Jamal Badawi – The Quran – Ultimate Miracle 18 – The Quran And Modern Sciences 06 Geology Botany Zoology

			Assalamu alaikum
		

			Welcome to another episode of Islamic focus, I'm your host and today we have a program in our series
dealing with the sources of a psalm. We'll be talking about the Quran in the modern, current and
modern science. I have joining on the program is usual. Dr. Jamal graduate of St. Mary's University
of Jamal Assalamu alaikum. Peace. Now, this has been such an interesting series, it's hard to
believe that we've had 1818 programs, it's gone so fast. Let's
		

			before we get into today's program, could I have you very quickly highlight the main points that we
touched on in our last program dealing with the chrono modern science? Okay, the major issue that
was discussed in the previous program was the concept of the water cycle, and indicate how the Quran
made reference to that, more than 900 years before modern science discovered it, which of course
relate to the main question in the series as to what actually is the source of the Quran, who is the
author, quote, unquote, Quran there's some of the specific detailed description that are found in
the Quran dealing with issues likely source of the springwater that it comes actually from rain
		

			waters, unlike the previous Smith that were known about it, the role of the wind in joining together
clouds, and as such increasing condensation and the reference in the kuranda, the wind act as
impregnating or impregnating factors, that is getting non rain carrying clouds with rain carrying
clouds, and that eventually results in this condensation and fall of rain.
		

			And the third main issue, which was I believe, quite amazing, really is the mentioned in the Quran
about the partition, quote unquote, or the barrier between different masses of water are seen as the
common term used, which is referenced all sorts of the the balance between saltwater and freshwater.
We discussed briefly also that even when we talk about the same type of waters, when we analyze the
Gulf Stream, and the lengthy trip that it makes, still quite distinct from the rest of the water was
quite a considerable degree
		

			difference in the degree of the water temperature. That's something again, that seemed to have made
much, much earlier difference before even we had any notion of this amazing phenomena.
		

			Now, I'd like to examine another aspect of the earth. That is the the mountains Is there any hint in
the Quran about the of their function, that's the mountains? Well look on the Hinton factor is very
clear, and
		

			explicit reference in the Quran about the very crucial function that the mountains play particularly
in stabilizing the crust of the earth. And just start with that citation first, and then just to
give some commentary from the standpoint of modern geology,
		

			the citation the Quran, wild coffee, that are centimeter thick, which means that Allah has cast into
the ground mountains standing firm, so that they do not check with you that is found, for example,
in 3110, and also in 1615 2131. The thing that is interesting and that is the mention of the
mountain as something that keeps the earth stable.
		

			In other citation in the Quran, it adds even another dimension of that description of the role of
mountains. For example, in 78, sort of 78 particularly in sixth and seventh. It describes the
mountain as altered, which means pigs or sticks, you know, just like the stakes are pigs holding the
tent
		

			stable.
		

			And this is an interesting description that bet early in the Quran
		

			because now with new knowledge
		

			In modern geology, it was found that the,
		

			the radius of the Earth is perhaps a little less than 4000 miles, some estimate at about 3700 or so
minds,
		

			that is from the surface to the Koch brothers. And they found further that the crust, which is
called on which we live and grow plants and all that, it was really a very, very minor part of that
radius, approximately, maybe 1%. Sometimes they measure it as ranging anywhere between, let's say,
10 to 30 miles or so deep. Of course, kind of reconsideration of the total radius, it's really a
very small part, just across journey. And it was found also by geologists that defaults on Earth,
which form the mountain ranges are very essential, because it gives this very thin crust, a source
of stability. This is the process that some geologists also refer to as orogenesis.
		

