Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Science. Show all posts

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Surah Al Fatiha (1:1) – Lord of the Worlds


 


 

الْحَمْدُ للّهِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Lord of the Worlds

Modern science has evolved a lot, but at few things it is still silent and surely there would be many secrets of this universe which will never become clear to us. No matter how much knowledge we gather there would be few mysteries that would always remain unsolved, few question will always remain unanswered. Allah explains this handicapped human knowledge in another Ayat, "They know the outward of this world's life, but of the hereafter they are absolutely heedless
(Surah Room 30:7)"[30-7]. One of these unsolved mysteries is the existence of 'aliens'. Is there any life outside the planet earth? Are there living beings outside the Milky Way? Universe is so vast that we can never say with surety that 'I've searched out the universe and I didn't find any aliens'. Many theories are coming up telling us of the 'high' chance of existence of planets outside the Milky Way with the 'identical' climatic and atmospheric conditions like our 'mother' planet.

Max Tugmark has delved into the theories of physics which are concerned with the parallel universes which are classified into four levels that can allow continuous variations. Following are the levels of the parallel universes:

The fist level:

worlds that are governed by the same physics and the constants of our world physics yet the development of its material might be different

The second level:

of different physics constants and time dimensions from that we have in our universe.

The third level:

every quantum may lead various copies.

The fourth level:

has it own different laws of physics.

In this Ayat the word
عَالَمِينَ is of great importance. We find various different explanations of this word but its marvels will never become totally evident to us. Most of the scholars say that by saying ,"Lord of the Worlds", Allah means the "Lord of the Worlds of all Living Beings"; like the World of Animals, World of Fishes, World of Angels, World of Spirits etc. عَالَمِينَ is the plural of the word عالَم which means a thing from which knowledge of something is learnt. As the knowledge of God is learnt through the universe hence the universe is called عالم . عالم can also refer to an age (era), it has been used in this meaning in the Holy Quran in Surah Al Baqarah 2:47.

Another explanation given of the word 'Worlds' is that perhaps it is pointing to the existing of other worlds identical to ours with the existence of life. There are other Ayaats of the Holy Quran which clearly indicate the existence of life outside the planet earth and the word used is such that we cannot relate it to angels. There are many scholars who have proved the existence of 'Aliens' from those Ayaats.

And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and what He has spread forth in 'both of them' of living beings; and when He pleases He is all-powerful to gather them together
(Surah Shura 42:29)

Alien-threat might be used by the secret societies who control the world as a fake threat, forcing the world to unite under the umbrella of new world order. No wonder Ronald Reagan in his speech once said, " I am amazed, how dramatically the world would change if we were facing an alien threat from outside". People who have worked for the secret societies in the past, now admit that they planned to use alien and meteor threats in the future, for which they are preparing the masses through movies, cartoons which frequently show aliens. There is a long list of Hollywood movies on aliens and meteors. When we talk of aliens, we talk of them as a Sign of God, and not as armed warriors, secretly planning to take over the world. That is only a part of fiction and it should remain fiction. What we prove from Quran is that there might be some extra-terrestrial life of some sort (not necessarily like ours) outside the earth.

Aliens are extra-terrestrial beings, not extra dimensional. The word عالمين might also be referring to those extra-dimensional worlds. Jinns are a species of another dimension, angels have their own dimension, and our dimension is different and Allah is the creator of all these dimension and he alone controls and comprehends all dimension fully. We, bound in our own dimension can never fully understand species of other dimensions.

Another important question that remains is that whether we'll ever be able to discover life in other parts of the universe or not, a life in a dimension comprehendible for us. For the details of that see : Surah Fussilat 41:53.

In short Allah is the lord of all times, all worlds, all discovered and undiscovered species, beings of all dimensions, all living and non living things etc.

More on Quran and Aliens

Surah Shura 42:29, Surah Talaq 65:12, Surah Fussilat 41:53


 


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah At Tawbah (9:118) – Stress, a result of not abiding by religion


 


 

وَعَلَى الثَّلاَثَةِ الَّذِينَ خُلِّفُواْ حَتَّى إِذَا ضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمُ الأَرْضُ بِمَا رَحُبَتْ وَضَاقَتْ عَلَيْهِمْ أَنفُسُهُمْ وَظَنُّواْ أَن لاَّ مَلْجَأَ مِنَ اللّهِ إِلاَّ إِلَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَابَ عَلَيْهِمْ لِيَتُوبُواْ إِنَّ اللّهَ هُوَ التَّوَّابُ الرَّحِيمُ

And to the three who were left behind, until the earth became strait to them notwithstanding its spaciousness and their souls were also straitened to them; and they knew it for certain that there was no refuge from Allah but in Him; then He turned to them (mercifully) that they might turn (to Him); surely Allah is the Oft-returning (to mercy), the Merciful.

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Stress, a result of not abiding by religion

This "dark and narrow" life, or stress, to give it the current name, is the outcome of non-believers' failure to abide by the moral values imparted by faith. Today, doctors maintain that a calm and self-assure composure are essential for protection from the effects of stress. A calm and peaceful disposition is only possible by living according to the Qur'an. This has been discussed under Surah Anaam 6:125 and Surah Raad 13:28.

The wide-ranging research into the connection between religious belief and physical health carried out by Dr. Herbert Benson of the Harvard Medical Faculty has produced surprising conclusions in this area. Despite not being a believer himself, Dr. Benson has concluded that worship and belief in Allah have a more positive effect on human health than that observed in anything else. Benson states that he has concluded that no belief provides as much mental peace as belief in Allah. (Herbert Benson, and Mark Stark, Timeless Healing)


 


 


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al A’araf (7:189) – Creation from one living being


 

هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَجَعَلَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا لِيَسْكُنَ إِلَيْهَا فَلَمَّا تَغَشَّاهَا حَمَلَتْ حَمْلاً خَفِيفًا فَمَرَّتْ بِهِ فَلَمَّا أَثْقَلَت دَّعَوَا اللّهَ رَبَّهُمَا لَئِنْ آتَيْتَنَا صَالِحاً لَّنَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الشَّاكِرِينَ

He it is Who created you from a single being, and of the same (kind) did He make his mate, that he might incline to her; so when he covers her she bears a light burden, then moves about with it; but when it grows heavy, they both call upon Allah, their Lord: If Thou givest us a good one, we shall certainly be of the grateful ones.

