INTRODUCTION
The expansion of the Universe is one of the
most imposing discoveries of modern science. Today it is a firmly established
concept and the only debate centers around the way this is taking place.
It was first suggested by the general theory
of relativity and is backed up by physics in the examination of the galactic
spectrum; the regular movement towards the red section of their spectrum may be
explained by the distancing of one galaxy from another. Thus the size of the
Universe is probably constantly increasing and this increase will become bigger
the further away the galaxies are from us. The speeds at which these celestial
bodies are moving may, in the course of this perpetual expansion, go from fractions
of the speed of light to speeds faster than this.
The following verse of the Qur'an (sura 51,
verse 47) where God is speaking, may perhaps be compared with modern ideas:
"The heaven, We have
built it with power. Verily. We are expanding it." 'Heaven' is the translation of the word sama' and this is
exactly the extra-terrestrial world that is meant. 'We are expanding it' is the
translation of the plural present participle musi'una of the verb ausa'a
meaning 'to make wider, more spacious, to extend, to expand'.
Some translators who were unable to grasp the
meaning of the latter provide translations that appear to me to be mistaken,
e.g. "we give generously" (R. Blachere). Others sense the meaning,
but are afraid to commit themselves: Ramidullah in his translation of the
Qur'an talks of the widening of the heavens and space, but he includes a
question mark. Finally, there are those who arm themselves with authorized
scientific opinion in their commentaries and give the meaning stated here. This
is true in the case of the Muntakab, a book of commentaries edited by the
Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Cairo. It refers to the expansion of the
Universe in totally unambiguous terms.
From this point of view, three verses of the
Qur'an should command our full attention. One expresses, without any trace of
ambiguity, what man should and will achieve in this field. In the other two,
God refers for the sake of the unbelievers in Makka to the surprise they would
have if they were able to raise themselves up to the Heavens; He alludes to a
hypothesis which will not be realized for the latter. 1) The first of these
verses is sura 55, verse 33: "O assembly of Jinns and Men, if you can penetrate
regions of the heavens and the earth, then penetrate them! You will not
penetrate them save with a Power."
The translation given here needs some
explanatory comment:
a) The word 'if' expresses in English a
condition that is dependent upon a possibility and either an achievable or an
unachievable hypothesis. Arabic is a language which is able to introduce a
nuance into the condition which is much more explicit. There is one word to
express the possibility (ida), another for the achievable hypothesis (in) and a
third for the unachievable hypothesis expressed by the word (lau). The verse in
question has it as an achievable hypothesis expressed by the word (in). The
Qur'an therefore suggests the material possibility of a concrete realization.
This subtle linguistic distinction formally rules out the purely mystic
interpretation that some people have (quite wrongly) put on this verse.
b) God is addressing the spirits (jinn) and
human beings (ins), and not essentially allegorical figures.
c) 'To penetrate' is the translation of the
verb nafada followed by the preposition min. According to Kazimirski's
dictionary, the phrase means 'to pass right through and come out on the other
side of a body' (e.g. an arrow that comes out on the other side). It therefore
suggests a deep penetration and emergence at the other end into the regions in
question.
d) The Power (sultan) these men will have to
achieve this enterprise would seem to come from the All- Mighty.' There can be
no doubt that this verse indicates the possibility men will one day achieve
what we today call (perhaps rather improperly) 'the conquest of space'. One
must note that the text of the Qur'an predicts not only penetration through the
regions of the Heavens, but also the Earth, i.e. the exploration of its depths.
2) The other two verses are taken from sura 15, (verses 14 and 15). God is
speaking of the unbelievers in Makka, as the context of this passage in the
sura shows:
"Even if We opened unto them a gate to
Heaven and they were to continue ascending therein, they would say: our sight
is confused as in drunkenness. Nay, we are people bewitched."
The above expresses astonishment at a
remarkable spectacle, different from anything man could imagine. The
conditional sentence is introduced here by the word lau which expresses a
hypothesis that could never be realized as far as it concerned the people
mentioned in these verses.
When talking of the conquest of space
therefore, we have two passages in the text of the Qur'an: one of them refers
to what will one day become a reality thanks to the powers of intelligence and
ingenuity God will give to man, and the other describes an event that the
unbelievers in Makkah will never witness, hence its character of a condition
never to be realized. The event will however be seen by others, as intimated in
the first verse quoted above. It describes the human reactions to the
unexpected spectacle that travelers in space will see: their confused sight, as
in drunkenness, the feeling of being bewitched...