			Which means that in order for the development of the relief on Earth, the crust of Earth was driven,
proportionately, far down. And that kind of process or pressures, in fact, ensures a sort of
foundation in the layer which underlies the mountains, see the accuracy of the description, I will
tell or the like pegs really holding. Some also refer to the balance between the depth, for example
of the ocean and the heights of the mountain that all of these phenomena together, seem to maintain
the crust of the earth in some degree of stability. Of course, this information definitely was not
known at all, at the time of the revelation of the Quran, or even for hundreds of years afterwards.
		

			Fascinating. The discussion last week was the discussion of the watercycle this discussion of the
mountains and so on, before we move on, especially Are there any other natural phenomena which the
Quran refers to that we should perhaps take a look at before we begin some discussion of life on
earth? Well, there are numerous let me just give an example of two others that some writers tend to
refer to frequently as the notion of the shadow. Of course, you might say, Well, so what about the
shadow? But again, let me first start with the, with the citation in the Quran and just make
commentary on lm tala, Arabic Acacia, Matt de la Rosa, Allah Jalla, who second, that's in Surah 25,
		

			particularly verses on passages 45 and six, it says, has you not seen how you will not spread the
term spread the shadow? If he will, he would have made it stationary. Moreover, he made the sun its
guide,
		

			as scientists try to interpret or understand from that citation, the question of extending the
shadow, they say it is actually a an evidence of the rotation of the Earth, around its own axis, and
that's in the face of the sun. Because without this rotation, half of the Earth would be in
perpetual day.
		

			And the other half would be perpetual night, and do not say so what when it could be devastating is
really because life would perish and has eventually because one part of the overexposed the other
part will be, you know, underexposed. So the the difficulty of growth of vegetation is on, there is
really such a delicate balance here that related to this sort of rotation.
		

			And if the, if it works to as many people believed in the past, that the earth is stationary, it
would have meant that the shadow also would have remained stationary. And that's why the verse
specifically says, If Allah went, he would have made it stationary. But if he didn't, he made it.
		

			Mobile changing. This can be appreciated more if we refer back to the notion understood about the
shadow at the time of the revelation of the Quran, or even afterwards, the day believe, or used to
believe that the sun moved from the east to the west, but the earth was stationary. So the movement
and the shadow actually was connected with this movement of the sun, not movement of the verse
itself. In fact, the Quran makes another difference in Surah 28, reminding us again, that what would
you have done if Allah made the night perpetual or de perpetual, which could be a reference to that
phenomena? It could be a reminder to us also that there are some other parts of the world which
		

			definitely was not known to Prophet Muhammad at this time.
		

			Like Scandinavia, where actually a lot shows us His Signs by certain times of the year where it is,
you know, perpetual day or night is not, of course not for the whole year, at least certain portion
of the year. So there's chances of maintaining a life. A second example also is found in respect to
the study of Oceanography, or what happens it also within the, in the deep oceans.
		

			And what scientists are telling us is that the, the sea storms or deep sea storms, in fact, result
in degeneration of different types of waves, which vary in width, length and height, which actually
can be described more or less as sort of layers of waves. And again, this is something which was not
known, of course, in the seventh century. And interesting enough, in Surah 24. In the Quran, there
is reference, specifically to this sort of layers. The, let's say free translation of the citation
says that the deeds of those who are unbelievers
		

			are like a mirage. And then it's continuous or like darkness, in a very deep ocean, in which there
are layers upon layers
		

			of,
		

			of waves, that is leading to total darkness. And then the verse says that if a person even looks at
his hand, he will not be able to see it. And this is a reference to a natural phenomena that exists
there. Not only the layers of the waves, but also the kind of cloudy setting that it generates to
the point of having certain darkness. In fact,
		

			perhaps now we can begin with a look at the life on Earth. I'd like to ask you if the Quran has
anything to say about vegetation that was not known at the time of the revelation of the second
aspect of the vegetable kingdom? Yes, what There are numerous citations are passages in the Quran
that deal with the question of vegetation, some of which are more general, more or less speaking
about vegetation as a bounty from Allah or a gift to humankind. And that's fine in numerous
citation, for example, in 699 13, four, in 1610, and 11, in 59, and 311.
		

