The Qur’aan and Modern Science: Compatible or Incompatible?
PHYSICS
THE EXISTENCE OF SUBATOMIC PARTICLES
In ancient times a well-known theory by the name of ‘Theory of Atomism’
was widely accepted. This theory was originally proposed by the Greeks, in
particular by a man called Democritus, who lived about 23 centuries ago.
Democritus and the people that came after him, assumed that the smallest unit
of matter was the atom. The Arabs used to believe the same. The Arabic word
dharrah most commonly meant an atom. In recent times modern science has
discovered that it is possible to split even an atom. That the atom can be split
further is a development of the 20th century. Fourteen centuries ago this
concept would have appeared unusual even to an Arab. For him the dharrah
was the limit beyond which one could not go. The following Qur’aanic verse
however, refuses to acknowledge this limit:
“The Unbelievers say, ‘Never to
us will come The Hour’: say, ‘Nay! But most surely, By my Lord, it will
come Upon you – by Him Who knows the unseen – From Whom is not
hidden The least little atom In the Heavens or on earth: Nor is there
anything less Than that, or greater, but Is in the Record Perspicuous.’”
[Al-Qur’aan 34:3] 4
This verse refers to the Omniscience of God, His knowledge of all things,
hidden or apparent. It then goes further and says that God is aware of
everything, including what is smaller or bigger than the atom. Thus the verse
clearly shows that it is possible for something smaller than the atom to exist, a
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BIOLOGY
EVERY LIVING THING IS MADE OF WATER
Consider the following Qur’aanic verse: “Do not the Unbelievers see that
the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one Unit of Creation),
before We clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing.
Will they not then believe?” [Al-Qur’aan 21:30]
Only after advances have been made in science, do we now know that
cytoplasm, the basic substance of the cell is made up of 80% water. Modern
research has also revealed that most organisms consist of 50% to 90% water
and that every living entity requires water for its existence. Was it possible 14
centuries ago for any human-being to guess that every living being was made
of water? Moreover would such a guess be conceivable by a human being in
the deserts of Arabia where there has always been scarcity of water? The
following verse refers to the creation of animals from water:
“And Allah has
created Every animal from water.” [Al-Qur’aan 24:45]
The following verse refers to the creation of human beings from water:
“It is
He Who has Created man from water: Then has He established
Relationships of lineage And marriage: for thy Lord Has power (over all
things).” [Al-Qur’aan 25:54]
