. When a
person discovers God with all His greatness, he is in a state of awe
which the Quran describes in the following words:
‘True believers are those whose hearts tremble with awe at the
mention of God.’ (
Modern astronomy has a positive
contribution in this regard. It has provided
a framework to discover the unimaginable
greatness and glory of the Creator. With
the help of this framework, a man can bring
into his imagination the concept of God’s
indescribable greatness.
Realization of
God leads man to
acknowledge his
limitations while,
on the other hand,
he discovers the
limitlessness of God.
The thrilling state
which is produced
within man as
a result of this
discovery is called
realization of God.
Modern science has studied astronomy for
many centuries. In 1508, the telescope was
invented. For the first time, in 1609 the Italian
scientist Galileo observed space through a
telescope. This observation of the heavens
progressed continuously. Earlier, large
astronomical telescopes were set up on some
remote mountaintops taking advantage of
the clear skies and the lack of atmospheric and light pollution. Today is the age of ‘space science’. Now, man has
established space observatories and telescopes, for example, Hubble
Space Telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990. With
this technology, it has become possible to observe distant planets and
galaxies in the far reaches of the universe. Such observations have
established that the universe is constantly expanding at an increasing
rate. These discoveries present a new horizon in the knowledge of
man that conceptualizes the greatness and glory of God. Scientific
discoveries have truly enlarged the canvas of God-realization.
In this regard, a few years ago, astronomers discovered what they say
is the biggest ever black hole which weighs the same as 6.8 billion suns.
Speaking about the discovery, one of the astronomers said: “This black
hole could swallow our solar system whole.”
According to the scientists, the black hole, and the galaxy hosting it,
which is a huge blob of stars known as M87, is as large as the orbit of
Neptune and by far the largest and most distant galaxy in the nearby
universe. As a point of comparison, the black hole at the centre of the
Milky Way is 1,000 times smaller than this one which has been observed
some 50 million light years away.
A black hole is a region of space from which nothing, not even light,
can escape. It is the result of the deformation of spacetime caused by
a very compact mass.
When such facts as these come to light, they serve as great treasure
troves for God-realization. These events tell us of the greatness of God’s
power to an unimaginable extent. To the one who thinks seriously
about these scientific discoveries, his heart will tremble at the glory of
God and the hairs on his body will stand on their ends.
These facts remind man of his state of extreme helplessness and the
state of omnipotence of God. To ponder upon such discoveries which
reveals a treasure trove provided by the universe acts as great stimulus
and support to attain a higher realization of God.
Realization of God leads man to acknowledge his limitations while,
on the other hand, he discovers the limitlessness of God. The thrilling
state which is produced within man as a result of this discovery is called
realization of God. Whoever attains this realization of God, for him it
is as if the gates of blissfulness have been opened in this world as well
as in the Hereafter. Fortunate is the man of whom it will be said in the
Hereafter: ‘Enter Paradise from whichever of the gates you like. After
today there is neither fear for you nor any grief’.
MIRACLES OR SIGNS OF GOD
Phenomena in Nature
THE SIGNS that the prophets of God demonstrated to their people
are commonly known as miracles. But this is not a true Islamic
understanding. The Quran and Hadith (record of the Prophet’s
sayings and deeds) refer to these prophetic examples not as miracles, but
as signs. Calling such instances as miracles presents them as prophetic
phenomena, whereas referring to them as signs shows them to be natural
phenomena.
Moses was a prophet of God. He was born in ancient Egypt in the 16th
century BC. The Egyptian ruler of the time, Ramesses II, challenged
him in a contest where, on the demand of the ruler, the Prophet
Moses demonstrated a sign. When he threw
his wooden staff to the ground, it instantly
turned into a slithering serpent. This event
was witnessed by many people, some of
whom were so affected that they immediately
accepted the divine message of Prophet
Moses.
In the order of
nature, the act
of conversion is
universal and allpervading. It is a
proof of the existence
of God and of His
power. What is
meant by conversion
in the universe
is actually Divine
intervention.
This incident was not just a lesson for the
contemporaries of the Prophet Moses. In
reality, it was an eye-opening sign for the whole
of humankind. Moses had demonstrated to
people a universal and common law of God.
This is the law of conversion. With the help of
God, Prophet Moses had shown that a piece
of wood could be changed into the shape of
a serpent in the same way that everything in
nature is being converted from one form into another. The event that
Prophet Moses demonstrated to the people was in reality this law of
conversion: an act of changing something from one form to another.
