Signs, Science & Creature from the Earth

MSA objected to my literal approach to studying the Quran 

My Response: Of course, Allah knows best! 

I try to understand through whatever little knowledge of science we have, but science itself is in the toddler stage - discovering and learning, and then unlearning to learn better. 

From the little we think we know, an organism's genome (complete set of DNA) contains all the information needed to build and maintain that organism. In humans, all cells with a nucleus contain a copy of the entire genome, about 3 billion DNA base pairs. We have come to know that the DNA molecule is a double-helix. We have also come to know that the heart muscle is also a double-helix. Though science has not yet established any connection between the shape of the heart and the shape of the DNA, it has discovered neurons in the heart which communicate with the brain. 

Quran and prior scriptures inform us of the huge importance of the heart. The more we discover, the more we begin to understand, the deeper the realisation of how much we do not know. All I know is that the Creator who taught us speech has complete command over language and thus the guidance He has sent us must be literally accurate and lucid. Since the Quran repeatedly exhorts the use of 'aql', I try to make sense of what I read. I may understand this, I may not understand that, but as I try to understand, I continue on this amazing, wondrous journey of fascination with the text of the Quran. 

Samiya 

http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/  

MSA responded: "I try to understand through whatever little knowledge of science we have, but science itself is in the toddler stage - discovering and learning, and then unlearning to learn better."

Agreeing with the above stipulation, I humbly submit that placing science side-by side with the Quran is unfair to the former.

For: 

-Science has been existing from time immemorial. It picked up speed only after humans started thinking 'scientifically.' Science took off like a phantom in the late 1700s. If considered the age of science from this angle, it is about 400 years old.

-Science does not claim that what it says about something is final. Science is based on experiments. It conducts them, repeats them, checks and rechecks its findings and when science is relatively confident with them, only then it shares its experiments and findings with us. But when the finding of an experiment is found to be defective or untrue, science reverses itself and continues to experiment to go to the bottom of the matter at hand.

-Despite its young age, science has given us so many things that we can hardly count just in one go. The internet that we have been using for communication is a gift of science. The cell phone, which we use so often is also a gift of science. The instruments that surgeons use to perform surgery on human hearts came from science. The life-saving drugs owe their origin to science.

-Conversely, what the Religious Scriptures tell us is final. No experiment is required, nor any proof is called for, or is ever produced.

Religions cannot reverse what these taught their adherents. One example should suffice here: 

-Three major religions of the world tell us that the first two humans were created in heaven, and then pushed to the earth after the couple disobeyed their creator's order. The creation of those two humans cannot be replicated on earth, nor can it be proven with

any testimony or evidence. Just believing in what the Scriptures tell us is the "belief" that their followers must follow without asking questions. The Quran makes believing in the "Unseen" a cardinal belief for all the Muslims.

-Islam is the latest monotheistic religion. To a great extent, it succeeded Judaism and Christianity. Islam is over 1400 years old. If compared with science, Islam is older to it by about 1000 years.

-Despite being around for such a long period of time, we can hardly find any scientific contribution from this religion. It does not mean that Muslims have contributed nothing to the wellbeing of mankind. They have, but it was not due to Islam, as what the Jews, Christians and the followers of other religions have given to humanity was also not due to the their religious beliefs.

-Scientists were curious, asked questions, sought answers and thus their scientific contributions, which we see all around us today, came to their grip in the form of answers to questions they asked of themselves and of others who had answers to them. 

-In the world of religions, asking questions is often a taboo. Seeking truth is covertly forbidden. Inquiring into unknown is not generally encouraged, or appreciated. Sharing thoughts that are not religiously sanctioned is frowned up, and often the bearers of such thoughts are scorned, sanctioned, ex-communicated or declared unwanted in the societies they belong to.

Therefore, I strongly believe science and religions cannot be partners in endeavors that many humans undertake to make our lives easier and comfortable. Religions are more interested in the devotions of their followers. Offering Salat five times a day, is one of them.