This is exactly how astronauts have experienced
this remarkable adventure since the first human space flight around the world
in 1961. It is known in actual fact how once one is above the Earth's
atmosphere, the Heavens no longer have the azure appearance we see from Earth,
which results from phenomena of absorption of the Sun's light into the layers
of the atmosphere. The human observer in space above the Earth's atmosphere
sees a black sky and the Earth seems to be surrounded by a halo of bluish color
due to the same phenomena of absorption of light by the Earth's atmosphere. The
Moon has no atmosphere, however, and therefore appears in its true colors
against the black background of the sky. It is a completely new spectacle
therefore that presents itself to men in space, and the photographs of this
spectacle are well known to present-day man.
Here again, it is difficult not to be
impressed, when comparing the text of the Qur'an to the data of modern science,
by statements that simply cannot be ascribed to the thought of a man who lived
more than fourteen centuries ago.
Having called modern concepts on the formation
of the Universe to mind, reference was made to the evolution that took place,
starting with primary nebula through to the formation of galaxies, stars and
(for the solar system) the appearance of planets beginning with the Sun at a
certain stage of its evolution. Modern data lead us to believe that in the
solar system, and more generally in the Universe itself, this evolution is
still continuing.
How can anybody who is aware of these ideas
fail to make a comparison with certain statements found in the Qur'an in which
the manifestations of divine Omnipotence are referred to. The Qur'an reminds us
several times that: "(God) subjected the sun and the moon: each one runs its
course to an appointed term."
This sentence is to be found in sura 13, verse
2; sura 31, verse 29; sura 35, verse 13 and sura 39, verse 5. In addition to
this, the idea of a settled place is associate with the concept of a
destination place in sura 36, verse 38: "The Sun runs its course to a settled place. This is the
decree of the All Mighty, the Full of Knowledge."
'Settled place' is the translation of the word
mustaqarr and there can be no doubt that the idea of an exact place is attached
to it.
How do these statements fare when compared with
data established by modern science?
The Qur'an gives an end to the Sun for its evolution
and a destination place. It also provides the Moon with a settled place. To
understand the possible meanings of these statements, we must remember what
modern knowledge has to say about the evolution of the stars in general and the
Sun in particular, and (by extension) the celestial bodies that automatically
followed its movement through space, among them the Moon.
The Sun is a star that is roughly 4.5 billion
years old, according to experts in astrophysics. It is possible to (distinguish
a stage in its evolution, as one can for all the stars. At present, the Sun is
at an early stage, characterized by the transformation of hydrogen atoms into
helium atoms. Theoretically, this present stage should last another 5.5 billion
years according to calculations that allow a total of 10 billion years for the
duration of the primary stage in a star of this kind. It has already been
shown, in the case of these other stars, that this stage gives way to a second
period characterized by the completion of the transformation of hydrogen into
helium, with the resulting expansion of its external layers and the cooling of
the Sun. In the final stage, its light is greatly diminished and density
considerably increased; this is to be observed in the type of star known as a
'white dwarf'.
The above dates are only of interest in as far
as they give a rough estimate of the time factor involved, what is worth
remembering and is really the main point of the above, is the notion of an
evolution. Modern data allow us to predict that, in a few billion years, the
conditions prevailing in the solar system will not be the same as they are
today. Like other stars whose transformations have been recorded until they
reached their final stage, it is possible to predict an end to the Sun. The
second verse quoted above (sura 36, verse 38) referred to the Sun running its
course towards a place of its own.
Modern astronomy has been able to locate it
exactly and has even given it a name, the Solar Apex: the solar system is
indeed evolving in space towards a point situated in the Constellation of
Hercules (alpha lyrae) whose exact location is firmly established; it is moving
at a speed already ascertained at something in the region of 12 miles per
second.
All these astronomical data deserve to be mentioned
in relation to the two verses from the Qur'an. Since it is possible to state
that they appear to agree perfectly with modern scientific data.
Science and the Qur'an
Insights into the source of the Qur'an
. . . based on scientific discoveries since 1998
Insights into the source of the Qur'an
. . . based on scientific discoveries since 1998
In
recent years, Muslims have begun to proclaim that the Qur'an contains
scientific observations only discovered in the 20th and 21st centuries. For
example, Muslims (in the
21st century) now
believe that the Qur'an reveals that the universe will expand to a limit, stop
its expansion, then collapse into itself. Several Qur'anic verses are used to
support this Islamic view of the universe. Below are modern translations of the
Qur'an found on the Internet on some Islamic websites. These Islamic web sites
describe both the expanding universe and the collapse of the universe. Let's begin
with the expanding universe interpretation of the Qur'an.