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Creation from one living being

Creation from one living being has already been discussed in detail under Surah Nisa 4:1.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al Aa'raf here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al A’araf (7:185) – Signs in the Heavens and the Earth


 

أَوَلَمْ يَنظُرُواْ فِي مَلَكُوتِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَمَا خَلَقَ اللّهُ مِن شَيْءٍ وَأَنْ عَسَى أَن يَكُونَ قَدِ اقْتَرَبَ أَجَلُهُمْ فَبِأَيِّ حَدِيثٍ بَعْدَهُ يُؤْمِنُونَ

Do they not consider the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and whatever things Allah has created, and that may be their doom shall have drawn nigh; what announcement would they then believe in after this? [7-185]

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Signs in the Heavens and the Earth

Heavens and the Earth are full of signs of our creator which are discussed earlier under Surah Baqarah 2:164.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al Aa'raf here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al A’araf (7:179) – Heart Mind Interaction


 

وَلَقَدْ ذَرَأْنَا لِجَهَنَّمَ كَثِيرًا مِّنَ الْجِنِّ وَالإِنسِ لَهُمْ قُلُوبٌ لاَّ يَفْقَهُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ أَعْيُنٌ لاَّ يُبْصِرُونَ بِهَا وَلَهُمْ آذَانٌ لاَّ يَسْمَعُونَ بِهَا أُوْلَئِكَ كَالأَنْعَامِ بَلْ هُمْ أَضَلُّ أُوْلَئِكَ هُمُ الْغَافِلُونَ

And certainly We have created for hell many of the jinn and the men; they have hearts with which they do not understand, and they have eyes with which they do not see, and they have ears with which they do not hear; they are as cattle, nay, they are in worse errors; these are the heedless ones. [7-179]

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Heart Mind Interaction

Traditionally, the study of communication pathways between the "head" and heart has been approached from a rather one-sided perspective, with scientists focusing primarily on the heart's responses to the brain's commands. However, we have now learned that communication between the heart and brain is actually a dynamic, ongoing, two-way dialogue, with each organ continuously influencing the other's function. Research has shown that the heart communicates to the brain in four major ways: neurologically (through the transmission of nerve impulses), biochemically (via hormones and neurotransmitters), biophysically (through pressure waves) and energetically (through electromagnetic field interactions). Communication along all these conduits significantly affects the brain's activity. Moreover, our research shows that messages the heart sends the brain can also affect performance.

These newly discovered facts are already mentioned in the Holy Quran when it encourages us to think saying: "They have heart with which they do not understand"; indicating that hearts have some dynamic relation with thinking.

The heart communicates with the brain and body in four ways:

  • Neurological communication (nervous system)
  • Biophysical communication (pulse wave)
  • Biochemical communication (hormones)
  • Energetic communication (electromagnetic fields)

Many interesting scientific researches are going on in this field. It is becoming a separate subject now. Those people who had gone through heart transplants also experienced strange feelings and started adopting the habits of the person from whom they got the heart. Yasha Kresh, PhD, Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Medicine, Research Director of Cardiothoracic Surgery says:

"It turns out that the heart has its own 'brain' - an intrinsic nervous system. It's not clear what it does or if it's subservient to the higher brain. But it's clear that it is there, and I believe it has a mission because evolution does not allow things to remain without purpose. We think this internal nervous system helps to fine-tune and integrate the heart's diverse activity."

I urge the readers to read the interesting material on the subject and be amazed with the fact that how is it possible that something that accurate is mentioned in the Holy Quran many centuries back without any modern equipment.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al Aa'raf here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al A’araf (7:57) – Water Cycle, Weight of Clouds


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يُرْسِلُ الرِّيَاحَ بُشْرًا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ رَحْمَتِهِ حَتَّى إِذَا أَقَلَّتْ سَحَابًا ثِقَالاً سُقْنَاهُ لِبَلَدٍ مَّيِّتٍ فَأَنزَلْنَا بِهِ الْمَاء فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ كَذَلِكَ نُخْرِجُ الْموْتَى لَعَلَّكُمْ تَذَكَّرُونَ

And He it is Who sends forth the winds bearing good news before His mercy, until, when they bring up a laden cloud, We drive it to a dead land, then We send down water on it, then bring forth with it of fruits of all kinds; thus shall We bring forth the dead that you may be mindful.

M Shakir's Quran Translation [7-57]


 

Water cycle

Water Cycle or Hydrologic Cycle is a series of movements of water above, on, and below the surface of the earth. The water cycle consists of four distinct stages: storage, evaporation, precipitation, and runoff. Water may be stored temporarily in the ground; in oceans, lakes, and rivers; and in ice caps and glaciers. It evaporates from the earth's surface, condenses in clouds, falls back to the earth as precipitation (rain or snow), and eventually either runs into the seas or reevaporates into the atmosphere. Almost all the water on the earth has passed through the water cycle countless times. Very little water has been created or lost over the past billion years. Bernard Palissy was the first man to describe the present day concept of 'water cycle' in 1580 (SEE Quran and Modern Science by Dr. Zakir naik pg 26).

Quran had discussed the water cycle many times and the description given in the Holy Quran perfectly matches the description given to us by modern science using modern tools and equipments.

