|
|
| Religious insight on the rise
In this millenium, thanks to the advanced technology we should make gorgeous strides to decipher the facts that used to be secret for us. By being enabled to interpret correctly what was before hard to understand, our religious insight, especially about the religion of Islam should grow tremendously. This is because one third of the Quran consists of diversified scientific issues with full of secrets. Meanwhile, the opponent and enemies of Islam try to impose Muslims and make them confused by relating the ancient myths to Islam. According to the Quran, these troublemakers wish to extinguish the light of God with their mouths, but God will perfect His light despite the disbelievers’dislike. It is He who has sent His messenger with the guidance and true religion to dominate it over all religions, despite the pagans’ dislike” 61: 8, 9.
Since overwhelming Muslims, like believers of other faiths, know nothing about the reality of their own religions; this article is to provide some true aspects of Islam through the facts can be seen clearly in our body. Can we deny any fact inserted in our body, so we cannot refuse any truth revealed by God in Hid revelation. There are many other factors that we will discuss them shortly. But let first have recourse to this word of God who has stipulated, “Then stand firmly yourself towards a monolithic religion, the very natural way of life by which God created (Brough into existance) for mankind. Such creation will never change. This is truly the right way of life, though most people do not know.” 30: 30
1-Prophets, messengers and spiritual authorities appointed by God were committed to guide and talk to their people with the easiest way, fitting the level of understanding. Spiritual guides were appointed to explain complicated issues in a very plain language lest they would not be called liar, sorcerer or even crazy. The pagans called the seal of the prophets a liar, sorcerer or crazy despite his ever simple explaination.
“They said, ‘O you to whom the reminder was revealed, you are surely crazy. If you are one of the truthful, why do you not bring angels before us?” 15: 6,7 “Wondered when a warner of their own came to them, unbelievers said, ‘This is a sorcerer, a liar. It is really strange that he has made all gods into one God” 38: 4, 5, “People were preocupied in their doubt, but watch for the day when the sky will bring visible smoke, enveloping them. A painful punishment, O Lord, relieve such punishment from us, we will believe, unbelievers said. But how could this reminder help them? Because when a messenger with all clear revelation came to them, they turned away and said, ‘Well educated crazy man’” 44: 9-14 “Woe to liars who are in the midst of their absent-mindedness” 51: 9, 10. “Therefore, remind people that, by the grace of your Lord, you are neither fortune teller nor crazy” 52: 30.
2- The Quran has been revealed when science was at its very preliminary steps, while one third of it is scientifically oriented with a wide variety of topics. Science has never been perfect and consistent, however it can only help people how to decipher the Divine secrets through systematic studies. The invisible world whose secrets are not easily detected by regular man has three senses to him. Some of them are absolutely secrete of which no one will ever know such as the Day of Resurrection. Some others will be known only to whom God wills. “The Knower of unseen does not manifest His secret to anyone except the one whom He chooses from messengers” 72:26, 27. And some other secrets will be known when man gets enough intelligence. “God alone has the knowledge of the Hour of Doom. He is the one who sends down the rain, and knows the content of the wombs. And no one knows what would happen to him tomorrow, and in which land will die. Indeed, God is all-Hering, all-aware” 31:34. “He alone has the knowledge of the Hour of Doom. No fruit will emerge from its sheath, nor does any female conceive or give birth without His knowledge” 41:47. As for those secrets that man would know after getting enough knowledge through special means is this, “He first started the creation of man from clay, then He made his offspring from the main part of a lowly liquid” 32: 7, 8. Before the advent of light microscope, the idea of this verse was an absolute secret to him. When the semen was tested under the light microscope, and male gametes, spermatozoids were found in it; the fact of this verse was proved to be true. Yet under the light microscpe, man was not able to get much information of cell’s internal stuctures (Organells). Therefore what was revealed, “The semen makes female and male” was absolutely obscure to him at that time. “ Indeed, God created the male and female from a drop of ejaculated semen” 53: 45, 46. God, the Omniscient in His revelation has stipulated that male and female come from the semen, not the ovum. This is because God ahead of time had made this special gamete for this purpose, while nobody else knew about it. As you know, all cells in the body of human have 46 chromosomes or 23 pairs of homologues chromosomes, while reproductive cells have just 23 chromosomes, 22 pairs of which carry body information