The Qur’ān and Scientific Truth (Sayyid Qutb, ra)

[ModerateMuslim]

The Qur’ān deals with something much wider and more comprehensive than all
those sciences. It is concerned with man himself, the key to uncovering the facts and
mysteries of the world around. The human mind is fully equipped to scrutinize and
probe into man’s surroundings, and to experiment with and apply the theories he
formulates and the tools he invents. The Qur’ān concentrates on nurturing man’s
character, conscience and mind, and laying the sound foundations of the human
environment which allows him to make full use of his own hidden potential and that
of the world around. Having laid down the groundwork and given man the
necessary mental tools and criteria, the Qur’ān leaves man free to seek and search,
experiment, achieve and make mistakes, in all areas of life

There is also a great risk in attempting to seek verification of facts of a scientific
nature given occasionally in the Qur’ān through suppositions, theories or so-called
‘scientific facts’ arrived at through human empirical efforts.
The facts that the Qur’ān mentions are absolute and final truths, while those
arrived at through human research are not, no matter how advanced or sophisticated
the means or the approach used to arrive at them. The latter are constrained by the
conditions of man’s own environment, and they are limited by the nature and scope
of the tools used. The absolute and final truths of the Qur’ān cannot, therefore, be
qualified or authenticated by the inconclusive ones discovered by man.

In addition to ‘scientific fact’, this applies in the case of ‘scientific theory’. This
includes theories on the origin of the universe, the creation and evolution of man,
and psychological and sociological theories. Even within the realm of human
thought, these are not considered to express scientific facts. Indeed, they are no more
than suppositions or speculative ideas which, at best, help explain a vast array of
physical, biological, psychological or sociological phenomena. As more accurate
instruments and more discoveries are made, these theories are constantly amended
and developed, or superseded by others that give wider or more accurate
explanations or interpretations.

The attempt to verify Qur’ānic facts by the changing findings of human science is
fundamentally flawed. It reflects three negative aspects that should not be associated
with the Qur’ān.

First, is an inner defeatism that science is somehow superior to the Qur’ān.
This leads to an attempt to find scientific evidence to verify and corroborate what the
Qur’ān says. But in fact, Qur’ānic statements are definitive, complete and conclusive,
while human science remains in a constant state of flux and development. This is due
to the constraints of the environment in which human research and experiment are
conducted, and the inadequacy of the tools and methods used in those processes.

Second, is a misunderstanding of the true nature and function of the Qur’ān as the
absolute definitive truth addressing man in his totality according to his basic nature
and within the constraints of the physical world and its laws. Ideally, it aims to
achieve perfect harmony between man and the physical world, avoiding a clash
between man and nature. Such harmony enables man to unravel, through enquiry,
observation, experiment and application, as many of the world’s mysteries as he can
and use its potential energies and resources to enhance his position and fulfil his role
as God’s vicegerent on earth.

Third, is the continuous interpretation and re-interpretation, with frequent resort
to far-fetched and arbitrary methods, of Qur’ānic statements in a vain attempt to
make them agree or coincide with speculative suppositions and tentative theories.

[ModerateMuslim]

However, this should not prevent us from making full use of what human sciences
uncover about man, life and the world, for a better understanding of the Qur’ān. God
says: “We shall show them Our signs across all horizons and within themselves, until they
clearly see that this [revelation] is the truth.” (41: 53) This is a clear call to study closely
and absorb what science discovers of God’s signs and to use them to expand the
meaning and application of the Qur’ānic injunctions, without undermining or
demeaning the immutability and integrity of the Qur’ān.

This may be illustrated further by the following examples:

The Qur’ān says: “And He created all things and ordained them in due proportion.” (25:
2) Scientific observation also has led to the conclusion that there are inherent
harmony, very intricate interactions and consonances within the structure of the
universe. The earth’s shape and distance from both the sun and the moon, its size
relative to theirs, its speed and axis of rotation, and countless other factors combine
to make life on earth possible and sustainable. None of this may be attributed to
chance or coincidence, or can be said to be without purpose.

These observations no doubt are useful in gaining a better understanding of the
Qur’ānic statement. This is quite legitimate and should be encouraged. But here are
other examples that are neither legitimate nor scientifically correct.

The Qur’ān says: “We created man from an extraction of clay.” (23: 12) Centuries later,
scientists such as Charles Darwin, proposed a theory of evolution which purports
that life began in water as a single cell, and that human beings are the result of
millions of years of evolution. Now, it would be pointless, indeed wrong, to attempt
to show that this is precisely what the Qur’ān says

To begin with, the theory is not conclusive and, within a century, it underwent
several amendments and changes that have made it almost unrecognizable. There
were flaws in the original theory, which was conceived at a time when nothing was
known of the genes which carry hereditary properties and distinguish one species
from another. Several aspects of Darwin’s theory have since been disproved, and
many others are still a matter of debate.