Weight of Clouds

In the above Ayat It is mentioned that the rain clouds are very heavy ثقال. The weight of clouds can reach quite astonishing proportions. For example, a cumulonimbus cloud, commonly known as the thunder cloud, can contain up to 300,000 tons of water (Allah's Miracles in the Quran by Harun Yahya Pg 111). Quran also emphasizes on the weight of clouds in Surah Raad 13:12.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al Aa'raf here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al A’araf (7:54) – Six day Creation, Spherical Shape of the Earth


 


 

رَبَّكُمُ اللّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ فِي سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى عَلَى الْعَرْشِ يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ وَالنُّجُومَ مُسَخَّرَاتٍ بِأَمْرِهِ أَلاَ لَهُ الْخَلْقُ وَالأَمْرُ تَبَارَكَ اللّهُ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِينَ

Surely your Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time, and He is firm in power; He throws the veil of night over the day, which it pursues incessantly; and (He created) the sun and the moon and the stars, made subservient by His command; surely His is the creation and the command; blessed is Allah, the Lord of the worlds.

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Your Guardian-Lord is Allah, Who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and is firmly established on the throne (of authority): He draweth the night as a veil o'er the day, each seeking the other in rapid succession: He created the sun, the moon, and the stars, (all) governed by laws under His command. Is it not His to create and to govern? Blessed be Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds!

Yusuf Ali's Quran Translation

Six Day Creation

Clarification no 1

Quran mentions the six day creation at various places in the Holy Quran. The Arabic words used are ستة ايام which can be translated as six days or six epochs. The Arabic word ايام conveys both the meanings. Considering the fact that a 24 hours day depends upon the movement of sun, moon and the earth and those were not even created yet the right way to translate the Ayat as six epochs (periods) and not six days. Even if someone translates it as days then he should remember that those 'days' are not the 24 hour days but are the days in sight of Allah. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning
(Surah Hajj 22:47).

Clarification no 2

There are few ahadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW)) which speak of some detail of creation. For instance:

Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) took hold of my hands and said: Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, created the clay on Saturday and He created the mountains on Sunday and He created the trees on Monday and He created the things entailing labour on Tuesday and created light on Wednesday and lie caused the animals to spread on Thursday and created Adam (peace be upon him) after 'Asr on Friday; the last creation at the last hour of the hours of Friday, i. e. between afternoon and night.

Muslim :: Book 39 : Hadith 6707

A non Muslim might argue that we Muslims say that the Quran speaks of the six period creation then why is this Hadith using the words Saturday, Sunday etc which are only used for a 24 hours day. A clarification is required that the description given in the above hadith is not of the six period creation mentioned in the Holy Quran. These happenings are after the six day creation, after the formation of universe and the earth. The above hadith mentions seven complete days and not the six days.

Clarification no 3

The description given in the bible in Genesis Chapter 1 is also of the creation after the creation of the universe and the earth. It is mentioned 'In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth' (Genesis 1:1) and the rest of the story is mentioned after that. This clarifies that the description mentioned ahead is the description after the creation of the earth and universe but amazingly the creation of sun and moon is mentioned afterwards which is unscientific. It also says that God did rest on the seventh day which is illogical, God doesn't require any rest.

That description of bible contains many errors. It is a mystery that can never be solved. Some Christians say that the days mentioned there are 24 hours some say those are long epochs. Which ever explanation we adopt, 24 hours or epochs, we can never solve all the 'problems' in these verses. I urge the readers to study Genesis Chapter 1 themselves.

Clarification no 4

At some places Quran has mentioned the simultaneous creation of the earth and the heavens but few people misunderstand it and say that Quran says that it created earth and then the heavens in two days which goes against the established scientific fact and the Quran when it says that it created the heavens and the earth in six days. The fact is that few people have mistranslated the Arabic wordثم which can have various meanings. In some places in the Quran it must be translated as 'moreover' or 'simultaneously'. If the word is correctly translated then those Ayaats would seem to tell that Allah created the Earth moreover he created the Heavens. See Surah Baqarah 2: 22 and Surah Fussilat 41:9-11.

Scientific interpretation of six day creation

What is the scientific interpretation of the six day creation? This is something still unknown to mankind. Why did Allah divide those events into six periods? This mystery is still unknown to mankind. We don't have any strong evidence to support it and also there is no evidence at all to refute it. There is some divine wisdom in Allah's classification of those events into six periods which will be might be revealed one day by the will of Allah.

Ayaats of Quran speaking of six day creation

Surah Aa'raf 7:54, Surah Younus 10:3, Surah Hood 11:7, Surah Furqan 25:59, Surah Sajdah 32:4, Surah Fussilat 41:9-11, Surah Qaaf 50:38, Surah Hadeed 57:4.

Spherical Shape of the Earth

This Ayat also draws our attention towards the spherical shape of the earth which was not known to man at that time. He throws the veil of night over the day;
which it pursues incessantly; these words refer to the spherical shape of the earth. The Arabic phrase يطلبه حثيثا means 'seeking the other in rapid succession' . Let us try to visualize what the Ayat is saying: he throws the veil of night over the day, seeking the other in rapid succession.

The day comes out every day from the same direction it came out from the previous day, and its sun moves to comes down in the same direction it came down at yesterday and also the darkness from the east and it depresses in the west, then this scene is repeated again and again.
Overlapping the night on the day so it hide it and makes the night as a sphere, and overlap the day on the night so it hide it and makes the day as a sphere. And so by making both of them rounded around each other we can see a spherical body rolling between both of them gathering them and making them rounded around each other. This body is the earth.

