How many friends do you have?
Let’s think! School friends, college friends, friends in office, friends at home, at places we frequent regularly, and then some phenomena possibly unique to Mumbai City - train friends.
Then there’s the new technology-driven revolution. Facebook, Orkut and other social networking sites, through which we now have hundreds – if not thousands – of friends!
The measure of a person’s popularity is the number of friends he has.
But just wait. Are these friends? Or are they acquaintances, colleagues, neighbours, associates etc?
The Oxford Dictionary defines the word ‘friend’ as ‘a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations’.
I believe this simple definition is not enough! It falls far short of the real understanding of the word.
I read a nice poem (I don’t know the author) which defined friendship as follows-
A friend is a tender shoulder
On which to softly cry
A well to pour your troubles down
And raise your spirits high
A friend is a hand to pull you up
From darkness and despair...
When all your other “so called” friends
Have helped to put you there
A true friend is an ally
Who can't be moved or bought
A voice to keep your name alive
When others have forgot
But most of all a friend has a true heart
For from the hearts of friends
There comes the greatest love of all!
And a much more profound definition of a friend was given by Aristotle, who said, “What is a friend? A single soul, dwelling in two bodies”.
I remember having read a very nice story of a businessman who had just one friend, while his son had hundreds. The son used to keep telling the businessman that he would have succeeded much more in life if he had more friends, and used to keep referring to himself and his friend circle.
Then one day, the businessman told his son, “Son, let’s check if your so-called friends are really your friends. Tomorrow morning, go to all your friends one by one and tell them that we have lost everything in our business, and we’re destitute – on the streets. Tell them that you need their help. Ask them for a place to stay and food for our entire family and some of our servants for one month. Tell them that we would manage on our own after that.”
The next morning, the son did as he was told. He went to each of those hundreds of friends and asked them for help. But under one pretext or the other, he was turned away by all of them. Each one – except for two.
He returned home and narrated the entire episode to his father. The businessman asked him about the statements of the two friends who had agreed to help him. He replied, “Dad, the first friend asked me, ‘How many people are you?’ When I gave the answer, he asked me to come on over and stay with him. The second friend said, ‘Come on over. By the way, how many of you would be there?’.”
The businessman told his son, “See, you have possibly just two friends. Nurture and cherish their friendship, especially of the second one. Because he could be possibly your only friend.”
While the son had got the message, he was still puzzled as to why his father still said that these two were ‘possibly’ his friends. So he asked his father. And the businessman said, “Now let me show you what a friend really is. Go to my friend and tell him the same story.”
The son went to his father’s friend. Upon hearing the story, the father’s friend said, “Son, you come in and rest, while I go and fetch your father and everyone else. And you need not worry about one month or whatever. You can stay here for as long as you want. And I’ll help you and your father to build your business again.”
So, how many friends do you have?
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
The Qur’an on the Cosmos
It has been a fortnight since I’ve written the last post, and what a hectic fortnight it has been!
Added to that, when I sat down to make my notes related to this post, it ran into more than 20 pages!
It has taken a lot of editing to bring this post down to manageable size, although I’ve had to leave a lot of references out.
What I’ll try and do in this post is to mention a few theories, relating to the earth and the universe, prevailing in the 6th century AD or later, give one or two references (if needed) on each, and mention what the Qur’an has to say about them. Later in the post, I shall specifically mention a couple of celestial phenomena that were completely unknown when the Qur’an was revealed – phenomena discovered only in the past 40-odd years – and see if the Qur’an has any references to these.
Theory 1: The Universe is without beginning or end
As late as the first three decades of the 20th century, scientists believed that the universe was static - without beginning or end. Even Albert Einstein, in his general theory of relativity, added a cosmological constant to his theory to try to force it to allow for a static universe with matter in it.
The idea of the universe expanding was proposed by Hubble only in 1929. And it was only in the 60s, with the works of Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose that the majority of cosmologists accepted the Big Bang theory, where the universe began a finite time ago.
