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Friday Sermon: Excursions in Islam 4: The Holy Quran

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By Babatunde Jose

The Last Book sent by Allah, is the Quran:  Revealed for 23 years 610-632 CE.  Belief in Quran is central, fundamental and non-negotiable in Islam. The Quran in Arabic is believed to be the actual word of Allah: But translations are not, as they are renderings of the meaning and reading; a translation, it is claimed, is not equal to the recitation of the actual Arabic text of the Qur’an. Even though the Quran is still the Word of Allah, and a symbol of “Islamism”, part of the social rituals and component of the spiritual rituals (like salat); howbeit, without understanding the content, Muslims still have faith in it. Today only 20% of Muslims can understand the Quran in its original Arabic! Yet, they believe and turn to helpful sources such as translations, commentaries and dictionaries of the Quran.  Though these sources are useful, they are also full of problems: Translations come with the translator’s understanding and prejudice •Tafsir are often out of reach for various reasons •Dictionaries do not provide full understanding and sometimes these resources confuse rather than enlighten.

The revelation started during the month of Ramadan and continued for 23 years till the prophet died. The canonical text was not achieved until twenty years after the Prophet’s death. The Quranic material which had been preserved in written and oral forms was then carefully collected at the behest of the third caliph, Uthman, who published it as the only officially authorized version of the Quran (Uthmanic Codex).

The very word Quran seems to mean ‘recitation’, particularly recitation for liturgical purposes. Muslim tradition advanced the view that the Quran characterized Muhammad (in Q 7:157–8) as al-nabı l-ummı meaning ‘the prophet who did not know how to write’. The Quran also frequently refers itself as al-kitab, ‘the book’.

Muslim tradition reports that an early collection may have been prepared in the caliphate of Abu Bakr 1632–4,which was later kept by the caliph Umar 634–44 and then by the latter’s daughter Hafsa, widow of the Prophet. More specific are the accounts that ascribe the preparation of an official written copy to the time of the third caliph, Uthman 644–55. This official ‘Uthmanic Codex’ is generally considered to be the archetype for the Quran as we have it today. The 1924 Cairo edition of the Quran is however the most widely used version today.

Jewish and Christian missionaries have leveled many criticisms against the Quran and this took added impetus during and after the Crusades 1095 – 1492 AD. The ensuing rise of Islamophobia has not been helped by the subsequent bad blood that had since developed between the two faiths (the partition of Palestine and colonization of Muslim nations by the West. Yet they are both successors to Abraham. Karen Armstrong claims that there are “far more numerous passages in the Quran” which speak positively of the Jews and their great prophets, than those which were against the “rebellious Jewish tribes of Medina” (during Muhammad’s time); The Battle for God; Karen Armstrong.

Even though the Quran criticizes the Christian worship of Jesus as God, and other practices and doctrines of both Judaism and Christianity, the Quran still has high praise for these religions, regarding them as the other two parts of the Abrahamic trinity. The expression ‘the People of the Book’ occurs 31 times in the Quran. The Quran also uses other expressions to refer to the People of the Book, such as alladhīna ūtū al-kitāb (those who have received the Book), which occurs 15 times, and other expressions that indicate that they were given the Book, and ahl al-dhikr (the people of the remembrance), which occurs twice. The Qur’an names the Jewish people as yahūd (nine times), hūdan (three times), alladhīna hādū (10 times) and banū Isrāʾīl (40 times), and uses the term naṣārā for Christians in 14 places. The Qur’an also addresses the Christians as ahl al-Injīl (the People of the Gospel) in Q 5.47

The greatest charge leveled against the Quran however, is the theory of borrowing; that is, the Quran borrowed or plagiarized the Bible. In answer to this, it should be realized that first, the Quran is a revealed book and could not have copied from the Bible.

Secondly, Muhammad being illiterate could not have studied and selected from previous scriptures without the ability to read and write.

Thirdly, the first Arabic version of the Bible appeared a few hundred years after the death of Muhammad.

Fourthly, similarity does not constitute sufficient evidence of copying.  Both of them could be based on a common third source. This is precisely the argument of the Quran.