There are several references to this natural law of conversion in the
Quran. The Quran says that in this world ‘nothing’ is being converted
into ‘something’ (
The time of Prophet Moses and the Pharaoh, Ramesses II, was the
pre-scientific era, when such signs could only be shown to people with
the special intervention of God. With the advent of modern science, it has become possible that such natural phenomena can be explained
through human intelligence. This scientific revolution that was to come
had been predicted in the Quran (
There are countless and diverse things in the universe. Study shows
that all these things are a result of conversion, that is, a change from
one form to another form. In Prophet Moses’ time, a thing that was
not a serpent was changed into a serpent; matter was changed into a
different form of matter. This is the same phenomenon that transpires
with everything else in this universe. Here, solid is being converted into
liquid, liquid to solid, gases into liquids and vice versa, and gases into
other gases. Energy is being converted into matter; matter is being
converted into energy. In the same way, a tree grows out of a seed,
a fruit comes forth from a flower, a chick emerges from an egg, and a
butterfly is metamorphosed from a chrysalis. Change or conversion is
a law of nature.
In the order of nature, this act of conversion is universal and allpervading. It is a proof of the existence of God and of His power. What
is meant by conversion in the universe is actually intervention. Things
that come into existence by conversion prove an intervention. When
the act of intervention is proved, then the existence of the intervener is
also proved. God is only the other name of this Intervener.
"Whoever persists in being patient, God
will make him patient. Nobody can be
given a blessing better and greater than
patience." (Sahih Bukhari)
THE BIG BANG THEORY
Birth of the Beginning
DO NOT those who deny the truth see that the heavens and the earth
were joined together and that We then split them asunder? And
that We have made every living thing out of water? Will they still
not believe?
E. O. WILSON (b. 1929), hailed as the father of sociobiology, once said
in an interview that the Big Bang theory is more interesting than any
religious theory regarding origin of the universe. In fact, the Big Bang
theory is clearly mentioned in the above verse of the Quran (
The Quran is here addressing all humankind. It is speaking beyond the
level of time to all humankind. It is bringing the attention of human
beings to the proof of the existence of One God in the universe before
their eyes. Why then do they deny it?
The Big Bang Theory
has proved the
existence of God
from the law of
nature, for only an
external agent at
a specific instance
in time could have
made a point
mass into an everexpanding universe.
In 1912, the American astronomer Vesto
Melvin Slipher (d. 1969) discovered from
his observation of the stars from Lowell
Observatory in America that some galaxies
were rapidly moving outwards. This theory
was later confirmed by Edwin Hubble and
Milton Humason. In fact, their observations
through the 100-inch telescope at Mount
Wilson showed that all galaxies were moving in
an outward direction. The Dutch astronomer,
Willem de Sitter later accumulated further
evidence in support of the theory that the
universe was exponentially expanding. In
1965, New Jersey scientists Arno Penzias
and Robert Wilson discovered the cosmic
microwave background radiation emitted by
the Big Bang that marked the origin of the universe. So much evidence
has been accumulated in support of the Big Bang Theory that it has
now come to be regarded as an established fact.
This theory implies that the universe is not infinite in time. It had a
definite beginning. It shows that we live in an expanding universe. On
all sides of us galaxies are careering outwards at a stupendous pace. It
has been calculated that if this outward movement were to be reversed,
it would take 20,000 million years for the whole strung-out universe to
converge into one mass.
The Big Bang theory is conclusive evidence that the universe is
contingent. According to the prevailing scientific view of cosmology,
the universe had a distinct and singular beginning about 13.7 billion
years ago. The universe, therefore, appears to be an effect and, thus,
is seemingly dependent upon something outside of and beyond itself.
This theory has proved the existence of God from the law of nature, for
only an external agent at a specific instance in time could have made a
point mass into an ever-expanding universe.
As Aristotle cogently argued, there must be a reality that causes but
is itself uncaused (or, a being that moves but is itself unmoved). Why?
Because if there is an infinite regression of causes, then by definition
the whole process could never begin.
The more science advances, the closer it comes to God. One is
compelled to agree with what Dr. Maurice Bucaille writes in the
following paragraph of his book, The Bible, the Quran and Science:
“In view of the level of knowledge in Muhammad’s day it is
inconceivable that many of the statements in the Quran which
are connected with science could have been the work of a man.
It is moreover, perfectly legitimate, not only to regard the Quran
as the expression of a Revelation, but also to award it a very
special place, on account of the guarantee of authenticity it
provides and the presence in it of scientific statement which,
when studied today, appear as a challenge to explanation in
human terms.”