On this point, the Qur’an says,
Awa lam yara allatheena kafaroo anna alssamawati waal-arda kanata ratqan fafataqnahuma wajaAAalna mina alma-i kulla shay-in hayyin afala yu/minoona
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? (Qur’an 21:30; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Revelation – 6th century. Acceptance by scientists – 20th century. And an interesting use of words – ‘clove them asunder’. Striking resemblance to the Big Bang, isn’t it?
There’s another verse which has a clear reference to the Big Bang.
Thumma istawa ila alssama-i wahiya dukhanun faqala laha walil-ardi i/tiya tawAAan aw karhan qalata atayna ta-iAAeena
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." (Qur’an 41:11; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Another verse clearly mentions that the Universe will come to an end.
Yawma natwee alssamaa katayyi alssijlli lilkutubi kama bada/na awwala khalqin nuAAeeduhu waAAdan AAalayna inna kunna faAAileena
The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it. (Qur’an 21:104; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Each of these verses pointed to things that were unknown till the last couple of hundred years to humans!
Theory 2: The earth is static and the centre of the universe
Around 150 AD, Ptolemy theorised that the earth was static, and that the Sun and all other planets revolved around it.
Around 1543 AD or so, Tycho Brahe proposed a geo-centric universe, with a static Earth at the centre of the Universe with the Moon and the Sun orbiting it, with the rest of the planets going around the Sun.
Two key proponents of the theory that the earth is not static and not the centre of the universe - Copernicus (around 1543 AD) and Galileo (17th century) – were both accused of heresy. While Copernicus’s book was banned, Galileo was given life imprisonment and was under house arrest till his death. Remember, both these events happened during the Renaissance!
To be fair, the idea of a heliocentric system had actually already been proposed around 200 B.C. However, Aristotle had asked some very simple - and very logical – questions; way earlier, around 350 B.C. This father of formal logic had asked, (1) If the Earth spun on an axis, why didn't objects fly off?; (2) If the Earth was moving (around the Sun), why didn't it leave behind the birds flying in the air?; (3) If the Earth was orbiting the sun, why didn't the stars appear to change their position since they were being viewed from a different perspective? And these seemingly logical questions held sway for a geo-centric system till the Renaissance.
And then this theory turned around on its head, to another theory.
Theory 3: The Sun is static and the centre of the Universe
First Copernicus and then Galileo propounded the heliocentric theory of planetary motion. This theory was supported by Yohann Keppler, who, around 1609, showed that planets revolve around the sun and also rotate upon their axes.
However, post these discoveries, it was thought that the Sun was stationary and did not rotate about its axis like the Earth.
On both these theories, the Qur’an says
Wahuwa allathee khalaqa allayla waalnnahara waalshshamsa waalqamara kullun fee falakin yasbahoona
It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course. (Qur’an 21:33; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Simple line, yet very profound!
This is re-stated in the Sura Ya-Seen.
La alshshamsu yanbaghee laha an tudrika alqamara wala allaylu sabiqu alnnahari wakullun fee falakin yasbahoona
It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each just swims along in its own orbit according to Law. (Qur’an 36:40; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Theory 4: The earth is flat
I allude to this theory also because of one of my readers – swap – who has mentioned this in his/her comments. (Just an aside for swap - it would be great if you could identify yourself. You could e-mail me at khanmubin@gmail.com).
While Zaffer has replied to this, giving references in his reply, let me refer to two verses from the Qur’an which prove this theory wrong.
Alam tara anna Allaha yooliju allayla fee alnnahari wayooliju alnnahara fee allayli wasakhkhara alshshamsa waalqamara kullun yajree ila ajalin musamman waanna Allaha bima taAAmaloona khabeerun
Seest thou not that Allah merges Night into Day and he merges Day into Night; that He has subjected the sun, and the moon (to his Law), each running its course for a term appointed; and that Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do? (Qur’an 31:29; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi yukawwiru allayla AAala alnnahari wayukawwiru alnnahara AAala allayli wasakhkhara alshshamsa waalqamara kullun yajree li-ajalin musamman ala huwa alAAazeezu alghaffaru
He created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): He makes the Night overlap the Day, and the Day overlap the Night: He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law): Each one follows a course for a time appointed. Is not He the Exalted in Power - He Who forgives again and again? (Qur’an 39:5; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
The English translations of both these verses really fall short of explaining the true meaning of the Arabic words.