It should be realized that the Bible is not one book but a collection of at least 66 books according to the Protestant version or 75 according to the Roman Catholic Douay and a mixture of both divine statements and human commentaries. See for example Luke 1:1-4, and I Corinthians 7:25. The Quran has no such commentaries, even the words of Muhammad are not part of the Qur’an. The four gospels teach about Jesus, his life and mission whereas, the Quran is not a biography of Muhammad written by his followers.

The idea that the Quran had borrowed from the Bible is further contradicted by the existence of basic creedal differences between the two texts.

The Biblical concept of God is quite different from the Quranic one. The Quran denies that the similitude of God is like that of man or any of His creation: And there is none like unto Him. (Quran 112:4)

The Biblical concept of prophethood is also radically different from the one presented in the Quran. There are also creedal differences concerning belief in the hereafter, the concept of salvation and orientation towards life.

Apart from doctrinal differences, there are also major variations even in stories common to both the Quran and the Bible and the differences have very serious doctrinal implications. There are major variations in the stories of Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac, Lot, Moses and Jesus.

The idea that the Quran has largely borrowed from the Bible is certainly erroneous. In fact even those scholars who postulate the borrowing theory like Phillip Hitti hasten to add that: …”the resemblances do not warrant the conclusion of borrowing or quoting.”

The charges of borrowing might as well have been leveled against the Bible: For instance, stories in the Bible were considered to be historically accurate and entirely unique until the mid-19th century when archaeologists discovered the civilizations of Mesopotamia and Egypt. The Bible was considered the oldest scrpture in the world until much older literature was discovered which told the same stories, in an earlier form, than those found in the Bible.

No one could read Egyptian hieroglyphics until Jean Jacques Champollion (1790-1832) completely deciphered them after discovery of the Rosetta Stone; and also the literature of Sumer was completely unknown to the modern world.

In the mid-19th century museums and publications sent archaeologists from the West to the region of Mesopotamia to find physical evidence that would substantiate biblical narratives. What they found instead astounded them. Iconic stories such as the ‘Fall of Man’ and the ‘Great Flood’, they found, were not unique to the Bible but had already been written down centuries before the Hebrew scribes revised them in their own work. The great law code of Moses, thought to be the first in history, was discovered to have had a predecessor in the Law Code of Ur-Nammu and the more famous Code of Hammurabi.

The story of Noah may be part of the Abrahamic canon, but the legend of the Great Flood almost certainly has prebiblical origins, rooted in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia. The Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh date back nearly 5,000 years. See Heidel, AlexanderThe Gilgamesh Epic and Old Testament Parallels, (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1949). Also, Shawna Dolansky, “Gilgamesh and the Bible”

A vast body of evidence shows that the cross was used centuries before the birth of Christianity. The cross originated from the ancient Babylonians before its spread to other parts of the world such as Syria, Egypt, Greek, Latin, India, and Mexico.

Osiris in ancient Egypt had over 200 divine names, including familiar Christological names such as Lord of Lords, King of Kings and God of Gods. He was called the ‘Resurrection’. Shafer, Byron E, ed. (1991). Religion in Ancient Egypt: Gods, Myths, and Personal Practice; Cornell University Press.

Once ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics were able to be read, the myths of Egypt were found to have similarities to the Christian figure of the dying and resurrecting god and Mary, the mother of Jesus, to have taken on many of the attributes and epithets of the Egyptian goddess Isis.

As stories of these discoveries became more widely known, belief in the Bible as the word of God began to change to an understanding of the work as inspired by God or as scripture written by inspired men.

It is possible this would happen in the case of the Quran too, given honest research into its sources and revision of its concepts. There is no doubt religion as a cultural artifact must undergo changes or temporary dynamism even though it is naturally parochial. As it is with the Bible, so it is with the Quran; time will tell.

Barka Juma’at and Ramadan Kareem

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Friday Sermon: Excursion into the Inexplicable and Incomprehensible

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By Babatunde Jose

Allah! There is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Throne extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great. (Quran 2:255 – Ayat-ul-Kursi)

The second sentence in the above verse is corroborated by Psalm 121:3-4 in the phrase “he doesn’t sleep nor slumber”, which emphasizes that God is a constant protector who is always vigilant over His people.

No doubt it is agreed by all, including the non-people of God, that the wonders in nature and their inexplicability has given rise to the phrase ‘the work of God is incomprehensible’. We might search but will not comprehend.

