Introduction
This booklet is for every freethinking and broadminded human being
whose goal is to find the truth. We encourage you to read this booklet
with an open mind. For a few moments, please set aside your
pre—conceived notions and take a critical look at what is presented. It
will open before you a new dimension of your role as a human being in
this universe.
This booklet is for every freethinking and broadminded human being whose goal is
to find the truth. We encourage you to read this booklet with an open mind.
For a
few moments, please set aside your pre—conceived notions and take a critical look
at what is presented. It will open before you a new dimension of your role as a
human being in this universe.
When we want to talk about Islam as a way of life, it is a very difficult task
especially in the West because o f several misconceptions and stereotypes that
are prevalent about Islam and Muslims.
One of the surprising facts for most non-Muslims is that Islam has over 975
million followers all over the world. Islam has a revelation, a holy book, called
the Qur’an which was revealed to the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him,
about fourteen hundred years ago. The Qur’an is the last and final revelation
until the end of human existence on earth.
When we talk about Islam or Christianity, we should not consider some
Muslims ‘ and Christians’ wrongdoing as a way to judge Islam or Christianity.
As far as scripture goes, let us see what Dr. Maurice Bucailie said in his
book The Bible, the Qur’an and Science, which was published by the
American Trust Publications 1979:
“Thanks to its undisputed authenticity, the text of the Qur’an holds a
unique place among the books of Revelation, shared neither by the Old
nor the New Testament. In the first two sections of this work, a review
was made of the alterations undergone by the Old Testament and the
Gospels before they were handed down to us in the form we know today.
The same is not true for the Qur’an for the simple reason that It was
written down at the time of the prophet”.
Somebod1y with a counter argument might ask, “How would I know that
the Qur’an is a revelation from Allah? Do you have any evidence?’
I have evidence that the Qur’an is a revelation from Allah and this evidence
is presented in the next few pages. When the revelation of the Qur’an
commenced in 622 A.D., it was a linguistic miracle. The Quran has a challenge
in it. The challenge is for anybody to produce some thing like or similar to the
Qur’an.
This challenge was presented in the Qur’an in Sura No.17, Veise No.88
which is translated as follows:
“Say : If the whole of mankind and Jinn were together to
produce the like of this Qur’an, they could not produce the like
thereof, even if they back up each other with help and
support.”
Years passed and nobody was able to meet the challenge. Later (after
several years) the challenge in the Qur’an was eased asking for anyone
to produce even ten Suras like those in it. This was in the Quran in Sum
No. 11, Verse no. 13 which is translated as follows:
“Or they may say, “He forged it” Say, “Bring ye then ten
Suras forged, like unto it, and call (to your aid) whomsoever
ye can, other than Allah! If ye speak the truth”
Again years passed and nobody was able to successfully meet the
challenge. Later the challenge was eased for the second time to produce
one Sura like or similar to the Suras in the Qur’an.
The challenge (to anyone) to produce one Sura was presented in the
Qur’an in more than a Sura, one of them was in Sura No. 2, Verse No. 23 which
is translated as follows:
” And If ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from
time to time to Our servant, then produce a Sura like
thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers besides Allah, if
what you say is true. “
Since then more than fourteen hundred years have passed, and nobody
has been able to meet the challenge, and nobody will, because the
Qur’an is the only existing book containing the word of Allah which no man
can match or imitate. The most eloquent people in the Arabic language spent
years going over and searching the Qur’an, trying to find any weak or
Inadequate word or sentence, but they could not. They even went further, trying
to find a way to substitute a word or a sentence in the Qur’an, hoping to convey
a similar meaning as the original one, but they failed to do so.
As a result of this, many people, especially linguists, throughout the last
fourteen hundred years believed in the Qur’an as a revelation beyond
any human capacity.
In the beginning of the modern ages, some non-Muslims argued that the
appreciation of the Arabic language has declined even among the native
speakers themselves, and that most of the non-Muslims cannot speak Arabic.
They conclude that the Qur’an will not stay till the end of the human existence
on earth as a miracle.
This is not a valid argument because, there are still millions of people all
over the world who have a very good command of the Arabic language and
could appreciate the linguistic miracle of the Qur’an But the Quran has
something else for the modem ages. Some people have noticed that there are
many facts about the science of astronomy, human reproduction and other
scientific fields in the Qur’an.
Modem scientists have been amazed by the accuracy of scientific
information presented in the Quran. Some people wrote books about this
phenomenon which attracted the attention of many people in the
west-both Muslims and Non-Muslims.