known as “Somatic chromosomes”, whereas one pairs of which relating to sex information are called “Sex chromosomes”. Female sex chromosomes are XX, while male sex chromosomes are XY. To reduce their chromosomic set from 46 to 23, reproductive cells replicate just once through meiosis to become haploid. Then they must replicate through mitosis to keep their 23 chromosomes steady, because one of millons spermatozoids of 23 chromosomes is required to fertilize female egg to make a zygote of 46 chromosomes. Otherwise, after a few times of replication no chromosome would remain in gamete cells. As a result, when a male seed of Y chromosome consolidates with a female seed of X chromosome, the unified zygote will be a male of XY chromosome. But when a male seed of X chromosome fertilizes a female seed of X chromosome, their unification will be a female of XX chromosome. When electron microscope in 1930 with much advanced magnifying power was developed; intracellular organells such as sex chromosomes became visualized and identified. Then veterinarians understood why the semen kept in refrigerator for artificial imsemination divides into two different sections. When they inseminated cows with the top part of the semen, they became male pregnant, whereas the result of insemination of other group with the lower part of the semen was female pregnancies. Futher research, through high power of electron microscpe proved that spermatozoids of the upper part of the semen were small and light because Y chromosome is much smaller than X chromosome. That is why they stand at the top part of the semen. And the spermatozoids in the lower part having X chromosome are large and heavy because X chromosome is much larger than Y chromosome. That is why they stand at the bottom part of the tube.
Before that electronmicroscope was made, people had to believe in unseen and acknowledge what was revealed. But today, through new technology, people are able to see facts of their body by their own eyes to become more convinced that what God has revealed is truly true. When light microscope was made, man thought his knowledge was perfect; but by the advent of electron microscope, he acknowledged that his previous view was wrong. And again he will not know that what would happen tomorrow. That is why God has stated, “God knows everything, while you know nothing” 2: 216. “He has the keys to all secrets, and none knows them but He” 6: 59. “Unbelievers said, ‘This Quran is a lie that he invented with the help of other people. Unjust is what they said and false. They also said, ‘It is the ancient myths, dictated to him morning and evening of which he has written down. Say, ‘He who knows the secret of the heavens and the earth has sent this Quran” 25: 4-6. “Or if they say that the prophet has made up this Quran, tell them to make ten invented chapters like this and call whomever you can other than God if you are truthful. But if you failed, you should know that the Quran has been sent with the knowledge of God, and there is no deity save Him, then will you be Muslim?” 11: 13, 14.
Consequently, the revelation of the Quran regarding the creation of male and female from the semen, through advanced technology proved objectively to be absolutely true. That is why God, the most Compassionate has referred man frequently to His own creation. “This Quran has been revealed from God, the Almighty, the most Wise. Surely, there are signs in the heavens and the earth to convince believers. Also there are signs in your own creation and that of animals scattered on earth to be certain” 45: 2, 3, 4. “There are signs on earth for believers, and in your ownself, Do not see?” 51: 20, 21. “So by the Lord of heaven and earth, what We have pormissed is absolutely true just as you speak” 21, 23.
He further revealed, “We created you, so why do you not accept? Have you seen what you emit? Do you create it or are we the creator?” 56: 57-59.
The Quran states, “The servants of the Merciful God take no part of the Quran for granted. They should accept it after systematic inquiry. This means that servants of God should increase their knowledge until they can eaily accept Quranic statements.
Would a blind or deaf’s reaction be equal to that of a sighted or hearer? “The blind and the sighted are not equal, nor are the darkness and the light equal, nor are cool shade and hot spot the same, nor are the living and the dead similar” 35: 19-22. Zealous students would never be equal to lazy ones.
“Do not accept any information until it is accurately verified. Do not insist on any information, unless it is known precisely. In fact, eyes, ears and mind are all full responsible for the way they are used” 17: 36. “The true believers are those whose hearts fill with awe when God is mentioned, and whose faith grows stronger when they listen His revelations, so they put their trust in their Lord” 8: 3. “Indeed, those who are knowledgeable have reverence for God” 35: 28. “Give good news to servants who first listen the word, then follow the best. These are whom God has guided and these are endowed with intelligence” 39:18. These and many others prove that better understanding and good intention are due for having a good religious insight.