The supernatural is usually defined as that which is not explicable by the known forces of nature. Supernature knows no bounds. Too often we see only what we expect to see: our view of the world is restricted by the blinkers of our limited experience; but it need not be this way.

Albert Einstein, in the London Observer, 5 April 1964, said, ‘I cannot believe that God plays dice with the cosmos.’ There is life on earth – one life, which embraces every animal and plant on the planet. Time has divided it up into several million parts, but each is an integral part of the whole.

The enigma of creation is a profound mystery that encompasses the origins of the universe, the earth, and all living beings. It highlights the divine wisdom and power of God as the ultimate Creator. The Bible’s account of creation in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth,” sets the stage for the unfolding narrative of creation. The six days of creation describe the systematic and purposeful act of God bringing the universe into existence, culminating in the creation of humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:27).

The mystery of creation is further emphasized in passages that speak to God’s wisdom and power, such as Job 38:4-7, challenges Job’s understanding of creation and God’s omnipotence, emphasizing that God is aware of all aspects of creation and existence. Similarly, Psalm 104:24 invites us to pause and gasp at creation’s scope, its wise design, and its living abundance: Countless works and flawless wisdom. The doctrine of “creation ex nihilo,” meaning “creation out of nothing,” is a key aspect of the mystery of creation.

“And to Allah belong the unseen [aspects] of the heavens and the earth, and to Him will be returned the matter, all of it…” (Quran 11:123)

 There are ninety-two chemical elements that occur in nature, but only sixteen, forms the basis of all living matter. One of the sixteen, carbon plays a central role because of its ability to form complex chains and rings that can be built into an immense number of compounds. And yet, from the thousands of possible combinations, just twenty amino acids are singled out as the units of construction for all proteins.

Most significant of all, these proteins are produced in the right place at the right time by an ordered sequence of events governed by a code carried in just four molecules, called nucleotide bases. This is true whether the protein is destined to become a bacterium or an African elephant. The instructions for all life are written in the same simple language.

The activities of life are governed by the second law of thermodynamics which states that the state of entropy of the entire universe, as an isolated system, will always increase over time. The second law also states that the changes in the entropy in the universe can never be negative.

Why is it that when you leave an ice cube at room temperature, it begins to melt? Why do we get older and never younger? Certain things happen in one direction and not the other, this is called the “arrow of time” and it encompasses every area of science. The thermodynamic arrow of time (entropy) is the measurement of disorder within a system. Denoted as the change of entropy suggests that time itself is asymmetric with respect to order of an isolated system, meaning: a system will become more disordered, as time increases. Who created and decreed this? Allah SWT.

We learn from the Quran Verse 39:67 that God’s greatness is far beyond human comprehension – the verse states that all seven universes are “folded within God’s hand.”

Supported by the Quran’s formidable mathematical code, we are taught that our universe is the smallest and innermost of seven universes,  see Quran 41:12, 55:33, 67:5, & 72:8-12).

Meanwhile, our scientific advances have shown us that our galaxy, the Milky Way, is 100,000 light years across, and that our universe contains a billion such galaxies and a billion trillion stars, plus countless decillions (1+60 zero) of heavenly bodies. Our universe is estimated to span distances in excess of 20,000,000,000 light years.

If we take only a quintillion [1,000,000,000,000,000,000] of the stars and simply count them [from 0 to quintillion] one count per second, day and night, this will take 32 billion years (more than the age of the universe). That is how long it will take to just “count” them; but God “created” them. Such is the greatness of God.

Seven universes, each surrounding the next: Surely we can appreciate the vastness of our universe if we imagine going on a space odyssey. When we leave the planet Earth towards the sun, at the speed of light (approximately 300,000 kilometers per second or 186,282 miles per second), we reach the sun after 93,000,000 miles or 8 minutes 20 seconds. It will take us more than 50,000 years at the speed of light to exit our galaxy. From the outer limit of the Milky Way, our planet Earth is invisible. Not even the most powerful telescope can detect our tiny “Earth.”

We have to spend more than 2,000,000 years at the speed of light to reach our next-door galaxy. At least 10,000,000,000 years, at the speed of light, must be spent to reach the outer limit of our universe. From the outer limit of our universe, even the Milky Way is like a speck of dust in a large room. Allahu Akbar !!!