One of these books is a specialized book in embryology entitled The
Developing Human by Dr.Keith L. Moore, published by W.B. Saunders,
1982. In the third edition of this book, Dr. Moore said:
It is cited in the Koran, the holy book of the Muslims, that
human beings are produced from a mixture of secretions from
the male and the female. Several references are made to the
creation of a human being from a sperm drop and it is also
suggested that the resulting organism settles in the woman
like a seed, six days after its beginning.
(The human blastocyst begins to implant about six days after
fertilization.) The Koran, (and prophet saying), also states
that the sperm drop develops “into a clot of congealed blood”
(an implanted blastocyst or a spontaneously aborted
conceptus would resemble a blood clot.)
Reference is also made to the leech-like
appearance of the Embryo …”
This was part of what. Dr. Moore wrote in his
book Later, after more research and study of the Qur’anic terms used to
describe the development of the embryo in the mother’s womb and
other related descriptions, Dr. Moore found that the Qur’anic terms and
statements are amazing in their scientific accuracy.
Therefore, Dr. ‘Moore decided to add a chapter to the next edition of his
book to discuss the scientific accuracy of the Qur’anic version, which
was revealed fourteen hundred years ago. In the seventh Saudi Medical
Meeting, Dr. Moore wrote a paper about Human Embryology in the
Qur’an and the Hadith. He said in the paper 1 was amazed at the
scientific accuracy of these statements (in the Qur’an), which were
made in the 7th century A.D.
Now the question Is: if the Qur’an describes these scientific facts with
great accuracy, how, could’ it be a human work? Let us see what Dr.
Maurice Bucaille said after he had read the Qur’an:
“My first goal was to read the Qur’an and to make a sentence
by sentence analysis of it… my approach was to pay special
attention to the description of numerous natural phenomena
given in the Qur’an; the highly accurate nature of certain
details referring to them in the Book, which was only apparent
in the original, struck me’ by the fact that they were in
keeping with present-day ideas although a man living at the
time of Muhammad couldn’t have suspected this at’ all… what
initially strikes the reader confronted for the first time with a
text of this kind is the sheer abundance of subjects
discussed.., where as monumental errors are to be found in
the Bible I could not find a single error in the Qur’an. I had to
stop and ask myself:
if a man was the author of the Qur’an how could he have
written facts in the seventh century A.D. that today are
shown to be in keeping with modern scientific knowledge?…
What human explanation can there be to this observation? In
my opinion there is no explanation; there is no special reason
why an inhabitant of the Arabian Peninsula should have had
scientific knowledge on certain subjects that was ten
centuries ahead…It is an established fact that at the time of
the Qur’anic Revelation, i.e. within a period of roughly twenty
three years straddling Hegira (622 A.D.), scientific knowledge
had not progressed for centuries and the period of activity in
Islamic civilization, with its accompanying scientific upsurge,
came after the close of the Qur’anic revelation.”
In addition to what Dr. Bucaille said, there are more examples from
different scientific fields other than embryology.
When I searched the Qur’an for verses which refer to scientific facts, I
found a large number of such verses. I will try to give as many examples as the
space permits.
The Qur’an states several facts about astronomy which were discovered
in the late twentieth century. One of these facts is about the expansion
of the universe. Let us see what Dr. Bucaille said about that:
The expansion of the universe is the most
imposing discovery of modern science today it is a
firmly established concept and the only debate
centers around the way this is taking place.
It was first suggested by the general theory of relativity and is backed
up by physics in the examination of the
galactic spectrum; the regular movement towards
the red section of their spectrum may be explained
by the distancing of one galaxy from another.
Thus the size of the Universe is probably
constantly increasing and this increase will become
bigger the further away the galaxies are from us.
The speeds at which these celestial bodies are
moving may, in the course of this perpetual
expansion, go from fractions of the speed of light
to speeds faster than this.
The following Verse of the Qur’an Sura 51, verse 47 where God is speaking,
may perhaps be compared with modern ideas;
“The heaven, We have built it with power. Verily We are expanding it.
“Heaven” is the translation of the word “sama”
and this is exactly the extraterrestrial world that is
meant. “We are. expanding it” is the translation of
the plural present participle” musi’una” of the verb
“aus’a” a meaning” to make wider”, more
spacious, to extend, to expand.”
Another example from a different scientific field is about the living things
in general which we can find in more than one verse in the Qur’an. For
example Sura 21, Verse 30 was chosen by Dr. Bucaille to present how the
Qur’an talked about these scientific facts. The Verse is translated as follows:
“ Do not the Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth
were joined together, then We clove them asunder and We
got every living thing out of the water. Will they then not
believe? ”
The notion of “getting something out of something” does not give rise to
any doubts. The phrase can equally mean that every living thing was
made of water (as its essential component) or that every living thing
originated in water. The two possible meanings are strictly in accordance
with scientific data. Life is in fact of aquatic origin and water is the major
component of all living cells. Without water, life is not possible. When the
possibility of life on another planet is discussed, the first question is
always: does it contain a sufficient quantity of water to support life?
