THE QURAN IS DIVINE

A few answers to the allegations regarding the divinity of Quran [ leave alone the science page]
 

     The human body is composed of various fundamental elements that are found in   nature. Clay and dust are composed of the same fundamental elements. Yet it would be absurd to say that a human being is exactly the same as the dust.
     We can all have access to the elements that are found in the human body, and  add a few gallons of water, which is the constitution of the human body. We   know the elements in the human body and yet we are at a loss when asked the   secret of life.

      Similarly the Qur’an addresses those people who reject its Divine authority. It  tells them that this Qur’an, is in your own language, and over which the Arabs  took pride. It is composed of the same letters that the Arabs used to express  themselves most eloquently.

      The Arabs were very proud of their language and Arabic was at its peak when  the Qur’an was revealed. With the letters Alif Laam Meem, Yaa Seen,  Ha-Meem, etc., (in Engllish we would say A, B, C, D) the Qur’an challenges  mankind to produce a Surah at least somewhat similar to the Qur’an in beauty  and elegance, if they doubt its authenticity.

      Initially, the Qur’an challenges all the men and jinn to produce a recital like the  Qur’an and adds that they would not be able to do it even if they backed each other. This challenge is mentioned in Surah Isra chapter 17 verse 88 and in  Surah Tur chapter 52 verse 34.

      Later the Qur’an repeats the challenge in Surah Hud chapter 11 verse 13 by     saying produce ten surahs like it and later in Surah Yunus chapter 10 verse 38    produce one surah like it and finally the easiest challenge is given in Surah   Al-Baqarah chapter 2 verses 23 and 24.

      "And if ye are in doubt as to what We have revealed from time to time to Our   servant, then produce a Surah like thereunto; and call your witnesses or helpers  (if there are any) besides Allah if your doubts are true.
      But if ye cannot – and of a surety ye cannot – then fear the fire whose fuel is    men and stones – which is prepared for those who reject faith."
                       [Al-Qur’an 2:23-24]

      To compare the skill of two artisans, they must be given samples of the same    raw material and their performance evaluated in performing the same task. If   they are tailors they must be provided with the same fabrics. The raw materials  of the Arabic language are these letters Alif Laam Meem, Ya Seen (in English it  is A, B, C, D, etc.) The miraculous nature of the language of the Qur’an does not lie only in the fact that it is the Word of Allah, but also in the fact that
      although made up of the same letters in which the pagan Arabs took pride, it  has not been rivalled.

      The Arabs are noted for their rhetoric ability, eloquence and meaningful  expression. Just as the constituents of the human body are known to us and  can be obtained by us, the letters comprising the Qur’an, such as Alif Laam  Meem are known to us, and used frequently to formulate words. Life cannot be   created by us, even if we possess knowledge of the constituents of the human  body. Similarly we cannot capture the same eloquence and beauty of   expression that we find in the Qur’an, despite knowing the letters that constitute
      the Qu’ran. The Qur’an thus proves its Divine origin.

      4.       Miraculous quality of Qur’an mentioned immediately after these    broken letters

      Therefore immediately after these broken letters are mentioned in the Qur’an,  the following verses speak about the miracle of the Qur’an, and its authority
    e.g. in Surah Baqarah Chapter 2 verse 1-2:

      "Alif Laam Meem.
      This is the Book; in it is guidance sure, without doubt, to those who fear Allah."
                   [Al-Qur’an 2:1-2]
 

8.    DOES THE QUR’AN SAY THAT THE EARTH IS FLAT?

      Question
      Qur’an says that Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet. This gives an     indication that the earth is flat. Does this not contradict established    modern science?

      Answer
      1.         Earth made as a carpet

      The question refers to a verse from the Qur’an in Surah Nuh:
      "And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out)."
                          [Al-Qur’an 71:19]

      But the sentence in the above verse is not complete. It continues in the next      verse, explaining the previous verse. It says:

      "That ye may go about therein, in spacious roads."
                      [Al-Qur’an 71:20]
      A similar message is repeated in Surah TaHa:
   "He Who has made for you the earth like a carpet spread out; has enabled you
      to go about therein by roads (and channels)...."
                         [Al-Qur’an 20:53]

      The surface of the earth i.e. earth’s crust is less than 30 miles in thickness and   is very thin as compared to the radius of the earth which is about 3750 miles.  The deeper layers of the earth are very hot, fluid and hostile to any form of life. The earth’s crust is a solidified shell on which we can live. The Qur’an rightly  refers to it like a carpet spread out, so that we can travel along its roads and
      paths.

