The Qur'an is the last revelation, and a proof not only to the pagan Arabs one thousand
four hundred years ago, but also to the scientists of today. Perhaps one of the most
remarkable qualities of the Qur'an for those living in the twentieth, and what will soon
be the twenty first century, is the complete consistency between the Qur'an and most of
the discoveries of modern science, and in some cases pre-empting facts discovered within
the last twenty years. One of the first Western scientists to make a serious study of this
subject was Maurrice Bucaille, who wrote a book called The Bible, the Qur'an and
Science. In this book, he compared the statements concerning natural and
scientific data in the Bible and the Qur'an. He concluded: "The Qur'an follows on
from the two Revelations that preceded it and is not only free from contradictions in its
narrations, the sign of the various human manipulations to found in the gospels, but
provides a quality all of its own for those who examine it objectively and in the light of
science, i.e. its complete agreement with modern scientific data. What is more, statements
are to be found in it (as has been shown) that are connected with science: and yet it is
unthinkable that a man of Muhammad's time could have been the author of them. Modern
scientific knowledge therefore allows us to understand certain verses of the Qur'an which,
until now, it has been impossible to interpret. The comparison of several Biblical and
Qur'anic narrations of the same subject shows the existence of fundamental differences
between the statements in the former, which are scientifically unacceptable, and
declarations in the latter which are in perfect agreement with modern data: this was the
case of the Creation and the Flood, for example. An extremely important complement to the
Bible was found in the text of he Qur'an on the subject of the history of the Exodus,
where the two texts were very much in agreement with archaeological findings, in the
dating of the time of Moses. Besides, there are major differences between the Qur'an and
the Bible on the other subjects: they serve to disprove all that has been
maintained-without a scrap of evidence-concerning the allegation that Muhammad is supposed
to have copied the Bible to produce the text of the Qur'an. . . . In view of the level of
knowledge in Muhammad's day, it is inconceivable that many of the statements in the Qur'an
which are connected with science could have been the work of a man. It is, moreover,
perfectly legitimate, not only to regard the Qur'an as the expression of a Revelation, but
also to award it a very special place, on the account of the guarantee of authenticity it
provides and the presence in it of scientific statements which, when studied today,
appears as a challenge to explanation in human terms."
Some of the statements involving data confirmed by modern science are:
1. The Accurate Description of Embryonic and Fetal Development. At the time of Prophet
Muhammad prevalent theories included those of Aristotle who thought that a child was
formed by the congealing of menstrual blood catalyzed by the male blood, as rennet does to
cheese. In the Eighteenth Century, Hartsoeker claimed to have seen within the sperm a
pre-formed human being through the primitive microscopes. The Qur'an reflected none of
these, describing the development of the embryonic human with detailed accuracy: "We
created man from a quintessence of clay, We then placed him as a drop (Nutfa) in a place
of rest firmly fixed, Then we made the drop into an Alaqah (leech-like) and then we
changed the leech-like structure into a Mudghah (chewed-like) and then We made out of that
chewed-like substance bones then We clothed the bones with flesh then We caused him to
grow and come into being and attain the definitive form. Blessed be Allah the Perfect
creator. After that, at length you will die. Again, on the Day of Judgment, you will be
raised up." (23:12-16) The Prophet further explained the meaning of Nutfa
as meaning both the male sperm and female ovum. The word "alaqah" has
three meanings in Arabic: 1) A thing that clings; 2) A blood clot; and 3) A leech like
thing. All three accurately describe the first stage of the developing embryo. After the
fertilisation of the egg, a blastocyst develops, which has on its exterior villocites
which literally "cling" to the wall of the uterus. It then goes on to
resemble a leech both in appearance and behaviour. (Both leech and embryo extract blood
from host.) It also goes on to resembles a blood clot. The next stage, when it becomes "chewed-like",
is also accurate. It is also true that the bones precede the development of muscle and
flesh. The Prophetic traditions state: "When forty -two nights have passed over
the conceptus, Allah sends an Angel to it, who shapes it, makes its ears, eyes, skin,
flesh and bones. Then he says O Lord! is it male or female? And your Lord decides what He
wishes and then the angel records it." This accurate information gives the
correct time for the recognisable growth of the features described, and the sex of the