The second universe surrounds our universe. The third universe is larger than the second, and so on. More accurately, our universe should be considered the seventh universe, surrounded by the sixth universe, which is surrounded by the fifth universe, and so on. Can you imagine the vastness of the first, outermost universe? No number exists to describe the circumference of the first universe. This incomprehensible vastness is “within the fist of God’s hand.”

God’s greatness is represented not only by the fact that He holds the seven universes in His hand, but also by the fact that He fully controls every atom, even subatomic components, everywhere in the greater universe (Quran 6:59, 10:61, & 34:3).

Nearer us here on earth, Fish are incredibly diverse, and their survival hinges on their ability to maintain a stable internal environment, a process known as osmoregulation. They did not have to learn it; they were created that way. This is especially critical when it comes to managing water and salt levels within their bodies relative to the surrounding water. Can all fish live in both freshwater and saltwater? No.

Freshwater fish live in an environment where the salt concentration in their bodies is higher than the surrounding water. This leads to a constant influx of water through osmosis. To counteract this, freshwater fish have natural specific adjustments: They drink very little water. They produce large amounts of dilute urine to expel excess water. Their gills actively absorb salts from the surrounding water. These processes allow them to maintain a proper balance despite the constant osmotic pressure.

Saltwater fish face the opposite problem. The salt concentration in the surrounding water is higher than in their bodies, leading to a constant loss of water through osmosis. To survive in this environment, they drink large amounts of seawater. They produce small amounts of concentrated urine to conserve water. They actively excrete excess salts through their gills. Without these mechanisms, they would quickly become dehydrated and die.

While most fish are limited to either freshwater or saltwater, a small group called euryhaline fish can tolerate a wide range of salinity levels. These fish possess remarkable physiological adaptations that allow them to transition between freshwater and saltwater environments. Examples of euryhaline fish include: Salmon that migrate from freshwater rivers to the ocean to grow and mature before returning to freshwater to spawn. Also similar to salmon, eels migrate between freshwater and saltwater environments.

Euryhaline fish achieve this feat through a combination of physiological and behavioral adaptations. They can alter the function of their gill cells to either absorb or excrete salt as needed. Hormones, like cortisol, play a crucial role in regulating salt transport across the gills. Their kidneys can adjust the volume and concentration of urine they produce.

Some euryhaline fish may also seek out areas with more appropriate salinity levels during the transition period.

Salmon belong to the Salmonidae family, which includes salmon, trout, whitefish, taimen, lenok, char, and grayling. They typically swim in temperate and arctic waters in the Northern Hemisphere in large groups known as shoals, and can survive in both fresh and saline water. Whilst they spend the most of their adult lives at sea, salmon undertake an epic migration inland to the rivers in which they were born in order to reproduce.

What makes the salmon’s migration, often called a “salmon run”, so impressive is the challenge of swimming upstream against miles of rushing river water, as well as hurtling up and over rocks, waterfalls and dodging predators.

1. Salmon can leap 12 feet out of water—higher than the men’s high jump record.

2. Salmon are anadromous, meaning they migrate from oceans into rivers to reproduce.

3. They return to the same rivers in which they were born to spawn, and can even locate the specific tributary of the river they were born in.

4. Salmon migrate enormous distances to reach their spawning grounds.

5. Salmon use their eyesight to plan their jumps—they can judge distance in and out of water very well.

Salmon make their exhausting migrations back to their birth rivers because they instinctively know that water far in-land provides a safer environment than the open ocean for them to spawn.

Salmon must also lay their eggs in freshwater because their offspring are not born with the ability to survive in saline water: They develop this ability when they are ready to migrate to the ocean after birth. Whilst rivers provide safety for reproducing salmon and offspring, there is not enough food for all the salmon to eat once they mature, so they must venture out to the ocean where most salmon will live until they are ready to reproduce.

It is one of nature’s amazing phenomena that salmon can find their way back to their birthplace to spawn with such accuracy—just how they manage this has been a popular topic of research among ichthyologists. Yet, on the reversed scale is the case of the eel. Allah knows best.

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend.

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AKIN’S WIFE GOES HOME IN GLORY:

Abimbola Funmilola Motunriolaoba Aloba, (nee Olayinka) (68) goes home today to meet her maker.

