You asked for it.
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Say: **“To whom belong all that is in the heavens and earth?” Say: “To Allah”. He has prescribed for Himself mercy. He will gather you all for the day of judgment in which there is no doubt. The ones who have lost themselves are the ones who will not believe" **[Qur’an, 6:12; Al-An’am, “The Livestock”]
The proofs of God’s existence are all around us. Yet some still believe that all the wonders that surround us, from the infinite intricacy of life to the infinite wisdom with which the stars and planets float in the endless space, are but a coincidence or a product of a blind nature. To believe in that is like believing that a great painter drew a beautiful portrait by splashing buckets of paint on a dry cloth, or that a great writer wrote a masterpiece by throwing printing press letters into the air and watching them arrange themselves into words and sentences.
Because Islam is the religion chosen by God (Allah) until the end of time, and since Mohammad (peace be upon him [pbuh]) is the last of the prophets, the greatest miracles of Islam have to be of a lasting nature. Unlike the splitting of the sea by Moses (pbuh), which was witnessed only by those who were present during the event, the miracles of the Qur’an can be witnessed over and over by all generations. In other words, the greatest miracles of Islam lie within the Qur’an and can be witnessed by anyone simply by reading the words of God. When the Qur’an was inspired to Mohammad (pbuh), it carried the message that in the eyes of God, there is no difference between an Arab and a non-Arab or a black person and a white person except by his or her fear of Allah and the righteous deeds he or she does. The pagans of Quraish (the tribe living in Makkah at the time of the prophet Mohammad (pbuh) ) chose not to believe that the Qur’ân was from Allah and said that Mohammad had forged it.
They were first challenged to write a book similar to the Qur’an; they could not. Say: “verily if the whole of mankind and the jinns should assemble together to produce the like of this Qur’an, they would not produce the like thereof, Even if they backed up each other with help and support.” [Qur’an, 17:88;Al-Isra’, “Al-Isra”]
Next the challenge was eased to the writing of ten suras (chapters) like the suras of the Qur’an, but they were not able to do it. Or they say: “He [Prophet Mohammad] has forged it [the Qur’an]”. Say: “bring you then ten forged suras like it, and call unto whomsoever you can [to help you], other than Allah, if you are truthful”. So if they answer you not, then know that it [the Qur’an] was only sent down with the knowledge of Allah and that there is no god but Him. So will you be Muslims? [Qur’an, Sura II: 13-14 Hud, “Hud”]
Finally, they were challenged to write just one Surah (chapter) that would pass for a Surah of Allah’s words and still they could not. And if you are in doubt concerning that which We have sent down on Our worshiper [Mohammad, peace be upon him], then produce a Surah [chapter] of the like thereof and call your witnesses [supporters and helpers] besides Allah if you are truthful. So if you do it not, and you can never do it,then fear the fire [hell] whose fuel is people and stones that was prepared for the pagans. [Qur’an, 2:23-24; Al-Baqarah, “The Cow”]
And this Qur’an is not such as could ever be invented by other than Allah, but it’s agreement [and confirmation] with that which was before it [the Taurat and the Gospel] and the full explanation of the Book without doubt therein is from the Lord of all that exists. Or do they say “he [Muhammad] has forged it”. Say: “bring then a surah [chapter] like it, and call upon whosoever you can [to help you], besides Allah, if you are truthful.”[Qur’an, 10:37-38; Yunus, “Jonah”]
The extent of this challenge can be appreciated when one realizes that the shortest chapter in the Qur’an (108; Al-kawthar) is only three verses long! What are the rules of this challenge? The answer is simple; the pagans of Quraish who were experts in the art of the word were challenged to write something of the same literary merit as the Qur’an, but they were not able to do it. Yet the challenge was not to write something that would equal the Qur’an only in its literary merit, the challenge was to produce a book that would be an equal to the Qur’an in all aspects. To answer the question of the nature of these other aspects, we must first answer another question: ‘what is the most important attribute that a book truly sent by Allah has to have?’ We are given the answer to this question in the Qur’an: Do they not then ponder on the Qur’an? And had it been from other than Allah, then surely they would have found therein much discrepancies. [Qur’ân, Surah 4:82 Al-Nisa’, “The Women”]
