The Qur’an – Nurun ‘Ala Nur (Light Upon Light): An Exposition Of Qur’anic Guidance In Its Own Words - Part Five

By Muhammad Yunus, New Age Islam (Co-author (Jointly with Ashfaque Ullah Syed), Essential Message of Islam, Amana Publications, USA, 2009) 21 December 2024 Section-4. Exploration Of Knowledge And Resources Of Nature 53. Pursuit Of Universal Knowledge The Qur’an does not segment knowledge (Ilm) into different categories – it uses a generic word (Ilm) to denote all categories of knowledge. It does not expressly exhort people to acquire knowledge but in an allegorical verse on the creation of man it acknowledges his intellectual potential to identify and characterize every object individually - a unique quality that even the angels were denied (2:31-33) • “He taught Adam the identities (commonly, names - Asma’a) of all things and then placed them before the angels and said: ‘Tell Me the identities of these, if you are truthful' (2:31). They said: ‘Glory be to you (O Lord)! We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are All-Knowing and Wise’ (2:32). He said: ‘O Adam! Tell them the identities of these. When he told them the identities of those, Allah said: ‘Didn’t I tell you that I know the secrets of the heavens and the earth, and I know what you reveal, and what you have been hiding’ (2:33) The Qur’an complements this unique quality with the power of articulated speech: ‘Al Rahman! He created man and taught him articulated speech (55:1/2). Since the man could never acquire articulated speech without being able to name everything, these two attributes are complementary. 54. Man’s Potential To Tap Resources Of Nature The Qur’an recognizes man is granted special ‘favours’ above much of the creation (17:70), is fashioned in the finest model (95:4), and whatever is in the heavens and the earth is made serviceable to him (31:20, 45:13). • “We have indeed honoured the descendants of Adam; carried them across land and sea; provided for them out of the good things; and favoured them above much of what We have created” (17:70). • “Allah has made serviceable to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth, and has lavished His bounties on you (both) seen and unseen? Yet (there are) among people (those) who dispute about Allah without knowledge, without guidance and without an enlightening book” (31:20). • “Allah is the One who has made the sea serviceable to you and the ships sail on it by His command, that you may seek of His bounty, and that you may be grateful (45:12). He has made serviceable to you whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on earth - all (come from) Him. There are signs in this for a people who reflect” (45:13). • “Allah has created humankind in the finest model” (95:4). also referenced under 20 above] In yet another verse, the Qur’an says: “Allah will raise by degrees those of you who believe, and those who acquire knowledge (‘ilm)…” (58:11). Taken together, these Qur’anic pronouncements offer insightful perspectives on the pursuit of scientific and universal knowledge. Accordingly, the early Muslims made remarkable advancements in practically all the prevalent fields of knowledge: medicine, astronomy, mathematics, chemistry, metallurgy, and geography, for example. They also acted as the transmitters of ancient Greek knowledge and Hellenistic sciences into the medieval Europe by translating these works into Arabic, which were later translated into European languages. Thus, in true sense, the early Muslims set the stage for the Renaissance in Europe, as most historians and scholars, including those, sceptic of the Prophetic mission, have acknowledged as illustrated below: “Islam, which is only half a dozen centuries younger than Christianity, created a long and brilliant civilization, which is responsible for much of the way we are today. … When a few medieval monks were desperately trying to preserve what little they knew of Greco-Roman civilization, academies and universities flourished in the splendid cities of the Muslim lands”– Jonathan Bloom and Sheila Blair, Islam, Empire of Faith, BBC Series, UK 2001, p. 11. “Science is the most momentous contribution of Arab Muslim] civilization to the modern world; but its fruits were slow in ripening. Not until long after Moorish Islamic] culture had sunk back into darkness did the giant to which it had given birth rise to its might. – Robert Briffault (1867-1948), Making of Humanity, p. 202, Extracted from Muhammad Iqbal’s Reconstruction of Islamic thoughts, 6th reprint, New Delhi 1998, p. 130.] 