Amiable wife of our friend and brother Akin Uwaifo Aloba, Bimbo as we all call her, died 7th January 2026, when she decided ‘it is finished’. She left, leaving behind her husband and two beautiful Aloba boys, Mayowa and Omoferimi (a child born on the fateful day when our friend miraculously missed being on the Nigerian Air Force Lockheed C-130H Hercules which crashed three minutes after take-off. All 159 people on board were killed, Akin would have been the 160th victim on that fateful 26 September 1992).

Bimbo was ever smiling. A lawyer by training but saw-miller by inherited trade and a doting mother who lavished affection on her family. She will surely be missed. It is appropriate to bid her farewell by saying: Inna lillah wa inna ilehi rajiun, from Him we come and to Him our return. May God grant her eternal rest.

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Friday Sermon: Science in the Quran: Bridging Faith and Modern Discoveries

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By Babatunde Jose

Throughout history, the Holy Quran has provided descriptions of natural phenomena that modern science has only recently begun to comprehend. The Quran/science connection continues to fascinate both believers and researchers alike as we delve deeper into understanding our universe.

Scientific references in the Quran refer to verses that describe natural phenomena with accuracy that seems impossible for the time of revelation, long before modern scientific methods or equipment. These aren’t vague, mystical passages that can be stretched to fit any interpretation. Rather, they often contain specific details that align remarkably well with discoveries made centuries later.

In 7th century Arabia, there were no microscopes, no telescopes, and other appurtenances. The prevailing scientific understanding was limited by what could be observed with the naked eye. And yet, the Quran contains descriptions of embryology, astronomical phenomena, and deep-sea characteristics that modern scientific research has confirmed.

The scientific knowledge in the Quran serves as a bridge between faith and reason for many believers.

From a historical perspective, the recognition of scientific accuracy in the Quran isn’t a modern phenomenon designed to make Islam seem compatible with science. In fact, early Islamic scholars were often at the forefront of scientific discovery, inspired partly by Quranic encouragement to observe and study the natural world. The first verse revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was “Read,” emphasizing the importance of knowledge acquisition in Islam.

During the Islamic Golden Age (8th-14th centuries), scholars like Ibn al-Haytham, Al-Biruni, and Ibn Sina (Avicenna) made groundbreaking contributions to medicine, astronomy, mathematics, and optics. Many explicitly cited finding the words of Allah to be a source of intellectual inspiration.

One of the most striking examples of Quran pronouncement concerns the origin of the universe. Modern cosmology points to the Big Bang as the moment of creation of the universe – the idea that the universe began as a singularity before expanding into what we see today.

The Quran states in Surah Al-Anbiya: “Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We separated them” (Quran 21:30).

This verse, revealed 1,400 years ago, describes the heavens and earth as once being a single entity that was subsequently separated. Many scholars see this as remarkably aligned with the Big Bang theory, which wasn’t proposed until the 20th century.

In 1929, astronomer Edwin Hubble discovered that the universe was expanding – a revolutionary finding that changed our understanding of cosmology. But centuries earlier, the Quran stated in Surah Adh-Dhariyat: “And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander” (Quran 51:47).

The Arabic word “moosi’oon” used here indicates the active and ongoing expansion of the universe. When this verse was revealed, the prevailing belief was that the universe was static and eternal. Therefore, this Quranic assertion was contrary to scientific ideas of the time, yet aligned perfectly with discoveries made in the 20th century.

Before modern astronomy, humans believed the sun circled the earth. But the Quran correctly describes celestial orbits in Surah Al-Anbiya: “And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming” (Quran 21:33).

Surah Yasin states: “It is not for the sun to catch up to the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each is swimming in an orbit” (Quran 36:40).

These verses describe the independent orbits of the sun and moon, along with the concept that they’re “swimming” (the Arabic word “yasbaḥoon”) through space – a surprisingly accurate description of celestial bodies moving through the vacuum of space, floated as if in water. The meaning of the word “orbit” here aligns perfectly with our modern understanding of celestial mechanics, despite being stated in the Quran 14 centuries ago.

Mountains have long been admired for their majesty, but their formative role in Earth’s stability wasn’t understood until plate tectonics theory developed in the 20th century. Modern geology has revealed that mountains have deep “roots” that stabilize the earth’s crust.

The Quran states in Surah An-Naba: “Have We not made the earth a resting place, and the mountains as stakes?” (Quran 78:6-7). The description of mountains as “stakes” or “pegs” (awtad in Arabic) is remarkably consistent with modern understanding that mountains deeply penetrate the surface of the earth; much like a stake stabilizes a tent.