The word ‘discrepancies’ found at the end of this verse is a loose translation of the Arabic word ‘ikhtilaf’, which literally means ‘difference’. If the difference is within the book itself, then it is called a discrepancy (something that contradicts something else within the same book). If the difference is between the book and the outside world as it truly is, not necessarily as our limited knowledge in a certain era tells us it is, then, this difference is called an error. Thus the challenge for us is to bring forth a book that contains truths of a scientific nature not known to us today, a book that one can read 1500 years from today and, discover that indeed it was telling the truth. A book in which not a single word would be proven to be wrong, ever. Despite all that, the pagans of Quraish still insisted that the illiterate Mohammad (pbuh) who was never a writer or a scholar had forged the Qur’an. They accused Mohammad (pbuh) of being a poet, a madman and a soothsayer. Yet could a madman or a poet produce what all of humanity was challenged to replicate and was not able to? Could a soothsayer utter truths of a scientific nature that would only be discovered hundreds of years after his death? Indeed not, and the Qur’an gives an answer to there allegations innumerous verses.
So I swear by whatsoever you see. And by whatsoever you see not. Verily this is the word of an honored messenger. And it is not the word of a poet, little is it that you believe. Nor is it the word of a soothsayer, little is it that you remember. A revelation from the Lord of the Alameen [mankind, Jinns and all that exists]. And if he [Mohammad] had invented some false saying concerning Us [Allah]. We surely would have seized him by his right hand [or with power and might]. And then certainly We would have cut off his life artery. And none of you could have withheld from him [Allah’s wrath].
And verily it [the Qur’an] is a reminder for the Muttaqin [the pious and those whose fear Allah]. And verily We know that there are among those who fear Allah. And verily We know that there are among you some that belie [this Qur’an]. And verily it [the Qur’an] is an anguish for the disbelievers. And verily it is a truth of assured certainty. So glorify the name of your Lord the Most Great. [Qur’an, Sura 69:38-52; Al-Haqqah, “The Sure Reality”]
And you [Mohammad] did not recite before it [the Qur’an] any book, nor did you write it [any book] with your right hand. For then, indeed the followers of falsehood would have doubted. But it is clear revelations in the chests of those who were given knowledge. And none deny our Ayat [proofs, evidences, signs, revelations, etc.] except the unjust. And they said: “if only signs were sent down on him from his Lord.” Say: “Indeed the signs are only with Allah and I am but a clear warner.” Was it not enough for them that We have sent down to you the Book [the Qur’an] which is recited to them. Verily, herein is mercy and a reminder for people who believe. Say: “Sufficient is Allah for a witness between me and you. He knows what is in the heavens and earth. And those who have believed in the Batil [all false deities other than Allah] and disbelieved in Allah, those are the losers.” [Qur’an, 29:48-52; Al-Ankaboot “The Spider”]
And never did We destroy a township, but it had its warners. By way of reminder, and We have never been unjust. And it is not the Shayatin [devils] who have brought it [this Qur’an] down. Neither would it suit them, nor they can [produce it]. Verily, they have been removed far from hearing it. So invoke not with Allah another god lest you be among those who will be punished. [Qur’an, 26:208-213; Al-Shua’ra’, “The Poets”]
Maurice Bucaille wrote in a book titled The Bible, the Qur’an and Science (1978) “The above observation makes the hypothesis advanced by those who see Muhammad as the author of the Qur’an untenable. How could a man, from being illiterate, become the most important author, in terms of literary merits,in the whole of Arabic literature? How could he then pronounce truths of a scientific nature that no other human being could possibly have developed at that time, and all this without once making the slightest error in his pronouncement on the subject?” (p. 125).
