How Quran and Modern Science are Linked Together?
Quran is a divine book that is given to Muslims to provide a complete code of life and it is not a scientific book. It is not revealed for the purpose of scientific research rather it is simply a religious book. Despite these facts, why do we often come across discussions on “The Quran and Modern Sciences”?
The reason lies in the conformity of modern sciences to the Holy Quran. At the time it was revealed, there were many scientific brainteasers some of which now have been resolved and the Quran’s predictions have proved right. The Quran basically provides signs (Ayats) that are scientifically proven.
How to Relate the Quran and Modern Science?
Centuries ago, human beings were unable to understand many verses of the Holy Quran because of a lack of scientific approaches. With the advancement of scientific knowledge, it became obvious that modern advancement in science has absolute compatibility with the signs in the Holy Quran. The Quran relates not only the inventions but also the discoveries. These facts directed the attention of human beings towards the verses of the Holy Quran. In recent times there have the conscious efforts to make scientific advancements with the help of signs in the Quran.
Let us discuss some areas of science one by one.
EMBRYOLOGY
In recent years many Muslim scientists have discovered the connections between the natural sciences and the signs in the Quran related to the embryology or reproduction process in human beings. This is interesting to know that at the time when the Holy Quran was revealed, the study of natural science was not as much developed as it is today.
The mistaken thoughts were prevalently related to embryology and the limited knowledge and vision of human beings were unable to understand the verses of the Holy Quran at that time. Today we see the amazing similarity between the verses of the Quran and the modern theories of natural sciences with regard to reproduction. In the chapter Mo’minoon there is a verse translated as under:
“I fashioned the clinging entity into a chewed lump of flesh and I fashioned the chewed flesh into bones and I clothed the bones with intact flesh.”
In this verse chewed lump of flesh indicates the production of the embryo as established by the science of embryology. This science tells us that the bones are developed into this embryo and then these bones are enclosed with muscle. This modern study describes the meaning of intact flesh which we were told far earlier than this scientific research. Apart from this, there are many other verses of the Holy Quran which address the phenomenon of embryology. The explanation of all these verses is beyond the scope of this writing.
Astronomy
“(God is) the one who created the night, the day, the sun, and the moon. Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion.” Quran, 21:33
“The sun runs its course to a settled place That is the decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” Quran, 36:38
The latest research in astronomy seems to have its origin in the above-mentioned verses of the Holy Quran. Allah (SWT) said in the Holy Quran that the sun runs to a settled place. The astronomers found that the solar system is moving at the speed of twelve miles/sec and this movement is towards a specific point that is called by astronomers the solar apex. Similarly, the facts about the sun, moon, day, night, and the complete solar system are exactly according to the signs in the Holy Quran.
The nature of the light of the sun and moon, the concept of orbits, and other similar concepts were completely unknown at the time of the revelation of the Holy Quran. It took hundreds of years for human beings to know these facts. This is indeed a startling truth which itself is proof of the genuineness of the religion Islam.
Biology
The Holy Quran has explained definite information about various aspects of biology some 1400 years ago. For instance, let us consider following a single verse only.
“Surely there is a lesson for you in the cattle: We provide you to drink out of that which is in their bellies between the feces and the blood – pure milk which is a palatable drink for those who take it.” 16:66
The science of biology tells us that there are four parts of the belly that are involved in the method of excretion as well as in the production of milk. The nutritional value of milk of some cattle is also proven by nutritionists.
In the end, we can say that scientific development is nothing more than revealing hidden meanings of verses of the Holy Quran. The origin, as well as the end of this world, is well planned by our Creator. All his arrangements are for a specific purpose as He has stated in the Holy Quran chapter Mulk Ayat 2 as follows:
“He is the One˺ Who created death and life in order to test which of you is best in deeds. And He is the Almighty, All-Forgiving.”
So all we need is to surrender before Him and to lead this temporary life exactly according to His commands. Our success in this life and in the life hereafter depends completely upon this stipulation.