There are other Ayats in the Quran where spherical shape is described clearly. We'll discuss this topic there also. (See Surah Raad 13:3 and Surah Shams 91:6)

Divine Laws that govern the celestial bodies

Further more Allah says in the Ayat that all the celestial bodies are following the laws laid down by Allah. The billions of stars and galaxies in the universe move in perfect equilibrium in the paths set out for them. Stars, planets and satellites rotate not only around their own axes but also together with the systems of which they are an integral part. Sometimes, galaxies containing 200-300 billion stars move across each others' paths. Yet amazingly, no collisions take place that might damage the great order in the universe. This miracle is something over which all of us should reflect.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al Aa'raf here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al An’aam (6:145) – Forbidden things


 


 

لاَّ أَجِدُ فِي مَا أُوْحِيَ إِلَيَّ مُحَرَّمًا عَلَى طَاعِمٍ يَطْعَمُهُ إِلاَّ أَن يَكُونَ مَيْتَةً أَوْ دَمًا مَّسْفُوحًا أَوْ لَحْمَ خِنزِيرٍ فَإِنَّهُ رِجْسٌ أَوْ فِسْقًا أُهِلَّ لِغَيْرِ اللّهِ بِهِ فَمَنِ اضْطُرَّ غَيْرَ بَاغٍ وَلاَ عَادٍ فَإِنَّ رَبَّكَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ

Say: I do not find in that which has been revealed to me anything forbidden for an eater to eat of except that it be what has died of itself, or blood poured forth, or flesh of swine-- for that surely is unclean-- or that which is a transgression, other than (the name of) Allah having been invoked on it; but whoever is driven to necessity, not desiring nor exceeding the limit, then surely your Lord is Forgiving, Merciful.

M Shakir's Quran Translation[6-145]

Forbidden things

This topic has already been discussed in detail under Surah Baqarah 2:173 and Surah Maida 5:3


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al An’aam (6:141) – Trees, a sign of Allah


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنشَأَ جَنَّاتٍ مَّعْرُوشَاتٍ وَغَيْرَ مَعْرُوشَاتٍ وَالنَّخْلَ وَالزَّرْعَ مُخْتَلِفًا أُكُلُهُ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُتَشَابِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ كُلُواْ مِن ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَآتُواْ حَقَّهُ يَوْمَ حَصَادِهِ وَلاَ تُسْرِفُواْ إِنَّهُ لاَ يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ

And He it is Who produces gardens (of vine), trellised and untrellised, and palms and seed-produce of which the fruits are of various sorts, and olives and pomegranates, like and unlike; eat of its fruit when it bears fruit, and pay the due of it on the day of its reaping, and do not act extravagantly; surely He does not love the extravagant.

M Shakir's Quran Translation[6-145]


 

Trees, a sign of Allah

It is Allah who made all the food and trees, a sign for us all. Surely there are countless blessings our creator. Trees grow throughout the world, from the extreme cold regions near the Arctic and the Antarctic to the hot tropical regions around the equator.

Perhaps the most important ecological function of trees is protecting the land against erosion, the wearing away of topsoil due to wind and water. The trunks and branches of trees provide protection from the wind, and tree roots help solidify soil in times of heavy rain. In addition, trees and forests store water reserves that act as buffers for the ecosystem during periods of drought. In many areas the removal of forests has resulted in costly floods and subsequent droughts. Trees and forests also provide habitat, protection, and food for many plant and animal species. In addition, they play an important role in global climate and atmosphere regulation—the leaves of trees absorb carbon dioxide in the air and produce oxygen that is necessary for life. Trees provide us with fruits which are a vital part of balanced diet.

Fruits are vital to humans. Many species of mammals, birds, and insects rely on fruit as an essential component of their diet. Fruits also play a critical role in dispersing seeds, increasing the likelihood that at least some will land in an environment favorable for germination, or sprouting, which helps to perpetuate the plant species. Birds, for example, help distribute seeds when they feed on berries. The seed within the berry passes through the bird's digestive tract and is deposited at a location where, if conditions are favorable, it will flourish. Most of the 250,000 known species of seed-producing plants have survived because their fruits serve as the vehicles that help spread seeds.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al An’aam (6:125) – High Altitude Pressure & Stress, a result of not following religion


 


 

فَمَن يُرِدِ اللّهُ أَن يَهْدِيَهُ يَشْرَحْ صَدْرَهُ لِلإِسْلاَمِ وَمَن يُرِدْ أَن يُضِلَّهُ يَجْعَلْ صَدْرَهُ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجًا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي السَّمَاء كَذَلِكَ يَجْعَلُ اللّهُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ

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.

Yusuf Ali's Quran Translation

Therefore (for) whomsoever Allah intends that He would guide him aright, He expands his breast for Islam, and (for) whomsoever He intends that He should cause him to err, He makes his breast strait and narrow as though he were ascending upwards; thus does Allah lay uncleanness on those who do not believe.

M Shakir's Quran Translation[6-125]

High Altitude Pressure

Allah says that whoever he guides he expands his breast. This is a term used in Arabic for various meanings. In a nut shell a person whose breast has been expanded by Allah becomes open minded to accept the truth. On the contrary he who seeks the path of ignorance Allah makes his breast narrow as if he were ascending upwards.

Quran has bluntly mentioned the fact that a person experiences difficulty in breathing at heights. At the same time Quran is also telling us that more the height increases more difficulty is experienced by the person. These are facts that are known to every person nowadays after the advent of modern science but Quran mentions these facts miraculously many centuries before those were known to the man.

Human beings need oxygen and air pressure in order to live. Breathing is made possible by the oxygen in the atmosphere reaching the air sacs in our lungs. As elevation rises, however, atmospheric pressure goes down as the atmosphere becomes thinner. Therefore, the amount of oxygen entering the blood stream declines and it becomes harder to breathe. As the air sacs grow narrow and contract, we feel as if we cannot breathe.

If the amount of oxygen in the blood is less than the body needs, several symptoms emerge: extreme fatigue, headaches, dizziness, nausea, and loss of judgment. When a certain height is reached, it finally becomes impossible for a human being to breathe at all. This is why we need oxygen bottles and special clothing in order to survive at such elevations also we have oxygen equipment in airplanes.