Some Proofs from Biology
(1) 1400 years before the invention of the modern microscopes and the science of embryology, Allah gave us in the Qur’an the precise stages through which the human embryo goes in the course of its development: And indeed We created man [Adam] out of an extract of clay. Thereafter We made him as a Nutfah [mixed drops of the male and female sexual discharge] [and lodged it] in a safe lodging [woman’s womb]. Then We made the Nutfah into a leech [or leech-like structure] then We made the leech into a chewed lump, then We made out of the chewed lump bones, then We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We brought it forth as another creation. So blessed be Allah, the Best of creators. [Qur’an, 23:12-14; Al-Mu’minun, “The Believers”]
Dr. Keith L. Moore (Ph.D., F.I.A.C). The Department of Anatomy, University of Toronto, Canada) commented on these verses in a paper titled “A Scientist’s Interpretation of References to Embryology in the Qur’ân” (The Journal of the Islamic Medical Association, Vol. 18, Jan-Jun 1986, pp. 15-16): “The zygote forms by the union of a mixture of the sperm and the ovum (“The mixed drop!”). The word “alaqah” refers to a leech or bloodsucker. This is an appropriate description of the human embryo from days 7-24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. Just as the leech derives blood from the host, the human embryo derives blood from the decidua or pregnant endometrium. It is remarkable how much the embryo of 23-24 days resembles a leech. As there were no microscopes or lenses available in the 7th century, doctors would not have known that the human embryo had this leech-like appearance. In the early part of the fourth week, the embryo is just visible to the unaided eye because it is smaller than a kernel of wheat. The Arabic word “mudghah” means “chewed substance or chewed lump.” Toward the end of the fourth week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh. The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings or primordia of the vertebrae… Out of the chewed lump stage, bones and muscles form. This is in accordance with embryological development. First the bones form as cartilage models and then the muscles (flesh) develop around them from the somatic mesoderm.”
(2) Allah also states in the Qur’an the correct order in which the senses of hearing, seeing and understanding develop: And He gave you hearing and sight and feeling and understanding. [Qur’an, 32:9; Al-Sajdah, “The Prostration”]
Dr. Keith L. Moore comments on these verses in the same paper mentioned above saying: “The primordia of the internal ears appear before the beginning of the eyes, and the brain (the site of understanding) differentiates last.”
(3) We know that life cannot exist without water. That is why when scientists search for life anywhere, even on other planets such as Mars, the first thing they look for is evidence of the existence of water. Allah stated the fact that all living things are made of water in the Qur’an. And Allah has created every moving [living] creature from water. From them is that which goes on its belly, and from them is that which walks on two feet, and from them is that which walks on four. Allah creates what He wills. Verily Allah is able to do all things. [Qur’an, 24:45; Al-Nour, “The Light”]
(4) It is now known that mammary glands secrete milk. The mammary glands are nourished by the products of food digestion in the intestines brought to them by the bloodstream. The fact that it is the blood that transfers nutrients from the intestines to the rest of the body was discovered only recently. The mere fact that blood circulates within the body was discovered about many centuries after the revelation of the Qur’an. And verily in cattle there is a lesson for you. We give you to drink of what is within their bellies, from between excretions [the contents of the intestine] and blood, pure milk; palatable to the drinkers. [Qur’an, 16:66;Al-Nahl, “The Bees”]
Some Proofs from History
(1) There is a city that was mentioned in the Qur’an by the name of Iram. Up until 1975, this city was thought by many non-Muslims to be a mere myth since no mention of it was ever made in any known writings. In 1975 another city by the name of Ibla was unearthed in Syria. In some of the tablets found in the city of Ibla, the name of the city of Iram was mentioned for the first time as a place that used to trade with the city of Ibla. Subsequently, using space photography from the space shuttle, the city of Iram was found in the vicinity of Aden. Then behold! The appearance of this city was exactly as it was described in the Qur’an as a city built with towering pillars: Did you [O Mohammad] not see how your Lord dealt with [the tribe of] Aad ? [the city of] Iram with lofty pillars. The like of which was not created in the lands. Qur’an, 89:6-8; Al-Fajr “The Dawn”]