fetus can not be definitely determined until just after forty-two days. This was not known
until the invention of powerful microscopes only decades ago. I have mentioned this
subject only briefly, and quoted a few of the verses and hadeeth concerning this
topic. Keith Moore, Professor and Chairman, Department of Anatomy, University of Toronto,
Canada, and author of The Developing Human, is considered one of the leading
embryologists, said concerning these statements in the Qur'an and authenticated hadeeth:
"Until the 19th Century, nothing was known about classifying the stages of human
development. A system of staging human embryos was developed around the end of the 19th
Century based on alphabetical symbols. During the 20th century, numerals were used to
describe 23 stages of embryonic development. This system of numbering the stages is not
easy to follow and a better system would be based on the morphological changes. In recent
years, the study of the Qur'an has revealed another basis for the classification of the
stages of the developing embryo which is based on easily understood actions and changes in
shape. It utilizes terms which were sent from God to Muhammed the Prophet by the Angel
Gabriel and recorded on the Qur'an . . . It is clear to me that these statements must have
come to Muhammad from God because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until
many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammed must have been a Messenger of
God." Marshall Jonson, Professor and Chairman, Department of Anatomy, Director of the
Daniel Baugh Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, U.S.A., said: "As
a scientist I can only deal with things I can specifically see. I can understand
embryology and developmental biology; I can understand the words that are translated to me
from the Qur'an. If I were to transpose myself into that era , knowing what I do today and
describing things, I could not describe the things that were described. I see no evidence
to refute the concept that this individual Muhammed had to be developing this information
from some place, so I see nothing in conflict with the concept that Divine Intervention
was involved on what he was able to say."
2. Cosmology. "Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the
earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them. And We have made from
water every living thing. Will they not then believe." (21:30) This verse clearly
mentions the common origin of the universe, a fact that was not discovered until forty
years ago with the advent of nuclear physics. The separation seems to refer to what the
scientists call the "Big Bang". Also, all living things are composed of
protoplasm, which consists of 80-85% water. "Then He rose over towards the heaven
when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth: 'Come willingly or unwillingly.' They
both said: 'We come willingly.'" (41:11) The word smoke describes accurately the
primeval state of the universe, which was composed of a hot gaseous mass, with particles
moving vigorously, just as in smoke. From this the stars, planets and the earth were
formed. "The heaven, We have built it with power, verily We are expanding it.'
(51:47) It is an accepted fact that we are living in an expanding universe. "Allah
is the one who created the night and day, the sun and moon. Each one is traveling in an
orbit with its own motion." The Arabic word referring to a movement with
self-propelled motion is the verb sahabah (yasbahuna in the text). It
implies a motion that comes from the body in question. If it takes place in water, it is
to swim; it is to move by the action of one's own legs' if it takes place on land. For
movement that occurs in space it would mean "to rotate". The sun is
actually in orbit, not around the earth but around the centre of the galaxy, so there is
no contradiction, since the Qur'an does not specify the Sun's orbit. "Have you not
seen how Allah merges the night into the day and the day into the night?" (31:29)
"He coils the night upon the day and He coils the day upon the night."
(39:5) To coil or to wind is the translation of the Arabic verb kawwarra. The
original meaning of the verb is to coil a turban around the head. The process of perpetual
coiling, including the interpenetration of one sector by another is expressed in the
Qur'an just as if the concept of the Earth's roundness had already been conceived at the
time, which is clearly not the case. "It is He who made the Sun a shining thing
and the moon as a light, and measured out their stages . . . " (10:5) The
Qur'an describes the Sun as a "siraj" which means a torch, generating its
own heat and light where as the Moon is described "an-nur" which is light
originating from another source.
3. Geology. "Have We not made the earth an expanse; and the mountains stakes?"
(78:6-7) "And Allah has cast into the ground mountains standing firm so that it
does not shake with you." (31:10) It has recently been discovered that mountains
have roots that go into the earth's crust which is composed of seven tectonic plates.