3-Customarily, the Quran has been revealed to the prophet very briefly to the point for many reasons. Actually this book is a miracle classified by God for the prophets to be an all-purpose prescription for the life style of all human beings. To keep its loveliness and freshness, the Quran should not be revealed in every detail. Otherwise, such a book prepared centuries ago for centuries later would be exhausting or even ridiculous for everyone. It would be absolutely dull for the ancients with their very shallow understanding, as when kindergartners are urged to read medical books. It would be also very boring for the modern, due to they already know all about, as when medical students are encouraged to read kindergarten books. Consequently, a book designed for a long range of people and far-reaching time should keep its novelty to capture the sense of curiosity of those who are interested in finding its secrets. Parallel to the improvement of knowledge, human’s understanding would naturally be increased. That is why every single development in science could not refute any scientifically oriented of Quranic statement so far, rather it has displayed the splendor of some aspects of revelation. Unfortunately pride, self-centered and selfishness of many scientists impedes them to acknowledge God, His providence and Devine direction. Not only did the perplexing harmony among different parts of the universe fail to convince them about God, but also the astonishing accuracy in the creation of their body and the delicate mutual exchange between the body’s organs could not lead them to the truth of God. Totally neglectful that their knowledge has been harvested from their experimental trials and errors, some scientists believe that knowledge is very important to them. Some of them are so snob that they humiliate those who believe in God and His truth. They think all intelligence has been given to them, they possess the whole intelligence, and the whole truth is with them, while others are void of intelligence. “And even We open one gate of the space to them to keep ascending through it, they would say, ‘Our eyes have been dazzled, under magical influence, and we are bewithched people” 15: 14, 15. “Certainly, We have set forth in this Quran every example for people. But if you bring any sign to those who disbelieve, they will say, ‘You are nothing but liars.’ So be firmly patient; certainly, the promisse of God is true, and do not let, those who are not ceratain, drive you out of view” 30: 58-60. “And when he comes to know anything from our signs, he will take it as a joke” 45: 9.”Addressing to the faithful, unbelievers say, ‘If we had found any good in the Quran, you would never get ahead of us in it. And since we have not guided by it, we think, ‘It is nothing but the ancient myths” 46: 11.
Fourteen centuries earlier than the present time, the Omniscient God revealed sparingly some secrets of the creation throughout the Quran. Aa you know, at the beginning of the creation, nobody was there to witness exactly what was going on. What was the original source of energy? How does the energy flow? Who managed all those things to create the universe? So no one could conclude precisely whether the creationism is the right answer or natural selection. But scientists blindly believe that natural selection is the right one, while Quranic prophecies indicotherwise. A Supernatural being of omniscience and omnipower must be involved in creationism to create everything individually in its present form, not an unconscience nature.
Having no conclusive evidence, scientists very unlikely can hit the nail on the head and reach a logical conclusion. “I never call them to witness the creation of the heavens and the earth nor their own creation. Nor do I take strayers as my assistant ” 18: 51. “Disbelievers have no adequate information of this, they only guesse, while guesswork does never help to find the truth” 53: 28.
To have an overall information about the creation of the heaven and the earth, God, the most High has revealed it with a very simple language until man gradually gets more knowledge in this respect. “Did unbelievers not notice that the heavens and the earth were but one solid mass and we separated them? And We restored the life of everything from water” 21: 30. “God who has created this universe is the one and only responsible for the provision of every creature, because He knows its temporal dwelling as well as resting- place, and everything is in His book. It is He who created the heavens and the earth, while His throne of authrity was on water” 11; 6, 7. When there was nothing there; water, the main source of everything was there. That is why God, the Omniscient stipulated, “His throne of authority was on the basis of water.” This is because “Water” has been called “Life’s water”. The Water hydrogen molecules should continuously convert to Helium molecule to supply solar energy. The female seed in women is the largest one among others, but it is not as large as to be seen with naked eye, like hen’s egg. That is because the former must thrive inside of the uterus, while the latter must develop outside of its mother. Though the egg of a hen of 4 pounds is about 100 grams, the egg of an ostrich over 300 pounds is about 3 pounds. Who has calculated meticulously such a delicate arrangement even before giving birth, unconscious nature, or the Omniscient God?