			Some passages in the Quran refer to an interesting phenomenon again, which is the variations in the
colors and tastes of fruits, even though or vegetation even though they they are planted or watered,
with the same waters, which could be an interesting hint also, about the genetic code in the various
plants where the roots are actually picking the certain nutrients which are needed for that
particular plant. It's an interesting phenomena to
		

			that, one might say, right, many of these citations, they may not seem to be anything that's
particularly striking.
		

			However, the expressions mentioned about this vegetation is totally free of the common myths that
existed about vegetation at the time of the revelation of the Quran, or even after which was again
that the Quran was not simply a human document, which is adapting or rehearsing what is known.
		

			It's time as other human, human written books, if you will.
		

			But in addition to this, there are also certain aspects that really require some further
examination.
		

			Many of the scientists, for example, in an ecologist speak about the balance in nature, particularly
the Venice also in the vegetable kingdom.
		

			And the Quran makes several references to this do proportion or balance in the creation of Allah. It
speaks about it in general, that is the do balance in the universe in general, such as a
913 2512 5449 just talk in general. But there is one particular passage in the Quran that is in
1519, which is really interesting, because it speaks specifically about the ecological balance, if
you will, in the vegetation, kingdom,
		

			saying that Allah caused all kinds of things to grow there in that is on earth. And what is the word
here in jubilance in jubilance.
		

			The other aspect that the Quran refers to is the process of reproduction in plants.
		

			And as you realize that it was only relatively recent, recently or in recent decades that scientists
found out that any
		

			Plant really involves both the male and female type of
		

			parts. And even some of the animals that were not regarded are seen as
		

			you know, different are regarded as unisex, still was programmed to have both male and female type
of functions. And here I can find the Quran refers to this law of fairness on two levels generally,
and with respect to vegetation. Generally speaking, the Quran says and 5149 that of everything. Did
Allah create things in pairs, and it says things which means animals, vegetations humans, and things
even even if you look at the atom, we talk about electrons and neutrons, so there's always
electricity, there is the positive and negative. But beyond the general statement, we find more
specifically in 2053. In the Quran, it speaks again about the variations of plants in pairs,
		

			referring to this application of the law of fairness, as it applies to, to plants, assert aspects
Also, if you may add that to the process of germination. So when you put the plants or the seed in
the soil, it goes through certain stages. And scientists tell us that the first thing that happens
is that the the outside casing of the seat, backs up or splits. Actually the word split isn't as an
accurate expression. And that allows the roots to emerge and grow the nutrients from the soil and
result of course in the growth of a new plant. Interesting enough, one passage in the Quran in mind,
that's Surah 995. It says in the law of Allah could have been our Verily, Allah splits the grain and
		

			footstone.
		

			Again, the question here is the server language used in the Quran that is very descriptive of what
		

			scientist has been able to have been able to, to observe and study stretching.
		

			While the
		

			animal life is a little more complex process, how about animals on earth? Does the How does the
Quran explain it? perhaps maybe we can begin with, again, broad statements as we did in the question
of plants, that there is definitely a number of passages in the Quran, which speaks again, of
elements of the creation of animals and kittens as a bounty of Allah. This might be interesting,
that can be you, for example, in Surah, 16, in the beginning of sort of 16 days mentioned, the
catalyst that Allah has created and how we derive warms from them that's through closing and the
tents are using their heights for some variety of purposes. The food that it provides the milk, the
		

			carrying our loads, and all the remaining enjoying even the beauty of watching those animals like
horses and others. That's one aspect. However, some interesting things also pertained to the animal
kingdom pertain to the process of reproduction. And perhaps that can be dealt with when we deal with
the human reproduction because that's even a more fascinating and interesting subject in which the
Quran gives lots of
		

			explanations.
		