In the former verse, the Arabic word 'yooliju' refers to the night slowly and gradually changing to day and vice versa. Such gradual changes can happen only if the earth is round. It stands to reason that if the earth was flat, this change would be sudden and not gradual.
In the latter verse, the Arabic word ‘yukawwiru’ literally means ‘to overlap’ or ‘to coil’. As eloquently explained by Dr. Zakir Naik many times, this overlapping or coiling is in the way a turban is wound around the head. The overlapping or coiling of the day and night can only take place if the earth is spherical.
But wait, I’m keeping on proving that the earth is round, but it really is not. We have found in the last century that the earth is flat at the poles – egg-shaped, as it were!
So what does the Qur’an say?
Waal-arda baAAda thalika dahaha
And the earth, moreover, hath He extended to a wide expanse (Qur’an 79:30; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
The key word in this verse is ‘dahaha’, which means an ostrich-egg. Anyone who has seen an ostrich-egg will see the resemblance with the spherical shape of the earth.
Do we need any more proof?
I realise that the post has become quite long, and I’ve not even touched the tip of the iceberg which is the minefield of scientific information in the Qur’an. So let me quickly move to verses pointing to three phenomena which really have been discovered only in the past 3-4 decades.
Phenomenon 1 – The Universe is expanding
Waalssamaa banaynaha bi-aydin wa-inna lamoosiAAoona
With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space (Qur’an 51:47; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
When translated word for word, the literal meaning of the verse is ‘And the sky/space We built/constructed it with power/support, and We are extending/spreading (it)’. The key Arabic word here is ‘moosioona’ which means ‘expanding’.
Phenomenon 2 - Presence of interstellar matter
I remember studying in my physics class in school that space between two celestial bodies is a vacuum. And I went to school in the 80s! Only recently, astrophysicists discovered the presence of plasma - consisting of completely ionized gas containing equal number of free electrons and positive ions - in this interstellar space.
In the 6th century AD, the Qur’an said,
Allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda wama baynahuma fee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa AAala alAAarshi alrrahmanu fais-al bihi khabeeran
He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between, in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): Allah Most Gracious: ask thou, then, about Him of any acquainted (with such things). (Qur’an 25:59; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
‘All that is in between’? Why does the verse not stop at heavens and the earth? Interesting, isn’t it?
Phenomenon 3 - Pulsars
First discovered in 1967, pulsars are highly magnetised neutron stars that emit beams of radiation. These radiations from the pulsars make sounds like a knock or of a hammer. Scientists have also discovered that these radiations have the ability to penetrate or pierce anything, including the earth.
Nearly 1,400 years before this discovery, the Qur’an said,
Waalssama-i waalttariqi. Wama adraka ma alttariqu. Alnnajmu alththaqibu.
By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein); And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is? (It is) the Star of piercing brightness. (Qur’an 86:1-3; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Two key Arabic words in these three verses accurately describe pulsars. ‘Taariq’ means ‘knocking sounds’, reflecting the sounds emitted by pulsars; and ‘Thaaqib’ means ‘penetrating waves’, accurately describing the beams of radiation of a pulsar.
Is it any surprise then that the chapter itself is called ‘At-Taariq’?
And for someone who wants to debate on the ‘six day’ comment, it would be worth remembering that the Arabic word for day is ‘youm’, and it could stand for different measures of time, from a day to an eon.
There are a few verses in the Qur’an which point to this fact. Consider these-
TaAAruju almala-ikatu waalrroohu ilayhi fee yawmin kana miqdaruhu khamseena alfa sanatin
The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years. (Qur’an 70:4; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
WayastaAAjiloonaka bialAAathabi walan yukhlifa Allahu waAAdahu wa-inna yawman AAinda rabbika kaalfi sanatin mimma taAAuddoona
Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! But Allah will not fail in His Promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning. (Qur’an 22:47; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
For educated people like us, who now know that a day on Earth is not the same as a day on Mars, which is different from a day on Saturn, this concept should not be difficult to grasp.