“God is the light of the heavens and the earth” 24; 35. “Then what is wrong with you denying God’s dignity, while he has created you in stages. Do you not realize how God created the seven heavens in layers, and He made the moon therein as a light and the sun as a lamp” 71: 12-16. “These are some signs of God that we truly recite to you, O prophet. Then in which Hadith other than God and His revelation will they believe?” 45: 5
Scientific studies of the universe (Astronomy) are taking first steps. As children who judge without adequate information, scientists make their comments about the creation of universe without convicing proof. As a result, their statements are not only ambiguous but very various as well.
Informing man ahead of time that he will explor the earth and penetrate into space in future is another reason for man to believe in God that His revelation is nothing but the whole truth. Right now, he is doing exactly what it has been forecasted before. “ O you Jinns and men, if you have power to penetrate beyond the limit of the heaveans and the earth, go ahead and do so, but you can never penetrate without Our authority, knowledge and help” 55:33. Without taking help from solar energy, man is not able to complete his research in space. He can only launch spacecraft into outer space, but for the continuation of the mission, he needs to use solar energy. Otherewise the heavy weight of fuel for the entire mission was not only opressive but onerous financially as well. Threfore, you can see that man at any step needs God to be guided, helped and suppoert Ed.
“Pharaho said, ‘O Haman! Build me a high sturcture as a means to search in the heaven to get some information of the God of Moses.” 40: 36, 37
“Do they have a ladder in which they go up to hear what is going on there? Let their listeners bring their positive proof.” 52: 38. “We have built the sky with Our Power, and We are its Spreader” 51: 47. Whatever larger and stronger telescope astronomers make perhapse they may see the end of space, they feel unable. Once more, we realize that God’s revelation has ever been the whole truth.
From 1955 on, the big bang theory drew the attention of overwhelming people. It has been revealed though many centuries ago by God, like other Devine revelation, it could not capture folks’s attention. Today, in the light of the improvement of knowledge, we should bow down before God’s compassion and kindness that made two absolutely different things of one thing for man to live in comfort. He made a part of this mass into a sun to support another parts of solar system such as earth. The sun is to fuse two hyrogen molecules from water, into one molecule of helium over and over to continuously release tremendous energy for the whole solar system. Although the earth should be suported by the sun, meanwhile it should be well equipped to to be protected perfectly against the hazards of its radiation. It is true that a tiny fraction of solar energy reaches the earth in the form of electromagnetic waves, much of it is reflects by the earth’s atmosphere, ozone layer, and clouds to block the damaging ecfects of gamma rays and ultraviolet radiation. If there were no protection against cosmic rays, no living organism could exist on earth.
“We made the sky of the universe beauty with the lamps, but We made it projectiles against devils coming down, and We have prepared them with the pain of falme” 67: 5. When ultraviolet light strikes ozone and oxygen, it both breakes down and regenerates ozone to remain it constant. In this process, the ultraviolet converts to heat and support the earth from getting too cold.
“Truly We adorned the atmosphere of the earth with the beauty of the stars, and protected it against all rebellious forces.” 37: 6, 7
Right now, scientists know many things, however they never discuss about the causer of causes, the originator of causes, the one who has programmed and supervises all those things perpetually. But the Quran repeatedly encourages people to think about the creation at any position and circumstance to find the correct answer. “Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day are signs for the intelligent; those who remember God while standing, sitting or lying on their sides. And those who reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, then say, ‘Our Lord! You have not created this in vain. Then save us from the punishment of Fire” 3: 190, 191.
“He is He who created the heavens and the earth in six periods of time, then He arranged the throne of authority. He knows all that goes into the earth and all that comes out from it, and all comes down from the sky and all that climbs into it. Wherever you may be, He will be with you and He is insightful of what you do” 57: 4
“Have you ever pondered on what you invoke besides God? Show Me what part of the earth did they create, or do they have any share in the creation of the heavens? Bring me any book before this Quran, or any peace of scientific evidence if you are right” 46:4.