MY LORD, BUILD ME A
HOUSE IN NEARNESS
TO YOU IN PARADISE
THE QURAN 66.
CLASH BETWEEN SCIENCE AND RELIGION
Real or Imagined?
THOSE WHO conducted scientific research in the centuries
immediately preceding our own were not in any way opposed
to religion. When Sir Isaac Newton (1642-1727) discovered the
laws governing the revolution of heavenly bodies, he wrote to a friend:
“The continuous rotation of the planets is not only due to the
law of gravity; there must also be a divine arm in it.”
When Charles Darwin (1809-1882) wrote his book, On the Origin of
Species, he expressly acknowledged the existence of God. This is how
he concluded the book:
“How magnificent is the concept that the Creator first created
some simple forms of life, and from them astonishingly simple
and wonderful species of life came into existence.”
Then why was it that science turned against
religion? The real reason behind this was not,
as William Draper1 (1811-1882) and others
have realized, conflict between science and
religion. It was, in fact, a conflict between
science and ancient theology, which had been
founded on Greek and Egyptian philosophy
rather than on divine religion. Exponents of
religion mistakenly thought of it as a conflict
between science and religion. They, therefore,
opposed science. The result of this was that a
contemporary force, which could have been
put to the use of religion, became religion’s
rival from the very outset.
The true divine religion, enshrined in the revealed and perfectly
preserved book, the Quran, offers no conflict and contradiction with
established scientific findings.
1 John William Draper (1811-1882) History of the Conflict between
Religion and Science.
The Quran—Word of God
The Quran is a preserved divine book. The very first verses of the Quran
include these words: “There is no doubt in it.” (
no doubt that this is the divine book. The Quran declared that it was a
book of guidance for all humankind and for all time.
To support this claim, it was essential that the events of later times
continued to testify to it. No such event should take place in later times
as might refute this statement. This claim has astonishingly lived up to
this standard.
The 10th chapter of the Quran, titled Jonah, states that God drowned
the Pharaoh, Ramesses II of Egypt, in the 15th century BC, for he had
denied the message brought by Moses, the Prophet of God. At that
time God said to him: “We shall save your body this day, so that you
may serve as a sign for those who come after you.” (
the Quran was revealed in the first quarter of the 7th century, referring
to an event which took place two thousand years before that.
There was no printing press, no communications, and no record in
known history of Pharaoh’s body. People had even forgotten this event.
No one knew at that time that the Pharaoh’s body was going to come
to light one day and would testify to the authenticity of this verse of
the Quran. Twelve hundred years after this revelation, scientists in the
latter half of the 19th century figured out a way to determine the period
to which ancient objects belonged. Further progress encouraged a
great spirit of enquiry among the people. In every field people became
active in discovering things that had remained hidden for centuries.
This spirit led scholars of Western Europe to head to Egypt. They began
their research on the pyramids situated near Cairo. After concentrated
efforts, they discovered that the pyramids contained the earthly
remains of ancient Egyptian kings preserved in the form of mummies.
With special care these mummies were taken out so that research
could be done on them.
During these investigations, astonishingly, the body of a Pharaoh
was found inside one of the pyramids. Through radiocarbon dating,
it was identified as the body of the Pharaoh who had been Moses’
contemporary. It was predicted in the Quran 1400 years ago that this
will come to the knowledge of man at some future date.
This is a proof that the Quran is a book of that God who has knowledge
of all things. In His wisdom, He revealed this verse in the Quran. This
discovery is a scientific testimony of the Quran as a divine revelation.
Dr. Maurice Bucaille of France (d. 1998) travelled to Egypt with his
companions in 1975 and directly observed this preserved body in
the museum of Cairo. After a full verification he wrote a book on this
subject in which he stated:
Those who seek among modern data for proof of the veracity of the
Holy Scriptures, will find a magnificent illustration of verses of the
Quran dealing with the Pharaoh’s body by visiting the Royal Mummies
Room of the Egyptian Museum, Cairo!
Prophets—Messengers of God
One of the fundamentals beliefs of religion is ‘prophethood’, that God
sent prophets for man’s guidance in every age, the last in the chain
of prophets being Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Abdul Muttalib. These
prophets were sent because there is a limit to human knowledge, and
man cannot discover guiding principles for his life on his own. There
is an unseen world and a life after death that man cannot discover
merely through his intellectual endeavours. That is why man needed to
believe in God’s prophets and receive guidance from them.