Even after editing, I realise this post has run too long. I trust it would hold the attention of readers of my blog.
And let me end with a reference to the one verse that all Muslims – and most non-Muslims – know. It is in the first chapter of the Qur’an, and it says,
Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameen
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds (Qur’an 1:2; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
I have always found this to be a very interesting verse. Why did Allah not choose the word ‘Al Kawn’ (The Universe). Why did He choose to use the word Aalameen (the worlds). After all, He has mentioned that He created the universe, and the description is similar to the Big Bang theory (we’ve read that earlier in this post).
Is this a signal to mankind that there is extra-terrestial life elsewhere in this Universe?
(References and Acknowledgements: Al Qur’an; The Qur’aan and Modern Science-Compatible or Incompatible by Dr. Zakir Naik; The Bible, The Qur’an and Science by Dr. Maurice Bucaille; www.islam.about.com; Wikipedia; www.windows.ucar.edu; yaqb.org and many other websites, books, notes and presentations. Thanks to Zaffer, Mudassar, Naeem, Waseem, Khalid, Irfan and my other brothers and sisters who have been feeding me with information over time and enriching my knowledge of our religion )
Added to that, when I sat down to make my notes related to this post, it ran into more than 20 pages!
It has taken a lot of editing to bring this post down to manageable size, although I’ve had to leave a lot of references out.
What I’ll try and do in this post is to mention a few theories, relating to the earth and the universe, prevailing in the 6th century AD or later, give one or two references (if needed) on each, and mention what the Qur’an has to say about them. Later in the post, I shall specifically mention a couple of celestial phenomena that were completely unknown when the Qur’an was revealed – phenomena discovered only in the past 40-odd years – and see if the Qur’an has any references to these.
Theory 1: The Universe is without beginning or end
As late as the first three decades of the 20th century, scientists believed that the universe was static - without beginning or end. Even Albert Einstein, in his general theory of relativity, added a cosmological constant to his theory to try to force it to allow for a static universe with matter in it.
The idea of the universe expanding was proposed by Hubble only in 1929. And it was only in the 60s, with the works of Stephen Hawking and Roger Penrose that the majority of cosmologists accepted the Big Bang theory, where the universe began a finite time ago.
On this point, the Qur’an says,
Awa lam yara allatheena kafaroo anna alssamawati waal-arda kanata ratqan fafataqnahuma wajaAAalna mina alma-i kulla shay-in hayyin afala yu/minoona
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? (Qur’an 21:30; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Revelation – 6th century. Acceptance by scientists – 20th century. And an interesting use of words – ‘clove them asunder’. Striking resemblance to the Big Bang, isn’t it?
There’s another verse which has a clear reference to the Big Bang.
Thumma istawa ila alssama-i wahiya dukhanun faqala laha walil-ardi i/tiya tawAAan aw karhan qalata atayna ta-iAAeena
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." (Qur’an 41:11; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Another verse clearly mentions that the Universe will come to an end.
Yawma natwee alssamaa katayyi alssijlli lilkutubi kama bada/na awwala khalqin nuAAeeduhu waAAdan AAalayna inna kunna faAAileena
The Day that We roll up the heavens like a scroll rolled up for books (completed),- even as We produced the first creation, so shall We produce a new one: a promise We have undertaken: truly shall We fulfil it. (Qur’an 21:104; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Each of these verses pointed to things that were unknown till the last couple of hundred years to humans!
Theory 2: The earth is static and the centre of the universe
Around 150 AD, Ptolemy theorised that the earth was static, and that the Sun and all other planets revolved around it.
Around 1543 AD or so, Tycho Brahe proposed a geo-centric universe, with a static Earth at the centre of the Universe with the Moon and the Sun orbiting it, with the rest of the planets going around the Sun.
Two key proponents of the theory that the earth is not static and not the centre of the universe - Copernicus (around 1543 AD) and Galileo (17th century) – were both accused of heresy. While Copernicus’s book was banned, Galileo was given life imprisonment and was under house arrest till his death. Remember, both these events happened during the Renaissance!