Stress, a result of not following religion

Second important thing mentioned in the Ayat is that a person who follows the wrong path remains tensed. Numerous psychological researches have proved those people who do not believe in any God are more likely to fall ill. There are many psychological and medical surveys that have been carried out in the past years that potray this fact. Modern medicine is now tending towards the realization of this truth. Without going into the details of the subject I would like to summarize it as Patrick Glynn put it: "Scientific research in psychology over the past twenty-five years has demonstrated that religious belief is one of the most consistent correlates of overall mental health and happiness." (Glynn, God: The Evidence, The Reconciliation of Faith and Reason in a Postsecular World, 60-61)


 

For more on the subject Surah Raad 13:28 and Surah Tawbah 9:118


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:101) – Originator of Heavens and the Earth


 


 

بَدِيعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ أَنَّى يَكُونُ لَهُ وَلَدٌ وَلَمْ تَكُن لَّهُ صَاحِبَةٌ وَخَلَقَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ وهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ

Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! How could He have a son when He has no consort, and He (Himself) created everything, and He is the Knower of all things

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Originator of the Heavens and the Earth

This Ayat tells us that Allah is the بديع (originator) of the heavens and the earth. This topic has been discussed in detail under Surah Baqarah 2:117


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:99) – Green factory in plants : Chloroplasts


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاء مَاء فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ النَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّاتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ انظُرُواْ إِلِى ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكُمْ لآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

And He it is Who sends down water from the cloud, then We bring forth with it buds of all (plants), then We bring forth from it green (foliage) from which We produce grain piled up (in the ear); and of the palm-tree, of the sheaths of it, come forth clusters (of dates) within reach, and gardens of grapes and olives and pomegranates, alike and unlike; behold the fruit of it when it yields the fruit and the ripening of it; most surely there are signs in this for a people who believe. [6-99]

The green factory in plants

This Ayat of Quran tells us that there is a 'green' factory in the plants which produces grains. Green factories are built up by the plant at the beginning of its growth and are called by botanists "Chloroplasts" which contain the chlorophyll. Quran uses the term خضرا for these green factories. Chlorophyll absorbs the light necessary for photosynthesis.



 

Chloroplasts

An examination of leaves, stems, and other types of plant tissue reveals the presence of tiny green, spherical structures called chloroplasts, visible here in the cells of an onion root. Chloroplasts are essential to the process of photosynthesis, in which captured sunlight is combined with water and carbon dioxide in the presence of the chlorophyll molecule to produce oxygen and sugars that can be used by animals. Without the process of photosynthesis, the atmosphere would not contain enough oxygen to support animal life.

Richard Kirby/Oxford Scientific Films


 

It is amazing that Quran mentions the chloroplasts and chlorophylls which were discovered many centuries after the revelation of Quran.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:98) – Resting place and depsitory


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِيَ أَنشَأَكُم مِّن نَّفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ فَمُسْتَقَرٌّ وَمُسْتَوْدَعٌ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَفْقَهُونَ

And He it is Who has brought you into being from a single soul, then there is (for you) a resting-place and a depository; indeed We have made plain the communications for a people who understand. [6-98]

M Shakir's Quran Translation

It is He Who hath produced you from a single person: here is a place of sojourn and a place of departure: We detail Our signs for people who understand.

Yusuf Ali's Quran Translation

Creation from a Single being

Creation from a single being نفس واحدة has been discussed in detail under Surah Nisa 4:1.

Resting Place and a Depository

مسقر (resting place) in this Ayat means the womb of the mother and مستودع (depository) means the back of the father. According to some other commentators resting place is the earth and depository is the time of death (See Tafsir Ibn e Kathir 2/127).


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:97) – Stars, a sign of Allah


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ النُّجُومَ لِتَهْتَدُواْ بِهَا فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ قَدْ فَصَّلْنَا الآيَاتِ لِقَوْمٍ يَعْلَمُونَ

And He it is Who has made the stars for you that you might follow the right way thereby in the darkness of the land and the sea; truly We have made plain the communications for a people who know.

M Shakir's Quran Translation

Stars, a Sign of Allah

Star, astronomically, is known as a massive shinning sphere of hot gas. About 5,000 stars can be seen with the naked eye, although not all of these stars are visible at any given time or from any given place. With a small telescope, hundreds of thousands of stars can be seen. The largest telescopes disclose millions of galaxies, which may each contain over 200 billion stars. Modern astronomers believe there are more than 1 x 1022 stars in the universe (this number is very large, a 1 followed by 22 zeros).

The color of stars—ranging from the deepest red through all intermediate shades of orange and yellow to an intense white-blue—depends directly on their temperature. The coolest stars are red and the hottest stars are blue. (Above information can be seen in the article Gingerich, Owen. "Star (astronomy)." Microsoft Encarta 2007)

One out of the countless blessings of Allah is stars who serve many purposes. The star most commonly known to us is the 'Sun'. Without the Sun life of on earth would have been impossible. Allah is drawing our attention to this gigantic blessing. A close look of all the different of energies that we are using on this planet earth we'll come to know that the sole source of them are stars (most important of them is of course the Sun).

North Star, a Natural Compass

Stars (especially North Star) have been used by people since the beginning of life on this planet for finding directions. North Star or Polestar is a conspicuous star in the northern hemisphere, located closest to the point toward which the axis of the Earth is directed, thus roughly marking the location of the north celestial pole. A polestar has been used by navigators throughout recorded history for charting navigation routes and is still used for determining true azimuth and astronomic latitude.

An important message conveyed by this Ayat is that the way stars help you in finding the right path at night if you ponder over this impeccable sign of Allah it would lead you to the 'right path' in the long run and help you distinguish between right and wrong.

Ayaats in Quran which mention Stars

Surah Anaam 6:76,97, Surah Aa'raf 7:54, Surah Yusuf 13:4, Surah Nahl 16:12,16, Surah Hajj 22:18, Surah Noor 24:35, Surah Saafat 37:6,88, Surah Fussilat 41:12, Surah Toor 52:49, Surah Najm 53:1, Surah Waqiyah 56:75, Surah Jinn 72:8, Surah Mursalat 77:8, Surah Takweer 81: 2,15, Surah Infitaar 82:2, Surah Buruj 85:1, Surah Tariq 86:3.


 


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:96) – Night designed for rest, Spherical Shape of the Earth


 


 

فَالِقُ الْإِصْبَاحِ وَجَعَلَ اللَّيْلَ سَكَنًا وَالشَّمْسَ وَالْقَمَرَ حُسْبَانًا ذٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ الْعَزِيزِ الْعَلِيمِ

He causes the dawn to break; and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for reckoning; this is an arrangement of the Mighty, the Knowing.