2.         Carpet can also be spread on other than an absolute flat surface

      Not a single verse of the Qur’an says that the earth is flat. The Qur’an only     compares the earth’s crust with a carpet. Some people seem to think that   carpet can only be put on an absolute flat surface. It is possible to spread a   carpet on a large sphere such as the earth. It can easily be demonstrated by  taking a huge model of the earth’s globe covering it with a carpet.

      Carpet is generally put on a surface, which is not very comfortable to walk on.    The Qur’an describes the earth crust as a carpet, without which human beings  would not be able to survive because of the hot, fluid and hostile environment  beneath it. The Qur’an is thus not only logical, it is mentioning a scientific fact
      that was discovered by geologists centuries later.

      3.         Earth has been spread out

      Similarly, the Qur’an says in several verses that the earth has been spread out.

      "And We have spread out the (spacious) earth: how excellently We do spread
      out!"
                     [Al-Qur’an 51:48]

      Similarly the Qur’an also mentions in several other verses that the earth is an    expanse:

      "Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse"
      "And the mountains as pegs?"
                     [Al-Qur’an 78:6-7]

      None of these verses of the Qur’an contain even the slightest implication that     the earth is flat. It only indicates that the earth is spacious and the reason for    this spaciousness of the earth is mentioned. The Glorious Qur’an says:
      "O My servants who believe! truly. spacious is My Earth: therefore serve ye Me
      –(And Me alone)!"
                      [Al-Qur’an 29:56]

      Therefore none can give the excuse, that he could not do good and was forced    to do evil because of the surroundings and circumstances.

4.         Earth is geospherical in shape
 

      The Qur’an mentions the actual shape of the earth in the following verse:
      "And we have made the earth egg shaped".
                      [Al-Qur’an 79:30]

      The Arabic word Dahaha means egg shaped. It also means an expanse.      Dahaha is derived from Duhiya which specifically refers to the egg of an ostrich      which is geospherical in shape, exactly like the shape of the earth.
      Thus the Qur’an and modern established science are in perfect harmony.

9.    DOES ONLY ALLAH KNOW THE SEX OF THE CHILD IN THE   MOTHER’S                         WOMB?

      Question:

      The Qur’an says that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the womb of the     mother but now science has advanced and we can easily determine the sex of   the child in the womb by ultrasonography. Isn’t this verse of the Qur’an  conflicting with medical science?

      Answer:
      Allah is Omnipotent and Omniscient. Allah has granted knowledge of certain    things to humankind. But Allah has knowledge of the seen as well as the  unseen.

      1.         Allah has knowledge of all things
      Many people believe that the Qur’an claims that Allah alone knows the sex of    the child in the mother’s womb. The Glorious Qur’an says:
      "Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He who sends down   Rain, and He who knows what is in the wombs…."
                  [Al-Qur’an 31:34]

      A similar message is given in the following verse:

   "Allah doth know what every female (womb) doth bear,
      By how much the wombs fall short (of their time or number) or do exceed. Every   single thing is before His sight, in (due) proportion."
                      [Al-Qur’an 13:8]

      2.  Sex can be determined by Ultrasonography
 

      Today science has advanced and we can easily determine the sex of the child     in the womb of a pregnant mother, using ultrasonography.

      3.         The word ‘sex’ is not mentioned in the verse of the Qur’an

      It is true that many translations and commentaries of this verse of the Glorious     Qur’an say that only Allah knows the sex of the child in the mother’s womb. If    you read the Arabic text of this verse, there is no Arabic word corresponding to    the English word ‘sex’. In fact the Qur’an says the knowledge of what is in the    womb is with Allah alone. Many commentators have misunderstood it to mean   only Allah knows the sex of the child in the womb, which is a mistake.

