The Qur'aan and Modern Sciences

INTRODUCTION

E ver 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. Surely, no modern man with even the

slightest inkling towards rational thinking would accept such a 'miracle'. If

such false miracles are the tests of divinity, then we would have to accept Mr.

P. C. Sorcar, the world famous magician known for his ingenious magical

tricks and illusions, as the best God-man.

A book, claiming Divine origin, is in effect, claiming to be a miracle. Such a

claim should be easily verifiable in any age, according to the standards of that

age. Muslims believe, that the Qur'aan is the last and final revelation of God,

the miracle of miracles revealed as a mercy to mankind. Let us therefore

investigate the veracity of this belief.

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. Not many would accept the Qur'aan's

extraordinarily beautiful