Islam, the final eternal message of Allah to humanity, addresses the human intellect in order to be convinced of its genuine truth. To be convincing to all people at all times, this final message is based on scientific reasoning that fits the evolving scientific knowledge of all generations.
Such a message is the only one fit to be a “universal” message, and the “only one” remaining undistorted as revealed 14 centuries ago. Previous messages, were based on materialistic miracles, witnessed only by a limited group of the respective prophet’s contemporaries. Each of these messages were sent to suit only that particular “nation”, in terms of time or place.
The essence of Islam is to incite the human brain to think, observe, analyze and reach sound conclusions. The very first words revealed to Muhammad, peace be upon him, carried an instruction to learn: *{Read!}* as well as a precise reference to a biological concept. Man is created from `alaq. This in Arabic means something that clings, referring to the clinging of a sperm to the ovum to start ovulation, or the subsequent clinging of the resulting zygote to the uterine wall. These first few verses end with a reminder of the bounties of Allah in guiding man to knowledge. They read what means:
*{Read! In the name of your Lord Who created. Created Man from `alaq (what clings, a clot clinging leech-like). Read! And your Lord is the Most Honorable, Who taught by the pen. He taught Man what he did not know.}* (Al-`Alaq 96:1-5)
All throughout the Qur’an, repeated references to scientific notions and facts are the main tools of motivating the intellect towards sound firm belief and noble values. This is as well as motivating the intellect towards a specific way of life. This is for the welfare of both the individual and society. That the Qur’an is the word of Allah is self-proven through examining the Qur’an. The notions implied thereof (scientific, historical, psychological, legislative … etc.) are far beyond that of any human being, when revealed and for centuries to come. The style, i.e. semantics, rhetoric, grammatical structure, eloquence, and internal music of the Arabic Qur’an is a standing challenge to all humanity and forever. The Qur’an reads what means:
{Then let them come up with a discourse like this [the Qur’an], in case they are sincere.}* (At-Tur 52:34)
{… like of this Qur’an, they would not come up with its like, even if they were backers of one another.}* (Al-Israa’ 17:88)
The Qur’an motivates the intellect through:
Urging to think. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{So have they not pondered over the saying, or did there come to them that which did not come up to their earliest fathers?}* (Al-Mu’minun 23:68)
*{… so give good tidings to My bondmen. Who listen to the saying [and] so closely follow the fairest of it. Those are they whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endowed with intellects.}* (Az-Zumar 39:17-18)
Arguing with evidence. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Is not He [Most Charitable] Who begins creation, [and] thereafter He brings it back again, and Who provides you from the heaven and the earth? Is there a god with Allah? Say: “Offer your proof, in case you are sincere.”}* (An-Naml 27:64)
*{If there were in both of them gods except Allah, indeed they would [both] suffer corruption. All Extolment be to Allah, the Lord of the throne, above whatever they describe}* (Al-Anbiyaa’ 21:22)
*{Will they not contemplate the Qur’an? And if it had been from [any where] other than the providence of Allah, indeed they would have found in it many difference(s)}* (An-Nisaa’ 4:82)
Inviting to reflect on the Creation. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the daytime there are signs indeed for ones endowed with intellects. The ones who remember Allah, upright and seated on their sides, and meditate upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, in no way have You created this untruthfully.”}* (Aal `Imran 3:190-191)
To seek knowledge. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{He brings [the] wisdom to whomever He decides; and whoever is brought [the] wisdom, then he has been brought much charity; and in no way does anyone constantly remember except those endowed with intellects.}* (Al-Baqarah 2:269)
*{And in no way did We send [even] before you, except men to whom We revealed. So ask the population of the remembrance, in case you do not know.}* (An-Nahl 16:43)
To respect science and scientists. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Say: “Are the ones who know equal to the ones who do not know?” Surely only the ones endowed with intellects would remind themselves.}* (Az-Zumar 39:9)
*{… and in no way does anyone know its interpretation except Allah. And the ones firmly established in knowledge say: “We have believed in it; all is from the providence of our Lord.” And in no way does anyone constantly remember except the ones endowed with intellects.}* (Aal `Imran 3:7)
To know that the universe is controlled by precise laws. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Surely We created everything by a determined estimate.}* (Al-Qamar 54:49)
*{… and He created everything, so He has determined it in an [exact] determination}* (Al-Furqan 25:2)
*{The sun and the moon [run] to all-precisely reckoned [courses]. And the stars and the trees prostrate themselves. And the heaven, He raised it up, and laid down the balance.}* (Ar-Rahman 55:5-7)
The Qur`an sets fire on all sorts of superstitions:
Auguring. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{… and in case an odious [thing] afflicted them, they would augur ill by Musa and the one with him. Verily their bird [of augury] is surely only in the meeting with Allah, but most of them did not know.}* (Al-A`raf 7:131)
It is also narrated in the hadith that:
“The sun and the moon do not eclipse due to the death or birth of anyone. They are two signs of Allah’s, so, pray when you see them.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari.)
