In the name of Allah, the Most compassionate, Most Merciful
The most popular aspect of ijaz (the miraculous nature of the Quran) concerns the reference to scientific phenomena that the Prophet sallahu alaihi wasallam and his people could not have known.
Murice Bucaille from The Bible, The Quran and Science. 1978, p 125.
It should be remembered however, that the Quran is not a book of science but rather a book that is meant for guidance of mankind. As such any reference to subjects of a scientific nature are typically brief and not very descriptive. The ijaz however appears in the fact that even in these limited descriptions modern science conforms exactly to the Quran and imparts knowledge that was unknown during the lifetime of the Prophet Mohammed sallahu alaihi wasallam.
There are numerous examples of such verses, such as the description of the mosquito; "Surely Allah is not ashamed to set forth any parable (that of) a gnat or anything about that (Sûrah al Baqarah 2.26). When considering the life of the mosquito, we can say that it is a very extraordinary adventure. What is generally known about mosquitoes is that they absorb and feed on blood. Yet this is not completely true. Because not all the mosquitoes but only the female ones absorbs blood and their need for blood is not related to feeding at all. Actually, both male and female mosquitoes feed on the nectar of flowers. The only reason that the female absorbs blood is for her eggs that need the protein contained in the blood to develop and mature with. In other words .The female mosquito absorbs blood just to ensure the survival of the new generation.
(Article: The Mosquito and its Extraordinary Adventure by Haroon Yahya)
Other examples are: The description of the formation of human life is referred to in a number of verses by the word (nutfah) In (75:37) (76:2). The process of development in the mother’s womb (23:13). Even the process of the baby from mother’s womb to the outside world is referred in the verse: “we made passage through the birth canal easy" 80:20. Other examples given in the Quran include the description of formation of milk (16:66) The motion of planets in orbit (21:33) and (36:40), The description of water cycle (15:22). And many more.
Allah himself commands mankind to ponder over the creation, and mentions these as the indication of his existence and power (3:190-191) Likewise the laws that govern creations are also from ALLAH. What is studied as science is the attempt by man to understand the creation and laws of ALLAH. Therefore, it is possible for a scientific assumption to be incorrect. However when there is conflict between the meaning of a clear explicit verse (qatee ad dallah) of the Quran and the modern science a Muslim must take the verse of the Quran without hesitation, over any scientific fact. Science is still a developing field, it does not have the ability to measure or explain many natural phenomena. A rejection of such a verse or even the apparent meaning of such a verse would be tantamount to rejection of Allâh’s knowledge. The scientific aspect of the Quran is not one of the aspects of its ijaz.
Allah created and designed the Quran, announced that Allah had revealed to the honeybee and had commanded the honeybee to produce honey (Sûrah an Nahl 68-69). This announcement is an example of a giant secret of life. This secret states the fact that all creation submits to Allâh’s will and follows along the pattern designed by Allah. The honeybee produces honey according to it, and so does the silkworm produce silk for the very same reason.
"Is then HE who creates like the one that creates not? Will ye not receive admonition? (Sûrah an Nahl 68:17).
Published in the March Issue of 'Islamic Reflections'
Contact Info: Zafar un Nisa Khan wisesoul1@aol.com