The Qur’ānic statement is conclusive as it establishes the origin of man without
giving any details of the process involved. It does not aim at more than that and

The Qur’ān tells us: “And the sun runs towards its resting place.” (36: 38) This is a
statement of fact concerning the movement of the sun. Science has shown that the
sun is indeed moving relative to other stars nearby and is part of a galaxy which
itself is moving. Furthermore the speeds at which the sun and the galaxies move are
measured. Such observations, relative and inconclusive as they are, do not affect the
truth of the Qur’ānic statement, which is final.

The Qur’ān says: “Are the unbelievers unaware that the heaven and the earth were once
one single entity, which We then parted asunder?” (21: 30) Some have tried to reconcile
this statement with the theory that suggests that the earth was part of the sun and
then they were separated. It is futile to try and limit Qur’ānic statements with human
scientific theory. This particular theory is not the only one in its field and it is
contested by many scientists, while the Qur’ānic statement is complete and
conclusive. It merely states a fact without telling us what is meant by ‘heavens’ or
how the fragmentation occurred. No scientific proposition should be used to
corroborate Qur’ānic statements, no matter how apparently close or similar the
conclusions may be.

Having established these principles, we may now return to the Qur’ānic text:
“Righteousness does not mean that you enter houses from the rear, but truly righteous is he
who fears God. Enter houses by their doors and fear God, so that you may be successful.”
(Verse 189)

This part of the verse and the preceding one relating to phases of the moon seem
to be connected by the theme of pilgrimage: the new moon as an astronomical time
marker for pilgrimage and other events, and the pre-Islamic Arab pilgrimage custom
of entering houses from the rear.

Al-Bukhārī and Muslim relate a report by al-Barā’, in which he said: “It was the
custom of the Anşār [i.e. Muslims from Madinah] that on returning from pilgrimage
they would approach their houses from the rear. When one of them broke this
tradition and entered by the front door, he was severely criticised. It was at this point
that the verse was revealed.” A similar report is related by Abū Dāwūd.

Whether this custom related to the pilgrimage only, which seems more probable,
or to travelling in general, the Arabs had maintained the belief that it was a sign of
piety and righteousness to uphold it. However, the Qur’ān refutes that as an empty
gesture that could serve no religious purpose. It goes on to establish the proper
religious concept of righteousness as consciousness of God and His presence at all
times and in all situations, rather than as a routine gesture that had no meaning
whatsoever. Therefore it gives the instruction that houses must be approached from
the front, and re-emphasizes the importance of God-fearing as the road to success in
this life.

The verse, then, focuses our minds and hearts on taqwā, God- fearing, as a basic
fact of faith, and links it with the attainment of absolute success, both in this life and
in the life to come. It repeals a useless, ignorant tradition and directs the believers to
appreciate God’s grace in providing them with the new moon at the beginning of
every month to enable them to determine the time for pilgrimage and other human
activities. carries no other connotations or meaning.

[ModerateMuslim]

The Qur’ān says: “Are the unbelievers unaware that the heaven and the earth were once one single entity, which We then parted asunder?” (21:30)

Some have tried to reconcile this statement with the theory that suggests that the earth was part of the sun and then they were separated.

It is futile to try and limit Qur’ānic statements with human scientific theory. This particular theory is not the only one in its field and it is contested by many scientists, while the Qur’ānic statement is complete and conclusive. It merely states a fact without telling us what is meant by ‘heavens’ or how the fragmentation occurred. No scientific proposition should be used to corroborate Qur’ānic statements, no matter how apparently close or similar the conclusions may be.

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

Asalaamu alikum,

I'm of that opinion too, that the Qur'an is a HOLY book, and a book of worship, and it was send to guide man to worship Allah (swt). And we don't need science to verify the Qur'an or the existence of Allah (swt), I just find that to be more logical. Your just opening a whole load of worms when you start to get verses from the Qur'an that coincide with the findings of Science.

What do others think?

Am I wrong in thinking this way?

[FAH1223]

qur'an is not a science book

but we should not be mesmerized when the qur'an mentions things that modern science only managed to crack in the last century

[Voltage]

Warsan I am of a different school of thought, the one where all Islamic scholars stand which is Islam and science are mutually inclusive and all the scientific facts in the Qur'an are proof of the existence of God.

This iilliterate 17 year old kid runs around like a headless chicken and it is getting very irritating.

[Voltage]

I like how he ignored my response to another point when he ran around like a headless chicken.

Somali Star the reason the Islamic world is the way it is today is people like you. We already know you are a subscriber to the fringe ideology that is tearing Islam to pieces, but what exactly are you blabbering about? What are you against, because I still do not know what you are against. Are you against knowledge gathering?