“Your Lord is God who created the heavens and the earth in six perods of time, then He arranged the throne of authority. He covers the day by the night and this swiftly takes over that. The sun, the moon and the stars are committed to serve His commands. Beware that all creations and commands are under His control. Blessed is the Lord of the universe.” 7: 54
Another exciting point mentioned in this segment is about “Water”. It deserves to be called “Water of life”because of its special properties. Recent studies have shown thkat all sorts of lives on earth intimately depend on the property of water. Having polarity, water interacts with almost all moleccules. It is the major constituent of all living matters. And because it tremendously moderates the effect of temperature changes, and because both very low and very high temperatures are fatal to all living organisms, watershould has special property. Not only is ¾ of the earth covered with water, but the human body is mostly made of water too. When heat energy enters living cells, instead of speeding individual molecules of water to increase the temperature of the body, it rather breakes hydrogen bonds. Therefore, the body will remain rather cool. When sunbathing, the water of our body takes 540 calories per gram to evaporate and keep our body cool. Because of high heat of fusion, water needs a very low temperature to make ice crystals. As you know spearlike ice crystals with their increased volume are fatal for all living cells to rupture them. When a lake starts freezing in winter, the ice will stay on top for its less dence to form an insulating layer to keep the rest of the water from freezing. Otherwise, if ice sank and would freez solidly during the winter, all marine life would eliminate and wild animals would die because of sacarce food and water. That is why God, the most High has revealed, “We made every living organisms from water” 21, 31.
To assure us that God has arranged everything for His servants to live in comfort, He revealed the following verses in general and in particular for water.
As the hairlike mucous membrane outgrowths of the small intestine are designed to increases the absorbing surface for food, the high mountains on earth are planned to increase the percolating surface for hexagonal fresh water. Looking at every single snowflake, we will find it like a six-sided structure (Hexagonal). Since each six-individual-molecule of water held tightly together but loosely connected with other molecule by hydrogen bonds, natural water has special structure with specific property. The unique water structure with small clusters and loose hydrogen bands makes it easily absorbed, help a variety of our body’s functions, and easily come out to clean our body of its waste materials.
“And We placed on earth high mountains to make you fresh water” 66: 27.
“The store of everything is with Us, but We sent it down in due measure” 15:20.
“Do you not see that God drives clouds, then brings them together, then piles them into masses, then you see the rain coming forth out of them. Then He sends from the sky loads of hail to hit whomever He wills and drive back from whomever He wills.” 24: 43. “Is it no He who made the earth a resting- place, and placed rivers within it, and placed for it mountains, and put a barrier between the two of bodies of water?” 27: 61.
4-All in all, considering the following Quranic specifications prove that its understanding needs a good ambition and hard work to decipher its deep secrets.
Everything from A to Z has been inserted in this Glorious book. “Everything whether wet or dry has been recorded in this clear book” 6: 59. And nothing has been neglected from this scripture. “And We omitted nothing from this book” 5: 38.
“We have sent this book to you to explain everything and to be a guidance, mercy and good news for those who submit themselves to God.” 16: 89.
“This is a reminder to the whole world that surely you will find out its truths before long” 38: 87, 88. “Surely it is a mighty book within which no falsehood can reach it in the past or in the future, for it is a revelation from an all Wise, all-Praiseworthy God” 41: 42. “Truly, We will address you with a word of heavy message” 73: 5. In fact the Quran is not that easy to be understood by regular man at the first glance. It needs lots of perseverance for its learning. “Surely those who strive in our cause, we will guide them in our paths; indeed, God is with the righteous.” 29: 69.
This is not an empty promise from God that its maturity will be only on the Resurrection Day. It is not to coax someones with soft words, and intimidate some others with unreal punishment. It is undeniable truths that you will discover its aftermaths here and there.
5-“We will show them our signs on every horizon and within themselves, until it becomes clear to them that this message is the truth. Does it not suffice that your Lord is the witness of everything? Yet they still doubt that they will ever meet their Lord. Surely, He compasses all things” 41: 53, 54.