In short, the life of hereafter for the religionists takes precedence over all things and matters on earth! Science is above this; it places no demands on the beneficiaries of its inventions, nor does it ask for a 'thank you' from the people who get a new life with its help!! 

My Response: [Quran 27:82] And when (is) fulfilled the word against them, We will bring forth for them a creature from the earth speaking to them, that the people were, of Our Signs, not certain. 

[http://islamawakened.com/quran/27/82/ ]

You state that 'Science is above this; it places no demands on the beneficiaries of its inventions, nor does it ask for a 'thank you' from the people who get a new life with its help!!'  

The day is not far when Science will demand thanks, and those who did not strengthen their faith will knowledge will be deceived into worshipping the science which would appear to benefit them. 

[Quran 36:69,70] And not We taught him [the] poetry, and not it is befitting for him. Not it (is) except a Reminder and a Quran clear, To warn (him) who is alive and may be proved true the Word against the disbelievers. 

[http://islamawakened.com/quran/36/69/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/36/70/ ] 

AP asks: Can  you tell me, Samyia, what is the point of your message. What are you trying to proof with the Qur'an verses you sent? thanks 

Answer: Just reminding those who believe that eventually our faith will be put to the test, hence it is essential that we have assured faith. To my mind, that is only possible through studying the scriptures and understanding the verses, employing all our faculties of reasoning and logic. MSA contends that science should not be employed to understand the verses of the scripture. I disagree. Employing science helps us verify if the scripture claiming divine origin is indeed so or not, and if it is from the Creator, then understanding what it says becomes the duty of the recipient. After all, it's a message from The Lord of the Worlds!  

God, Quran, love and good deeds.....

According to my understanding of Islam, as is in the Quran, all those who believe in the Unity of the One and Only Creator, worship Him alone, do good deeds and live a good honest life, and bear with patience whatever trials life brings their way, take care of those around them especially the poor, needy and orphans, and do all this not to be seen of ( and rewarded/applauded by) men, but for the love of God, have nothing to fear, as Allah is Most Just, Most Merciful, Ever Loving, and nobody will suffer any injustice in the least.
Also, Allah invites all humans again and again to guidance and truth, and offers forgiveness for all things past, if a person willingly comes to truth, and solemnly resolves to give up all sinful deeds and live a just and faithful life. In fact, the doors of repentance are open till before the time a person sees the angel of death/ knows that his/her time is up….. as then it is too late……. We are required to realize the Oneness of the Only Creator/Sustainer through the signs (and science) all around us. We are supposed to reflect and wonder and arrive at the conclusion ourselves that all this around us is not mere chance, that there must be a Creator and all this is His creation, and that it stands to reason that there can be no more than One Creator.
Allah has sent prophets and books for guidance to mankind throughout the ages. Muhammad was the last messenger, and the Holy Quran the final revelation, which Allah has thus taken it upon Himself to protect it from changes, as no more revelations are to be sent. As this is a divine book, and we humans would wonder whether this actually is the very word of God, Allah has kept multiple layers of miracles in it to appeal to all ages and all intellects. It appeals to the morality of our very conscience, and seems to speak the same language. It focuses on the rights of individuals and relations, and strives to create a socially just and vibrant society, where justice, compassion and peace are the order of the day. It exhorts it readers to wonder, look around, explore all things around, and gives such exact descriptions of certain scientific phenomenon that one wonders just how could anybody except God Himself author such a perfect account of everything. Historically, it narrates the accounts of the prophets and the peoples of the past in terms so precise and to-the-point, without unnecessarily romanticising, unlike any such description found in any other book. It foretells certain facts which have turned out to be true. It is mathematically guarded such that not a single alphabet of the Arabic text can be deleted or altered. And to those who’ve read it before, reading again and again reveals layers upon layers of meaning, spiritually raising the reader to higher dimensions of understanding and faith.
To know that God is, and to love Him and obey Him, as He deserves to be loved and obeyed, for to Him we owe all thanks, for the gift of life and all else, and to Him is our final return.