			But one of the things that is really very fascinating, which is basic to the animal kingdom, is the
notion that animals also like humans, live in communities, just like communities, with social
organizations and leadership and everything else that we humans think is exclusive to us. And the
last point is a very interesting point. I think, perhaps there's room for some clarification on it.
		

			is my understanding that the notion of animals living in kingdoms was not fully understood until
recently. Yes, and that's again, the whole question here is where did the Quran get this
information? If the Quran was copied from state of knowledge at the time of the Prophet? You're
absolutely right. Yes, it's very
		

			relatively recent type of phenomenon. And it was achieved only after
		

			systematic and detailed observation and study of animal behavior was was possible. And there is an
interesting area in the Quran in particular with this notion of community or communal life of
animals
		

			in 638, woman in bed but in front of the Walter Zhanna how he in the moment and Cellcom, which means
that
		

			There is no animal on earth. And the original word actually that that means anything that walks or
moves on living, there is no animal on earth, nor birds, which flies on tunings or on wings, that
does not belong to communities like you, that is like you are humans. And the attempts are being
made quite earnestly, in fact to study that further, and try and understand what is that mechanism,
which is at the heart of this community living, if you will, of the various types of animals, it's a
fascinating field by itself.
		

			Other specific examples of the organization's becoming the animal kingdom, the community type of
living. One of the most interesting things in the Quran is that it refers many times to various
creations of Allah, to the point that even some sutras in the Quran
		

			are titled, after some specific animals or even insects, for example, you find the surah in the
Quran called the bees,
		

			and other spiders, and other animals, which means the ends. But perhaps one of the interesting
things that the Quran refers to, which has been subjected to a great deal of scientific study in
recent decades, is the community living of the bee, the honeybee.
		

			There is an amazing citation about that in the Quran, which appears actually in Surah 16, which by
the way, takes its name, it's called the Nile also the bees
		

			in
		

			in passages, 68 and 69, it speaks as for about how Allah inspired the bees to make habitation of
Tibet based on habitations or
		

			homes,
		

			in the mountains on the top of the trees or rooftops, and that it says, Allah inspired them to eat
from all types of fruits. And then it says, then follow the ways of your Lord, follow the ways of
your Lord, and then speaks about the honey that comes out of their belly, and how it in that time
there is cure for people. Now, there are a number of interesting points here that that this citation
refers to. First of all, why does it speak particularly about the disease? Is there any sense
anything special about the community life of the bees, and even though it start addressing bees in
plural, when it says, make out of mountains,
		

			habitations from yourself, it says attacking V which is a female gender. And that raises question is
that a possible hint of the fact that the main builders
		

			of this be habitation are in fact the female workers?
		

			Why the Quran specified the female genders in the sense that a thing which is really interesting
also, it says follow the way of your Lords that is in taking the fruits or sucking this juice from
the flowers and so on. And its transformation into honey, follow the ways of your Lord. And what
scientists have found is that there is a remarkable nervous organization in the bee in particular,
which actually is reflected in the pattern of the so called being dance, they have been very in
depth studies of the bee dance.
		

			And when a bee for example, discovers a place where there are flowers, she comes back and inform
other bees as to how to get there.
		

			If I were to put it in some easy to follow form, in some colloquial way, even it would sound like
this a bee coming to the other group of bees and say, Hey, you guys, I discovered some awful nice
flowers down there. Let me tell you how you get there. You go straight for 30 feet, then turn
lights, take a 90 degree,
		

			you know, move and keep going there for certificates and then move to the north at 45 degrees and go
for another 50 feet and you'll find lots of nice flowers go and help yourself. Well, you might find
that might seem that this is simply a sort of humorous way of putting it. But scientifically
speaking that's basically what happens. The study of the pattern of that so called B dance, the way
she she moves, the wings and the direction and so on gives this exact information. This has been fun
		

			The time after time it was found to exactly give the same kinds of directions or symbols have been
already deciphered. So, there is a definite communication in this direction. One of those who made
lots of studies on that is a man by the name of fun Fitch, it's Monday or M Fitch fri s ch.
		