55. Scientific Flashes Of The Qur’an As part of its ontological debate, the Qur’an makes fleeting references to diverse mysteries of nature that have been understood only in recent times with scientific advancement in different fields. Such verses listed below with bulleted sub-headings are consistent with Robert Briffaults’ remark on Islamic civilization’s singular contribution to scientific knowledge: Relativity Of Time: A ‘Day’ In Space May Be As Long As 1000 Years Or 50,000 Years. • ‘Allah regulates matters from the heaven to the earth, then it ascends to Him in a day which is equivalent to one thousand years in your count’ (32:5). • ‘The angels and the Spirit ascend to Allah in a day, the measure of which is fifty thousand years’ (70:4) Reduction In Oxygen Content Of Air At Higher Altitudes: • ‘Allah renders the bosom of whomever He wills narrow and constricted, as if they were climbing up at high altitude (literally – ‘in the skies’)… (6:125). Individual Finger Prints Of Humans • ‘Does man think We shall not be able to assemble his bones (75:3)? Nay! We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers.’ (75:4). Role Of Wind In Carrying Pollens For Certain Plants • ‘And Allah sends the winds as pollinators, and causes water to come down from the sky for you to drink. and you are not its treasurers’ (15:22). The Immiscibility Of Soft And Saline Water Streams: • ‘Allah it is who has let loose the two streams of water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salty and bitter; He has put a barrier between them, an impenetrable barrier’ (25:53), • ‘... Allah has put a barrier between the two streams...’ (27:61). • ‘The two streams of flowing water meet together, but there is a barrier between them, and they cannot intermingle (55:19/20). Creation Of The Universe From A Single Mass, And The Evolution Of All Living Things From Water. • “Don’t those who deny (Allah) see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (before), and We split them apart? We made every living thing from water. Won’t they still believe” (21:30). The Universe Is Expanding • “It is We who have built the universe with might and We are steadily expanding it” (51:47). • Human pain receptors are located on the skin. • ‘Those who reject our Signs, We shall soon cast them into the Fire: as often as their skins are roasted through, We shall change them for fresh skins, that they may taste the penalty…’ (4:56). The Frontal Lobes (Of The Brain) Are Responsible For Lying And Sinning. • ‘A lying, sinful forehead’ (96:16). • Graduated layers of darkness in ocean depths, resulting in such intense darkness deep down the ocean that one can’t see one’s own hand. • ‘Utter darkness in the deep sea, overwhelmed by waves above which are waves above which is cloud: increasing layers of darkness one above another; when he holds out his hand, he is almost unable to see it; ...’ (24:40). • Participation of only female bees in the building of bee hive. • “And your Lord inspired the bee (female grammatically): build homes in mountains and trees, and in (the hives) they build for you” (16:68). The Existence Of Communities Among All Animals And Living Creatures. • “There is not a moving (living) creature on earth, nor a bird that flies with its two wings, but are communities like you. We have neglected nothing in the Book, then (Thumma) unto their Lord they (all) shall be gathered” (6:38). Scholars contend that the Qur’anic word Thumma conveys an emphasis on something said earlier. This purports to connect he verse 6:38 with 6:36 which says: “Answer only will those who hear; as for the dead, Allah will raise them up, then unto Him they will be returned.” • Preservation of the Pharaoh’s dead body following the parting of river Nile, though until the archaeological discovery of mummies in late 19th century, the Pharaoh was known to have drowned and perished. • “...When drowning overtook him, he (Pharaoh) said: ‘I believe that there is no Allah but He in Whom the children of Israel believe and I am of those who submit (10:90). Allah said ‘This day We will preserve your body, as a lesson for future generations, though many people are totally oblivious to our signs’ (10:92). ‘Allah seized him for the punishment of the Hereafter and the present world; there is a lesson in it for him who fears” (79:25/26). Divisibility Of Atom Into Components • "Allah is aware of an atom's weight in the heavens and on the earth and even anything smaller than that..." (34:3). • Mountains peg the earth crust and prevent it from moving. • “Did We not make the earth a cradle? (78:6) and the mountains pegs? (78:7). • . “And Allah cast mountains on the earth, lest it shifts with you; and rivers, and roads, so that you may be guided” (16:15). Separation of pure milk from blood and excrements in cattle. • “And there is a lesson for you in cattle: We give you a drink from their bellies, from between excrements and blood, pure milk, refreshing to the drinkers” (16:66). 