Is the Quran merely a book we possess

There are a large number of people who boast of their libraries, spending millions or even more to buy rare books of fiction, wisdom, history or art - but a very small number of people really read and reflect on the treasure hidden inside these books. It is because they collected their collection as a show off for others rather than having any positive effect on their lives by benefitting from the research work contained therein.

Coming to Islam, AL Qur'an is the most revered Divine Book of every Muslim. It is kept in high esteem, covered in silk and placed on the top of the almirahs. It is generally "recited" almost daily by most Muslims to benefit from its recitation spiritually. And this is the dilemma. We recite and read but seldom understand what has been read and reflecting on its substance. And when a Book becomes just to be read and then shelved again, it "merely" becomes a book from which we do  not draw any inferences or seek help for cementing our faith and becoming better practical Muslims.

In this regard, we share the 30th verse from Sürah Al Furqan (The Criterion) in which the revered Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been quoted as saying the heartless attitude of the people of Makkah who simply disregarded the Qur'an and treated it as something merely a book. 

The verse 

وَقَالَ الرَّسُوۡلُ يٰرَبِّ اِنَّ قَوۡمِى اتَّخَذُوۡا هٰذَا الۡقُرۡاٰنَ مَهۡجُوۡرًا‏  

"And the Messenger has said, 'O my Lord, indeed my people have taken this Quran as something abandoned.'" (Quran 25:30, Sahih International)

The keyword of this verse is the Arabic word mahjur مَهۡجُوۡرً‏ which is capable of several meanings. As such, the sentence may mean:" "these people did not regard the Qur'an as worthy of their consideration: they neither accepted it nor followed it"; or "They considered it to be a nonsense or the delirium of insanity: or "They made it the target of their ridicule and mockery."

Scholars of Tafsir (Quranic exegesis) explain that abandoning the Quran encompasses several ways a person can distance themselves from it:

• Failure to Read and Recite: Leaving it untouched or not making it a regular part of daily life.
• Lack of Reflection: Not taking the time to read translations or commentaries to understand its meaning and wisdom.
• Failing to Act upon it: Knowing the commandments and prohibitions, but ignoring them in daily actions and character.
• Disbelief and Ridicule: Historically, it also refers to those who called the Quran "magic," "poetry," or "nonsense," and thus rejected it completely.

In its plainest sense, the verse communicates that the Quran was revealed as guidance, but many people chose to distance themselves from it instead of accepting and following it. The specific forms that this "abandonment" can take are elaborated elsewhere in the Quran and in the traditional commentaries. While the polytheists of Makkah never accepted it, the following Muslims never 'followed' it by reflecting on it.

Renowned Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this verse is a universal lesson for the Ummah. Just as the Prophet's immediate people faced this rebuke, similar realities existed in past nations. The overarching warning is to actively hold fast to divine revelation. Those who obey the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet are guided and protected by Allah, while those who abandon it face severe spiritual and worldly consequences. In fact this verse serves as a profound and fearful warning for all believers.

Context

This verse occurs within a passage (Quran 25:27–34) that describes the regret of those who rejected divine guidance on the Day of Judgment. The preceding verses portray people lamenting the choices they made and the companions who led them away from the truth. In this setting, the Prophet's complaint to Allah highlights the central reason for their loss: they had neglected the Quran rather than accepting and living by its guidance.

The verses that follow reassure the Prophet that opposition from disbelievers has always been part of the mission of God's messengers and that Allah is sufficient as a Guide and Helper. Thus, the verse serves both as a lament over the people's rejection and as comfort for the Prophet.

Audience

The immediate audience was the people of Mecca who persistently rejected the Quran despite hearing its message. More broadly, the verse speaks to all who encounter the Quran but fail to give it the attention and respect it deserves. It also serves as a reminder to the Muslim community that possessing the Quran is not enough; its guidance must be embraced.

Expected response

As mentioned earlier, most of the Muslims read the Qur'an almsot day - but their hearts are not moved for they do not understand what has been recited  and reflecting on the Godly wisdom contained therein. Thus this verse calls believers to:

• Read the Quran regularly and attentively.
• Reflect on its meanings rather than reciting it mechanically.
• Accept its teachings with sincerity.
• Live according to its moral and spiritual guidance.
• Share its message with wisdom and good character.

Classical commentators such as Ibn Kathir explain that "abandoning" the Quran (hajr al-Qur'an) includes not listening to it, not believing in it, not reflecting on it, not acting upon it, and neglecting to seek healing and guidance through it.

How can we apply this today?

The verse remains highly relevant even today because abandoning the Quran can take many forms in modern life, even among those who identify as Muslims. Examples include:

• Owning copies of the Quran but rarely reading them.
• Reciting it without striving to understand its meaning.
• Knowing its teachings but allowing cultural habits, social pressures, or personal desires to consistently override them.
• Looking exclusively to trends, influencers, or popular opinion for guidance while neglecting the Quran's ethical framework.
• Treating the Quran as something reserved for ceremonies or special occasions rather than a guide for everyday decisions.

Applying this verse today does not necessarily require spending many hours each day studying the Quran. Rather, this verse encourages developing a living relationship with it by reading regularly, learning its meanings, reflecting on its message, and making a sincere effort to embody its values in one's character, relationships, work, and worship.