Their movement is the cause of earthquakes. It is thought that the roots and weight of the
mountains play a vital role in stabilizing the earth's crust.
4. Animal and Plant life. The sixteenth chapter of the Qur'an mentions the bee that
leaves its home to gather as feminine, although it has generally been believed that the
bees are soldiers and they answer to a King. The Qur'an also mentions the sexes of plants
and the winds as a means of their fertilization. "We sent forth the winds that
fecundate." (15:22) All recently discovered matters.
5. Atomism. The Greek philosopher Democritus (460-361 BC) advanced the theory that
matter was composed of tiny, indivisible particles called Atoms. Modern science has
discovered that there is the Atom, but that Atom is divisible. The Qur'an states: "He
is aware of an atom's weight in the heavens and on the earth, and even anything smaller
than that . . ." (34:3)
6. Dermatology. "Does mankind think that We cannot assemble his bones? Nay, We
are able to put together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers." (75:3-4)
No two finger prints are alike. This verse tells of both Allah's knowledge and ability to
resurrect us even to the most unique and individual part: "Those who reject Our signs
We shall soon cast into the fire, As often as their skins are roasted through, We shall
change them for fresh skins so that they may truly taste the Penalty, For Allah is exalted
in power, wise." (4:56) The nerve ends that feel pain are found in the skin. When the
skin is severely burnt the nerve ends are destroyed and pain is not felt. In Hell, Allah
will recreate the skin so that its inhabitants may permanently feel intense pain. "Verily,
the tree of zaqqum will be the food of the sinners, like boiling oil it will boil in their
bellies, like the boiling of scalding water, ' Taste you this! Verily you were pretending
to be the mighty the generous! Verily this is that which you used to doubt!"
(44:43-50) ". . . and drink boiling water which cuts their bowls to pieces." (47:15)
Thermal receptors are not present in the intestines. It is known that if the bowel is cut
the contents go into the highly sensitive Peritonea Cavity, where intense pain is
initiated. This is not common knowledge now, let alone in Muhammad's time. The author of
the Qur'an is, however, well acquainted with these facts!
7. The Water Cycle. The Qur'an correctly describes the water cycle, and the origin of
underground springs as being from rain water. Obvious you may think, but the Greek
philosophers did not get it right, suggesting that underground springs were produced by
sea spray collecting in caves which fed a great underground sea through the 'abyss'!
In fact the water cycle was not accurately propounded until the 18th century. The Qur'an,
however, states: "Hast though not seen that Allah sent water down from the sky and
led it through sources into the ground?" (39:21).
For the sake of brevity, I have only mentioned a few of the statements and provided
limited explanation of the statements contained in the Qur'an and traditions dealing with
scientific subjects. T. V. N. Persud, Professor and Chairman, Department of Anatomy,
Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Manitoba, Canada commented: "Muhammed
was a very ordinary man, he couldn't read, didn't know how to write, in fact he was an
illiterate . . . we're talking about 1400 years ago you have some illiterate person making
profound pronouncements and statements that are accurate of a scientific nature. I
personally can't see how this could be a mere chance, there are too many accuracies . . .
I have no difficulty in my mind reconciling that this is a divine inspiration or a
revelation which led him to these statements." Let us not forget the words of Dr,
Bucaille that these facts "appear as a challenge to explanation in human
terms." And Professor Persud's statement that it cannot be coincidence, there are
too many accuracies! The probability against Muhammad taking wild guesses and getting each
fact right are indeed phenomenal! These scientists, renowned experts in their fields, like
the Arabs who had mastered their language in the time of the Prophet, recognize the clear
proof and miraculous nature of the Qur'an.
"We will show them our signs on the furthest horizons and within themselves
until they know that this is the truth."
The Qur'an is consistent with external realities, and it is also consistent internally.
It is the nature of the works of men, be they scientists, philosophers, sages or mystics
to contain inconsistencies and contradictions. This cannot be so with the Divine
Revelation as the Qur'an states: "Have they not carefully considered the Qur'an,
had it been from other than Allah they would have found many indiscrepancies in it."