M Shakir's Quran Translation


 

Spherical Shape of the Earth

The term فالق الاصباح that is breaking the dawn in the Ayat points towards the spherical shape of the earth contrary to what was thought at the time of Prophet Muhammad SAW. There are other Ayats in the Quran where spherical shape is described explicitly. We'll discuss this topic there. (See Surah Shams 91:6)

Ayaats in the Quran which point towards Geo Spherical Shape of the Earth

Surah Anaam 6:96, Surah Hajj 22:6, Surah Luqman 31:29, Surah Faatir 35:13, Surah Hadeed 57:6, Surah Shams 91:6.

Night 'designed' for rest

The second important thing mentioned in the Ayat is that Allah has made the night peaceful, in other words night is specially designed for sleep and rest. Modern Scientific discoveries uncover this secret.

Melatonin

First interesting thing is the discovery of hormone which makes one 'sleepy'. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that is released into the bloodstream during the hours of darkness. While scientists continue to study the function of melatonin in humans, they believe the hormone plays a role in the body's circadian rhythm. This rhythm regulates the physiological functions that occur in the body within a 24-hour period, such as sleep-wake cycles, fluctuations in body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Scientists theorize that because melatonin levels are low during the day and high at night, melatonin may instruct the body when it is day or night, enabling the body to adapt and meet the demands of its changing environment. Melatonin may also provide seasonal cues by, for instance, informing the body about the longer nights that occur in winter and the shorter nights in summer.

Other studies have found that melatonin levels in the body decline with age in humans, leading some researchers to speculate that melatonin acts as an antiaging hormone by alleviating some of the adverse effects of aging such as heart disease. (Turek, Fred W. "Melatonin." Microsoft Encarta 2007)

The hormone melatonin prepares the body for sleep by slowing down peoples' physical movements, making them sleepy and tired, and functioning as a natural tranquillizer that eases their minds. During sleep, heartbeat and respiration rhythms slow down and blood pressure falls. In the morning, the production of the hormones stops and the body is stimulated to awaken. ("Melatoning the Growth Hormone, "Health Journal)


 

Reduced Photosynthesis and perspiration in plants

Many activities that take place during the day slow down and rest during the night. In plants, for instance, perspiration in leaves and photosynthesis begin to rise when the Sun rises. In the afternoon, the situation is reversed. In other words, photosynthesis slows down and respiration increases since perspiration is accelerated as the temperature rises. At night time, as the temperature falls, perspiration slows down and the plant rests. Most plants would die if just one night failed to take place. From that point of view, night means rest and reinvigoration for plants, just as it does for human beings. ("Light, Temperature and Humidity," Texas Agricultural Extension Service)


 

Reduced Movement even at the molecular level

Another Interesting discovery is that movement even at the molecular level decreases at night. The radiation emitted by the Sun during the day activates the atoms and molecules in Earth's atmosphere and causes them to achieve higher energy levels. As darkness falls, the atoms and molecules fall to lower energy levels and start to give off radiation. ("Night-time on Venus", January 18, 2001)


 

And We made the night to be a covering
(Surah Naba 78:10)


 


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al An’aam (6:95) – Food Cycle, Splitting of Seed and Grain


 


 

إِنَّ اللّهَ فَالِقُ الْحَبِّ وَالنَّوَى يُخْرِجُ الْحَيَّ مِنَ الْمَيِّتِ وَمُخْرِجُ الْمَيِّتِ مِنَ الْحَيِّ ذَلِكُمُ اللّهُ فَأَنَّى تُؤْفَكُونَ

Surely Allah causes the grain and the stone to germinate; He brings forth the living from the dead and He is the bringer forth of the dead from the living; that is Allah! How are you then turned away?

M Shakir's Quran Translation

It is Allah Who causeth the seed-grain and the date-stone to split and sprout. He causeth the living to issue from the dead, and He is the one to cause the dead to issue from the living. That is Allah: then how are ye deluded away from the truth?

Yusuf Ali's Quran Translation

Food Cycle

There are many Ayaats in the holy Quran in which bringing up living up from dead is mentioned with the germination of grains and stone (seed). This draws our attention is drawn to a food cycle. When a living thing dies, micro organisms quickly cause it to decompose. The dead body is thus divided up into organic molecules that mix with the soil and form the basic source of food for plants, animals, and, ultimately, humanity. Were it not for this nutritional cycle, life would not be possible.

Bacteria are responsible for meeting all living things' mineral and food needs. Plants and some animals, which remain almost dead (hibernation) throughout the winter, revive in the summer and meet all of their mineral and food requirements through the activities of bacteria during the winter. Throughout the winter, bacteria separate organic wastes (i.e., dead plants and animals) and turn them into minerals.

Thus, when living things reawaken in spring, they find food ready and waiting for them. Thanks to bacteria, a "spring cleaning" has been carried out in their environment and the necessary amount of food has been prepared for nature as it returns to life in the spring.

(See Harun Yahya's book Allah's Miracles in The Holy Quran Pg 236)

Splitting of the Seed and the Grain

This Ayat consists of a number of scientific facts and spiritual glimpses found in the Holy Quran that is not preceded by any other scientific book. 

First of all, the verse differentiated between the grain حب and seed/stone نوى. Scientifically, the seed or the grain is considered a complete fruit like all kinds of grains, corn, wheat, barley. While the stone/seed is a part of the fruit like the date seed, peach, grapes and kidney beans. Quran differentiates between seed and grain before the development of modern botany.

 Secondly, the verse drew a link between the process of the splitting of the grain and seed and the process of bringing out the dead from the living and the living from the dead.   Carbohydrates, fats, proteins minerals, salts and water are stored in the seed and grain in a form of dead nutritious substances, when these substances move through the Plasma membrane of the grain and cells. The seed and grain changes to become a living cytoplasm and the cell of the rootlet and dycoteledon become alive.