God's reasons

Q: I was sick & god made me well, healed me!" I say "sure but "it" made or allowed you to get sick in the first place, so what? Besides what does the crea­tor get out of all this suffering?" And the gullible says "god has his rea­sons".( why "his".. not "hers"or "its"? we have been programmed well) Fine I say "what are they?"

A: Well, according to what I’ve understood from the Quran, first of all, God speaks in shifting pronouns and tells us that He is One and Only and nothing we can imagine. Also, the pronouns He uses for Himself are I and We…. both neutral, that is can be used by male, female or neuter gender. Also, in atleast in Arabic language, unless specifically speaking about females, the general style of speech is in the male tense.And the answer to your second question is that God says that He inflicts us with disease, hunger, poverty, adversities to bring us closer to Him as when we humans are affluent, most of us generally like to take credit for it all and consider it all our own achievements and good practices, but when struck by adversity, we feel helpless and turn towards God. He also says that all the riches of the world are nothing in His eyes, and if He so wanted, He would give mansions of gold and silver to all the non-believers to thoroughly enjoy their brief life on Earth, but the only reason He does not do that is because He wishes to guide those who seek guidance………. Humans are weak and easily impressive…….. and need help both in the physical and the spiritual realm!
I did sort of explain my view to someone earlier regarding life on earth, please check out this blog entry:http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/12/all-loving-perfect-god.html

Who do Muslims adore?

Question: I'm curious. Who do Muslims adore?

Answer: 'Adore' as in worship? Allah, the Unseen, the Creator of the heavens and earth, the Gracious, the Most Merciful, the Cherisher and Sustainer of all the Worlds, Master of the day of Judgement, Him alone do we worship, and Him alone do we seek help from, and Him do we ask that He guides us on the correct path... the path of those who were blessed, and to protect us from going astray, and from becoming like those who have earned His wrath.There are no images of Allah as there is 'no one comparable to Him'.

The very obvious stupidity contained in every belief system

Question: A thinker wrote:
The very obvious stupidity contained in every belief system is the result of accepting as true the statements of others without checking against personal experience. This is made even worse by the mental laziness that people use in order to take short cuts. All the different classes of belief do the same thing and consequently the world is in a mess caused by lazy, expediency focused thinking.

Answer: Very true about most denizens of planet Earth. The very first, most important thing to do is to observe with all our senses, and use our intellect to determine whether or not this Universe / Multiverse came about itself, or if there is an/are multiple intelligent designs behind it. If there is/are, then what is more plausible: one intelligent creator or multiple creators?? If authority can reside with only One person, then who is this person and how do we find this Creator/ how do we revere and worship/ and is that the purpose of our creation/ what is life, and is there or not a life beyond this Earth/ and if so, will there be a reckoning??? Is there a message that this God has sent, how do we know which is the true message when there are so many multiple faith systems, so many religions, so many claims????? My personal method is to evaluate all Holy Books for accuracy/ truth/ consistency/ evaluation of scientific data/ mathematical data/ moral code/ fairness and justice, and only one Book has met all of these parameters…. The Holy Quran….. so, I believe that it is the Word of God. Since God himself says in the Holy Quran that He is Allah, that Muhammad is His messenger, and that the Quran is a Book without doubt; a Guidance for the Muttaqeen (those who are aware of Allah all the time; love him for his Love for us, and fear Him as He is the only one to be feared; and as the Day of Reckoning will definitely come). May the true God guide us all.