(2) Since the 18th Egyptian dynasty, all of the ancient rulers of Egypt called themselves Pharaohs. The name initially meant the “great house” which is what the ancient Egyptians called the house of their ruler. Beginning with the 18th dynasty, the name was used to designate the king himself. In the early 17th century BC, Egypt was invaded by the Hyksos, who occupied Egypt until prince Ahmos the first finally freed the country from their grasp in 1570 BC. After Egypt was free, the Egyptians systematically destroyed and altered all the monuments built by the Hyksos. That is why the only remnants of the Hyksos invaders is poorly preserved in scarce inscriptions, sculpture and pottery. A somewhat incomplete knowledge of the Hyksos has only become available recently after extensive research. One of the things we came to learn about the Hyksos from this research was that they did not call themselves Pharaohs, but they called themselves kings. In all of the stories in the Qur’an related to Egypt, when God speaks of the ruler of Egypt, He always calls him ‘Pharaoh’, except in a single story; the story of Prophet Joseph (pbuh), where He calls him ‘the king’. Modern history scholars believe that this is because the ruler of Egypt at the time of Prophet Joseph (pbuh) was Apophis a Hyksos king. And the king said: “bring him to me that I may attach him to my person.” Then, when he spoke to him he said: “Verily, you are today with us with rank fully established and trustworthy.” [Qur’an, 12:54; Youssef, “Joseph”]
(3) Allah says in the Qur’an: And We took the Children of Israel across the sea, and Pharaoh and his hosts followed them in oppression and enmity, till when drowning overtook him [Pharaoh], he said: “I believe that there is no god but He in whom the Children of Israel have believed, and I am from the Muslims.” Now [you believe] while you have rebelled before and been among the evil-doers. So today We save you in your [dead] body, that you may be a sign to those who come after you. And verily, many among mankind are indeed heedless of Our Ayah [proofs, evidence, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, …etc.). [Qur’an, 10:90-92; Yunus, “Jonah”] Thus Allah says that the body of Pharaoh was not taken by the sea so that Pharaoh may become a sign to those who come after him. Dr. Bucaille conducted research to verify this Qur’ânic story: “in June 1975, the Egyptian high authorities very kindly allowed me to examine the parts of the Pharaoh’s body that had been covered until then. They also allowed me to take photographs. What may already be derived from this examination is the discovery of multiple lesions of the bones with broad lacunae, some of which may have been mortal although it is not yet possible to ascertain whether some of them occurred before or after the Pharaoh’s death. He most probably died either from drowning, according to the scriptural narrations, or from very violent shocks preceding the moment when he was drowned or both at once. Those who seek among modern data for proof of the veracity of the Holy Scriptures will find a magnificent illustration of the verses of the Qur’an dealing with Pharaoh’s body by visiting the Royal Mummies room of the Egyptian Museum, Cairo!” [The Bible, The Qur’an and Science (1978)]
Some Proofs from Astronomy
Let us first have a short introduction about the formation and nature of the stars and planets based upon our modern knowledge and understanding. It is a well known fact that all the stars within any given galaxy as well as their planets are formed from an initial cloud of gas. When that cloud condenses due to gravitational forces it starts to rotate causing hydrogen and helium atoms; its lighter constituents, to be present in higher proportions towards the center of the cloud, thus forming the star. The heavier constituents on the other hand form planets at larger radii due to the centrifugal effect. The star is luminescent because of the nuclear reactions therein while the planets can only be luminescent if they reflect the star’s light that is incident on their surface. Each planet in a given solar system floats in space in a prescribed orbit. Furthermore, the star of the solar system itself floats in an orbit around the center of its galaxy. It is truly amazing that the Qur’an actually gives a clear mention to some of these facts.