			In addition to this, some studies were made also on how the the cells
		

			are the highest are designed and again it was found that there is a meticulous, certain angles and
degrees there is a definite manual that the bees have in their own genetic code if you weren't very
meticulous way of of designing
		

			them a question of mentioning of the cure in honey for many diseases is again a matter that is a
topic by itself and there have been people have made lots of studies about the benefits health
benefits of the honey. Another example if I made you similar to that also in terms of the nervous
and type of programming, if you will, that God has taught the various creatures is the spiders in
Surah 29 for example,
		

			is the citation here for particular verse 41. passage 41 appears to be just the spiritual, there is
a great deal of mentioned there are reference to scientific things. For example, if you translate it
literally into say something like this, those who choose masters and supporters other than Allah, or
like the spiders, when it takes four attempts at winning, and then it says very the flimsiest
dwelling is that winning of the spider if they know. Now, there are two things here to be observed.
One is that, like the bee, again, it was found that the nervous system of the spider is programmed
in such a way that it really results in the creation of perfectly geometric type of design.
		

			That's the kind of work they do. The additional discovery as to why the Quran chose, among other
things, the spiders to refer to as the flimsiest and weakest of dwellings is that it was found also
that there are certain glands in the spiders, which secrete this very, very fine threads with which
the spider makes the web. And it was fine found that the caliber of those fibers is almost
infinitely fine. That it is perhaps the weakest or the most fine type of
		

			a dwelling that is virtually undetectable. You cannot synthetically for example, imitate the second
type of
		

			accent.
		

			One of the very few moments that we have left on the on the program today. You mentioned the one of
the stars of the Quran is titled the ends. Is there anything unusual about the ends which is Sora
mentioned? Yes, there is. In fact, as you said that once what actually is called the ends and
halfway are sometimes known in the in the surah, particularly from passages 17th to 19th. And the
sort of number is 27. It speaks actually about the study of Prophet Solomon. And it says how Prophet
Solomon on his way, once he had a big army, which included human beings, which included birds, and
so on. And then it says, and that's an interesting part about it, it says, One end toward the other
		

			ends, get back into your dwelling nest. Solomon and his army crush you under the feet without
realizing what they're doing.
		

			What on the surface, some people might say, Well, I'm telling all this sophisticated the message for
many people, it would have sounded very strange and very difficult to grasp. But there have been
lots of studies that were made on Ents and how they have this particular social organization among
themselves. It was found that not only do they have this organization, they have also a great deal
of intelligence. They love to work and work hard. And beside humans, and are the only animals known
to us that berries are very, it's dead, which is something really fascinating. It was found that
ants also developed the custom or greeting in large groups once in a while in almost like a
		

			marketplace. exchange of commodities, get to know each other or chat as we call it, even among
humans. They do collective projects together like building a construction of roads. And of course,
you know how to construct roads you have lots of organization and how to champion the efforts of
everybody.
		

			So that when to collect the food
		

			if it's too big
		

			They cannot get it in the stone house, if you went, they tried to split it. If it's too heavy, they
keep pushing it with those
		

			legs, and then raise it with their arms because they can kill it in the nose. But something even
more fascinating is that when the rain falls, and both the greens they collected, get what they take
it out to dry in the same room, and then are really an open air and then take it back. One amazing
thing again, that shows how all of these things are programmed by the Creator is that when they
collect the greens, they start cutting the roots, and then they split it. You see the reason because
once you split the catalysts, there's no chance that it would grow in the form of a plant and as
such it maintains its storage of
		

			food. So this sophisticated things are going on among them What's so strange about communicating a
specific message with a specific
		

			ethnicity. We have to stop at that point though, because our time is gone. We want to thank you for
watching and invite you back next week. Assalamu alaikum peace PMD