56. Human Embryology A number of Qur’anic verses refer to the reproductive process in a woman’s fetus, touching on one or more stages of embryonic development. The stipulations of these verses are immaculately consistent and can be paraphrased into two statements: i) ‘Man is created out of a tiny drop (of semen), which is established in a secured resting place (23:12-14), and transformed first into a clot (22:5, 23:14) then into a chewed (lump of) flesh - formed and unformed (22:5), then into bones, which are finally clothed with clean flesh (23:14). ii) Allah completes the creation of man in due proportions (40:67) in his mother’s womb, through different stages of formation, within three (veils of) darkness (39:6). • “Surely We created man from an extract of clay (tin, inorganic matter) (23:12). We then placed him as a drop (of semen) in a secured resting place (23:13). We then transformed the drop into a clot and We transformed the clot into a chewed (lump of) flesh, and We transformed this chewed (lump of) flesh into bones, and We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We produced another creature from it. So blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators” (23:14). • “O people, if you are in doubt about the Resurrection, (consider) that We created you from dust (turab), then from a drop (of semen), then from a clot, then from a chewed (lump of) flesh, formed and unformed, that We may manifest (Our Power) to you; and We keep those We wish in the wombs for a determined term, then We bring you out as babies and then you (grow and) reach your prime. Some of you die (early) and some of you will be kept back until the feeblest age, so that they know nothing after having known (much); and (further), you see the earth barren and lifeless, but when We send down water on it, it is stirred (to life), it swells, and it puts forth every kind of beautiful species” (22:5). • “…He creates you in your mother’s womb - transformation after transformation, within three (veils of) darkness…”(39:6). • It is He who created you from dust, then from a drop, then from a clot, and then He brings you out as infants. Then, you reach your full strength. Then, you become elderly—although some of you die earlier—that you may reach an appointed term and gain understanding “(40:67). The Qur’an’s express mention of the role of the drop which is emitted (male semen) in the creation of humans as male and female also conforms to the modern scientific discovery that the sex of a baby is determined by the sperm of the father alone, and not those of the father and mother as was until recently held. 57 Movement Of Heavenly Bodies In Orbits Centuries before the European scientists (notably, Copernicus, Galileo and Kepler) advocated the heliocentricity of the solar system, the Qur’an uses such phrases as the ‘the night pursuing the day ceaselessly, (7:54), the sun and the moon constant in their courses (14:33) – each floating in an orbit (21:33), the night merging into or overlapping the day and the day merging into or overlapping the night. (31:29). Anyone with some inquisitiveness about the day and night cycle will not fail to read the Qur’an’s heliocentric insight as embedded in the referenced verses as listed below: • “He draws the night over the day (which) it pursues ceaselessly. He has subjected the sun, the moon and the stars to His Laws. Aren’t the creation and order up to Him? Blessed be Allah, the Lord of all the Worlds” (7:54). • “He has made serviceable to you the sun and the moon, both constant (in their courses) and He has made serviceable to you the night and the day” (14:33). • “He is the One who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon – each floating in an orbit (21:33). • “Haven’t you seen that Allah causes the night to merge into the day and the day to merge into the night and has subordinated the sun and the moon (to His laws) – each running (its course) for a determined term – and Allah is Informed of what you do” (31:29). • “(Allah) created the heavens and the earth in accordance with the truth (universal laws). He causes the night to overlap the day and the day to overlap the night and has subordinated the sun and the moon (to His laws) – each running (its course) for a determined term. Isn’t this Allah Almighty, Most Forgiving” (39:5). 