20-12-2012, 03:32 PM
THE QUR’AAN AND MODERN SCIENCE - COMPATIBLE OR INCOMPATIBLE?
1THE QUR’AAN.pdf (Size: 160.1 KB / Downloads: 17)
INTRODUCTION
Ever since the dawn of human life on this planet, Man has always sought
to understand Nature, his own place in the scheme of Creation and the
purpose of Life itself. In this quest for Truth, spanning many centuries
and diverse civilizations, organized religion has shaped human life and
determined to a large extent, the course of history. While some religions have
been based on books, claimed by their adherents to be divinely inspired,
others have relied solely on human experience.
Al-Qur’aan, the main source of the Islamic faith, is a book believed by
Muslims, to be of completely Divine origin. Muslims also believe that it
contains guidance for all mankind. Since the message of the Qur’aan is
believed to be for all times, it should be relevant to every age. Does the
Qur’aan pass this test? In this booklet, I intend to give an objective analysis of
the Muslim belief regarding the Divine origin of the Qur’aan, in the light of
established scientific discoveries.
There was a time, in the history of world civilization, when ‘miracles’, or
what was perceived to be a miracle, took precedence over human reason and
logic. But how do we define the term ‘miracle’? A miracle is anything that
takes place out of the normal course of life and for which humankind has no
explanation. However, we must be careful before we accept something as a
miracle. An article in ‘The Times of India’ Mumbai, in 1993 reported that ‘a
saint’ by the name ‘Baba Pilot’ claimed to have stayed continuously
submerged under water in a tank for three consecutive days and nights.
However, when reporters wanted to examine the base of the tank of water
where he claimed to have performed this ‘miraculous’ feat, he refused to let
them do so. He argued by asking as to how one could examine the womb of a
mother that gives birth to a child. The ‘Baba’ was hiding something. It was a
gimmick simply to gain publicity.
THE CHALLENGE OF THE QUR’AAN
Literature and poetry have been instruments of human expression and
creativity, in all cultures. The world also witnessed an age when literature and
poetry occupied pride of position, similar to that now enjoyed by science and
technology.
Muslims as well as non-Muslims agree that Al-Qur’aan is Arabic literature
par excellence - that it is the best Arabic literature on the face of the earth.
The Qur’aan, challenges mankind in the following verses:
“And if ye are in doubt As to what We have revealed From time to time
to Our Servant, then produce a Soorah Like thereunto; And call your
witnesses or helpers (If there are any) besides Allah, If your (doubts) are
true. But if ye cannot –And of a surety you cannot. hen fear the Fire
Whose fuel is Men and Stones – Which is prepared for those Who reject
Faith.” [Al-Qur’aan 2:23-24] 1
The same notation is followed throughout the book. References and
translation of the Qur’aan are from the translation of the Qur’aan by Abdullah
Yusuf Ali, new revised edition, 1989, published by Amana Corporation,
Maryland, USA.
The challenge of the Qur’aan, is to produce a single Soorah (chapter) like the
Soorahs it contains. The same challenge is repeated in the Qur’aan several
times. The challenge to produce a Soorah, which, in beauty, eloquence, depth
and meaning is at least somewhat similar to a Qur’aanic Soorah remains
unmet to this day. A modern rational man, however, would never accept a
religious scripture, which says, in the best possible poetic language, that the
world is flat. This is because we live in an age, where human reason, logic
and science are given primacy.
ASTRONOMY
CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE: ‘THE BIG BANG’
The creation of the universe is explained by astrophysicists in a widely
accepted phenomenon, popularly known as the ‘Big Bang’. It is supported by
observational and experimental data gathered by astronomers and
astrophysicists for decades. According to the ‘Big Bang’, the whole universe
was initially one big mass (Primary Nebula). Then there was a ‘Big Bang’
(Secondary Separation) which resulted in the formation of Galaxies. These
then divided to form stars, planets, the sun, the moon, etc. The origin of the
universe was unique and the probability of it occurring by ‘chance’ is zero.
The Qur’aan contains the following verse, regarding the origin of the
universe: “Do not the Unbelievers see That the heavens and the earth
Were joined together (as one Unit of Creation), before We clove them
asunder?” [Al-Qur’aan 21:30]