"...We have constructed the heaven with might, and verily,
it is We who are steadily expanding it.... " (Surah 51:47).
Muslims
acknowledge that only English translations of the Qur'an (in the late 20th century) use the word
"expanding" (click
on this pop-up to review earlier
English translations of the Qur'an that did not use the word "expanding"
in their rendition of Surah 51:47).
Since
the earlier English translations of Surah 51:47 do not use the word
"expanding," it is important to acknowledge that the most recent
translations are hypothetical. Therefore, it is appropriate to question the
translation that uses the word, "expanding."
Nevertheless,
some Muslims will insist that the Qur'an does support using the word
"expanding" for translation into English. Therefore, let's assume
that the Qur'an does contain the "expanding universe" as a scientific
observation written into its texts. Would this verify that the Qur'an comes
from God?
This
is the most important question to answer with logic and available evidence.
Let's begin with the method that humans have used to make scientific
observations. To make scientific observations, humans simply observe, then
write their observation(s) on paper. A systematic collection of observations is
usually made. And as humans have become capable of making precise measurements,
better conclusions can be made of the observations using applied physics and
math.
Now
it is true that in the 7th century, humans were not capable of knowing that the
universe was expanding. We must ask, "Who would have been capable of
scientific observations in the 7th century?"
To
begin, scientific observations are made by created beings, not the Creator (i.e.: Allah). We can easily reason that
spiritual beings of all types would be capable of scientific observations of
the universe. For example, a list of spiritual beings capable of scientific
observations would include angels, archangels (Gabriel), demons, Satan, jinn, and
others (the
list could even contain spiritual beings that we don't know exist, or even ETs). Therefore, it is logical
that a spiritual being could be the source of scientific observations that Muslims
have only recently come to believe (hypothecate is a better word) are in the Qur'an.
Is
this a good assessment? If it is true, then what does it mean?
All
Muslims acknowledge that Muhammad believed that the words spoken to him duringspiritual experiences came only from the Archangel
Gabriel. Therefore, Muslims accept that the Archangel Gabriel could make
scientific observations of the universe. But did the Archangel Gabriel get the
words from the Creator? Or was the Archangel Gabriel that spoke to Muhammad (as opposed to Daniel the
prophet, who also heard from the Archangel Gabriel) a spirit that deceived
Muhammad?
"The answer to "Who is Gabriel?" based on physical
evidence (for example, ancient artifacts
like the dead sea scrolls, ossuaries, etc...) and logic can be discovered on
the "Spiritual Technology" web site by reading the
entire web site analysis. A math based conclusion is possible due to physical
evidence related to spiritual ideas."
The Big Crunch in the Qur'an
(Collapse of the Universe)
(Collapse of the Universe)
Modern
day Muslims now believe that the Qur'an reveals that in the distant future, the
universe will stop expanding due to gravity. Then the universe will collapse
back to a small point (smaller
than a hand) to
start a new creation. Let's review the collapsing universe interpretation of
the Qur'an.
"That Day We will fold up heaven like folding up the pages
of a book. As We originated the first creation so We will regenerate it. It is
a promise binding on Us. That is what We will do." (Surah 21:104).
This
Muslim author then refers to a second Qur'anic verse that supports the universe
will collapse:
"They do not measure Allah with His true measure. The whole
earth will be a mere handful for Him on the Day of Rising the heavens folded up
in His right hand. Glory be to Him! He is exalted above the partners they
ascribe!"
(Surah 39:67).
The
English translation given above is very similar to earlier English translations
of the Qur'an. All English translations use a similar phrase that infers the
universe will roll back together like a scroll before a new creation occurs. (click on this pop-up to review earlier
English translations of the Qur'an that agree the universe will collapse before a
new creation is done).
Since
all English translations of the Qur'an agree that the universe will be rolled
back together, it appears that almost all people would agree that the Qur'an
takes this position. However, the evidence of science does not support the
concept that the universe will collapse. Since 1998, scientists have concluded
that the universe is expanding at an accelerating rate. The universe will never
collapse as recorded in the Qur'an. Consider the historic evidence supporting
this conclusion that have been released to the public worldwide since 1998.
In
the year 1998, after 10 years of intense research and observing distant
supernova, two independent scientific teams (the Supernova Cosmology
Project and the High ZSupernova Search Team Project) came to the same conclusion
that the rate at which the universe is expanding is accelerating (getting bigger at a faster and
ever faster rate).
This idea was totally unexpected and is typically called the Accelerating Universe.