In essence, Quran 25:30 asks every generation the same question: Is the Quran merely a book we possess, or is it a guide that actively shapes how we think, live, and treat others? The verse encourages believers to ensure that the Prophet's complaint is not true of them by engaging with the Quran as a source of faith, wisdom, and practical guidance.

The purpose of this post is to stir the hearts and mind of every Muslim to reflect deeply on what is contained in Al Qur'an and shape our lives as per the Divine wisdom. Unless we really understand the message of Qur'an, we will never be able to become true Muslims as desired by Allah.

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.

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

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.

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.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sūrah 25. Al-Furqān " اَلْفُرْقَانْ‎ " (The Criterion), already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Fitrah (فِطْرَة) in Islam: A theological concept compared with the computer motherboard

Every member of the younger generation is well versed with the word "motherboard" - the foundation of a computer. Today, we will use the motherboard as a simple analogy to understand a theological concept based on the Arabic terminology "Fitrah" which is foundation of Islam and then will expand the meaning of Fitrah and reflect over its significance in Islam as the subconscious & instinctive awareness of Oneness of God (Tawhid).

To understand Fitrah, let us begin using a simple analogy of comparing it with the modern usage of word motherboard.

Relationship with Computer Motherboard and Fitrah in Islam

• The Computer Motherboard: Let us first understand what a computer motherboard is and how it functions. The computer motherboard comes from the factory with a specific design and architecture. It is built to support certain functions and has the capacity to connect components and operate correctly. The design exists before any software is installed.
• The Fitrah in Islam: In Islam, humans are created with a built-in fitrah. Fitrah is the original disposition Allah placed within us. It includes a natural capacity to recognize truth, seek meaning, appreciate morality, and turn toward God.
• Correlation
• Both the motherboard and Fitrah have fixed basic functions and capabilities. However, to use these specific to  our requirement, we need software. The software made to run the computer are countless and can be even tailor made to our specific work requirement. Likewise, culture, upbringing, and experiences are like the "software" installed later as far the Fitrah in Islam is concerned.
• That is why the Prophet ﷺ said every child is born upon fitrah, then external influences shape their beliefs and practices.

With this premise in view and general understanding of the terminology of Fitrah, let us turn to AL Qur'an and see how and why this word is used.

The verse Al Quran Surah Ar-Rum 30:30

"So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth—the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created mankind. There is no changing the creation of Allah. That is the upright religion, but most people do not know."

What is fitrah?

Now let us define what The Arabic word Fitrah (فِطْرَة) is. It comes from a root meaning "to originate," "to create," or "to bring forth." In Islamic thought, fitrah refers to the innate disposition with which Allah created human beings.

Classical scholars explain fitrah in slightly different but complementary ways:

• An innate recognition that there is a Creator.
• A natural inclination toward truth and worship of God.
• An inborn moral awareness that distinguishes good from evil.
• A disposition capable of accepting Islam when not distorted by external influences.

Fitrah does not mean that every person is born consciously knowing Islamic theology. Rather, it means human beings possess a natural orientation toward One True God, the sole creator of the entire universe and what all is contained therein, and truth. That is while the soul is naturally inclined toward goodness, external influences such as parents, culture, education, and society can shape a person's beliefs and sometimes cloud or suppress their original Fitrah.

Ibn Kathir emphasizes that "Allah created mankind upon a pure, uncorrupted natural constitution. At our core, humans are hardwired to believe in a Creator and acknowledge His singularity." The term Al-Fitrah here is equated directly with the religion of Islam (the straight, upright path). Fitrah thus is the spiritual equivalent of human instincts; just as the body has physical needs, the soul has a natural craving for truth and divine connection.

The most famous hadith on fitrah: 

• Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim narrate that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Every child is born upon fitrah, then his parents make him a Jew, Christian, or Magian..."
• Scholars understood this to mean that the original human disposition is receptive to faith in God, while environment, culture, and upbringing shape later beliefs.

Other Quranic verses related to fitrah: Although the word fitrah itself appears explicitly in 30:30, several verses express related concepts:

• The covenant verse (7:172): 
• Allah describes taking testimony from the descendants of Adam: "Am I not your Lord?" They said, "Yes, we testify."
• Many scholars connected this verse to the idea that humans possess a deep-rooted awareness of their Creator.
• The signs within ourselves (41:53):
• "We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth."
• This verse suggests that both the external world and human nature point toward God.
• Turning to God in hardship (10:22–23, 29:65)
• The Quran repeatedly describes people who call upon God sincerely when facing danger, even if they neglect Him during times of ease. 
• Scholars often cite this as evidence of an innate inclination toward God that emerges when worldly distractions are removed.
• Human creation in the best form (95:4)
• "We have certainly created man in the best stature."
• This reflects the dignity and noble potential built into human nature.

How does fitrah relate to Da'wah (inviting non Muslims to Islam)?

A key implication of fitrah is that dawah is not viewed merely as giving people a new idea. Rather, it is often described as reminding people of something already embedded within them.

The Quran frequently describes the Prophet ﷺ as a "reminder" rather than someone forcing belief. For example: "So remind, for you are only a reminder." (88:21)

The dawah approach built on fitrah is therefore:

• Appeal to reason.
• Appeal to conscience.
• Appeal to the human search for meaning.
• Remove misconceptions about Islam.
• Invite rather than compel.

The assumption is that truth resonates with fitrah when presented clearly and sincerely.

