Divine Revelations in Qur'an validated by Scientific Discoveries: The Fingerprints

Our lives today revolve around our fingerprints. This unique formation of waves has become the most frequently applied technique in forensic science and digital applications. Since fingerprints of each man is unique and different from the other and the fact that no two individuals possess the same fingerprints, these serve as a powerful means of personal identification, and a very useful tool used forensic evidence worldwide. 

In fact, today, the use of fingerprints is far greater than it was when discovered in the 19th century. Nothing moves when operating computers, cell phones or even doors unless an identifiable fingerprint is inserted. The matching of two fingerprints is thus among the most widely used and most reliable biometric techniques. Today, there is a branch of science called "Dactiloscopy" that examines fingerprints.

When were the finger prints disccovered. The pioneer in fingerprint identification was Sir Francis Galton, an anthropologist by training, who was the first to show scientifically how fingerprints could be used to identify individuals. Beginning in the 1880s, Galton (a cousin of Charles Darwin) studied fingerprints to seek out hereditary traits. In 1686 the physiologist Marcello Malpighi examined fingerprints under a microscope and noted a series of ridges and loops. In 1823, another physiologist, Jan Purkinje, noted at least nine different fingerprint patterns.

But wait: was there any mention of finger prints before these were dsicovered in the 19th centurey? Well, science was in its infancy before the 19th century and nobody really cared or knew about the usage of this important barometric function. I do not know whether any mention of finger prints is made in any of the Divine Scriptures, but we come across the mention of finger prints in Qur'an. It is said the Qur'an: 

“Does man think that We will not assemble his bones? Yes. [We are] Able [even] to proportion his fingertips." (Surah 75 Al-Qiyama, 3-4)

(بَلَى قَـدِرِينَ عَلَى أَن نُّسَوِّىَ بَنَانَهُ and We are quite able to put together his fingertips) That is We could make his Banan " َبَنَانَ", which are the tips of his fingers, all equal (in length). 

Isn't it amazing that God telling people more than 1400 years ago that He will assemble the man on the Day of Judgement even to the proportion of his fingertips!! And mind it, it is not only fingerprints but it is the eyes of the man who are uniquely distinct for the others and are also used as means of identification.

The two verses quoted above reassert the process of putting bones back together by stating something more complex, which is to put fingertips in their respective positions, just as they were in life. This implies that man will be brought back to life, with every little detail or small aspect of his physique put back in perfect order. Nothing is lost, however small!

The question is why did God choose to use the body part ‘fingertips’ as an example of His ability in resurrecting. A human being making the same point may have opted to say ‘proportion his face’ – for that would apparently seem to be of a greater difficulty and more visible differentiation – fingertips not being something you would traditionally associate with difficulty or uniqueness. God knows the uniqueness He has placed in each human being.  The verse stresses that every detail of man shall be brought back to life even to the extent of the information that exists on a fingertip. Only the Creator would have said these words in this way. [3]

Those who claim that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ "wrote" the Qur'an by taking excerpts from other Divine Scriptures when he used to go out with his trade caravans and getting to extract Divine knowledge from people of other religions. If that we so, does this mention of finger prints exist in any other scripture. Or for instance the mention of Big Bang Theory, Formation of all living being with water or the separation of the seas? And how could Muhammad ﷺ know that iron is an alien body that came from outer space?

We have already written posts on things said in Qur'an the meaning of which people of the time did not know for their knowledge was too limited to interpret the Divine Wisdom. It is only recently been validated by scientific discoveries. Only God could know of these things Who actually made these to happen, far beyond the comprehension of human mind and that too centuries before advent of modern-day science. 

Let us start calling a spade a spade and do not contest Qur'an but start to read it objectively, correlating with latest scientific developments and start to agree that Qur'an is a word of God and no human being can ever write a single line worth that of the Qur'an.

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

For more Selected Verses, please refer to our reference page: Divine Revelations in Qur'an validated by Scientific Discoveries. You may also refer to our Reference Pages and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Source References:  | 1 | 2 | 3 | 

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Posted in: Biometrics,Divine Revelations and Science,Fingerprints