In
2002 to 2006, analysis of data collected from the NASA WMAP Satellite has
permitted scientists to conclude that the universe is accelerating. Here is a
quote from a NASA website with scientific conclusions. "For the theory
that fits our data, the universe willexpand forever!"
The
conclusion that the universe will expand forever at an accelerating rate is
based on the analysis of more than 800 Cepheid Variable Stars, more than 80
Type 1A Supernova, and more than 3 years of continuous data collection from the
NASA WMAP Satellite. Due to the large amount of data involved in this analysis,
the conclusion that the universe will expand forever at an accelerating rate is
done at a high confidence level. The probability of this conclusion being wrong
due to random error is extremely small.
The
previous three paragraphs with credible offsite links verify that three
independent scientific teams using two independent scientific methods agree.
The universe will expand forever at an accelerating rate.
However,
the Qur'an proclaims that the universe will collapse. And Muslims on various
Islamic web sites state that the Qur'an records that the universe will collapse.
Therefore the Qur'an is in grave contradiction with scientific data as well as
the conclusions of scientists. This requires us to make a very serious
statement about the Qur'an and its source.
Scientific
data supports that the universe will expand forever at a high confidence level.
Therefore, any so-called "holy book" that claims the opposite is
wrong at a high confidence level. Since the Qur'an is obviously wrong, we must
ask, "Who is the source of the Qur'an?"
Gabriel Who?
(Do Muslims really know the spiritual source of the qur'an?)
(Do Muslims really know the spiritual source of the qur'an?)
Please
Note: Physical evidence and logic
are used on this web site to compare Gabriel's words to Daniel the prophet
versus Gabriel's words to Muhammad, the prophet of Islam. Since each prophet claims
to have received words from the same spiritual being (Gabriel), then the words should
agree when the same subject is being presented. However, we find that the words
are diametrically opposed. Therefore, simple logic requires us to conclude that
either Daniel or Muhammad is without doubt a false prophet.
Based
on physical evidence of the dead sea scrolls, ancient ossuaries, the Pontius
Pilate inscription, and many other artifacts, the "Spiritual
Technology" web site concludes that Gabriel did in fact foretell the
future through Daniel the prophet at the 99% confidence level. Who then is the
spiritual being that contradicts Daniel the prophet as recorded in the Qur'an
through Muhammad?
People
who believe Muhammad received words from Gabriel do so on complete "blind faith," even those who were
direct witnesses of Muhammad's spiritual experiences. It is impossible for
those present to discern the subjective nature of Muhammad's spiritual
experiences.
Please
Note: If you have an open mind and
will take the time to study in-depth the information on this web site, you can
begin to discern that Muhammad did not speak with a spiritual being capable of
foretelling the future. To state this another way, only the Creator (Who exists outside the limits
of time-space) can
accurately and consistently foretell the future random human events. Muhammad
did not achieve this necessary requirement (scientific observations recorded in a so-called
"holy book" are not future random events since they are simply
observations). Therefore,
it is logical to ask, "Who is the spiritual being that spoke to
Muhammad?"
Scientific Observations
in so-called "Holy Books"
(Discern the Source, Be Very Careful of Your Conclusion)
in so-called "Holy Books"
(Discern the Source, Be Very Careful of Your Conclusion)
We
can also conclude that any other so-called "holy book" that reveals
scientific observations of the universe does not mean that the source is from
the Creator.
On a
postive note, we can conclude that scientific observations in any so-called
"holy book" infers that there is a spiritual level related to the
universe. In turn, this infers that a Creator did create the one and only
universe that humans have observed to date.
The Archangel Gabriel
(Spoke to Daniel the Prophet)
(Spoke to Daniel the Prophet)
Daniel
the prophet is the only other human being (as a prophet) that claims to have spoken directly with the
Archangel Gabriel. This is important since it permits us to compare the book of
Daniel to the Qur'an using math (Same spiritual source should have similar view
when a specific subject is being presented). And the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm that the
book of Daniel has not been changed. Based on physical evidence, we can have
confidence that Daniel the prophet did in fact speak with the Archangel
Gabriel. Since Muhammad presents views that are diametrically opposite of those
taken by Daniel (on the
same subject), we
can conclude that Muhammad the prophet of Islam appears to have been deceived (at a high confidence level) by a being that claimed to
be the Archangel Gabriel. Who is this spiritual being?
In
the near future, I will update the site to address other modern Islamic views
that the Qur'an contains scientific observations (For example, Muslims believe
that the Qur'an contains scientific observations related to embryology). You can book mark this
page and check back as I begin to revise the Spiritual Technology web site.
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