It is an astonishing fact that Quran mentions these minute facts many centuries before it being discovered by the humans. The only conclusion that can be drawn from this verity is that Quran is the word of the creator himself.

Prof.Dr.Nazmi Khalil Abo-el-atta Mousa Ph.D. Botany, Ain Shams University, Egypt has discussed the verse in great detail. For more details see his Article It is God Who Causes the Seed – Grain.

Its miracles will never cease

Quran is a book full of miracles. In the above mentioned Ayat we see that it has been explained in two different ways. There are various Ayaats of the Quran which have several meanings. It is not necessary that we have to 'choose' the correct 'interpretation'. Both the interpretations can be 'totally' correct at the same time. This is the glory of the Holy Quran; as it is mentioned in the Prophetic saying quoted in Jami' Tirmidhi that 'its miracles will never end'.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:73) – Scientific Evidence on Oneness of Allah


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ وَيَوْمَ يَقُولُ كُن فَيَكُونُ قَوْلُهُ الْحَقُّ وَلَهُ الْمُلْكُ يَوْمَ يُنفَخُ فِي الصُّوَرِ عَالِمُ الْغَيْبِ وَالشَّهَادَةِ وَهُوَ الْحَكِيمُ الْخَبِيرُ

And He it is Who has created the heavens and the earth with truth, and on the day He says: Be, it is. His word is the truth, and His is the kingdom on the day when the trumpet shall be blown; the Knower of the unseen and the seen; and He is the Wise, the Aware.

M Shakir's Quran Translation [6-73]

There are at least 64 Ayaats in which the Quran draws our attention towards the heavens and the earth. There are uncountable signs of Allah in the heavens and the earth. If one ponders over these signs he is sure to realize that there is some super natural being that created this universe, whose boundaries are still unknown to us. If one keeps on pondering than he'll realize that God is One.

Scientific Evidence on Oneness of Allah

Ibrahim B.Syed, PhD writes in his article 'Scientific evidence on oneness of Allah':

The concept of oneness is the strongest foundation of Islam that is the unity of God. We can convince non Muslims on this subject if we do this scientifically, rationally or logically. All matter is made of atoms. The simplest atom is the atom of Hydrogen which consists of a proton (+ positively charged) and an electron (- negatively charged) orbiting around the nucleus. 75% of matter in the universe consists of Hydrogen and the rest is made of Helium which is in the stars such as our sun where nuclear fusion (deuterium and tritium fuse to form Helium and Energy) takes place resulting in release of energy (heat and light). 

The physicists have determined accurately the mass, charge, spin, etc of the proton and the electron. The diameter of the proton, the distance between the proton and the electron has also been precisely determined. The proton to electron mass ratio is 1837. That is one proton is equal to 1837 electrons. Why the ratio is 1837 and not 1500 or 2000? The answer will give you the existence of God. 

When the hydrogen found on any planet in the solar system or in our sun is analyzed, we find it to be identical to that found on the earth. Our sun is one of the 200 billion stars in our Galaxy called the Milky Way Galaxy. The hydrogen in any star in the Milky Way Galaxy is identical to that found on earth. There are about 200 billion Galaxies in the Universe. The nearest Galaxy is the Andromeda Galaxy. The properties of Hydrogen in any Galaxy are identical to that found on Earth. 

(Excerpted with modifications from Ibrahim B.Syed, PhD's article 'Scientific evidence on oneness')

We all see that the physical laws governing the universe are the same every where. This proves that there is a 'single' creator and hence there is only one God who has created the whole universe in perfect equilibrium and with countless signs so that we ponder over them.

For more detail and the complete list of the 64 Ayaats where Quran draws our attention towards the heavens and the earth see Surah Baqarah 2:164.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:60) – Sleep, an experience by soul and a metaphor of death


 


 

وَهُوَ الَّذِي يَتَوَفَّاكُم بِاللَّيْلِ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا جَرَحْتُم بِالنَّهَارِ ثُمَّ يَبْعَثُكُمْ فِيهِ لِيُقْضَى أَجَلٌ مُّسَمًّى ثُمَّ إِلَيْهِ مَرْجِعُكُمْ ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُكُم بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَعْمَلُونَ

And He it is Who takes your souls at night (in sleep), and He knows what you acquire in the day, then He raises you up therein that an appointed term may be fulfilled; then to Him is your return, then He will inform you of what you were doing.

M Shakir's Quran Translation

It is He who doth take your souls by night, and hath knowledge of all that ye have done by day: by day doth He raise you up again; that a term appointed be fulfilled; In the end unto Him will be your return; then will He show you the truth of all that ye did.

Yusuf Ali's Quran Translation

Sleep is the state of natural rest observed in humans and throughout the animal kingdom, in all mammals and birds, and in many reptiles, amphibians, and fish. In humans, other mammals, and many other animals that have been studied such as fish, birds, ants, and fruit-flies regular sleep is necessary for survival.

Sleep a Virtual Experience by Soul

Sleep is nothing more than a state of 'virtual reality'. When we are sleeping to us the whole thing seems 'real'. We go on trips, meet new people, play games, get hurt, and feel happy or sad in dreams though we are lying in our bad 'peacefully'. Although the room in which we are is empty still we here voices. There is no TV screen in front of us, even our eyes are closed still we see many beautiful landscapes. This proves that these eyes and ears which are seeing and listening are not the material eyes. Allah takes away the soul and these virtual images are programmed by Him and the eyes which witness are the eyes of the soul and the ears which listen are the ears of the soul. Had it been your 'material' body you'd still be having the wounds on it you got in the dream.

Sleep, a metaphor of death

In the above Ayat Allah has mentioned the taking away of soul. The word used is one which is used for death. Sleep is thought to be the sister of death, because in both of these soul is taken away. In death the soul is taken away permanently and in sleep for a temporary period. Another difference is that in death along with soul, biological life is also taken away but in dream the biological life remains and the body systems keep on working. Quran uses the word death for sleep and in Bible there are many verses in which the word sleep is used for death. For instance:

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the ground will awake, these to everlasting life, but the others to disgrace and everlasting contempt."
(Dan 12:2)

Thou carriest them away as with a flood; they are as a sleep: in the morning they are like grass which groweth up. (Ps 90:5)

Another interesting verse in the Bible points to the activity of conscience (soul) at night.