The water cycle – evaporation, cloud formation, and precipitation – is fundamental to life on Earth. The Quran in Surah Ar-Rum describes this process with remarkable accuracy: “It is Allah who sends the winds, and they stir the clouds and spread them in the sky however He wills, and He makes them fragments so you see the rain emerge from within them” (Quran 30:48).

Another verse in Surah Al-Hijr states: “And We send the fertilizing winds and sent down to earth water from the sky” (Quran 15:22). The reference to “fertilizing winds” is particularly noteworthy, as modern meteorology confirms that winds play a crucial role in cloud formation and rainfall.

The Quran in Surah Al-Anbiya also emphasizes the life-giving properties of water in the verse: “We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (Quran 21:30). This fundamental fact is now a cornerstone of modern biology, but was stated clearly in the Quran long before modern science established this as a scientific truth.

Barrier between Seas: One of the most frequently cited examples of Quran oceanography is its description of the barrier between different bodies of water, in Surah Ar-Rahman: “He released the two seas, meeting [side by side]; Between them is a barrier [so] neither of them transgresses” (Quran 55:19-20).

Modern oceanography has confirmed that when two seas meet, they don’t immediately mix due to differences in density, temperature, and salinity. This creates a boundary where the waters remain distinct – exactly as described in the Quran. This is remarkable scientific evidence of the Quran’s accuracy regarding natural phenomena. How could this knowledge be available to someone living in a desert environment, far from oceans, at a time when people knew very little about oceanography?

Perhaps the most detailed scientific facts in the Quran relate to human embryology and the development of the embryo. The Quran describes the stages of fetal development with remarkable precision in Surah Al-Mu’minum: “We created man from an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a drop into a clot, and then We made the clot into a lump, and We made the lump into bones, and We clothed the bones with flesh. Then We produced him as another creation” (Quran 23:12-14).

Dr. Keith Moore, a prominent embryologist, was so impressed by the Quran embryology descriptions that he incorporated Quranic terminology into his textbooks. “It is remarkable,” he noted, “how accurately the Quran describes embryonic development, using terminology that precisely fits what we can now observe with modern equipment. This level of precision from an illiterate man in the 7th century represents a true marvel.”

The frontal lobe of the brain, responsible for planning and initiating behavior, is now known to be involved in lying. Interestingly, the Quran makes reference to the front of the head in connection with lying in Surah Al-Alaq: “No indeed! If he does not stop, We will seize him by the naseyah (forelock), a lying, sinful naseyah!” (Quran 96:15-16).

This connection between the frontal area of the brain and lying/sin was unknown in the 7th century, yet aligns with modern neuroscience findings about the role of the prefrontal cortex in ethical decision-making. For many scholars of Islamic texts, this precise correlation represents another scientific wonder of the Quran.

Long before fingerprinting became a science, the Holy Quran, Surah Al-Qiyamah referenced the unique nature of fingertips: “Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers” (Quran 75:4).

Until the development of submarines and specialized equipment, humans had no way to explore the ocean depths. The Quran, however, describes deep seas with remarkable accuracy in Surah An-Nur: “Or [they are] like the darkness in a darkness of a fathomless sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds – layers of darkness, some of them upon others” (Quran 24:40).

Modern oceanography studies have confirmed that at depths below 200 meters, there is complete darkness in a deep sea. The verse’s description of layered darkness and waves above which are waves matches what we now know about internal waves that occur at the density boundary between layers of water.

Dr. William Hay, a marine scientist, remarked that this Quranic description is “remarkably modern in the context of what we know about the deep sea.” The precision of this description, coming from an illiterate prophet in a desert environment far from oceans, is considered by many to be a clear phenomenon that aligns with the laws of nature that we’ve only recently come to understand through the scientific method.

Another fascinating aspect of Islamic scientific discoveries relates to the boundaries between different types of water. The Quran states in Surah Al-Furqan: “He is the one who has set free the two bodies of flowing water, one sweet and palatable, the other salty and bitter. And He has made between them a barrier and a forbidding partition” (Quran 25:53).