How can one discuss fitrah with non-Muslims?

It's important to recognize that fitrah is ultimately a theological concept. You generally cannot "prove" it in the same way you prove a mathematical theorem. Instead, Muslims often explore questions that fitrah seeks to explain:

1. The universal search for meaning

• Across cultures and history, humans have sought (1) Purpose, (2) Morality, (3) Transcendence, (4) Worship
• Why is this tendency so widespread?

2. Objective morality

• Many people intuitively feel that (1) Murder is wrong. (2) Justice is good. (3) Compassion is noble.
• A fitrah-based discussion asks where these deep moral intuitions come from.

3. The question of God

• Many people, even those without religious training, naturally ask: (1) Why do we exist? (2) Why is there something rather than nothing? (3) Is there a Creator?
• Islam sees this questioning itself as consistent with fitrah.

4. Personal experience

Many converts to Islam describe a feeling that Islamic teachings "made sense" or resonated deeply with something they already felt but could not articulate. Muslims often interpret such experiences as fitrah responding to truth.

A balanced dawah approach

The Quran's approach combines several elements:

• Rational argument.
• Reflection on nature.
• Moral reflection.
• Historical examples.
• Spiritual invitation.

For example, when speaking with non-Muslims, one can discuss:

• The existence of God.
• The order and intelligibility of the universe.
• The human longing for meaning.
• The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Quran.
• The Islamic understanding of purpose and accountability.

At the same time, the Quran teaches: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:256)

The goal of Da'wah is to present the message clearly, respectfully, and sincerely. From an Islamic perspective, guidance ultimately comes from Allah, while the caller's role is to communicate truth with wisdom and good character.

As many scholars have noted, one of the strongest demonstrations of fitrah in dawah is not merely argumentation but the visible embodiment of Islamic virtues—honesty, justice, mercy, humility, and integrity—because these qualities often resonate with people's innate moral sense.

How can we correlate fitrah with motherboard

Now coming back to our initial premise and by using computer motherboard as an analogy to understand the theological Islamic concept of Fitrah, as long as we remember that every analogy has limits.

A simple analogy Think of a computer motherboard:

• It comes from the factory with a specific design and architecture.
• It is built to support certain functions.
• It has the capacity to connect components and operate correctly.
• The design exists before any software is installed.

Similarly, in Islamic thought:

• Humans are created with a built-in fitrah.
• Fitrah is the original disposition Allah placed within us.
• It includes a natural capacity to recognize truth, seek meaning, appreciate morality, and turn toward God.
• Culture, upbringing, and experiences are like the "software" installed later.

A deeper comparison

            Motherboard                                     Fitrah

    Hardware design                                 Innate human nature

    Factory default state                             Original disposition created by Allah

    BIOS/Firmware settings                     Basic moral and spiritual orientation

    Software installed later                     Family, culture, education, ideology

    Malware can corrupt behavior             Sin, desires, false beliefs can obscure fitrah

    System reset can restore defaults           Repentance, reflection, guidance can reconnect a person with

                                                                   fitrah

Why this analogy can be useful in dawah

Many people today understand technology better than theology.

You might say: Islam teaches that humans are not born as blank slates. Just as a motherboard comes with an intended architecture, human beings come with an intended nature. We are "wired" to seek meaning, truth, morality, and ultimately our Creator.

This captures the Islamic idea that religion is not something completely foreign imposed on humanity; rather, it corresponds to something already present within human nature.

What happens where the analogy breaks down

Although we have tried to correlate a theological concept with the man made machine device purely as an academic discussion, many may argue that these two are can not be correlated for the reason of human limitation in designing a "machined creature" and unlimited powers and creativity of the Creator of the universe in front of which a motherboard is not an atom of the entire universe. This discussion is to agitate our minds and we must reflect over this correlation to ponder of the Divine wisdom, which many have tried to undermine.

But human mind, which is similar to a circuit board made of flesh has intellect ('aql), free choice (ikhtiyar) and can follow or resist their fitrah. And above all, is morally accountable.

So fitrah is not a deterministic program that forces belief in God. It is more like an innate orientation or compass. A compass points north, but a person can still choose to walk in another direction.

An even more accurate technology analogy

Instead of a motherboard, some scholars might prefer the analogy of a factory-installed operating system:

• The system comes with default settings.
• Over time, files, applications, and even malware can be added.
• The original system is still underneath, though it may become obscured.
• A reset can restore the intended configuration.

Likewise, Islam teaches that sins, desires, social conditioning, and false beliefs can cloud the fitrah, but they do not necessarily destroy it. This is why the Quran repeatedly calls people to remember, reflect, and return, rather than suggesting they must acquire an entirely new nature.

When the Quran says "There is no altering the creation of Allah," Ibn Kathir explains that this original nature is fundamentally perfect and true. While external societal, cultural, or environmental factors can cover, corrupt, or alter a person's behavior, the underlying spiritual core can never be completely removed or replaced. Unlike the motherboard whose entire orientation changes with change of processor, RAM, the graphic card, the core of the human soul can never be changed. The Fitrah stays inside the human body and no amount of distraction or even the change of brain and heart can replace it from human body. One may get disoriented like atheists, idolaters and those who believe God is not one but many, the inner and pure call remains intact. Those who turn back from the misleading path, repent and seek Divine forgiveness, find out that they are returning to the call which all along has been calling back to them to their Lord - the Only One God.