I will praise the Lord, who advises me. My conscience warns me at night.
(PS 16:7)

Sleep, as a metaphor of death also proves conscious life after death. Those who deny the life after death should ponder how Allah raises them from 'death' every day. In the same way he'll raise them on the Day of Judgment.


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

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Surah Al An’aam (6:38) – Societies among animals and birds


 


 

وَمَا مِن دَآبَّةٍ فِي الأَرْضِ وَلاَ طَائِرٍ يَطِيرُ بِجَنَاحَيْهِ إِلاَّ أُمَمٌ أَمْثَالُكُم مَّا فَرَّطْنَا فِي الكِتَابِ مِن شَيْءٍ ثُمَّ إِلَى رَبِّهِمْ يُحْشَرُونَ

And there is no animal that walks upon the earth nor a bird that flies with its two wings but (they are) genera like yourselves; We have not neglected anything in the Book, then to their Lord shall they be gathered.

M Shakir's Quran Translation[6-38]

Societies amongst Animals and Birds

As a result of modern-day animal and bird ecology study, we know that all animals and birds live in the form of separate societies. Lengthy and wide-ranging studies have shown that there is a rather systematic social order among animals.

Social Life of Honey Bees

Honey bees, for example, whose social life amazes scientists, build their nests in colonies in tree hollows or other covered areas. A bee colony consists of a queen, a few hundred males and 10-80,000 workers. As we have already mentioned, there is only one queen in every colony and her fundamental task is that of laying eggs. In addition, she secretes important substances which maintain the unity of the colony and allow the system within the hive to function. The males' only function is to fertilize the queen. All other functions such as building honey combs in the hive, gathering food, creating royal jelly, regulating the temperature of the hive, cleanliness and defense are carried out by the workers. There is order in every phase of life in the hive. All duties, from caring for the larvae to provision of the general needs of the hive, are performed without fail.

Social Life of Ants

Despite having the greatest numbers in the world, ants also exhibit an order which can serve as an example to human beings in many areas: technology, collective labour, military strategy, an advanced communications network, a hierarchical order, discipline and flawless town planning. Ants live in societies known as colonies and in such order amongst themselves that one could even say that they have a civilization similar to that of human beings.

As ants produce and store their food, they also watch over their young, defend the colony and wage war against their enemies. There are even colonies which engage in "sewing," "agriculture" and "animal rearing." These animals have a very powerful communications network amongst themselves. Their social organization and expertise are far superior to any other living thing.

(Harun Yahya has written a separate book on the miracles related to ant. See his book Miracle in the Ant)

Communal animals with ordered lives also operate together in the face of danger. For instance, when birds of prey such as hawks or owls enter the area, smaller birds surround these birds en masse. They then produce a special sound to draw other birds to the area. The aggressive behaviour displayed by small birds en masse generally drives birds of prey away. (Edward O. Wilson, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis)


 

A flock of birds flying together protects all its members in the same way. For instance, a flock of starlings flying together leave a wide distance between one another. When they see a hawk, however, they close the distance between them. They thus make it harder for the hawk to dive in amidst the flock. Even if the hawk does so, it will be acting to its own detriment. Its wings will be damaged and it will be unable to hunt.

Mammals also act in consort when there is an attack on the group. For example, zebras take their young into the middle of the herd when they flee from enemies. Dolphins also swim in groups and fight off their greatest enemy, sharks, as a group. (Russell Freedman, How Animals Defend Their Young, 66-69)


 

There are countless examples of and a great many details concerning the social lives of animals. These facts acquired about animals are the result of long years of research. As we have seen, the information about animals given in the Qur'an-as in all areas-shows that the book of Islam is indeed the word of Allah.

(Above information has been excerpted with slight modifications from Harun Yahya's book Allah's Miracles in the Quran Page 224-226)


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com

Surah Al An’aam (6:14) – Creation from Nothing


 


 

قُلْ أَغَيْرَ اللّهِ أَتَّخِذُ وَلِيًّا فَاطِرِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَهُوَ يُطْعِمُ وَلاَ يُطْعَمُ قُلْ إِنِّيَ أُمِرْتُ أَنْ أَكُونَ أَوَّلَ مَنْ أَسْلَمَ وَلاَ تَكُونَنَّ مِنَ الْمُشْرِكَينَ

Say: Shall I take a guardian besides Allah, the Originator of the heavens and the earth, and He feeds (others) and is not (Himself) fed. Say: I am commanded to be the first who submits himself, and you should not be of the polytheists.

M Shakir's Quran Translation[6-14]

Creation from Nothing

This Ayat tells us that Allah is فاطر (originator) of the heavens and the Earth. Other Ayaats of the Quran also use the word بديع for originator. Both these term refer to the creation out of nothing.

Word Analysis:


Hazrat Ibn e Abbas said that I came to know the exact meaning of فاطر from a Bedouin. He was fighting with one of his companion. They had some controversy over a well. The Bedouin said انا فطرتها meaning that I created it first. Hence, meaning of this Ayat becomes that Allah formed this universe out of nothing without any previous example
(Tafsir Ibn e Kathir 4/382, under the explanation of 35:1). This topic has been discussed in detail under Surah Baqarah 2:117.

Ayaats on 'origin' of universe from nothing:

Using the word بَدِيع: Surah Baqarah 2:17, Surah Anaam 6:101.

Using the word فاطر: Surah Anaam 6:14, Surah Yusuf 12:101, Surah Faatir 35:1, Surah Zumar 39:46, Surah Shura 42:11.


 


 


 

See the complete list of Scientific Miracles in Surah Al An'aam here


 

Comments, Queries and Suggestion at

Muhammad.Awais.Tahir@gmail.com