To be fair, the idea of a heliocentric system had actually already been proposed around 200 B.C. However, Aristotle had asked some very simple - and very logical – questions; way earlier, around 350 B.C. This father of formal logic had asked, (1) If the Earth spun on an axis, why didn't objects fly off?; (2) If the Earth was moving (around the Sun), why didn't it leave behind the birds flying in the air?; (3) If the Earth was orbiting the sun, why didn't the stars appear to change their position since they were being viewed from a different perspective? And these seemingly logical questions held sway for a geo-centric system till the Renaissance.
And then this theory turned around on its head, to another theory.
Theory 3: The Sun is static and the centre of the Universe
First Copernicus and then Galileo propounded the heliocentric theory of planetary motion. This theory was supported by Yohann Keppler, who, around 1609, showed that planets revolve around the sun and also rotate upon their axes.
However, post these discoveries, it was thought that the Sun was stationary and did not rotate about its axis like the Earth.
On both these theories, the Qur’an says
Wahuwa allathee khalaqa allayla waalnnahara waalshshamsa waalqamara kullun fee falakin yasbahoona
It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course. (Qur’an 21:33; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Simple line, yet very profound!
This is re-stated in the Sura Ya-Seen.
La alshshamsu yanbaghee laha an tudrika alqamara wala allaylu sabiqu alnnahari wakullun fee falakin yasbahoona
It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each just swims along in its own orbit according to Law. (Qur’an 36:40; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Theory 4: The earth is flat
I allude to this theory also because of one of my readers – swap – who has mentioned this in his/her comments. (Just an aside for swap - it would be great if you could identify yourself. You could e-mail me at khanmubin@gmail.com).
While Zaffer has replied to this, giving references in his reply, let me refer to two verses from the Qur’an which prove this theory wrong.
Alam tara anna Allaha yooliju allayla fee alnnahari wayooliju alnnahara fee allayli wasakhkhara alshshamsa waalqamara kullun yajree ila ajalin musamman waanna Allaha bima taAAmaloona khabeerun
Seest thou not that Allah merges Night into Day and he merges Day into Night; that He has subjected the sun, and the moon (to his Law), each running its course for a term appointed; and that Allah is well-acquainted with all that ye do? (Qur’an 31:29; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda bialhaqqi yukawwiru allayla AAala alnnahari wayukawwiru alnnahara AAala allayli wasakhkhara alshshamsa waalqamara kullun yajree li-ajalin musamman ala huwa alAAazeezu alghaffaru
He created the heavens and the earth in true (proportions): He makes the Night overlap the Day, and the Day overlap the Night: He has subjected the sun and the moon (to His law): Each one follows a course for a time appointed. Is not He the Exalted in Power - He Who forgives again and again? (Qur’an 39:5; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
The English translations of both these verses really fall short of explaining the true meaning of the Arabic words.
In the former verse, the Arabic word 'yooliju' refers to the night slowly and gradually changing to day and vice versa. Such gradual changes can happen only if the earth is round. It stands to reason that if the earth was flat, this change would be sudden and not gradual.
In the latter verse, the Arabic word ‘yukawwiru’ literally means ‘to overlap’ or ‘to coil’. As eloquently explained by Dr. Zakir Naik many times, this overlapping or coiling is in the way a turban is wound around the head. The overlapping or coiling of the day and night can only take place if the earth is spherical.
But wait, I’m keeping on proving that the earth is round, but it really is not. We have found in the last century that the earth is flat at the poles – egg-shaped, as it were!
So what does the Qur’an say?
Waal-arda baAAda thalika dahaha
And the earth, moreover, hath He extended to a wide expanse (Qur’an 79:30; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
The key word in this verse is ‘dahaha’, which means an ostrich-egg. Anyone who has seen an ostrich-egg will see the resemblance with the spherical shape of the earth.
Do we need any more proof?
I realise that the post has become quite long, and I’ve not even touched the tip of the iceberg which is the minefield of scientific information in the Qur’an. So let me quickly move to verses pointing to three phenomena which really have been discovered only in the past 3-4 decades.