This also connects nicely to Quran 30:30: Islam presents itself not as something alien to human beings, but as something that aligns with the way Allah originally created them. The message of dawah, therefore, is often described as awakening or uncovering what is already embedded in the human soul.

Disclaimer: This post is published only for an academic reflection to show that Fitrah is embedded into every human beings whose linkages connect him to his Creator - whether he is aware of it or not. However, those who reflect over Fitrah, would find this linkage as an eye opener which may nullify many a man made myths and concepts.

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.

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

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.

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 an Overview / and more selected verses from Sürah Ar Rum, please refer to our exclusive reference post on Sürah (30) ’Ar-Rūm (The Romans), already published.

You may also refer to our exclusive reference pages: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Islam commands men and women to lower their gaze and protect their modesty

Modesty is defined differently in different cultures, societies and countries. At its core, modesty usually refers to not drawing excessive attention to oneself—especially in appearance, behavior, or self-promotion. When it comes to matter related to modesty, women figure out more than men for their revealing and inviting attires and knocking high heels on the floor attracting attention of the onlookers. It may not be wrong to say that most of the crimes take place due to revealing attire of women than men who generally wear clothes not exposing their bare flesh.  

In Islam, there is much stress on the chastity and modesty -for both men and women. Surah An Nur, The 24th chapter of AL Qur'an gives special importance to modesty and commands both men and women to lower their graze with respect to opposite sexes, thereby protecting their modesty. Herein under we share verses 30-31 which command both men and women separately to protect their modesty:

Surah An-Nur (24:30)

“And O Prophet, enjoin the Believing men to restrain their gaze and guard their private parts. This is a more righteous way for them: Allah has knowledge of what they do..”

• Context of the Verse 
• Surah An-Nūr deals with purity of society—not just outward rules, but also Inner discipline, Social boundaries and Protection of dignity.
• Importantly: This command comes first to men (24:30) and then a parallel command comes to women (24:31)
• Both  these verses act as a comprehensive set of social regulations designed to protect the chastity, honor, and purity of the Muslim community by controlling unlawful sexual desires and the means that lead to them.
• This shows that Responsibility begins with self-control, not blaming others
• What Does “Lower the Gaze” Mean?
• Some may think that men should never look and glance at a woman and living in isolation.
• Remember there are two things: Looking and gazing. Looking is only meant to recognize someone and greeting with good intention. 
• But gazing is often with lustful looks or inappropriate looking. Gazing leads to desires, which can lead to zina. Thus, the restriction is a preventative measure.
• Therefore, men are warned to avoid staring, objectifying, consuming indecent imagery in order to “Guard their as well as that of the females' chastity.”
• Guarding modesty means to protect actions, thoughts, and desires from corruption and not letting evil thoughts coming close or entering one's thoughts.
• The Deeper Meaning
• This verse is about inner اخلاق (character):
• The eye is a gateway to the heart
• What you repeatedly look at shapes, these effect thoughts, desires and behavior.
• That is why Islam addresses the problem at its root - to lower gaze
• Ibn Kathir emphasizes that this is a direct command from Allah to restrain the eyes from looking at prohibited things, particularly women who are not permissible for them (non-mahram). If a person's gaze falls upon something prohibited unintentionally, they should immediately look away. The transgression is looking intentionally and repeatedly. Ibn Kathir quotes a Hadith explaining that the eyes, ears, tongue, and hands can commit their own form of "adultery" (zina) by engaging with forbidden things before the private parts act on it.
• Another enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi explains:  
• It is not lawful for a man to cast a full gaze at the other women except at his own wife or the mahram women of his family. The chance look is pardonable but not the second look which one casts when one feels the lure of the object. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has termed such gazing and glancing as wickedness of the eyes. He has said that man commits adultery with all his sensory organs. The evil look at the other woman is the adultery of the eyes; lustful talk is the adultery of the tongue; relishing the other woman's voice is adultery of the ears; and touching her body with the hand or walking for an unlawful purpose is adultery of the hands and feet. After these preliminaries the sexual organs either bring the act of adultery to completion or leave it incomplete. (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Da'ud).
• "Guard their private parts": Abstain from illicit sexual gratification and from exposing their satar before others. For males, the satar is the part of the body from the navel to the knee, and it is not permissible to expose that pan of the body intentionally before anybody except one's own wife.

Surah An-Nur (24:31)

And tell the believing women to lower their glances and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty] except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e., slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O Believers, that you might succeed.

While verse 30 restricts men to lower their gaze and protect their modesty, women in the next verse are asked one added thing: not to expose their adornment. Those who can reflect on these two verses would know that the exposure of body parts of women are more attractive to men and in fact all ills of the society commence from the exposure of women. Let us dwell on this post as explained by eminent Muslim scholar Ibn Kathir:

• Tafsir of Ayah 31: Modesty and Veil for Women And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their private parts..."
• Women's Responsibility: Similar to men, women are ordered to guard their modesty and avoid gazing at men with desire.
• Adornment (Zinah): Women are commanded not to display their beauty or ornaments except for what appears naturally (such as the outer garment or hands/face according to different interpretations).
• Covering the Chest: The verse commands women to draw their veils (khumur) over their chests (juyub) to cover their neck and bosom.
• Exceptions (Mahram): A woman may display her adornments only to close relatives (mahram) who are forbidden to her in marriage (e.g., father, son, brother, etc.), or other women, servants, and small children.
• Walking Modestly: Women are instructed not to stamp their feet to attract attention to their hidden beauty (such as ankle bracelets).
• Tafsir Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi
• The Commandments of restraining the gaze for women are the same as for men. They should not glance intentionally at the other men, and if they happen to cast a chance look, they should turn their eyes away; and they should abstain from looking at the satar of others. However, the Commandments relating to the men's looking at women are a little different from those relating to the women's looking at men. On the one hand, there is an incident related in a Tradition saying that Hadrat Umm Salamah and Hadrat Umm Maimunah, wives of the Holy Prophet, were sitting with him when lbn Umm Maktum, a blind Companion, made his appearance. The Holy Prophet said to his wives: "Conceal your faces from him." The wives said, "O Messenger of Allah: Is he not a blind man '? Neither will he see us nor recognize us." Thereupon the Holy Prophet remarked: "Are you two also blind? Do you not see him?" While it is forbidden for women to sit face to face with men, it is not unlawful if they cast a look at men while passing on the way or see a harmless performance by them from a distance. There is also no hams for women to see the other men in case of real need.
• They should abstain from illicit gratification of their sex desire as well as from exposing their satar before others. Though the commandments for men in this respect are the same as for women, the boundaries of satar for women are different from those prescribed for men. Moreover, the female satar with respect to men is different from that with respect to women.
• The Female Satar ( that is to "concealer," "veil," or "cover")
• The female satar with respect to men is the entire body, excluding only the hand and the face, which should not be exposed before any other man, not even the brother and father, except the husband. The woman is not allowed to wear a thin or a tight fitting dress which might reveal the skin or the outlines of the body.
• The boundaries of female satar with respect to women are the same as the boundaries of the male satar with respect to men, which is the part of the body from the navel to the knee. This does not, however, mean that a woman should appear half naked before other women. It only means that while it is obligatory to keep the part of body from the navel to the knee duly covered, it is not so in case of other parts. 
• "Adornment" includes attractive clothes, ornaments and other decorations of the head, face, hand, feet, etc. which the women usually employ, and is expressed by the modern word 'make-up'. The injunction that this `makeup' should not be displayed before others

Relevance Today: Social Media Reality

Let’s be direct—this verse is extremely relevant today. Today, the access to open ended social media, where men and women can easily interact and converse, which often results in closeness and getting into acts unbecoming. Following matter:

• Constant Exposure
• Social media promotes: (1) Body display, (2) Sexualized content, and (3) Attention through appearance.
• What used to be occasional is now constant and normalized.
• The Culture of Objectification
• Women (and increasingly men) are reduced to appearance and judged by physical attraction.
• This creates: (1) Unrealistic standards, (2) Insecurity, and (3) Loss of dignity.
• Addiction to Visual Stimulation
• Endless scrolling trains the mind to seek stimulation - to lose self-control.
• This weakens: (1) Focus, (2) Discipline, and (4) Spiritual awareness

What the Verse is Addressing

This verse is not just about “looking”: It is about: (1) Respecting human dignity, (2) Protecting the heart from فساد and (3) preventing society from becoming morally chaotic.

How to create a Balance (Very Important)

• This verse does NOT mean: (1) Blaming women for men’s behavior, (2) Ignoring male responsibility, and (3) Policing others while ignoring نفسك
• Instead it starts with: “Tell the believing men…” You are responsible for your gaze first
• The verses apply to both genders, recognizing that both men and women have responsibilities in maintaining a decent society.

Practical Application Today

• Digital Discipline: (1) Unfollow harmful content, (2) Filter your feed, and (3) Be intentional, not passive.
• Lowering the “Digital Gaze” Not just in real life, but also What You (1) Watch, (2) Scroll or (3) Linger on.
• Respect Over Objectification See people as Humans and not as Objects of Desires.
• Internal Awareness:  
• Remember: “Allah is aware of what they do”
• That is even in Private browsing and hidden habits.

A Deeper Reflection

• The verse ends with: “That is purer for them”. Which means it protects your heart, mind and relationships. 
• That is what seems like restriction is actually protection and purification

A Powerful Way to Understand It

In today’s terms, this verse is saying: Don’t let your eyes be controlled by a culture that profits from your ضعف (weakness). Take control of what you consume.

In a world where exposure is normalized, modesty is mocked in the name of freedom and desires are constantly stimulated, this verse stands as a counter-cultural principle:

Final Reflection: Real strength is not in seeing everything… It is in controlling what you allow yourself to see. The Divine commands are clear with respect to gazing other sexes and more so on women not to show their adornment openly for it has very negative fallout. All Muslim men and women must adhere to these commands lest we unknowingly commit sins that are unpardonable, unless sincerely repented.

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.

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

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.

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. from Al Qur'an:

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Surah 24. An Nur (The Light), already published.

Following referencces may also be consulted for more selected verses from Al Qur'an: 

• Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
• Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects
• Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

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We made every living being out of water - will they, then, not believe (that We created all this)?

Al-Qurʾān, the Gospel like Psalms, Torah and the Gospel, is Divine Scripture for the guidance of man. Yet those who do not believe in Al-Qurʾān and Islam, often try to question the validity of Al-Qurʾān and want to correlate it with scientific discoveries in order to accept it as a Divine Scripture. Although, no one has ever questioned the other three former Scriptures nor ever tried to pitch these against the science, they are always trying to shoot down Al-Qurʾān for not being validated by science.

Although, this comparison is simply absurd and illogical for Divine Scriptures are meant for guidance and not being text books of science, yet Al-Qurʾān contains many a mentions which has only been validated by science more than centuries after its revelation. We have already mentioned many verses from Al-Qurʾān which have been shared in our reference page: Divine Revelations in Qur'an validated by Scientific Discoveries. Today we share two scientific discoveries mentioned in one verse of Al-Qurʾān, mentioned in the 30th verse of Surah 21.Al-Anbiyaa given herein under:

اَوَلَمۡ يَرَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَنَّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَ كَانَـتَا رَتۡقًا فَفَتَقۡنٰهُمَا​ ؕ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ الۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ​ ؕ اَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ 

(21:30) Did the unbelievers (who do not accept the teaching of the Prophet) not realize that the heavens and the earth were one solid mass, then We tore them apart, and We made every living being out of water? Will they, then, not believe (that We created all this)?

From the wording of the text, it appears that at first the whole universe was a single mass of matter; then it was split into different parts and the earth and the other heavenly bodies were formed and that Allah made water the cause and origin of life. 

Explanation

This verse contains two major cosmic statements:

• The heavens and earth were once joined, then separated.
• All living things were made from water.
• Let’s examine both in light of modern scientific discovery.

 “The heavens and the earth were joined together, then We separated them”

The Arabic Key Words in this verse are:

• Ratqan (رَتْقًا) something that is fused, closed up, joined together
• Fataqnāhumā (فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا) means We split them apart, tore them asunder

Let us find out the modern day scientific Perspective of these two key words:

• The Big Bang Theory
• According to modern cosmology: The universe began about 13.8 billion years ago and that all matter, energy, space, and time were compressed into a single unified state. Then a massive expansion occurred — known as the Big Bang. And the universe has been expanding ever since.
• This theory was supported by:
• Edwin Hubble (discovery of expanding universe)
• Detection of Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
• Mathematical models from general relativity
• The idea that the heavens and earth were once a single joined entity aligns conceptually with the modern understanding of a unified early cosmos.
• Important note: 
• The Qur’an is not a physics textbook. It speaks in accessible language — but its description remarkably corresponds to later scientific discoveries.
• The Qur’ān may refer to some universal facts, like the one stated here: “The heaven and the earth were once one single entity, which We then parted asunder.” We accept this as an absolute certainty simply because it is stated in the Qur’ān. We certainly do not know how the heavens and the earth were parted, or ripped one from the other. We accept astronomical theories which are not in conflict with this general fact mentioned in the Qur’ān. What we will not do however is take up the Qur’ānic text and try to fit it to any astronomical theory. We do not seek an endorsement of the Qur’ān through human theories, because the Qur’ān states only what is certain. The most we can say is that the astronomical theory accepted today is not in conflict with the general import of this Qur’ānic statement revealed many generations prior to it.
• “We made from water every living thing”
• This short sentence states a great and crucial fact. Indeed, scientists shower praise on Darwin for having identified that water was the first environment where life began. It is indeed a fact that should capture all our attentions. That it is mentioned in the Qur’ān neither fills us with wonder nor increases our belief in the truth of the Qur’ān. Our belief in the absolute truth of everything it states is based on our unshakeable belief that it is God’s revelation, not on its being confirmed by scientific discoveries or theories. The most that can be said here is that on this particular point, Darwin’s evolutionary theory is not in conflict with what the Qur’ān states.
• Modern Biological Research describes the Composition of Living Organisms of Human body being 60–70% water. The cells in human body require water for: Metabolism, DNA stability, Protein folding and Nutrient transport. That is Water is not just supportive — it is structurally essential.
• Origin of Life in Water
• The dominant scientific view is that (1) Life began in the ancient oceans, (2) Early biochemical reactions occurred in aqueous environments
• The first cells were aquatic microorganisms.
• Astrobiology today operates on one principle: Where there is water, there may be life.
• That is why scientists search for water on Mars, Europa (moon of Jupiter), and Enceladus (moon of Saturn).

Deeper Reflection

This verse connects:

• Cosmic Origin: Physical separation and Biological Origin: Life began in water
• Cosmic Origin: Universe began unified and Biological Origin: Biological emergence
• Cosmic Origin: Cosmic expansion and Biological Origin: Organic development

It ends with: “Will they not then believe?” - That is this verse invites reflection, not blind acceptance.

Important Balance

Scholars caution that Al Qur’an is primarily a book of guidance, not science. It speaks in universal language understandable across centuries. Thus while scientific discoveries may deepen appreciation, yet faith is not dependent solely on scientific confirmation.

Why This Is Remarkable

One last word of explanation: This verse was revealed in the 7th-century Arabia when there was no telescopes or microscopes and no cosmological mathematics. Yet the Qur’an speaks of a unified cosmic origin and life emerging from water. These are discoveries confirmed more than a millennium later.

This how our Creator shows us the immense depth of His wisdom which man has only recently has started to understand. Yet man a atheists still not believe as did the polytheists of Makkah when Al Qur’an was revelated. They did not believe then and the atheists still do not. That is why this verse ends with “Will they not then believe?” - That is this verse invites reflection, not blind acceptance.

For fourteen centuries, the Qur’ān has drawn the attention of unbelievers to the great marvels God has placed in the universe, wondering how they could deny what they see everywhere: “Will they not, then, believe?” How could they persist in their disbelief when everything around them in this universe inevitably leads to faith in God, the Creator, the Wise who conducts all affairs?

You may like to watch a video wherein Dr Zakir A Naik, a Muslim scholar of present times explaining that water is the basis of all living beings as per biology and botonny:

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.

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

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.

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.

You may now refer to some of the Selected verses from Sūrah 21 Al-Anbiyā (The Prophets) already published:  You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

Photo | Reference: | 1 | 2 | 3 |

An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook  Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.

Follow @IslamUltimate

Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.

Read More

Qur'an mentions the Theory of Big Bang and formation of every living being with water

The unabated discussion of Qur'an being written by a man called Muhammad ﷺ who claimed to be the prophet of God continues in the quarters of people who do not want to accept the reality of Islam being a Divine religion and Muhammad ﷺ being the last prophet. This notion normally occurs among those who have not read the Qur'an and have relied their mindset on hearsay. However, those who took the pains of reading Qur'an with understanding not only reverted to Islam but also acknowledged that every word of Qur'an has a deep-rooted meaning which could not have been written by a man, and that too more than 1400 years ago when the people did not much as they know now.

There are many verses in Qur'an that can be presented as a proof for Qur'an being a Divine Scripture as were the Psalms, Torah and Bible. We will in due course share all these verses for the benefit of those who doubt the authenticity of Qur'an as a Divine Scripture. For now, we share the 30th verse of Surah 21. Al Anbiyaa (The Prophets) which points towards the Theory of Big Bang, a theory which just surfaced in the 1900s, five hundred years after the revelation of Qur'an. The verse in question talks of two things which were alien to people of the world at the time of the revelation of Qur'an: The Theory of Big Bang, and formation of every living being with water. 

اَوَلَمۡ يَرَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَنَّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَ كَانَـتَا رَتۡقًا فَفَتَقۡنٰهُمَا​ ؕ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ الۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ​ ؕ اَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ‏ 

(21:30) Did the unbelievers (who do not accept the teaching of the Prophet) not realize that the heavens and the earth were one solid mass, then We tore them apart, and We made every living being out of water? Will they, then, not believe (that We created all this)?

Linguistic Analysis of the aforesaid verse:

The word ‘ratq’ translated as ‘sewn to’ means ‘mixed in each, blended’ in Arabic. It is used to refer to two different substances that make up a whole. The phrase ‘fataqa’ is ‘unstitched’ and implies that something comes into being by tearing apart or destroying the structure of things that are sewn to one another. In the verse, heaven and earth are at first subject to the status of ‘ratq.’ They are separated [fataqa] with one coming out of the other. Intriguingly, when we think about the first moments of the ‘Big Bang’ we see that the entire matter of the universe collected at one single point. In other words, everything including ‘the heavens and earth’ which were not created yet were in an interwoven and inseparable condition. Then, this point exploded violently, causing its matter to disunite.

Explanation as given in Tafsir Qur'an Wiki: The ‘Big Bang Theory’  

The enormously vast universe has been the object of curiosity since time immemorial. Greek philosophers, including Aristotle, believed that the Universe had always existed and would continue to do so eternally. This was also the mainstream view in scientific circles at the beginning of the 20th century, aptly known as the ‘steady state theory’. An eternal state of the universe meant that there was no inherent need for a Creator – for what does not have a beginning does not necessitate a need for a cause. However, advancements in science would shatter this view and fundamentally prove that the Universe had a beginning.

In 1922, physicist Alexander Friedmann, produced computations showing that the structure of the universe was not static and that even a tiny impulse might be sufficient to cause the whole structure to expand or contract according to Einstein’s ‘Theory of General Relativity’. George Lemaitre was the first to recognise the implications of what Friedmann concluded. Lemaitre formulated that the universe had begun in a cataclysmic explosion of a small, primeval atom. He also proposed that the amount of cosmic radiation are the leftover remnants of the initial “explosion.”

The theoretical musings of these two scientists did not attract much attention and probably would have been ignored except for new observational evidence that rocked the scientific world in 1929. That year, American astronomer Edwin Hubble, made one of the most important discoveries in the history of astronomy. He discovered that galaxies were moving away from us at speeds directly relative to their distance from us and from each other. A universe where everything constantly moves away from everything else implied a constantly expanding universe. Stephen Hawking writes, ‘The expansion of the universe was one of the most important intellectual discoveries of the 20th century, or of any century.’  Since the universe is constantly expanding, were we to rewind a film [of its history], then necessarily we would find the entire universe was in a joint state, referred to by some as the ‘Primordial Atom’. Many scientists and philosophers resisted the idea of a beginning to the universe because of the many questions that it raised – primarily what or who caused it. However, with Penzias and Wilson’s discovery of microwave radiation emanating from all directions, possessing the same physical characteristics - namely petrified light which came from a huge explosion during the first seconds after the birth of the universe – left little doubt about the fact that the universe had a beginning.

For fourteen hundred years, since the revelation of the Qur’ān, sceptics had trouble understanding the verse, ‘...the heavens and the earth were a joined entity and We separated them...’ [21:30]. However, with the assistance of scientific advancements, we can now understand these verses in a new light which helps us piece together the cosmological puzzle. The miraculous nature of the Qur’ān lies in the knowledge it contains. Its verification of scientific facts shows that its message is as applicable to the scientist in his laboratory today as it was to the Bedouin in the desert.

Origin of Life in Water: 

The origin of life is now such a basic scientific fact that it is accepted without hesitation. This could lessen one’s appreciation for these verses. Yet it must be borne in mind that the Arabian Peninsula is a desert land without a single lake or river, these verses describe something unimaginable to those at the time of the Prophet Muhammad.

The verse is categorical and states a universal reality – that the source of all ‘life’ and everything ‘living’ is water. Water is the main element of all living organisms. It has been proved that the percentage of water in a human body is 71% in an adult and 93% in an embryo that is a few months old. All vital actions and processes like nutrition, excretion, growth and reproduction cannot be undertaken without water: photosynthesis, the exchange of solutions between cells due to the capillarity of aquatic solutions as they pass through the cell wall [osmosis] and the building of new cells and tissues that help growth and reproduction. The absence of water equates ‘death’ of every living organism.

Scientists, having studied millions of life forms that live in innumerable ecosystems globally, conclude that for any ‘living’ organism to exist, water must be present. Even astronomers, investigating the existence of life forms on other planets, seek the presence of water when considering the possibility of life on that planet.

Explanatory Note

The Qur’ān may refer to some universal facts, like the one stated here: “The heaven and the earth were once one single entity, which We then parted asunder.” We accept this as an absolute certainty simply because it is stated in the Qur’ān. We certainly do not know how the heavens and the earth were parted, or ripped one from the other. We accept astronomical theories which are not in conflict with this general fact mentioned in the Qur’ān. What we will not do however is take up the Qur’ānic text and try to fit it to any astronomical theory. We do not seek an endorsement of the Qur’ān through human theories, because the Qur’ān states only what is certain. The most we can say is that the astronomical theory accepted today is not in conflict with the general import of this Qur’ānic statement revealed many generations prior to it.

The next sentence of the verse states “We have made out of water every living thing.” This short sentence states a great and crucial fact. Indeed, scientists shower praise on Darwin for having identified that water was the first environment where life began.

It is indeed a fact that should capture all our attention. That it is mentioned in the Qur’ān neither fills us with wonder nor increases our belief in the truth of the Qur’ān. Our belief in the absolute truth of everything it states is based on our unshakeable belief that it is God’s revelation, not on its being confirmed by scientific discoveries or theories. The most that can be said here is that on this particular point, Darwin’s evolutionary theory is not in conflict with what the Qur’ān states.

For fourteen centuries, the Qur’ān has drawn the attention of unbelievers to the great marvels God has placed in the universe, wondering how they could deny what they see everywhere: “Will they not, then, believe?” How could they persist in their disbelief when everything around them in this universe inevitably leads to faith in God, the Creator, the Wise who conducts all affairs?

Muhammad Asad Explanation:

It is, as a rule, futile to make an explanation of the Qur'an dependent on "scientific findings" which may appear true today, but may equally well be disproved tomorrow by new findings. Nevertheless, the above unmistakable reference to the unitary origin of the universe - metonymically described in the Qur'an as "the heavens and the earth" - strikingly anticipates the view of almost all modern astrophysicists that this universe has originated as one entity from one single element, namely, hydrogen, which became subsequently consolidated through gravity and then separated into individual nebulae, galaxies and solar systems, with further individual parts progressively breaking away to form new entities in the shape of stars, planets and the latters' satellites. 

(Regarding the Qur'anic reference to the phenomenon described by the term "expanding universe", see 51:47 as given below.)

AND IT IS We who have built the universe with [Our creative] power; and, verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it.

The statement that God "made out of water every living thing" expresses most concisely a truth that is nowadays universally accepted by science. It has a threefold meaning: (1) Water - and, specifically, the sea - was the environment within which the prototype of all living matter originated; (2) among all the innumerable - existing or conceivable - liquids, only water has the peculiar properties necessary for the emergence and development of life; and (3) the protoplasm, which is the physical basis of every living cell - whether in plants or in animals - and represents the only form of matter in which the phenomenon of life are manifested, consists overwhelmingly of water and is, thus, utterly dependent on it. Read together with the preceding statement, which alludes to the unitary origin of the physical universe, the emergence of life from and within an equally unitary element points to the existence of a unitary plan underlying all creation and, hence, to the existence and oneness of the Creator. This accent on the oneness of God and the unity of His creation is taken up again in verse {92} of the same chapter.

Now you may listen to the following short clipped video to explanation of the aforesaid Ayat by eminent Muslim scholar Zakir A Naik:

This verse is one of the leading early information of the theory of Big Bang and that every living being is made of water. Could any person fourteen centuries ago know this? Those doubting the Qur'an being a man written scripture may like to ponder upon and try to have a second thought of their prejudiced approach toward Islam.

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. 

Please read our earlier posts for details of Divine Revelations in the Qur'an, validated by Scientific Discoveries:

• Theory of Big Bang and formation of every living being with water
• Fingerprints
• Origin of the Iron ore (being added)
• Formation of human embryo and stages of its development (being added)
• Numerical miracle of Qur'an (being added)

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.

Photo | Tafsir References: | 1 | 2 | 

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