58. Geographic Marvels Of The Earth" Some of the Qur’an’s verses beautifully depict the intricate workings of nature as a reflection of Allah’s design and power. They emphasize the balance and functionality in the natural world, showcasing elements like water, mountains, and winds as integral parts of the Earth's geography. The imagery of rain, clouds, and their role in nurturing life, as well as the mention of mountains stabilizing the Earth, point to the harmony and purpose embedded in the creation. The comparison drawn between transient elements like foam or froth and the enduring benefits provided to humanity highlights the greater truths and the permanence of Allah's blessings. • “In the creation of the heavens and the earth, (in) the alternation of night and day, (in) the ships that sail the ocean for the benefit of humanity, (in) the water which Allah sends down from the sky with which it enlivens the earth after its death and spreads out all kinds of creatures on it, (and in) the coursing of the winds and the clouds, compelled between the sky and the earth, are indeed signs for a people who use their reason”. (2:164). • “He sends down water from the sky, so that the valleys flow according to their measure, with the stream carrying the swelling froth (on its surface). And what they heat in the fire to make ornaments or utensils produces similar froth. Thus does Allah demonstrate truth and falsehood: as for the froth, it goes away like the foam, while what benefits humanity remains on earth. Thus does Allah draw comparisons” (13:17). • “Haven’t you seen how Allah drives the clouds, gathers them together, then piles them into layers, and you see a downpour emerging from within them? He sends down mountain-masses (of clouds) from the sky with hail in them, and He strikes with it anyone He wills, and diverts it from anyone He wills. The flash of its lightning almost takes away the sight” (24:43). • “(Say,) Who made the earth a settlement, set rivers through it, placed mountains on it, and created a barrier between the two waters (sweet and saline): Is there any deity besides Allah (to coordinate all this)? No, but most of them do not know” (27:61). • “He created the heavens without any pillars, you can see, and set firm mountains on earth - lest it might shake with you, and spread out on it all kinds of creatures; and We send down water from the sky, and We thereby produce every kind of noble species on it” (31:10). 59. The Self-Sustaining Cycle Of The Plant And Animal World • “He is the One who sends down water from the sky; thereby We bring forth all kinds of sprouts. And We produce therewith green (crops), out of which We produce heaps of grains. And from the date palm and its hanging clusters within reach. (And We produce) gardens of grapes, and olives, and pomegranates, similar but different (in variety). Observe their fruits as they grow and ripen. There are signs in this for a people who believe” (6:99). • “And what He has multiplied for you on earth are in different colors. There is a sign in this for a people who are mindful (16:13). He is the One who has made the sea subject (to His Laws) that you may eat fresh flesh from it, and you extract from it gems that you may wear; and you see the ships plowing through it, that you may seek some of His bounty, and thus be grateful (to Him)” (16:14). • “Don’t they see how the birds are governed in the air of the sky: none holds them up but Allah. There are signs in this for a people who believe” (16:79). • “Among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the living creatures that He has spread out within them. He has the power to gather them together when He wills” (42:29). These verses beautifully highlight the intricate design and diversity within the natural world, emphasizing the signs for those who reflect and believe. They speak of the miraculous process of growth from rain, the bounty of various fruits, the seas providing sustenance and treasures, the flight of birds guided by divine order, and the vastness of creation in the heavens and the earth, all under the control of a higher power. The verses encourage contemplation and recognition of the beauty, variety, and order in nature as signs of a greater presence and purpose. Also Read (Previous Parts): The Qur’an – Nurun ‘Ala Nur (Light Upon Light): An Exposition Of Qur’anic Guidance In Its Own Words - Part One The Qur’an – Nurun ‘Ala Nur (Light Upon Light): An Exposition Of Qur’anic Guidance In Its Own Words - Part Two The Qur’an – Nurun ‘Ala Nur (Light Upon Light): An Exposition Of Qur’anic Guidance In Its Own Words - Part Three The Qur’an – Nurun ‘Ala Nur (Light Upon Light): An Exposition Of Qur’anic Guidance In Its Own Words - Part Four ----- Muhammad Yunus, a Chemical Engineering graduate from Indian Institute of Technology, and a retired corporate executive has been engaged in an in-depth study of the Qur’an since early 90’s, focusing on its core message. He has co-authored the referred exegetic work, which received the approval of al-Azhar al-Sharif, Cairo in 2002, and following restructuring and refinement was endorsed and authenticated by Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl of UCLA, and published by Amana Publications, Maryland, USA, 2009. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/books-documents/quran-nurun-ala-nur-light-quranic-guidance-part-five/d/134091 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism