Answer
Walaykum Assalam wa Rahmat Allah,
Thank you for sending your question to Ask About Islam.
The Qur’an and Modern Knowledge
A very good and thorough academic/scientific response to your question could be found in the remarkable work of famous French Surgeon, Dr. Maurice Bucaille, compiled in his book “The Bible, The Qur’an and Science, The Holy Scriptures Examined in the Light of Modern Knowledge.”
As a scientist, Bucaille has conducted an exhaustive study of the Qur’an in light of modern knowledge and scientific discoveries.
Bucaille’s examinations highlighted how accurately the Qur’an explains modern scientific facts in astronomy and in the creation of the earth.
He also wrote about the animal and vegetable kingdoms, as well as human reproduction—all more than 1400 years ago.
In his book, Bucaille states:
The Qur’an […] is not only free from contradictions in its narrations, the sign of the various human manipulations to be found in the Gospels, but provides a quality all of its own for those who examine it objectively and in the light of science i.e. its complete agreement with modern scientific data. What is more, statements are to be found in it (as has been shown) that are connected with science: and yet it is unthinkable that a man of Muhammad’s time could have been the author of them. Modern scientific knowledge, therefore, allows us to understand certain verses of the Qur’an which, until now, it has been impossible to interpret.
This well-known French scientist embraced Islam and then conducted numerous lectures and conferences for both academic and mainstream audiences to discuss his findings.
How The Qur’an Changes Readers’ Misconceptions
There are many people who seem to have a specific idea or judgment of the Qur’an, but then extensive and thorough objective research and study corrects their misconceptions and provides them with astounding revelations.
In the book, ‘The Amazing Qur’an’, Dr. Gary Miller discusses exactly that. Professor Gary Miller (aka Abdul-Ahad Omar) is a Canadian mathematics and logic lecturer at Toronto University.
In 1977, He decided to challenge the Qur’an and reveal its inaccuracies in a way that served his missionary efforts and facilitate for Christian preachers calling Muslims to Christianity.
What happened, however, is that the objective study led Miller to embrace Islam himself!
Among Miller’s noteworthy observations is the following:
One of the well-known scientific principles is the principle of finding mistakes or looking for mistakes in a theory until it’s proved to be right (Falsification Test). What’s amazing is that the Holy Qur’an asks Muslims and non-Muslims to try to find mistakes in this book and it tells them that they will never find any.
Subhanallah!
Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an? If it had been from [any] other than Allah, they would have found within it much contradiction. (Qur’an 4:82)
The Quran and Modern Science
Driven by his specialization and interest in logic and science, Miller examined verses in the Qur’an connecting them with science and reality.
He looked into the verse that says:
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)
And he commented saying:
“… The fact that all life originated from water would not have been an easy thing to convince people of fourteen centuries ago.
Indeed, if 1400 years ago you had stood in the desert and told someone, “All of this, you see (pointing to yourself), is made up of mostly water,” no one would have believed you.
Proof of that was not available until the invention of the microscope. They had to wait to find out that cytoplasm, the basic substance of the cell, is made-up of 80% water.
Nonetheless, the evidence did come, and once again the Qur’an stood the test of time.
How The Qur’an Affected Early Muslims
Regarding Islam being intended for simple people, Muslims have shaped the modern world with their inventions and scientific advances.
Quoting National Geographic,
“The growth of Islam in the seventh century sparked a golden age of scientific discovery. Building on the wisdom of ancient civilizations, Muslim doctors pushed the boundaries of medical science into bold new places.” [How Early Islamic Science Advanced Medicine. National Geographic]
Islam is a comprehensive religion; it is a way of life. The Qur’an deals with all aspects of life. It addresses the intellectual, physical and spiritual dimensions of mankind.
You’ll find verses that deal with every aspect of life, as well as those which explain the origin/purpose of life and the destinations in the afterlife.
It thus provides a thorough and thought-provoking presentation for all people to contemplate on.
As the Creator Allah Almighty says:
This [Qur’an] is a clear statement to [all] the people and a guidance and instruction for those conscious of Allah. (Qur’an 3:138)
Hope this broadens your perspective and adds to your research and examination of the unrivaled revelation: The Noble Qur’an.
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