From the Animal Kingdom there are so many facts stated in the Qur’an.
One of these facts is about the source of the constituents of animal milk
which has been described in the Qur’an fourteen hundred years before.
It has been understood only in recent times. Let us see how Dr. Bucaille
explained that when he made comments on Sura 16,Verse 66 which is
translated as follows:
“ Verily, in cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to
drink of what is inside their bodies, coming from a conjunction
between the contents of the intestine and the blood, a milk
pure and pleasant for those who drink it.”
“From a scientific point of view, physiological notions must be called
upon to grasp the meaning of this verse.
The substances that ensure the general nutrition of the body come from
chemical transformations which occur along the length of the digestive
tract. These substances come from the contents of the intestine. On
arrival in the intestine at the appropriate stage of chemical
transformation, they pass through its wall and towards the systematic
circulation.
This passage is effected in two ways: either directly, by what are called the
‘lymphatic vessels’, or indirectly, by the portal circulation.
This conducts them first to the liver, where they undergo alterations, and
from here they then emerge to join the systematic circulation. In this
way everything passes through the bloodstream..
The constituents of milk are secreted by the mammary glands.
These are nourished, as it were, by the product of food digestion brought
to them via the bloodstream. Blood therefore plays the role of collector
and conductor of what has been extracted from food, and it brings
nutrition to the mammary glands, the producers of milk, as it does to any
other organ. Here the initial process which sets everything else in motion
is the bringing together of the contents of the intestine and blood, at the
level of the intestinal wall itself. This very precise concept is the result of
the discoveries made in the chemistry and physiology of the digestive
system. It was totally unknown at the time of the Prophet Muhammad
and has been understood only in recent times. The discovery of the
circulation of the blood, was made by Harvey roughly ten centuries after.
The Qur’anic Revelation.
I consider that the existence in the Qur’an of the verse referring to these
concepts can have no human explanation on account of the period in
which they were formulated.”
The last example I would cite from Dr. Bucaille’s book is what I consider a
very interesting one, because this example illustrates where the Qur’an
showed the people facts that have not even been discovered without the
help of the information given in the Qur’an. This example is about the
story of the Pharaoh and Noses which was presented in the Qur’an in
more than one Sura.
The Verses which inspire Dr. Bucaille to do the research around this
incident are in Sura 10, Verses 90 to 92, which means as follows:
“We (Allah) took children of Israel across the sea. Pharaoh
with his hosts pursued them in rebellion and hostility till,
when the fact of his drowning overtook him he said: I believe
there is no True God except the God in whom the Children 0]
Israel believe. I am of those who submit themselves to Him.
(It was said to him)’ Now! Thou has rebelled and caused
depravity: This day We save thee in thy body so that thou
mayest be a sign for those who come after thee’ But verily,
many among mankind are heedless of Our signs.
This is what the Holy Qur’an said about the story of Moses and the
Pharaoh and the sign Allah left for the people who come after the
Pharaoh to see who has a revelation from Allah and who does not have.
Let us hear from Dr. Bucaille how he conducted research to verify this
Qur’anic story:
“In June 1975, the Egyptian high authorities very
kindly allowed me to examine the parts of the
Pharaoh’s body that had been covered until then.
They also allowed me to take photographs…
What may already be derived from this
examination is the discovery of multiple lesions of
the bones with broad lacunae, some of which may
have been mortal although it is not yet possible to
ascertain whether some of them occurred before
or after the Pharaoh’s death. He most probably
died either from drowning, according to the
scriptural narrations, or from very violent shocks
preceding the moment when he was drowned or
both at once.
The connection of these lesions with the
deterioration whose sources have been mentioned
above renders the correct preservation of the
mummy of the Pharaoh somewhat problematical,
unless precautionary and restorative measures
are not taken very soon. These measures should
ensure that the only concrete evidence which we
still possess today concerning the death, of the
Pharaoh of the Exodus and the rescue of his body,
willed by God; does not disappear with the
passage of time.
It is always desirable for man to apply himself to
the preservation of relics of his history, but here
we have something which goes beyond that: it is
the material presence of the mummified body of
the man. who knew Moses, resisted his pleas,
pursued him as he took flight and lost his life in the
process. His earthly remains were saved by the
Will of God from destruction to become a sign to
man, as it is written in the Qur’an.