Muslim perspective of Prayer

Muslim Perspective of Prayer:

As muslims, we believe in the power of Prayer. It is an integral part of our lives. We pray atleast five times a day: early morning, just after midday, late afternoon, just after sunset and at night. These are the five compulsory prayers which help connects the individual to the Creator. Our prayers take a minimum of five minutes at a time, but can be lengthened as much as one wishes. There are three main aspects to our prayers:
1. The physical poses: standing, sitting, bowing, prostrating___ complete exercise of the body, something similar to the various positions of original Jewish prayers and yoga.
2. Then comes the wordings or the content of the prayer: we repeat the first seven lines of the very first chapter of the Holy Quran which is a very comprehensive prayer for all humankind. We also recite some portion of the Holy Quran after that to remind ourselves of the message….. praying five times a day keeps reminding us of our real purpose, and helps keep us focused. It reminds us to continue and improve on whatever good that we do, and stay away from all evil. It teaches compassion, humility, discipline, punctuality and so many other good virtues. The reason that you do not see that in the behavior of most muslims is that many do not pray, and some of those who do: do so without understanding…. as a mere ritual. Thus, they are not able to benefit from their prayers.
3. We also pray to Allah for whatever we desire, both in this world and the hereafter. Allah listens to all prayers and grants whatever He decides in His Wisdom is best for us. He is the Most Beneficient, Most Merciful………. He knows what is good for us.

We are told in the Holy Quran that humans have been endowed with free will, and because Allah is just, He has sent us to this world which is basically a place of trial, so that each one of us humans can prove whether we deserve to go to Heaven or Hell………. Allah in His complete knowledge knows our fundamental natures, yet He has given us the free will, and an open-book exam, the book being the Holy Quran, which is a Book of guidance for all humans. The ups and downs of this world, the wealth, the poverty, the health, the sickness, loss of loved ones, shattered dreams, getting more than expectations, living a good life, poor standard of living, all are basically trials for the soul. The good things are not rewards, neither are the difficult times a punishment………… judgment is for the Hereafter………………. This is all a trial. Prayer is the most powerful tool, and we are reminded again and again in the Holy Quran that
a. Those who believe in Allah and the Hereafter
b. Those who pray
c. Those who do good deeds
d. Those who endure with patience
These are the ones who will be successful in the Hereafter, which is the real life………….. the eternal life!

On the scientific side, I was recently reading somewhere that some scientists studying quantum physics theorize that this world is basically a virtual reality, an illusion, a matrix-like scenario, the proof of which they find in the uncertainity principle itself, in the vibrations of the quantum mechanics, and the necessity of an observer for an event to actually take place!

More on Muslim Prayer:

Other than the five compulsory prayers, one can pray as much as one wants. The prayer in the late hours of the night is most advisable and carries great rewards. It is a time of solitude when a muslim leaves the comfort of the bed and shortens the sleep so that he/she can have some private ‘quality’ time with the Creator. At that time, no one is watching, and the prayer and devotion is solely for the love of Allah! But, praying throughout the night is discouraged, as one must get enough rest and sleep, so as to be able to spend the day in a productive way. We, as muslims, must live complete lives, playing all our roles properly, i.e. living the family life, earning a living, taking care of the community, seeking a good education, etc, etc. The prayer just described, and in the previous mail is known as Salaat.

Then comes Fasting, which is compulsory for a month once a year. The month is the lunar month called Ramadhan of the Islamic calendar, being observed all over the world these days. Fasting has been prescribed in the month of Ramadhan because the Holy Quran was sent down in this holy month. Fasting carries a lot of spiritual, bodily, and other worldly benefits with it. Spiritually, one feels good about obeying Allah by not eating or drinking from dawn to dusk, and realizes also that if we can not eat and drink for the sake of Allah, then we can eschew other sins also for the sake of Allah. We can control our anger, we can refrain from lying, cheating and so many other social vices that are prohibited similarly through out the year…. We have the ability, what is needed is the will to do so. We realize how the poor suffer from hunger, how difficult life must be for them, and thus compassion for fellow beings is generated. It is medical research that fasting for a month once a year is most beneficial for the digestive system, especially the liver.
Holy Quran, Chapter 2:
183
O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,-

184
(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew.
185
Ramadhan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful.