4.         No one besides Allah can determine the nature of the child

      This versedoes not refer to the sex of the child in the womb but it refers to, how    the child in the mother’s womb will be. How will his nature be? Will he be a   blessing or a curse to his parents? Will he be a boon or a bane to the society?     Will he be good or evil? Will he go to heaven or hell?
The complete knowledge of   all things is with Allah alone. No scientist in the world, no matter how advanced  his equipment, will ever be able to accurately determine the knowledge of these
      things about the child in the mother’s womb.
 

10.

    HOOR:
 

      Question:

      According to the Qur’an when a man enters paradise, he will get hoor, i.e.    beautiful maidens. What will a woman have when she enters paradise?

      Answer:

      1. Hoor mentioned in the Qur’an
      The word hoor occurs in the Qur’an in no less than four different places:
      (1)   In Surah Dukhan chapter 44, verse 54

   "Moreover, We shall join them to companions
      With beautiful, big and lustrous eyes."
                          [Al-Qur’an 44:54]

      (2)   In Surah Al-Tur chapter 52 verse 20

      "...And We shall join them to companions, with beautiful,
      big and lustrous eyes."
                 [Al-Qur’an 52:20]

      (3)  In Surah Rahman chapter 55 verse 72

      "Companions restrained (as to their glances), in goodly pavilions."
                [Al-Qur’an 55:72]

      (4)   In Surah Al-Waqiah chapter 56 verse 22

      "And (there will be) companions with beautiful, big and lustrous eyes."
                [Al-Qur’an 56:22]

      2. Hoor Translated as Beautiful Maidens

      Many translators of the Qur’an have translated the word hoor as ‘beautiful    maidens’ especially in the Urdu translations. If hoor means ‘beautiful maidens’   or girls, then they are meant only for the men. Hence, what will the women get if   they enter Paradise?

      3. Meaning of Hoor

      The word hoor is actually the plural of ahwar (applicable to man) and of haura    (applicable to woman) and signifies a person having eyes characterized by  hauar a special quality bestowed upon a good soul, male or female in paradise  and it denotes the intense whiteness of the white part of the spiritual eye.
     The Qur’an describes in several other verses that in paradise you will have azwaj   which mean a pair or spouse or companion which means you will have spouses   or companions pure and holy (mutaharratun means pure, holy).
      "But give glad tidings to those who believe and work righteousness, that their    portion is gardens, beneath which rivers flow. Every time they are fed with fruits
      therefrom, they say: "Why, this is what we were fed with before", for they are     given things in similitude; and they have therein companions pure (and holy);    and they abide therein (forever)".
                                               [Al-Qur’an 2:25]

      "But those who believe and do deeds of righteousness, We shall soon admit to   Gardens, with rivers flowing beneath – their eternal home; therein shall they    have companions pure and holy: we shall admit them to shades, cool and ever   deepening".              [Al-Qur’an 4:57]

      Therefore the word hoor has no specific gender. Mohammad Asad has      translated the word hoor as spouse and Abdullah Yusuf Ali as companion.    Therefore according to some scholars a man in paradise will have a hoor that is   a beautiful maiden with beautiful big and lustrous eyes and a woman in paradise    will get a man with beautiful big and lustrous eyes.

      4.         Women will get something exceptional in Paradise

      Many scholars say that in context, the word hoor used in the Qur’an refers only    to ladies since gents are addressed. A reply that would be accepted by all    types of people would rather be the answer given in the Hadith when a similar    question was posed that if a man gets a hoor, a beautiful Maiden in Paradise,    then what will the women get? The reply was that the women will get that which
      the heart has not desired for, the ear hasn’t heard off and the eye hasn’t seen,    indicating that even the women will get something exceptional in Paradise.

11.    IS THE HEART RESPONSIBLE FOR UNDERSTANDING?

      Question
      The Qur’an says that Allah has put a seal on the hearts of the Kuffar and they      will not believe. Science tells us today that the brain is responsible for      understanding and believing and not the heart. Isn’t the Qur’an contradicting      Science?

      Answer:

      1.
         Allah has set a seal on the heart of the Kuffar
 

     The Glorious Qur’an says:

      "As to those who reject Faith it is the same to them
      Whether thou warn them or do not warn them;
      They will not believe.     "Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their eyes is a    veil     Great is the penalty they incur."
                   [Al-Qur’an 2:6-7]

      2.         The word qalb in Arabic means heart as well as intelligence

      The Arabic word qalb used in these verses means the heart. It also means    intelligence. Thus the above verses also mean that Allah has put a seal on the   intelligence of the kuffaars (unbelievers) and they will not understand and    believe.

