Qur'anic Exegesis & Analysis Via the Lens of Modern Science

[6th Day of Ramadan] {Qur’an & Planetary System & Revival of Life by Water}

By Husseini Yushau BabalWaiz

"The Koran admittedly occupies an important position among the great books of the world. Though the youngest of all epoch-making works belonging to this class of literature, it yields to hardly any in the wonderful effect which it has produced on large masses of men. It has created an all but new phase of human thought and fresh type of character: It first transformed a number of heterogeneous deserts tribes of the Arabian Peninsula into a nation of heroes, and then proceeded to create the vast politico-religious organizations of Muhammad world which are one of the great forces with which Europe and the East have to reckon today." --- G. Margoliouth in his introduction to "The Koran", a translation by J.M. Rod

Miracles in the Language of the Qur'an

Ernest Renan(1823-1894), who carried out an extensive research on Semitic languages, wrote a book on the vocabularies, in which he had this to say about Arabic language: "The Arabic language is the most astonishing event of human history. Unknown during the classical period, it suddenly emerged as a complete language. After this, it did not undergo any noticeable changes, so one can define for it an early or a late stage. It is just the same today as it was when it first appeared." In acknowledging the 'astonishing event of human history' Renan, a French orientalist, is in fact acknowledging the miraculous nature of the Qur'an. It was the Qur'an's phenomenal literary style which preserved the Arabic language from alteration that other[6909] world languages have undergone.”

If a human author keeps writing for years and years, he passes through a gradual change in his writing style and also in his views and thoughts. Thus, not only the language, but the philosophy and opinion of a writer usually changes with the passage of time. The Qur'an was gradually revealed to Muhammad (PBUH) during a period of about 23 years[13 years in Mecca and 10 years in Medina]. If Muhammad (PBUH) had been the writer of the Qur'an, one would certainly find some difference in the earlier and later writings of the Book, and also some changes and discrepancies in views and thoughts expressed over the time. The fact, however, is that no change is observed in the language of the earlier and later revealed verses of the Qur'an. Moreover, no change is found in the message and philosophy of the earlier and later revealed verses of the Qur'an.

A human writer is mostly affected by the changing conditions of his environment, which in turn affect his emotions and feelings. These are then inevitably reflected in the style and tone of his writings. This is all the more true of the poets because poetry always reflects the moods and emotions of the writer. Given the fact that the Qur'an is written in a poetic language, it is important to note that Muhammad (PBUH), during his 23 years of mission, went through a period of extreme severe hardship in the seventh year of his mission; when he and all of his relatives were expelled from Makkah, and deprived of all basic necessities of life for three long years. In contrast, in the year 8 A.H. he enjoyed a glorious triumph; when he entered Makah as the head of an army of 10,000 believers and graciously accepted the total surrender of the people of Makah. Had Muhammad(PBUH) been the writer of the Qur'an, its language would have reflected his personal emotions under various changing conditions of his mission. The fact, however is that, the Qur'an does not exhibit any change in its style or tone that may reflect the phases of struggle, hardship, or triumph that Muhammad(PBUH) experienced during the various stages of his life. The language of the Qur'an remains steady in its own majesty far from being affected by any environmental ups and downs.

Seven fold Heavens

"It is He(Allah) who created seven heavens, one above the other." --- Q- 2:29

"We(Allah) have created above you seven firm heavens" --- Q- 23:17

"Have you not regarded how Allah created seven heavens, one above another(in harmony) ---- Q-78:12

Analysis: These verses for centuries have been a mystery even for the men of science. A Turkish astrophysics Dr. Haluk Nur Baki has recently explained these on the basis of the recent advancements in the field of astrophysics. He has shown that, the space surrounding our earth consists of the following:

1- The spatial field associated with the solar system represents the first heaven.

2- The magnetic field surrounding the Milky Way has just been discovered[as at the time of writing this book]. This spatial filed of our galaxy represents the second seven.

3- The Spatial field of 'Local Cluster' of galaxies represents the third heaven.

4- The Central magnetic field of the universe represented by the collection of galaxies represents the fourth heaven.

5- The cosmic band represented by quasars represents the fifth heaven.