This verse describes not only the different properties of freshwater and saltwater but also the existence of a partition between them. Modern oceanography has confirmed that where rivers meet the sea, there exists a “pycnocline” zone with distinct properties different from both the freshwater and the seawater. The mathematical precision of these natural boundaries, described in the Quran, represents another scientific wonder.

Surah Al-Hadid and many other parts of the Quran contain similar precise descriptions of natural phenomena that align with modern scientific understanding, despite being revealed in an era when such knowledge was not available.

While many scholars find the scientific references in the Quran compelling, others urge caution in interpretation. Dr. Muzammil Siddiqi notes, “The Quran is primarily a book of guidance, not a book of science. When it mentions scientific phenomena, it does so to direct humans to reflect on creation as a sign of the Creator.” Allahu Akbar!

Barka Juma’at and a happy weekend.

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Friday Sermon: Origin of Life: Failure of Scientific Explanations

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By Babatunde Jose

Can science explain the origin of life? The origin of life is enmeshed in so many hypotheses, theories, conjectures, speculations and propositions that, in an attempt to exclude the contribution of God, there has been no headway. They even say it’s an accidental phenomenon which cannot be explained.

The study of the origin of life is a very active research area in which important progress is being made, although the consensus among scientists is that none of the current hypotheses has thus far been confirmed. The origin of life on Earth stands as one of the great mysteries of science. Various answers have been proposed, all of which remain unverified. In an attempt to find solutions to the mystery of life and find out if we are alone in the galaxy, we will need to better understand what geochemical conditions nurtured the first life forms.

The earliest solid evidence for life is found in stromatolitic formations in Western Australia and South Africa, dated as 3.5 billion years old. However, evidence may yet be found that life was present on Earth more than 3.5 billion years ago.

Phillip Johnson is known as the father of intelligent design, the idea in its current form appeared in the 1980s, and Johnson adopted and developed it after Darwinian evolution came up short, in his view, in explaining how all organisms, including humans, came into being.

The Haldane-Oparin theory on the origin of life was tested to a limited extent by two American chemists, Harold Urey and Stanley Miller. They successfully produced organic molecules from some of the inorganic components thought to have been necessary for the appearance of life, the prebiotic phase. But they did not succeed in creating life.

The origin of life on Earth (and possibly on other planets) is said to be the result of the chemical evolution of the universe. Generations of stars have enriched the interstellar medium (ISM) with atomic elements that can form simple molecules even in the exotic conditions found in outer space.

Origin of life is also called biogenesis, protobiogenesis and biopoiesis. There is significant scientific evidence that life originated from a single source. Two major lines of evidence involve RNA and the shape of amino acids. All cells use ribosomes and transfer RNA (tRNA) to synthesize proteins from chains of amino acids. This process is very similar in all living organisms.

But, what is the real origin of life? Life is coeternal with matter and has no beginning; life arrived on Earth at the time of Earth’s origin or shortly thereafter it is assumed. Life arose on the early Earth by a series of progressive chemical reactions. Such reactions may have been likely or may have required one or more highly improbable chemical events. And it gets complicated from there.

The most accepted theory on the origin of life is the theory of biochemical evolution. The modern theory is also known as “chemical theory” or theory of primary abiogenesis. In the modern theory, the hypothesis of abiogenesis was proposed with a condition that the non-living materials can give rise to life in the condition of primitive earth.

The scientific theories of the origin of life therefore include Spontaneous origin; that Life may have evolved from non-living matter as association with prebiotic molecules under primitive earth conditions, became more and more complex. This theory suggests that life could come from nonliving things, decaying and rotting matter like straw, mud, etc.

Other theories are the panspermia theory, the theory that life began in ice, the theory that life began in clay, the “RNA world” theory of the origin of life, the Oparin-Haldane theory of the origin of life, and the theory that life began in deep-sea vents.

Evidence for the panspermia theory includes the fact that some living things have survived, even after 1.5 years mounted outside the International Space Station– in one case 100% of the bacterial endospores placed in Mars-type conditions were viable – still capable of life, in other words. A quarter of the experiment’s tobacco seeds survived to be grown as plants back on Earth.

The idea that life can flourish only under terrestrial conditions has been made obsolete by research. It is a mistake to believe that life cannot exist without water and oxygen. Even on our own earth there are forms of life that need no oxygen. They are called anaerobic bacteria. A given amount of oxygen acts like poison on them. Why should there not be higher forms of life that do not need oxygen?