      3.         In the Arabic language heart is also used as a centre of
         understanding
      In the Arabic language the word ‘heart’ is also used to connote one’s centre of      understanding.

      4.         Several words used in English language whose literal           meaning is      different

      Even in English language there are several words which are used to explain      something, though the literal meaning of these words are different. Consider the

following examples

        a. Lunatic - Struck by the moon:

           The word ‘lunatic’ literally means struck by the moon. Today
           people use the word lunatic for a person who is insane or mentally
           unstable. People very well know that a mad or a mentally unstable
           person is not struck by the moon. Yet even a medical doctor uses
           this word. This is normal in the evolution of a language.

           b. Disaster – An evil star

           The word ‘disaster’ literally means an evil star. Today the word
           disaster is used for a great or sudden misfortune or calamity. We
           know very well that a misfortune has nothing to do with an evil
           star.

           c. Trivial – Three roads meet

           The word ‘trivial’ literally means where three roads meet. Today
           the word ‘trivial’ is used for something of small nature or little
           importance. We know very well that if something is of small value
           it has nothing to do with where three roads meet.

           d. Sunrise and Sunset

           ‘Sunrise’ literally means rising of the sun. Today when the word
           ‘sunrise’ is used most of the people know that the earth is rotating
           and is moving in relation to the sun. Most of us know that the sun
           does not rise during sunrise. However even an astronomer uses
           the word ‘sunrise’. Similarly we know that during sunset, the sun
           does not actually set.

      5.
         In the English language heart is the centre of love and emotion
 

      In the English language heart means an organ in the body which pumps blood.     The same word heart is also used for the centre of thought, love and emotion.   Today we know that brain is the centre of thought, love and emotion. Yet while    expressing emotions a person is likely to say "I love you from the bottom of my    heart". Imagine a scientist telling his wife, "I love you from the bottom of my    heart" and the wife replies, "Don’t you even know the basics of science, that the   brain is responsible for the emotions and not the heart? In fact you should say I   love you from the bottom of my brain."

      6.   Arabs know that the word heart in Arabic is also used for centre of  thought and understanding
 

      No Arab will ever ask the question as to why Allah has sealed the hearts of the   kafir because he knows that in this context it refers to the centre of thought,  understanding and emotion.
 

13.   ALLAH HAS SEALED THE HEART OF KUFFAR

      Question:
      If Allah has sealed the hearts of the Kuffar i.e. non-Muslims, then why are they    to be blamed for not accepting Islam?
      Answer:
      1.   Allah has sealed the hearts of those who are continuously bent on         rejecting the truth
 

      Allah (swt) mentions in Surah Al Baqarah chapter 2 verses 6 and 7

      "As to those who reject Faith, it is the same to them Whether thou warn them   or do not warn them; they will not believe.   Allah hath set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing, and on their eyes is a   veil; great is the penalty they (incur)."                           [Al-Qur’an 2:6-7]

      These verses do not refer to common Kuffar who reject faith. The Arabic words    used are al-lazina kafaroo, those who are bent on rejecting the truth. It will not   make any difference to such people whether you warn them or not, they will not   believe. Allah has set a seal on their hearts and on their hearing and on their   eyes is a veil. It is not because Allah has set a seal on their hearts that these   kuffar do not understand and believe, but it is the vice-versa. It is because these   kuffar are bent on rejecting the truth and whether you warn them or not they will   not believe, that Allah has set a seal on their hearts. Therefore Allah is not to   blame, but these kuffaar who are bent on rejecting the faith are responsible.

      2.         Example of teacher predicting a student will fail
 

      Suppose an experienced teacher, before the final examinations, predicts that a    particular student will fail in the exams, since the student is very mischievous,    not attentive in class and does not do his homework. If after the student appears    for the examination, he fails, who is to be blamed for the student failing: the   teacher or the student? Just because the teacher predicted, it does not mean   that the teacher is to be blamed but the student himself is responsible for his
      failure.