(1) Concerning the facts that the heavens (galaxies and stars) and earth were both initially made of the same mixture of materials, then part of that material was put into the earth, and the fact that the sun and moon each float in space in a prescribed orbit, Allah says in surat Al-Anbiya’: Did those who disbelieve not see that the heavens and earth were joined together as one piece, then We parted them? And We have made from water everything that is alive. Will they not then believe? And We have placed on the earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with them and We have placed therein broad roads [for them to pass through], that they may be guided. And We have made the sky as a roof, well protected. Yet they turn away from its signs. And it is He who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit they float. [Qur’an, 21:30-33, Al-Anbiya’, “The Prophets”]
(2) Concerning the initial formation of the universe and all its galaxies and solar systems, God refers in the Qur’an to the fact that the heavens and earth were brought forth from an initial cloud of gas referred to as smoke which is an accurate description of the appearance of this semi-transparent cloud made of molecules suspended in space. Allah says in the Qur’an: Then He Istawa [rose over in a way only known to Allah] towards the heaven while it was smoke, then He said to it and the earth: “come forth both of you willingly or unwillingly.” They both said: “We come, in willing obedience.” [Qur’an, 41:1 1; Fussilat, “Explained in Detail”]
(3) While the sun is the source of light for its solar system, the moon and the planets do no more than reflect that light. When Allah speaks in the Quran about the light of the sun, He refers to the sun as a lantern, or a shining source of light. On the other hand, when He speaks of the moon, He speaks of it only as ‘lighted’ which means that it takes its light from an external source. It is He who made the sun shining and the moon lighted and measured out its stages, that you may know the number of years and the count [of time]. Allah did not create this except in truth. He explains the Ayah [proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, miracles, etc.] in detail for people who have knowledge. [Qur’an, 10:5; Yunus, “Jonath”]
In surat Al-Naml, Allah gives a clear description of the movement of the earth: And you see the mountains, you think them solid [and stationary], when they pass as the passing of the clouds, The making of Allah, Who has perfected everything. Verily, He is well-acquainted with what you do. [Qur’an, 27:88; Al-Naml, “The Ants”]
This verse is truly amazing! It gives a vivid description of the constant movement of the earth. Let us dwell a little on what this verse has to say. First it says that the mountains that we think of as being stationary are actually passing. Then it gives the analogy of the passing of the clouds. One might ask; in which way the passing of the mountains is similar to the passing of the clouds? The answer is: like the clouds pass because of the movement of the medium in which they are (the air), the mountains also pass because of the movement of the earth on which they are placed. Furthermore, notice the accuracy of using the word ‘pass’ which implies movement in a constant direction as opposed to the word ‘move’ which can imply changing or random movement to accurately describe the scene one would behold if he or she was to rise high above the earth and observe, while being stationary, the mountains below.
(5) Allah also gave reference to the circular motion associated with the night and day in the Qur’an: He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He coils the night on the day and He coils the day on the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each follows a course for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving. [Qur’an, 39:5; Al- Zumar, “The Groups”]
(6) Only recently, was it discovered that the universe is in a constant state of expansion. This was observed indirectly through the Doppler effect which states that the light spectrum emitted by an object moving away from an observer would shift towards a higher wavelength. This fact was clearly stated in the Qur’an: And the heaven, We have built it with power and verily We are expanding it, [Qur’an, 51:47; Al-Zariat, “The Winds”]
This is the Book [the Qur’an] whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who fear Allah. Who believe in the unseen, and establish the prayer, and from what We have provided for them they spend. And who believe in what has been sent down to you and what has been sent down before you and of the hereafter they are certain. These are on guidance from their Lord, and those are the successful. [Qur’an, 2:2-5; Al-Baqarah, “The Cow”]
I hope it helped.
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Take it easy.
V~V~VHe came, He saw, He conqueredV~V~V**
----*High Priest-OF-Church-OF-Painful Truth*----