Unscientific thinking. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{And the poets, the misguided closely follow them; have you not seen
that they wander in every valley, and that they say what they do
not perform?}* (Ash-Shu`araa’ 26:224-226)
Baseless claims The Qur’an reads what means:
*{He [Hud] said: “Abomination and anger from your Lord have already befallen you. Do you dispute with me over names you have named, and your fathers, [for] in no way has Allah ever sent down regarding them any all-binding authority? So, await, surely I will be with you among [the ones] awaiting.”}* (Al-A`raf 7:71)
*{And the Jews have said: “`Uzayr is the son of Allah.” And the Christians have said: “Al-Masih (Jesus), is the son of Allah.” That is their saying with their mouths, conforming with the saying of the disbelievers earlier. Allah fights them! However are they diverged.}* (At-Tawbah 9:30)
*{And they have taken to themselves gods, apart from Him, that create nothing and themselves are created and possess for themselves neither harm nor profit; neither do they possess death, nor life, nor uprising.}* (Al-Furqan 25:3)
Blindly following of ancestors, leaders and clergy. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Surely they came upon their fathers erring. So they are made to hurry in their tracks. And indeed before them already erred away most of the earliest [people].}* (As-Saffat 37:69-70)
*{They have taken to themselves as lords, apart from Allah, their doctors and their monks and Al-Masih (Jesus), the son of Maryam; and in no way were they commanded to worship [anyone] except One God; there is no god except He; all extolment be to Him, [He is] above whatever
they associate [with Him]}* (At-Tawbah 9:31)
Now, the fruit of using the intellect to reach honest sound conclusions is a firm belief in:
- The presence of Allah, the origin of all existence.
- His Attributes.
- His Bounties on all creatures on this earth.
- Qur`an is the final Word of Allah.
A Muslim having such a clear vision would:
Know and remember Allah. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Surely in the creation of the heavens and the earth and in the alternation of the night and the daytime there are signs indeed for ones endowed with intellects. The ones who remember Allah, upright and seated and on their sides, and meditate upon the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, in no way have You created this untruthfully. All extolment be to You! So protect us from the torment of the Fire!”}* (Aal `Imran 3:190-191)
Willingly and continuously submit to His doctrine. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{And in no way should a male believer or a female believer, when Allah and His Messenger has decreed a command, have the choice in their command …}* (Al-Ahzab 33:36)
Beware of disobeying Him. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{Is he who is devoutly [praying] at various times of the night, prostrate and upright, being wary of the Hereafter, and hoping for the mercy of his Lord [the same as the disbeliever]?}* (Az-Zumar 39:9)
Be patient and enduring of the difficulties of life. The Qur’an reads what means
:
*{You who have believed, seek help in patience and prayer, surely Allah is with the patient. And do not say of whomever are killed in the way of Allah: “[They are] dead.” No indeed, they are alive but you are not aware. And indeed We will definitely try you with something of fear and hunger, and diminution of riches, and selves, and products; and give glad tidings to the patient. Who, when an affliction afflicts them, say: “Surely we belong to Allah, and surely to Him we are turning.” Upon those are the prayers from their Lord, and mercy; and those are
they [who] are the right-guided.}* (Aal `Imran 3:155-157)
Trust and hope in the Hereafter. The Qur’an reads what means:
*{So, as for him whose book is brought to him in his right hand, he will then say: “[Now], here you are! Read my book. Surely I expected that I should meet my reckoning.”}* (Al-Haqqah 69:19-22)
