Quran is far ahead of modern science, says scholar

The universe is expanding, and will come to an end and die like all creatures. This was one of the many miraculous facts of our universe — mentioned in the Holy Quran — chronicled in the third lecture of the cultural programme of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award held on Tuesday night.

The lecture, which was attended by Commander-in-Chief of the Dubai Police Major-General Khamis Mattar Al Mazeina, traced the journey of the universe as mentioned in the Quran.

The audience listening to Prof Dr Hamid Al Naimi’s lecture held on Tuesday night as part of the cultural programme of the Dubai International Holy Quran Award. — Supplied photos

Eminent Iraqi scholar Professor Dr Hamid Al Naimi, Acting Provost of the Sharjah University, showed how the Holy Quran is far ahead of modern science in uncovering facts. Many recent discoveries made by modern science are mentioned in the Quran, which was revealed over 1,400 years ago.

Referring to the Big Bang theory, which was first proposed in 1927, Dr Al Naimi cited verse 21/30 of the Quran: “Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them?”

Elaborating the verse, Dr Al Naimi said: “Almighty Allah says the universe was ‘one entity’ of material and energy that ‘He separated’ into atoms and electrons — the big bang — then into nebulas of gas and dust, out of which the gravity formed galaxies with billions of stars in them, and our sun is just one of these stars.”

Dr Al Naimi, who is also the Dean of the College of Science, said the earth, which is considered a living creature by geologists, is the only livable planet that Allah has prepared for all species.

“The earth, (which is) not extremely hot or cold like other planets, is protected by 27 shields, including the atmosphere and a magnetic power, as (mentioned) in verse 16/81 (of the Quran): ‘And Allah has made for you, from that which He has created, shadows’,” he said.

Citing verse 51/7, he said: “‘(I swear) by the heaven, which comprises interwoven pathways.’ Science has proved that there is no single space in the universe and all objects are tightly woven. The so-called space is actually filled with gas and dust, and each object is swimming in a definite orbit giving balance to the universe, as affirmed in verse 36/40: ‘It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming.’”

Dr Al Naimi said the observable universe comprises billions of galaxies, and the nearest of these to ours is 9.4 trillion km far. “Each galaxy contains 100 billion stars, and our sun, which was created five billion years ago, is one. How could such an enormous universe may be created from chaos?”

Dr Al Naimi said the universe is expanding as affirmed by the Quran in verse 51/47: ‘And We have built the heaven with (Our) Hands and surely We are indeed extending (it) wide.’ “This proves the first big bang. Indeed, the universe is extending.”

The universe, Dr Al Naimi said, will die an “undeniable death” and cited verse 53/1: ‘I swear by the star when it falls down.’

“These falling and dying stars turn into black holes, which prevent anything from escaping and sweep the universe with its gravity as mentioned in verse 81/15-16: ‘I swear by the fading stars, which run fast, disappear and sweeps (other objects)’.

“The universe, just like living beings, is growing old and ‘running’ towards its end as mentioned in verse 21/104: ‘The (Dooms) Day when We shall fold the heaven like a scroll rolled up for books. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (That is) a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We shall do it.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com