2. ASTRONOMY

Creation of the universe:

‘The Big Bang’

The creation of the universe is explained by astrophysicists as a widely accepted phenomenon, popularly known as ‘The Big Bang’. Supported by observational and experimental data gathered by astronomers and astrophysicist 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 its happening by “chance is nil.

The Qur’an 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-Qu’ran 21:30]

The striking similarity between the Qur’anic verse and ‘The Big Bang’ is inescapable! How could a book, which first appeared in the deserts of Arabic 1400 years ago, contain this profound scientific truth?

The challenge of the Qur’an

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 position of pride, similar to that now enjoyed by science and technology.

Even non-Muslim scholars agree that the Qur’an is Arabic literature par excellence – that it is the best Arabic literature on the face of the earth.

“And if ye in doubt as to what we have revealed from time to time Our servant then produce a surah 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 – then fear the fire whose fuel is Men and stones – which is prepared for those who reject Faith.”

[Al-Qur’an 2:23-24]

The challenge of the Qur’an is to produce a single surah (chapter) like the surahs it contains. The same challenge is repeated in the Qur’an several times. The challenge to produce a surah, which, in beauty, eloquence, depth and meaning is at least somewhat similar to a Qur’anic surah 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 primary. Not many would accept the Qur’an’s extraordinarily beautiful language, as proof of its Divine origin. Any scripture claiming to be a divine revelation must also be acceptable on the strength of its own reason and logic.

According to the famous physicist and Nobel Prize winner, Albert Einstein, “science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.” Let us therefore study the Qur’an, and Modern sciences are compatible or incompatible?

The Qur’an is not a book of science but a book of ‘signs’, i.e. Aayaats. There are more than six thousand ‘sign’ in the Qur’an of which more than a thousand deal with hard core Science.

We all know that many a time’s science takes a ‘U-turn’. In this book I have considered only established scientific facts and not hypotheses and theories based on mere assumptions and not backed by proof.       

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

1. INTRODUCTION

Ever since the down of human on this planet, Man has always tried 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 deserve civilizations, organized religion has determined the course of history. While some religions have been based on written text, clamed by their followers to be divinely inspired, others have relied solely on human experience.

Al-Qur’an, the main source the Islamic faith, is a book believed by its followers, the Muslims, to be completely of divine origin. Muslims, also believe that it contains guidance for all humankind. Since the message of the Qur’an is believed to be for all times, it should be relevant to every age. But does the Qur’an pass this test?

In this booklet I intend to give an objective analysis of the Muslims belief regarding the divine origin of the Qur’an, particularly in the light of established scientific discoveries.

There was a time, in the history of world civilization, when ‘miracles’, or what were perceived to be miracles, took precedence over human reasons and logic. Of course, the normal definition of ‘miracles’ is simple, anything that takes place out of the normal course of life and for which humankind has no explanation.

However, we must be careful before accepting something as a miracle. In 1993, ‘The Times of India’ , Mumbai, 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 bottom of the tank of water in which he claimed to have performed his.

‘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. Obviously the ‘saint’ had something to conceal! His claim was a gimmick simply to gain publicity. Surely, no modern person 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 all world famous magicians known for their ingenious magical tricks and illusions, as genuine God-men!

A book, claming to be of divine origin, is in effect, claming to be a miracle. Such a claim should be easily verifiable in any age; according to the Qur’an is the last and final revelation of God, the miracle of miracles revealed as a mercy to man kind. Let us therefore investigate the veracity of this belief.