Quranic Science

Knowledge In The Quran

There are plenty of references to knowledge and the pursuit of knowledge in the Quran. Many have to come to know that the Quran mentioned facts only recently proven by scientists, such as the origin of the universe and human embryonic development.

‘Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful― He Who taught (the use of) the Pen― Taught man that which he knew not.’ Quran: 96:3-5

How could a man like Muhammad (PBUH) of no scientific background or scientific relations mention scientific facts in such accuracy and perfection?

It is beyond reason to think that anyone 1400 years ago could write about countless facts in such accuracy, jeopardy also in risk, without advanced equipment and sophisticated scientific methods to aid this.

Also, it was Islamic beliefs and the Quran too, that influenced Muslim scientists and inventors to spawn the Islamic Golden Age, which gave birth to many inventions and discoveries to be found in all fields of science such as biology and astronomy.

The Quran is a book of signs however, not science. These scientific facts embedded in the beautiful Quran are signs that the Quran is the true Word of God and Muhammad (PBUH) is a true Prophet.

‘Soon will We show them Our Signs in the furthest regions of the earth, and in their own souls until it becomes manifest to them that this is the Truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord doth witness all things? Ah indeed! Are they in doubt concerning the Meeting with their Lord? Ah indeed! It is He that doth encompass all things!’ Quran: 41:53-54

‘These are the Signs (or Verses) of the Book: that which hath been revealed unto thee from thy Lord is the Truth; but most men believe not.’ Quran: 13:1

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The Quran On Human Embryonic Development

One of the most remarkable things about the Quran is that it contains many verses that accurately describe natural phenomenon in various fields such as embryology, meteorology, astronomy, geology and oceanography.

This fact alone has been the cause of a number of distinguished scientists embracing Islam.

In the Quran, God speaks of the stages of man’s embryonic development:

‘We created man from an extract of clay. Then We made him as a drop in a place of settlement, firmly fixed. Then We made the drop into an alaqah (leech, suspended thing, and blood clot), then We made the alaqah into a mudghah (a chewed substance)…’ Quran 23:12-14

The Arabic word ‘alaqah’ has three meanings: Leech, suspended thing, and blood clot.

Leech: In comparing a leech to an embryo in the ‘alaqah’ stage, we find similarity between the two (see Diagram 1). Also, the embryo at this stage obtains nourishment from the blood of the mother, similar to the leech, which feeds on blood too.

Diagram 1

Suspended thing: This is the second meaning. The suspension of the embryo, during the ‘alaqah’ stage, is in the womb of the mother. We can see in this diagram given (see Diagram 2).

Diagram 2

Blood clot: We find that the external appearance of the embryo and its sacs during the stage is like a blood clot (see Diagram 3). This is due to the presence of relatively large amounts of blood present in the embryo during this stage.

But also during this stage, the blood in the embryo does not circulate until the end of the third week. Thus, the embryo at this stage is like a clot of blood.

Diagram 3

The mudghah stage: The next stage mentioned in the verse is the ‘mudghah’ stage. The Arabic word ‘mudghah’ means ‘chewed substance.’  If one were to take a piece of gum and chew it in his or her mouth and then compare it with an embryo, we can see a similar appearance (see Diagram 4).  This is because of the somites at the back of the embryo that closely resemble ‘teethmarks’ in a chewed substance.

Diagram 4

It is rather remarkable to know that all 3 meanings of the word ‘alaqah’ can relate to the topic of human embryonic development.

The Quran is also correct in stating that a baby inside the womb develops in stages:

 

The Quran, Islam And The Laws Of Thermodynamics

There is no other book that explains the beginning, the creation and the end of the world. The Quran is one such book that provides a detail on all these aspects. Additionally, even if you read all the books and gather data from all sorts of scientific books, there is none that explains the concepts of science as well as Quran does.

A diagram of a generic thermodynamic system

Reading the Quran will allow you to understand Quran and find the evidence regarding all scientific discoveries. In the Quran, Allah tells mankind about the end of the world. However, previously, many people did not believe that the world could ever end. This is because man has bounded rationality and he cannot think beyond the realms of this world. Nor can man imagine that this world is just a small speck in the entire universe.