Phenomenon 1 – The Universe is expanding
Waalssamaa banaynaha bi-aydin wa-inna lamoosiAAoona
With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space (Qur’an 51:47; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
When translated word for word, the literal meaning of the verse is ‘And the sky/space We built/constructed it with power/support, and We are extending/spreading (it)’. The key Arabic word here is ‘moosioona’ which means ‘expanding’.
Phenomenon 2 - Presence of interstellar matter
I remember studying in my physics class in school that space between two celestial bodies is a vacuum. And I went to school in the 80s! Only recently, astrophysicists discovered the presence of plasma - consisting of completely ionized gas containing equal number of free electrons and positive ions - in this interstellar space.
In the 6th century AD, the Qur’an said,
Allathee khalaqa alssamawati waal-arda wama baynahuma fee sittati ayyamin thumma istawa AAala alAAarshi alrrahmanu fais-al bihi khabeeran
He Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is between, in six days, and is firmly established on the Throne (of Authority): Allah Most Gracious: ask thou, then, about Him of any acquainted (with such things). (Qur’an 25:59; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
‘All that is in between’? Why does the verse not stop at heavens and the earth? Interesting, isn’t it?
Phenomenon 3 - Pulsars
First discovered in 1967, pulsars are highly magnetised neutron stars that emit beams of radiation. These radiations from the pulsars make sounds like a knock or of a hammer. Scientists have also discovered that these radiations have the ability to penetrate or pierce anything, including the earth.
Nearly 1,400 years before this discovery, the Qur’an said,
Waalssama-i waalttariqi. Wama adraka ma alttariqu. Alnnajmu alththaqibu.
By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein); And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is? (It is) the Star of piercing brightness. (Qur’an 86:1-3; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
Two key Arabic words in these three verses accurately describe pulsars. ‘Taariq’ means ‘knocking sounds’, reflecting the sounds emitted by pulsars; and ‘Thaaqib’ means ‘penetrating waves’, accurately describing the beams of radiation of a pulsar.
Is it any surprise then that the chapter itself is called ‘At-Taariq’?
And for someone who wants to debate on the ‘six day’ comment, it would be worth remembering that the Arabic word for day is ‘youm’, and it could stand for different measures of time, from a day to an eon.
There are a few verses in the Qur’an which point to this fact. Consider these-
TaAAruju almala-ikatu waalrroohu ilayhi fee yawmin kana miqdaruhu khamseena alfa sanatin
The angels and the spirit ascend unto him in a Day the measure whereof is (as) fifty thousand years. (Qur’an 70:4; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
WayastaAAjiloonaka bialAAathabi walan yukhlifa Allahu waAAdahu wa-inna yawman AAinda rabbika kaalfi sanatin mimma taAAuddoona
Yet they ask thee to hasten on the Punishment! But Allah will not fail in His Promise. Verily a Day in the sight of thy Lord is like a thousand years of your reckoning. (Qur’an 22:47; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
For educated people like us, who now know that a day on Earth is not the same as a day on Mars, which is different from a day on Saturn, this concept should not be difficult to grasp.
Even after editing, I realise this post has run too long. I trust it would hold the attention of readers of my blog.
And let me end with a reference to the one verse that all Muslims – and most non-Muslims – know. It is in the first chapter of the Qur’an, and it says,
Alhamdu lillahi rabbi alAAalameen
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the worlds (Qur’an 1:2; Translation by Yusuf Ali)
I have always found this to be a very interesting verse. Why did Allah not choose the word ‘Al Kawn’ (The Universe). Why did He choose to use the word Aalameen (the worlds). After all, He has mentioned that He created the universe, and the description is similar to the Big Bang theory (we’ve read that earlier in this post).
Is this a signal to mankind that there is extra-terrestial life elsewhere in this Universe?
(References and Acknowledgements: Al Qur’an; The Qur’aan and Modern Science-Compatible or Incompatible by Dr. Zakir Naik; The Bible, The Qur’an and Science by Dr. Maurice Bucaille; www.islam.about.com; Wikipedia; www.windows.ucar.edu; yaqb.org and many other websites, books, notes and presentations. Thanks to Zaffer, Mudassar, Naeem, Waseem, Khalid, Irfan and my other brothers and sisters who have been feeding me with information over time and enriching my knowledge of our religion )
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