Islam is knowledge and worship should be based on knowledge. When the prophet was asked what is your miracle, he said the Qur'an is my miracle. The Qur'an is the truth and it is a fact that science is just a word for knowledge. By adhering to the Qur'an, we are gaining knowledge and through it we are practicing science. The prophet also said to his illiterate followers "go to even China to gain knowledge". Islam is not just about religious doctrine, and matters pertaining to the spirituality, Islam is a way of life and influences the life of a Muslim completely. The Qur'an reinforces this fact. Islam tells us not to eat pork. Why? Islam tells us to wash and clean our bodies and especially certain places. Why? Islam tells us the birth of a child and the shape of this earth and the movement of the stars. Why? Islam tells us the origins of plants, about pollination, and that ants speak a language (which Western science just realized now). Why? The first verse in the Qur'an was IQRA, read which underscores the importance of knowledge. Muslims when they were in true Islamic state enlightened the world. They introduced the concept of great libraries, they advanced medicine, agriculture, technological innovation, and even kept the history of the old world alive by recording and protecting them. Islam is science, and science is part of Islam. Everything in the Qur'an has an important mean and ever reference involving nature and science has a meaning and reasoning. Because they are signs of this book's truth and the existence of God. Then by virtue of it being signs, it is supposed to be used in Da'wah to both defend this religion from slander and to show others the light.

What are you exactly arguing against?

http://somalinet.com/forums/viewtopic.p ... &p=2478277

[Warsan_Star_Muslimah]

Voltage,

Okay, but it is not a science book, and I don't dispute, that there are verses found in the Qur'an that deals with 'topics' of scientific nature.

[Voltage]

It is a book for humanity so science is part and parcel of it.

[ModerateMuslim]

Your just opening a whole load of worms when you start to get verses from the Qur'an that coincide with the findings of Science.

that's exactly the problem. take for example the seven layers of heaven mentioned in the book of allah swt - they have nothing to do with the earth's atmosphere as the deviants claim. this a major deviance as they've lied upon allah's speech.

the deviants only want to accept the deen through reason and logic - and with the limitation of science, not to mention human comprehension abilities - that will never happen. so these people embrace a deviant creed that goes against the book of allah swt and the sunnah of the prophet saw.

[ModerateMuslim]

Warsan I am of a different school of thought, the one where all Islamic scholars stand which is Islam and science are mutually inclusive and all the scientific facts in the Qur'an are proof of the existence of God.

This iilliterate 17 year old kid runs around like a headless chicken and it is getting very irritating.

dumbass, who're the islamic scholars you speak of? those who've gone astray from the deen due to them embracing greek manhaj, i.e. the mutazilis?

the thing is, morons like you will only accept something if it's rationally acceptable - and when it comes to dunya matter that's the way to go -- but using that criterion for islam, believe me, a pathetic jahil like you will always remain a jihal.

p.s. you dumbass, i'm in no way against gathering scientific knowledge. what i'm against is, looking for scientific knowledge in the book of allah swt as a way to boast one's emaan. also, i dislike mutazilis like you rejecting the clear tawheed because it can't be affirmed based on sound rationale and logic.

[Alphamander]

It is a book for humanity so science is part and parcel of it.

Not only did you use there an undetermined premise but you as well came to a conclusion that doesn't follow from it. Devoid of logic. Also, what surprises me is that you actually didn't comment on what the scholarly piece posted here said; YET you rejected it outrightly, without no ''reasoning'' AT ALL.

[RebelLion1]

Asalaamu alikum,

I'm of that opinion too, that the Qur'an is a HOLY book, and a book of worship, and it was send to guide man to worship Allah (swt). And we don't need science to verify the Qur'an or the existence of Allah (swt), I just find that to be more logical. Your just opening a whole load of worms when you start to get verses from the Qur'an that coincide with the findings of Science.

What do others think?

Am I wrong in thinking this way?

I'm of this opinion now as well, simply because scientific theories are never 100% correct and can be found to be wrong, in that case, are we gonna conveniently reinterpret another verse in the quran just to coincide with a new theory? I think it's best to separate the two, religion and science.

[Alphamander]

This iilliterate 17 year old kid runs around like a headless chicken and it is getting very irritating.

Also, trying to call someone ''illiterate'' and failing to spell the word itself is an epic failure.

[FAH1223]

I'm of this opinion now as well, simply because scientific theories are never 100% correct and can be found to be wrong, in that case, are we gonna conveniently reinterpret another verse in the quran just to coincide with a new theory? I think it's best to separate the two, religion and science.

well not nec. seperate them

anything thats been proven doesn't contradict with our faith

so it depends if we're talking theory or proven