The guidance Prophet Muhammad received from God has been fully
preserved in its original form. The first revelation the Prophet of Islam
received, forms part of the 96th chapter titled Al-Alaq (the Clot) of the
Quran. God said: “Read! Your Lord is the Most Bountiful One Who
taught by the pen, taught man what he did not know.” (
This is a declaration that man cannot find guidance on his own. In fields
like agriculture, horticulture, engineering, etc., man gains knowledge
through experience in his daily life. But the superior knowledge required
for man’s eternal guidance cannot be attained by man’s own efforts. It
is necessary to receive higher learning through prophetic guidance.
The objective of all the great philosophers of ancient times was to
discover guiding principles to govern human life. Despite great efforts
made by great minds over several thousand years, philosophy has not
produced any guidance of this nature. It is a fact that the efforts of
philosophers have created confusion rather than provided any clear
guidance.
Karl Marx’s (d. 1883) book on the failure of philosophy titled The Poverty
of Philosophy, was written from this viewpoint. It is true that philosophic
thinking, based entirely on speculative reasoning, has failed to provide
eternal guiding principles. The age of philosophy came to an end after
the emergence of modern science. Philosophy is now considered a
historical discipline rather than a living discipline.
The same was the case with mysticism. The mystic philosophers
believed that they could attain the higher truth through contemplation
and love, without the medium of human reason, or recourse to any
other external source.
The history of mysticism spans several thousand years. Many have
wanted to learn the truth through mysticism, but after long experience
found that what man finally attains through mysticism is ecstasy. In the
matter of truth, ecstasy has no importance.
The highlight of human existence is consciousness, or the mind. The
successful seeker of truth finds it at the level of the consciousness,
and not at the level of ecstasy. A trance-like condition in a state of
unawareness has been given the beautiful name of ecstasy, but truth
is about discovering the higher reality at the level of consciousness.
A material analogy is that of an electric bulb and the powerhouse. The
bulb in its un-activated state is a lightless object. With no inherent light,
it lacks the innate ability to give light to others. When connected to the
powerhouse, it immediately lights up, becomes bright, giving light to
others. This exemplifies the criterion for discovering truth. Finding the
truth is like finding a light. Mysticism does not fulfil this criterion; its
pursuit leads to abstraction.
For a conscious being like man, an un-awakened mind cannot realize
the Higher Reality of God. God can be realized only through a developed
mind. Science has the last word in this matter. Modern science has
undoubtedly given man many things from telecommunication to
consumer goods, but in the matter of truth, science has made it clear
that the discovery of truth is not its domain.
A Western scholar has rightly said that the field of knowledge is
vast, and can be classified as knowledge of things and knowledge of
truth. Scholars agree that the domain of science is limited only to the
knowledge of things. The knowledge of truth is beyond the sphere of
science. Science is not even a candidate for the position of purveyor of
truth.
The study of man tells that deeper knowledge is required to determine
how to lead life in this world. This has been dealt with in detail by Alexis
Carrel in his book, Man the Unknown. It has to be conceded that man
cannot discover this necessary knowledge through his own efforts
and, therefore, he requires external guidance. Studying the life of the
Prophet Muhammad, we learn that without doubt, the Prophet is the
man who is our real guide and God’s representative.
ISLAM AND SCIENCE
Emergence of the Modern World
SO LONG as natural phenomena were attributed to supernatural
causes, they were regarded as objects of worship. Natural
phenomena and objects such as fire, water, sun and moon were
venerated and feared. The laws of nature, the application of which
would enable man to reach the moon and make use of nature to
one’s advantage, have existed throughout the universe since time
immemorial, yet it took man centuries to discover them. Given the
possibilities of nature, why did so many thousands of years have to
elapse in the course of man’s development before he felt ready to
conquer nature? The answer to this is the prevalence of culture of
worshipping nature. For instance man considered the moon a deity.
The moon, with its brilliant silvery light, inspired man to bow before
it rather than try to conquer it. Holding the moon to be sacred was a
major obstacle to even thinking of conquering it.
Islam in the 7th century paved the way for modern science by
distinguishing between a Creator and the rest of the universe. The
entire universe is created by one God. No creation possesses any form
of divinity. This creed revolutionized human thought. Nature which was
once held to be object of worship became an object of investigation.
Observation and experiment replaced assumption and speculation.