      Similarly Allah (swt) knows in advance that there are some people who are bent    on rejecting the faith and Allah has put a seal on their hearts. Thus these   non-Muslims themselves are responsible for rejecting the faith and not Allah    (swt).
 

14.    HEAVENS AND EARTH CREATED IN SIX DAYS AND NOT EIGHT
    DAYS
      Question:
      The Qur’an mentions in several places that the heavens and the were earth   created in 6 days but in Surah Fussilat it says that the heavens and the earth   were created in 8 days. Isn’t this a contradiction? The same verse also says   that the earth was created in 6 days and then later on the heavens were created   in 2 days. This is against the Big-Bang theory that the heavens and the earth   were created simultaneously.
      Answer:

      1. Heavens and the Earth created in Six days

      I do agree that the Qur’an says that the heavens and the earth were created in 6   days i.e. 6 epochs and it is mentioned in

      Surah Al A’raf chapter 7 verse 54
      Surah Yunus chapter 10 verse 3
      Surah Hud chapter 11 verse 7
      Surah Al Furqan chapter 25 verse 59
      Surah Al Sajdah chapter 32 verse 4
      Surah Qaf chapter 50 verse 38
      Surah Al Hadid chapter 57 verse 4

      The verses of the Qur’an which according to you say that the heavens and the   earth were created in 8 days are Surah Fussilat chapter 41 verses 9 to 12

"Say: Is it that ye deny Him Who created the earth in two days? And do ye join   equals     With him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds;
     He set on the (earth) mountains standing firm, High above it, and bestowed     blessings on the earth, and measured therein all things to give them     nourishment in due proportion, In four days, in accordance with (the needs of)      Those who seek (sustenance)."
      Moreover, He Comprehended in His design the sky, and it had been (as)      smoke. He said to it and to the earth. "Come ye together, willingly or      unwillingly. They said: "We do come (Together), in willing obedience."    So He completed them as seven firmaments in two days and He assigned to    each heaven its duty and command and We adorned the lower heaven with     lights, and (provided it) with guard. Such is the decree of (Him) the exalted in    might, full of knowledge."
                      [Al-Qur’an 41:9-12]

      On the face of it, it seems that these verses of the Qur’an give the initial     impression that the heavens and the earth were created in 8 days.
      Allah says in the beginning of this verse that those who exploit this information    contained in this passage to raise doubts about its authenticity are equally    interested in promulgating blasphemy and denying His unity. Allah is telling us   that in course of time, there will emerge unbelievers who will make use of this  apparent contradiction.

      2. Summa means moreover

      If you analyse these verses carefully, it speaks about 2 different creations: the    earth and the heaven. The earth excluding the mountains was created in 2 days    and the mountains were set on the earth standing firm and blessed and    measured its sustenance in 4 days. Therefore the earth along with the    mountains was created in 6 days according to verse 9 and 10. Verse 11 and 12    says, moreover the heavens were created in 2 days. The Arabic word used in    the beginning of verse 11 of Surah Fussilat is summa which means; ‘then’ or     ‘moreover’. There are certain Qur’anic translations, which have, used ‘then’ for    the word summa which, indicates ‘afterwards’. If ‘then’ is wrongly used for    summa then the total of the creation of heaven and earth will be 8 days which  will conflict with other verses of the Qur’an which says heavens and earth were   created in 6 days and will also conflict with the Big Bang Theory as well as the
      verse of the Qur’an Surah Al Ambiya chapter 21 verse 30 which says that   heavens and the earth were created simultaneously.

      Therefore the correct translation of the word summa in this verse would be    ‘moreover’. Abdullah Yusuf Ali has rightly translated the word summa or    moreover which clearly gives an indication that while the earth along with the    mountains, etc. was created in 6 days simultaneously the heavens were   created in 2 days. Therefore the total does not come to 8 days but 6 days.
  If a builder says that he will construct a 10 storey building and surrounding   compound wall in 6 months and after completion of his project he gives a more
      detailed account saying that the basement of the building was built in 2 months    and the 10 storeys took 4 months and simultaneously, while the basement and  the building was being constructed, he also constructed the surrounding of the    building along with the compound wall which took 2 months. Therefore both his     first and second descriptions are not contradicting but the second statement     gives a more detailed account for the construction.