Diversity in unity as well as unity in diversity is nothing but exclusively God’s wonderful design. “We did build the sky with our power and we are its expander. And we did spread the earth, and what an excellent spreader is He. And we made everything in pairs that you might reflect” 51: 47-49. “To God belongs the kingdom of the heavens and the earth and what is between them. He creates what He wills for God has the power over everything” 5: 17. “And in the earth are neighboring plots of vineyard, crops, palm trees, single and twin, irrigated with one water. And we made some of them better than others for food. Surely, in this there are signs for people who think” 13: 6.”It seems to you that mountains are standing still, while they are moving like the clouds. Such is the design of God who has made everything perfect. Indeed, He is well informed of what you do” 27: 88. “Then He applied His design to the sky which was still smoke, He said to it and the earth, ‘Are you coming both of you willingly or unwillingly?’ We come willingly, they replied.” 41: 11.
Almost all scientists have rejected creationism, which means God has made all organisms in their present form. While they have no convincing proof to their theory, they have preferred natural process to creationism? Within the womb, one fertilized egg multiplied many times into a mass of absolutely indentical cells. All of a sudden, without whatever change in the internal milieu of the body, this identical mass differentiates into 5 various layers to develop into specialized organs. This proves that all species have been created essentially in their present forms by the direct intervention of God, not by natural process. Scientists believe that the different conditions are the main cause of the diversity of things of the same family. How can they prove the diversity of fruits of the same species growing under one growth condition such as rain, sun, shade, soil, heat, coldness, and etc? Creationism needs to be discussed in detail in a separate chapter known as “The realm of creation and command”.
When man had no knowledge he could believe only through his faith. But such a faith cannot be so firm to stay unshakable before oppononents. Some preliminary imformation is required to understand medicine much better such as anatomy, physilogy, pathology, biology, and etc. That is why medical students must first study them before starting medcine itself. The same is very true that the knowledge of our body whether its physical or spiritual aspect is required to understand God, for self-knowledge is godliness. Knowing ourself more, we will know God more. The key code to self- knowledge is to deepen into oneself. Self- knowledge would lead us to be pious. In such a case we will wish good things for others as we usually dofor ourselves. Godliness would encourage man to think from where he has come. What would be his duty? And where he will go? A godly man woulld be just like honeybees that help themselves as well as others by making honey. Their product (Honey) not only saves themselves wintertime when there in no flower, but cures many disorders for man as well. The good people displat real goods and bads as they are, while the diabolic exhibit them otherwise.
If a bird has no wings, it is miserable by being nailed to the earth. Because it cannot fly, it will be a good and easy pray for every predator. If it has just one wing, it may fly in calm weather but not in stormy and its desired direction. Just having two full- fledged wings enables it for a strong flight. In other words, man should be equipped with two wings of faith and knowledge in order to defend his faith and convince others if they are wrong.
Imam Hussein (AS) said, “God created His servants to know Him; and serve Him, after knowing Him; and become free from serving others by serving God.” Of course, this is when we believe that God is the most charitable and compassionate to man.
Imam Ali (AS) says, “Truly making man is the greatest proof of Devine providence for His creature. The structure He has assembled by His power is actually a brief copy of the prototype in mother book. Do you think you are a priceless mass, whereas a large world has been folded within you? You are that clear book with each of whose letter (cell) a big secret becomes visible. Your sickness is within yourself but you do not know of, and your remedy is also within yourself while you do not see. Then you need nothing to get from outside, because your thought is within yourself but you do not use it.”
When man realizes that his body with all its sofistication is really nothing before the creation of the world, physicologically he will feel his insignificance before God. Therefore, he would never dare to take pride to disobey God with all his scientific degrees. “Are you more difficult to create than the heaven which He built it? Raised its roof and set everything in due order. And made dark its night and pulled out its brightness. Then He spread the earth wide. He pulled out from it water and pasture. And He set mountains firm to provide life support for you and your animals.” 79: 27-33.
In one Sacred Hadith, God said, “I was a hidden treasure, but I would like to be known, so I created human to be known.” That is why God, the most High entrusted His knowledge to man to enable him to find His secrets. And trough this process he can deduce the greatness of God from specific to general.
Let us sincerely pray.
O God! Dispel the clouds of misgiving from our insight, and remove the wrappings and veils of doubt from our heart, and destroy all falshood from our minds, and fix all truth in our secret thoughts.
O God! I ask you for a useful knowledge, a humble heart, a healing certitude, a pure action, a beautiful patience, and a great reward.
O God! Make my word be heard by people, and my deed is raised before you, and my impact of good things is followed.
| |
|