Islam and Science From: Shariq Ali Khan "Astronomy in the Quran" - Part 1 Astronomy Introduction: The Quran (ÇáÞÑÂä) is authentic. There are manuscripts everywhere exceeding 1000 years of age, in both Muslim and non-Muslim possession and the copies in circulation today are exactly the same word by word. So any description of natural phenomena which have been discovered recently must be clear signs for a supreme being (not the only signs). Instruments of measurement and observation such as telescopes had not been invented at the time of the revelation of the Quran, so human beings could not have had the knowledge to write down so many signs in such a detail in the 7th and 8th century A.D. The main reason for the conviction by the word of the Quran was its poetical eloquence, the justice commanded by it and the life, kindness and justice of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) but not the scientific signs which have only been discovered in recent times. Allah promises us to show us his signs clearly in the universe and in our body (Surah Ha-Mim Surah 41 Ayah 53). The scientific part of the lecture: The Big Bang (Surah Al-Anbiyaa, 21 Ayah 30), the formation of the planets and stars from smoke (Surah Ha-Mim, 41 Ayah 10), and the expansion of the universe (Surah Az-Zariyat Surah 51 Ayah 47) are clearly indicated in the Quran. These have only been proven by direct observation since the Hubble Telescope has been set up less than 10 years ago and are no longer outsider theories but dominating models in astrophysics. The distinction between the light of the sun and the moon, the first being the source of light and the latter the reflection is made in many verses (Surah Nuh, 71 Ayah 16, Surah Al-Furqan, 25 Ayah 61). (In Surah Yunus, 10 Ayah 4,) it is further stated that they are both there for the measuring of time. Other verses express that they will both come to an end at some distant stage (Surah Ar-Ra'd 13, Ayah 2, Surah Fatir Surah 35 Ayah 13, Surah Luqman 31 Ayah 29, Surah Ya-Sin 36, Ayah 38) These are all discoveries made in the 20th century. In a similar way to the verses above Allah expresses in the Quran that time is relative and varies. The exact speed of light can be calculated from the parameters of the movement of the moon and the Earth relative to the sun and certain physical constants and formulas for the measurement of speed and circular angle movement. The delicate balance of these movements indicating the special role of solar eclipses in relation to the appearance of mammal life on earth are worth mentioning since the Prophet (pbuh) used to pray during these. The sun is exactly 400 times larger in diameter than our moon and it is also 400 times further away from the Earth than the moon. So the moon just about covers the sun and solar eclipses are only visible from the Earth. Also the shadow of the Earth just about covers the moon in a lunar eclipse. These things cannot be a coincidence. The rounded movements of the celestial bodies, as well as the coiling of night and day over the Earth indicating its ball like shape are described precisely in the book called "Reading". Furthermore, the stages of the moon which are connected with biological and geological phenomena, the distinction between planets and comets, the fact that there must be more planets than the visible 9. The structure of the universe and the seven layers of the atmosphere of the Earth, the origin of elements like iron and hydrogen are mentioned as well. The age of the universe in relation to the age of the earth, gamma-ray bursts and much more that we don't know yet are all revealed in the Quran. For a detailed study visit : The consequences: These signs of the Quran are held in an easy language that can be understood by people of the time when it was revealed as well as today and cannot be misunderstood. They cover all areas of cosmology and the depth and detail of their meaning increases as human knowledge of natural phenomena increases. They are a clear proof that the Quran is an entity and the true word of Allah the Almighty Creator. Allah commands in the Quran to investigate his wonders, to establish justice with truth and balance, practice regular prayer, charity, fasting and pilgrimage and to propagate his religion with the best methods. He commands us to increase our knowledge and so he will grant us wisdom and success. We have to learn more about science, history, comparative theology, arts and languages. The main benefit of these is certainty and not blind faith, which is based on compulsion, doubt, ignorance, fear, prohibition and punishment. So studying sciences leads to a high confidence in faith and can be utilised as a tool of dawah (invitation to Islam) in combination with beautiful artistic illustration and speech. Positive creativity can only be applied in a state of happiness. There is a middle between fear and hope and spirituality and materialism which was practiced successfully by the Prophet (pbuh). In his way reason and emotion are covered. I.e. it would not be enough to convince a secular scientist of the truth by the means of reason but he must feel comfortable with it emotionally as well. He has to ask for guidance himself. The Muslims in the west must be attractive as an ummah (collective), strong and influential and the same time make people feel welcome with love, justice, kindness and patience. The Western societies are investing in communicating science to the public but Muslims are not doing much for bringing these scientific signs into the media. That is mainly due to a lack of knowledge of these signs. The early Muslims practiced these sciences and contributed enormously to the progress of mankind and we can get back there now. We have to be more multidisciplinary, keep an open mind and absorb all knowledge. Another reason for entering scientific learning actively is to establish Allah's law in the different disciplines which have been left to be dominated by the rejecters of Islam. We cannot expect the secular society to establish justice for us. That is why we are responsible for re-Islamising learning, teaching and research methodology. We must implement Islamic values and morals in all disciplines. That is true shariah and not only methods of punishment and ruling. Only if we take our role as Khalifah on Earth seriously will we be granted unity and dominance again and we have to set the priorities right. There is a realistic chance today because in this Age of science and technology the scientific signs are a gift from Allah to the Muslims and mankind, the Quran "is a message to all the worlds (or dimensions or beings, alemeen)." Shariq Ali Khan, Islamic Forum on Science and Arts.