Those who seek among modern data for proof of the veracity
of the Holy Scriptures will find a magnificent illustration of the
verses of the Qur’an dealing with the Pharaoh’s body by
visiting the Royal Mummies Room of the Egyptian Museum,
Cairo!”
These are a few examples just to illustrate what I am talking about in
this booklet. There are over a hundred of these examples in several
scientific fields in the Quran which all have been proven to be
scientifically true; in this Book which was revealed fourteen hundred
years ago. Anybody who would like to examine more of these concepts
could read the Qur’an and find out for himself or, an interested person
could get Dr. Bucaille’s book The Bible The Qur’an and Science, which is
available in bookstores and check the accuracy of what he referred to.
Not only Dr. Bucaille and Dr. Moore, but many scholars have researched
these concepts and a lot of this research was presented on September
23rd, 1985 in the conference which was held in Cairo under the title of
The Scientific Concepts in the Qur’an.
Severa1 papers were presented at the conference. One of the most
interesting papers was from Dr. T.V. persuade, a professor at the
University of Manitoba, Canada, about human reproduction. Another
interesting paper was presented by Dr. Marshal Johnson Ph.D., the
Director of Daniel Baugh Institute, Philadelphia, U.S.A., also about
embryology in the Qur’an. Dr. Johnson said at the conference that he
started to use the Qur’anic terms in teaching embryology to his students
because they were more accurate and easier to learn than the terms in
textbooks.
Dr. Arthur Elson from the City University in London,
U.K., stated that he was amazed by the scientific
accuracy of the statements which had been made
in the Qur’an. He had no doubt in his mind that
these were not human words because these facts
had lust been discovered recently.
I would like to quote a Verse from the Qur’an which may sum up the
purpose of having these scientific facts in the Quran as signs for the
people.
The verse is from Sura 41, Verse 53 which is translated as follows:
” We (Allah) will show them (the unbe lievers) Our signs in
the farthest regions, and within their own selves until it
becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth.”
What is the Qur’an all about ?
The Qur’an is written in beautiful prose that continues to be marvelled by
the experts of the Arabic language. But it is not merely a literary
masterpiece.
The Qur’an contains scientific facts and explanations that fascinate
scientists of all fields. But it Is not an encyclopedia of science.
The Quran mentions stories of people and places in the past with vivid
detail. But it is not merely a book of history.
So what is Qur’an ?
The Qur’an is a revelation from the Creator of this universe to all human
beings.
Its most important message is the Unity of God – that there is only One
Supreme Being who has no partners and is not dependent on anyone or
anything. He is the Creator of everything and the whole universe is in His
control. He is the only One worthy of being worshipped.
It is impossible for the created to fully comprehend the Creator – so the
Qur’an makes us aware of Him by mentioning His Attributes. He is the
most Merciful, the Loving, the Majestic, the Oft-Forgiving. The name that
He has chosen for Himself is Allah.
In His infinite mercy, Allah has not left mankind to wander searching for
the correct path. He has revealed the Qur’an which includes a code for
all people to follow. Islam is not just a set of beliefs. It is a complete way
of life which covers all spheres of human activity – the social, economic,
political, educational as well as the spiritual. Islam enjoins good
manners for every occasion and stresses treating people, particularly
relatives and neighbors, with kindness. The family enjoys a high status
in Islam – it is viewed as the nucleus of society.
Allah has also sent messengers to guide mankind to the truth and to be
an example for others to emulate. Stories of these messengers starting
from Adam and including those of Noah, Abraham, Moses and Jesus, and
ending with Muhammad ( may peace be upon them all ) are found in the
Qur’an.
ThiS final revelation from Allah to mankind has been safeguarded from
any alteration. Since the Qur’an has been preserved in its original Arabic
it has not lost any meaning in translation to another language. Millions of
people from all parts of the world have memorized the complete Qur’an.
So even if all printed copies of the Qur’an were destroyed it would
continue to live in the hearts of these people.
What do Muslims believe?
There is only one God, Allah, who alone is worthy of being worshipped.
Mankind has been guided at various times by the messengers of Allah of
whom the most prominent were Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus and
Muhammad. The final message was sent to the last prophet,
Muhammad, which replaces all previous messages. None of the prophets
claimed to be god or part-god – they were human and were obedient to
Allah.
Finally, I want to inform you that Islam is the universal message of Allah
to all mankind and prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is the last
and final messenger of Allah. Therefore, Allah will not accept any way of
life except Islam. He said in the Gracious Qur’an which is translated as
follows:
” And any one who chooses a way of life other than Islam, it will not be
accepted from him and in the hereafter he will be one of the losers. “
(3:85)
Please save yourself from the hell fire by embracing Islam