‘When the Earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion, And the Earth throws up her burdens (from within), And man cries (distressed): `What is the matter with her?’ On that Day will she declare her tidings: For that thy Lord will have given it inspiration. On that Day will men proceed in companies sorted out, to be shown the Deeds that they (had done). Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good, see it! And anyone who has done an atom’s weight of evil, shall see it.’ Quran: 99:1-8

However, the end of the world can be explained by scientific reasoning as well. According to the laws of science, the tea in a cup gets cold after some time. This is called entropy. Based on the entropy, one can say the sun’s energy flows to the cold earth regularly and the process is irreversible.

Therefore, after some time, the process stops and the heat reaches a constant state and the universe will move to a static state called thermodynamic balance. This shows that the universe had a beginning and will definitely have a specific end.

Conclusion

Therefore, unless we learn the Quran and understand all its teachings, we cannot understand how Allah has related and taught human beings about everything.

By Hijab Al Faisal

Hijab Al Faisal is part of Quranreading.com, a online service that aims to help Muslims learn and read the Quran. He is a regular contributor and writes about various topics relating to the Quran.

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The Quran On The Lack of Oxygen At High Altitudes

When a person ascends into the sky in higher altitudes,  he/she would encounter breathing problems due to the lack of oxygen and low air pressure. The Quran gives us a good description of this effect.

‘Those whom Allah in His Plan willeth to guide – He openeth their breast to Islam; those whom He willeth to leave straying – He maketh their breast close and constricted as if they had to climb up to the skies: thus doth Allah heap the penalty on those who refuse to believe.’ Quran: 6:125

As scientifically proven, this is due to the fact that air pressure in the upper parts of our atmosphere is very low, and is close to nil in space, while it is much higher inside our bodies, and also there is no oxygen to breathe in the upper parts of our atmosphere.

Astronauts wear protective suits to help them breath in space

Since the air pressure inside the human body increases to balance out the low air pressure outside the body as it physically ascends in the air, the overwhelming increase of pressure inside the body and lungs would cause:

1. An unbearable discomfort and pain.
2. The chest wouldn’t be big enough to contain the expanding air pressure and fluids inside the body, and therefore, the chest itself would become ‘close and constricted’ because while the flesh and bones themselves wouldn’t grow/expand in size, but their stretching (to the point of death) would cause the chest to be close and constricted to a point where the person wouldn’t be able to breath.

Also it is important to note that such statement would not have been proven at the time. There is obviously a reason to why the constriction of the chest is mentioned when one goes up to a higher altitude.

If Muhammad (PBUH) were purely the author, then he would not have put this inside the Quran, unless he knew of such a fact. He was guided by something Divine, way beyond our understanding.

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Scientific Benefits Of Fasting

Fasting is practiced throughout the world. Scientists have found that is also has various health benefits too.

1. Fasting gives people the opportunity to lose weight easily if done properly. Many people even take it on as a dieting technique
2. Fasting makes it easier to stop mental obsessions, addictions and bad habits
3. Fasting often alleviates and placates sexual desires
4. Fasting gives the digestive system a much-needed rest
5. Fasting slows elderly phases crawling to the brain cells
6. Fasting quiets allergic reactions, including asthma and hay fever
7. Fasting corrects high blood pressure without the use of drugs. It normalizes blood pressure in the vast majority of cases and the blood pressure will remain low after the fast, if the person follows a health-supporting diet and lifestyle
8. Fasting promotes detoxification. As the body breaks down its fat reserves, it mobilizes and eliminates stored toxins
9. Russian scientist Alexi Soforin stated that by fasting the body does not get enough food and begins to dissipate its fats, grease, and diseased and festered tissues, which are excreted by the body
10. Weak and sick cells collapse when deconstruction prevails over construction during fasting; and the body cells are renewed in the process of construction
11. He also said that a long term temperate fast that followed a certain regime could treat many diseases
12. After experimenting on some mammals, a study conducted by researchers from Grenoble France University showed that fasting decreases the chance of causing inflammation
13. Studies have showed that discontinuous fasting is accountable for increasing the likelihood healing among people who suffer from damages to their liver tissue
14. Fasting is used in the Western World to treat arthritis, including joint inflammations and backaches
15. Discontinuous fasting helps in delaying the phases of the brain’s cells to become old, and it assists in slowing the development of Alzheimers and Parkinson’s
16. In a study conducted by scientists from California University and published in “Psychology and Endocrine Glands Magazine”, the scientists proved that fasting relentlessly stops the division of cancerous cells

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