6- The field of expanding universe represents the sixth heaven.

7- The outermost field representing the limitless infinities of the universe represents the seventh heaven.

These layers of the heavens involve unimaginable distances. The first heaven layer is approximately 6.5 trillion kilometers in thickness. The second layer i.e. the diameter of our galaxy is 130 thousand light years. The third layer spans 2 million light years. The fourth layer is 100 million light years in its diameter. The fifth heaven is at a distance of 1 billion light years. The sixth is at a distance of 20 billion light years. Needless to state that the seventh heaven lies beyond infinity. All praise and thanks be to Allah, Exalted who is the sole creator and sustainer of such a vast and infinite universe. These are the sevenfold heavens declared by the Quran fourteen centuries ago.

Activation of life on earth by rain

"(Allah) sends down from the sky water in due measures; We(Allah) revive therewith a land that was dead; even so shall you be brought forth." --- Q-43:11

"And of water We(Allah) fashioned every living thing. Will they not then believe?" --- Q-21:30

Analysis: The basic chemical substance of living organism is the bridge of hydrogen called the "hydrogen bond". This hydrogen can be replaced only by ionization of water. This is why water is indispensable for life. A dehydrated organism is like a frozen skeleton even if it preserves its DNA with its genetic code. It can neither reproduce nor be active unless it receives the needed hydrogen ion. When water arrives and donates hydrogen ion, the genetic code of life is activated. This is more common among the bacteria. It was about 100 years ago when it was discovered that soil consists of various kinds of organisms, while it is scarcely forty years back when it was discovered that 80% of the soil consists of bacteria. As soon as they receive rain water, they receive the needed hydrogen ion and start various reproductive activities. Rain water in this way brings the revival of the dead land. What the scientists have discovered now was stated in this the Qur'an centuries ago.

It is thought that approximately ten billion human beings have lived on earth since Adam. The size of each individual's genetic code is about one micro. If we collect them all, they would not even fill a coffee cup[Subha Na Lallah! Glory belongs to God!]. All of these genetic codes are still preserved under the soil. It is so obvious that when Allah can revive the dead land by a sprinkle of rain drop, he has the power to provide simple hydrogen bonds to these genetic codes. All human beings will then rise on the Day of Judgment. This is what the Qur'an states: "even so shall you be brought forth."

Regarding the second verse where Allah prophesies water as our source of life, David Whitehorse, a BBC online science editor disclosed in early December, 2002 that, "the first cells were formed not at the Earth surface[land] but in the total darkness at the bottom of the oceans." To buttressed David's point, Ellen Prager, a marine scientist also wrote in her book, "Chasing Science At Sea" that, "A team of marine biologists had discovered a previously unknown, even unimaginable ecosystem in the deep sea where organisms thrive on the chemicals and bacteria associated with hydrothermal (water habitat) vents. From this one discovery, a myriad of new scientific questions arose, including whether deep sea is where life on Earth began. Scientists now estimate that there are some 280 active vent sites within the world's ocean-most of which remain unexplored!". Ramadan Kareem brethren. Today is the fifth day of the daily series being published on my columns on modernghana.com & ghanaweb.com, dubbed:

( ??????? ?????????)"FRUITS OF RAMADAN". It is entitled, "QUR'ANIC EXEGESIS & ANALYSIS VIA THE LENS OF MODERN SCIENCE". ?Qur'an & Astro-Physics?. I hereby dedicate it to MAULANA SHEIKH IBRAHIM NYAS, SHEIKH AHMAD BABALWAIZ & the entire Baye Nyas Generation who have sincerely and selflessly blazed the trail for the Deen & Tariqah.

Hussseini Yushau BabalWaiz, is the Research & Outreach Coordinator at the Center for Media & Peace Initiatives Inc. New York, Author of three books; “Paradise Under Mothers’ Feet”, "Not good without God" & “Islam Promotes Tolerance & Prohibits Terrorism”. He tutors in Arabic & Islamic Studies in New York, babalwaiz71@gmail.com

Further reading: 160 Mysteries & Miracles of the Qur'an, by Dr. Mazhar Kazi.

Al-Qur'an the Miracle of miracles, by Ahmed Deedat.