In a magnificent 5-volume work A History of
Science by Henry Smith Williams and Edward
Huntington Williams, it is mentioned that:
There cannot well be a doubt that the
adoption of those broad principles of
right and wrong which underlie the entire
structure of modern civilization was due to
scientific induction, in other words, to the
belief, based on observation and experience,
that the principles implied were essential to
communal progress. (Vol. 1)
Islam in the 7th
century paved
the way for
modern science
by distinguishing
between a Creator
and the rest of the
universe.
The role of Islam in the emergence and development of science is
generally acknowledged. Dennis Overbye in The New York Times, dated
Oct. 30, 2001 writes:
“Commanded by the Koran to seek knowledge and read nature for
signs of the Creator, and inspired by a treasure trove of ancient Greek learning, Muslims created a society that in the Middle Ages was the
scientific center of the world. The Arabic language was synonymous
with learning and science for 500 hundred years, a golden age that can
count among its credits the precursors to modern universities, algebra,
the names of the stars and even the notion of science as an empirical
inquiry."
“Nothing in Europe could hold a candle to what was going on in the
Islamic world until about 1600,’’ said Dr. Jamil Ragep, a professor of the
history of science at the University of Oklahoma. It was the infusion
of this knowledge into Western Europe, historians say, that fueled the
Renaissance and the scientific revolution."
Science does not negate the Creator, as its
goal is to understand and explain the natural
phenomena. It makes no claim to account
for the underlying reason of the events. This
is a prerogative of the divine revelation to
satisfy the natural urge of human beings to
find meaning and purpose of the creation,
including themselves. This is reiterated thus:
In the attempt to explain (the) fact of terrestrial
gravitation Newton made no advance, and we
of today are scarcely more enlightened than
the man of the Stone Age. Like the man of
the Stone Age, we know that an arrow shot
into the sky falls back to the earth. We can
calculate, as he could not do, the arc it will
describe and the exact speed of its fall; but
as to why it returns to earth at all, the greatest philosopher of today is
almost as much in the dark as was the first primitive bowman that ever
made the experiment. (A History of Science, Vol. 1)
The nature of human
intellect and his
urges demand that
his mental prowess
is guided by a divine
guidance. Islamic
scripture, the Quran,
is the preserved
revelation from the
Creator to guide man
about the meaning
and purpose of his
existence.
The nature of human intellect and his urges demand that his mental
prowess is guided by a divine guidance. Islamic scripture, the Quran,
is the preserved revelation from the Creator to guide man about the
meaning and purpose of his existence.
THE WORD OF GOD
From The Scriptures
The Quran is the book of God. It has been preserved in
its entirety since its revelation to the Prophet of Islam
between AD 610 and 632. It is a book that brings glad
tidings to humankind, along with divine admonition,
and stresses the importance of man’s discovery of the
Truth on a spiritual and intellectual level.
Translated from Arabic and commentary by
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
Quran is not a book of science, but in order to bring home its message
it hints towards research and touches upon a few universal facts, which
the world has discovered today.
Encouragement towards research
Do they never reflect on the camels and how they were created, and
on the sky, how it is raised aloft, and on the mountains, how they are
firmly set up, and on the earth, how it is spread out? (
Corroboration by Science
Do not those who deny the truth see that the heavens and the earth
were joined together and that We then split them asunder? And that
We have made every living thing out of water? Will they still not
believe?” (
It is He who released the two bodies of flowing water, one sweet and
fresh and the other salty and bitter, and set up an insurmountable
barrier between them. (
And it is We who built the universe with [Our creative] power; and
verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it. (
We created man from an essence of clay, then We placed him as
a drop of fluid in a safe place, then We developed that drop into a
clinging form, and We developed that form into a lump of flesh and
We developed that lump into bones, and clothed the bones with flesh.
Then We brought him into being as a new creation—glory be to God,
the best of creators—after this you shall surely die. Then you will be
raised up again on the Resurrection Day. (
The young one of a human being grows in the womb of his mother.
In ancient times, the period from conception till child-birth was
shrouded in mystery. It was only in the twentieth century that scientific
developments made it possible to observe the development of a baby
in the mother’s womb and obtain direct information about it.
The vivid Quranic description of the various developmental stages
of the formation and birth of human beings is surprisingly identical
with modern scientific findings. This provides proof of the fact that the
Quran is a book of God. Had it not been so, such similarity between the
findings of modern research and the statements of the Quran, revealed
fourteen hundred years ago, would not have been possible.