Scientific investigation, concentrated on our earth until very recently, has praised this world of ours as the ideal planet. It is not too hot and not too cold; it has plenty of water; there are unlimited quantities of oxygen; organic processes constantly rejuvenate nature.

In fact, the assumption that life can exist and develop only on a planet like the earth is untenable. It is estimated that 2,000,000 different species of living creatures live on the earth. Of these—this again is an estimate—1,200,000 are “known” scientifically. And among these forms of life known to science there are still a few thousand that ought not to be able to live at all according to current ideas!

In the light of current scientific research, the premises for life must be thought out and tested anew. For example, one would think that highly radioactive water would not support life. But there are actually some kinds of bacteria which can adapt themselves to the lethal water that surrounds nuclear reactors. An experiment carried out by biologist Dr. Sanford Siegel sounds eerie. He re-created the atmospheric conditions of Jupiter in his laboratory and bred bacteria and mites in this atmosphere, which share none of the prerequisites we have hitherto laid down for ‘life’. Ammonia, methane, and hydrogen did not kill them. The experiments by Dr. Howard Hinton and Dr. Blum, Bristol University entomologists, had equally startling results.

We also know of bacteria that live in volcanoes, of others that eat stone, and some that produce iron. The forest of question marks grows.

Experiments are going on at many research centers. New proof that life is by no means bound to the prerequisites for life on our planet are constantly accumulating. For centuries the world appeared to revolve around the laws and conditions that govern life on earth. This conviction distorted and blurred our way of looking at things; it put blinkers on scientific investigators, who unhesitatingly accepted our standards and systems of thought when viewing the universe.

“Have not those who disbelieved known that the heavens and the earth were one connected entity, then We separated them?…” (Quran 21:30)

 Dr. Alfred Kroner is one of the world’s renowned geologists.  He is Professor of Geology and the Chairman of the Department of Geology at the Institute of Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany.  He said: “Thinking where Muhammad came from . . . I think it is almost impossible that he could have known about things like the common origin of the universe, because scientists have only found out within the last few years, with very complicated and advanced technological methods, that this is the case.”

The Quran’s narrative of the creation of the universe is rich with detail, symbolism, and profound insights. It speaks to the majesty and power of God as the Creator, the ordered and purposeful nature of the cosmos, and the intricate interconnections of all living things. For believers, these verses provide a source of awe and inspiration. It encourages a deeper appreciation of the universe and its Creator.

Through its timeless wisdom, the Quran continues to inspire exploration and understanding. It invites humanity to reflect on the origins of existence and our place within the grand tapestry of creation.

The Quran contains numerous verses that highlight Allah’s creation, emphasizing His power, wisdom, and the signs of His existence in the universe. On the Creation of the Heavens and the Earth: “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.” (Surah Al-Imran 3:190). This verse encourages reflection on the natural world as a testament to Allah’s existence and power.

On His ability to create: “Is not He, Who created the heavens and the earth Able to create the like of them? Yes, indeed! He is the All-Knowing Supreme Creator.” (Surah Yaseen 36:81). This verse emphasizes Allah’s omnipotence in creation.

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, are signs for people of understanding.” (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:164) Highlights the importance of recognizing the signs of Allah in the natural world.

“And We did not create the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them in play.” (Surah Al-Anbiya 21:16). This verse indicates that creation is intentional and serves a greater purpose.

“And certainly did We create man out of clay and then We made him a sperm-drop in a firm lodging. Then We made the sperm-drop a clinging clot, and We made the clot a lump [of flesh], and We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creation.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:12-14). This verse describes the stages of human creation, illustrating Allah’s intricate design.

These verses collectively emphasize that the universe and everything within it is a deliberate creation of Allah, filled with signs that invite reflection and understanding. They serve as reminders of His power, wisdom, and the purpose behind creation, encouraging believers to contemplate the world around them and recognize the signs of their Creator.

Rabbana afrigh ‘alaina sabran wa thabbit aqdamana wansurna ‘alal-qawmil-kafirin. Our Lord! Bestow on us endurance, make our foothold sure, and give us help against the disbelieving folk (Quran 2:250)

 Barka Juma’at and Happy New Year. May the New year usher in tremendous good for us all and greater reflection of our position in the scheme of Allah’s purpose. May we luxuriate in greater happiness and good health, Amen.

 

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