Then comes Charity, the next equally important form of prayer. One must spend on the welfare of parents, relatives, orphans, travelers, and all who need help… those who ask, and also seek out those who are really needy but are too proud to ask, and in the way of Allah. Allah says that no charity goes to waste, rather, He increases the rewards manifold.
The Holy Quran:
The likeness of those who spend their wealth in the Way of Allah, is as the likeness of a grain (of corn); it grows seven ears, and each ear has a hundred grains. Allah gives manifold increase to whom He pleases. And Allah is All-Sufficient for His creatures needs, All-Knower. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #261)
Kind words and forgiving of faults are better than Sadaqah (charity) followed by injury. And Allah is Rich (Free of all wants) and He is Most-Forbearing. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #263)
O you who believe! Do not render in vain your Sadaqah (charity) by reminders of your generosity or by injury, like him who spends his wealth to be seen of men, and he does not believe in Allah, nor in the Last Day. His likeness is the likeness of a smooth rock on which is a little dust; on it falls heavy rain which leaves it bare. They are not able to do anything with what they have earned. And Allah does not guide the disbelieving people. ( سورة البقرة , Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #264)
Those who spend (in Allahs Cause - deeds of charity, alms, etc.) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon men; verily, Allah loves Al-Muhsinoon (the gooddoers). ( سورة آل عمران , Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #134)

To those who can afford it, Pilgrimage once in a lifetime is ordained. We go to Makkah in Saudi Arabia, cicumambulate the Kaabah, and re-live the the rites of great Prophet Abraham. We run between the hills of Safa and Marwa to re-live the anguish of the poor mother Hagar of Prophet Ishmael who was running from one hilltop to another looking for water for her child. We drink from the well of Zamzam, which miraculously appeared where the baby Ishmael was lying, kicking his feet, crying due to thirst. Scientists have tried to find the source of this water, and they have just no explanation where this appeared from in the middle of the desert, and continues to supply water for the pilgrims to this day. We go to Mina, stay there glorifying Allah, then go to field of Arafat on the day of the Pilgrimage, ie 9th ZilHajj, then spend the night in Muzdallifah, praying, resting, and collecting tiny stones. Armed with the stones, we return to Mina in the morning, and go to symbolically stone the devil at the three places where he had tried to deceive Abraham by talking him out of sacrificing his first born, as per his dream and the custom prevalent in those times. Then we sacrifice an animal, in memory of how Allah had graciously accepted the sacrifice of Abraham, and replaced Ishmael with an animal, while Abraham had covered his eyes and lowered the knife to carry out the will of Allah. Allah had saved Ishmael, as all He wanted was to test Abraham and Ishmael, and see if they were completely muslims(submitting to the will of Allah) or whether love for life or child would hinder either of them. They passed with flying colours, and muslims remember and re-live it, which helps increase faith. The sacrificed animal is to be eaten, shared with family, neighbours, relatives, the poor and needy. Thus, there is no needless killing or waste, the sacrifice becoming a part of the great circle of life.

The great thing about being a muslim is that we do not need to go through any ‘in-betweens’ to communicate with Allah. Any time we need to talk to Him, remember Him, or ask for help, we can just directly speak to Him, sitting, standing, lying, or if possible, formally praying. And the great thing, we know for sure that He is hearing each and every word, and He will either grant us our wish, or give something better instead. Even when, apparently, our wish is not being granted, we know that its either due to the trial that we must go through, or that it is somehow not the right thing for us, as Allah, in His complete knowledge knows that our wish, if fulfilled, will be to our physical or spiritual detriment.

Allah is the Most-Beneficient, Forever Merciful, and loves all of us. That is why, He invites mankind again and again to believe in Him, and not associate any with Him. He says He will forgive all sins of those who repent sincerely, and then worship and obey Him, as guided in the Holy Quran.
May Allah bless and guide us all. Amen