Nine things the Lord has commanded me. Fear
of God in private and in public. Justness, whether
in anger or in calmness. Moderation in both
poverty and affluence. That I should join hands
with those who break away from me, and give
to those who deprive me, and forgive those
who wrong me, and that my silence should be
meditation, and my words remembrance of God,
and my vision keen observation.
- Prophet Muhammad
ASK MAULANA
Your Questions Answered
The remedy for ignorance is asking questions. (Prophet Muhammad)
The spirit of enquiry is the hallmark of an open society and the above
saying of the Prophet aptly illustrates this principle. A culture of
curiosity and open-mindedness will foster development in any society
by motivating its members to learn enthusiastically and enrich their
knowledge. This is because awareness of one’s ignorance is half of
knowledge, as it becomes a stepping-stone to seeking and finding
answers. A questioning mind is like a flowing river that is replenished
with fresh thoughts and ideas and continues on its journey.
How do people reach Atheism?
Becoming an atheist is more an outcome of being against theism than a
self-discovery of the non-existence of God. Atheism was earlier backed
on scientific validation, however, it has now lost its foundations and
has become anachronistic in nature. For those who still claim scientific
backing for atheism should know about what some of the authorities
in science have said about the topic.
When Einstein was asked if he was an atheist, he said that one may call
him an agnostic. This means scientists are not in a position to say that
there is no god, they can just take a skeptical stand on the existence of
God. This is because the accepted base for belief in something in the
intellectual world is scientific, but since there is no scientific discovery
about the non-existence of God, this is still subject to interpretation.
Towards the end of the 19th century, there was a strong wave of what
was popularly called “scientific atheism”. The argument often offered to
negate the existence of God was His being invisible. But new scientific
investigations carried out at the beginning of the 20th century started
turning the tide against the credibility of this position, it becoming
accepted that there are many aspects of nature that are invisible yet
they exist. One of the books written on this new world discovered by
science is Science and the Unseen World by Sir Arthur Eddington.
At the beginning of the 20th century Sir James Jeans declared that
the universe which had been discovered by modern science was not
compatible with the mechanical interpretation that had gained ground
since past several decades.
The age of quantum mechanics has established that nothing is fully
observable. Contrary to previous belief, it was not the atom that was
the last fundamental particle that constituted matter, rather there
were unobservable subatomic particles that served as the building
blocks of atoms. In a book published in 1988, entitled A Brief History
of Time, Stephen W. Hawking (one of the foremost physicists of recent
times) explains the Big Bang Theory, according to which the universe is
constantly expanding.
After working out the relevant mathematical equations. Hawking
reached the conclusion that the expansion of the universe is taking
place according to a well-calculated scheme. The initial rate of expansion
must have been fixed with great accuracy so that it would always be less
than the critical rate, i.e. the rate at which the universe would begin to
collapse again. This view cannot be explained unless it is accepted that
the rate of expansion of the universe has been determined with the
utmost precision. Stephen Hawking writes:
It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should
have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who
intended to create beings like us.
One of the most amazing qualities of the universe is that there is no
interpretation or explanation of it, other than that which allows for
God’s existence, despite the fact that the best brains in every age
have attempted to unravel its mysteries. It has been claimed that the
universe has always been in existence in its present form. It has also
been claimed that it came into being on its own and that it goes on its
own.
Cause and effect have been said to have created everything, and
attempts have also been made to prove the law of evolution to be the
creator of the universe; which however can be only a process of nature,
but never its creator. The more a man learns about the universe, the
more absurd do these theories appear to him; the stranger does it
seem that something, or some being other than God should be the
Lord and Master of the universe. The universe, by its very existence,
testifies to the fact that God is its Creator.
I find other claims to be without concrete foundation. Whatever
arguments or opposing opinions have been expressed to propagate
this theory have proved erroneous by the knowledge acquired to date
through human research.
Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (1925-2021) was an Islamic scholar, spiritual guide, and an Ambassador of Peace. He authored over 200 books and recorded thousands of lectures giving the rational interpretation of Islamic concepts, prophetic wisdom, and the spiritual meaning of the Quran in the contemporary style. His English translation, The Quran, is widely appreciated as simple, clear and in contemporary style. He founded Centre for Peace and Spirituality (CPS) International in 2001 to re-engineer minds towards God-oriented living and present Islam as it is, based on the principles of peace, spirituality, and co-existence. Maulana breathed his last on 21 April, 2021 in New Delhi, India. His legacy is being carried forward through the CPS International Network.
What God most earnestly desires from human beings is worship. The Quran says: “I have not created jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” ( 51:56 )
