293. Relativity Theory as explained in the Quran.

This verse (70:4) of the Quran says 1 day equals 50,000 years.

Even people who lived in the past century could not have come to terms with the concept that 1 day is equal to 50,000 years ( i.e) 1,82,50,000 days.

Before Einstein could discover that the duration of a day depends on the speed at which man travels, there was a general belief that the duration of a day will never vary.

For example if a man aged 25 years keeps travelling upwards at the speed of sound (3,00,000 kms/hr), and returns to earth after 50 years, many people of his age would have died, or those alive would have reached the age of 75 years.

But that person who had been travelling at the speed of light would return as a young man aged 25 years. This is a fact though many intellectuals of today find it hard to believe.

This ‘Theory of Relativity’ discovered by Albert Einstein in the year 1905, was declared by Prophet Muhammad some 1443 years ago, without any knowledge of science those days.

Nobody had knowledge of this fact, except the Almighty. Hence it is asserted this knowledge was revealed to Prophet Muhammad from the Creator’s side.

Verses (22:47), and (32;5) of the Quran say “your 1000 years of days is equal to 1 day in Almighty. Whereas verse 70:4 says it is equal to 50,000 years. Some may find this contradictory.

There is no doubt one thousand and fifty thousand are contradictory. But when we find the two verses conveying two different messages, contradiction disappears.

Anyone observing the words of these two verses would find two different things conveyed. 

Verse (70:4) talks of the speed at which the angels return to the heavens from earth. It talks of the angels created from light travelling at 50,000 years = 1 day speed (i.e) 1 day of the Almighty is equal to 50,000 years or 1,82,50,000 days in the material world.

Which again works up as 1 second = 211 days in this world. 

This is how verse 70:4 describes the speed at which the angels travel.

Verse 32:5 talks about the speed at which the commandments reach earth and return. The Almighty issues billions of commandments every second. 

Everything in this world takes place as per his commandments.

This verse speaks of the speed at which these commandments reach the earth and go back. 

Verse 22:47 speaks of the speed of the commandments. The enemies of the messengers of God said “ We deny God, if there is one let His wrath be fall us”. To this the Almighty replies in verse (22:47) of the Quran “ If I send a response it will reach them at a speed of 1 day equalling 1000 years. 

That is to say, the commandment of Almighty reaching a distance would take the same to be covered by man in the ratio 1:3,65,000.

Talking in another term, it would take more than four days for a man to reach a distance covered by God’s commandment in one second.

The fastest speed discovered by man is that of light, hence the speed of the angels could be found to be fifty times more than light.

There would not be any contradiction if one can understand the difference between the one thousand and fifty thousand are for two different tasks.

292. Animals slaughtered for God are for the needy/ poor.

God is devoid of needs as per Islamic belief. There is no need for any votive offering to be made to God. Verse (22:37) of the Quran answers the question, why animals are slaughtered for God?

This verse makes it crystal clear, “the meat or the blood of animals that are slaughtered do not reach God, nor does He in need of them”.

Generally worship in Islam involving economical activities, benefits the poor.

The objective of slaughtering animals in Islam is, for the poor and needy to benefit from the meat and by-products and also to express an attitude of consciousness, that man is ready to sacrifice anything for God. This animal sacrifice should not be misconstrued as votive offering worship in Islam.

291. Are unclean people allowed to handle the Quran?

Verse (56:79) of the Quran says “ It (The Quran) is handled, only by the purified/ immaculate”.

Citing this verse some argue that the Quran should not be even touched by unclean persons.

Based on this verse these people argue that, persons who are rendered unclean by not having their mandatory bath, persons unclean, and women in their menstrual cycle, and persons who have not embraced Islam, are prohibited even to touch the Quran.

If such a condition was laid down by the Quran, there is absolutely no one in the world who can veto. But these people twist the verse to portray as if what they interpret is correct.

Let’s look into how they interpret this verse and later proceed to analyse the authenticity.

We have made clear in our earlier explanation points 312, and 152, the Quran was not revealed in written format. 

And because the Quran was not delivered in written form, there is absolutely no talk of ‘touching the Quran’ arises.

And the words “they cannot touch the Quran” will arise only if was revealed in a ‘touchable’ form.

The Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad in reciting, and not in a written format.

After receiving the message of Quran by way of sound, Prophet Muhammad ordered it to be written down by writers who knew to write. It was then the Quran took shape as written scripture.

If the Quran was presented from the Creator in the form of a book to Prophet Muhammad, the same could have been displayed to point out that it cannot be touched. 

When something is delivered in sound format, and at the same time declaring it should not be touched sounds whimsical, because sound cannot be touched.

Then what does “ they (the unclean) cannot touch '' refer to? As per Isamic belief “The Creator” of this universe maintains a register of things that have happened, and yet to happen in this world, and this register known as the safeguarded book also contains the master copy of the Quran.

Please refer to explanation points 157, 492 for more details about this safeguarded book/record.)

It is from this safeguarded book/record is the Quran being brought out by the immaculate angels.

The phrase “ This cannot be touched” refers to the safeguarded book/register.

We do not declare this from our own guessing, the Quran declares it. This can be observed by noting the previous two verses of the Quran,

The two previous verses are as follows:-

Verses (56:77, 78.)of the Quran say, “ This magnificent Quran is from the Safeguarded Register”.

Verse (56:79). Says only the purified/immaculate can touch this. 

Verse (56:80) says “ This is from the Lord of the Cosmos”

The verse says “ they cannot touch this”. Here the subject matter is what does the word ‘this’ refer to. 

When we mention the word ‘ this’ while in conversation or while writing, means the object has already been referred to.

When the verses have previously mentioned the object referred to as “this” it could be found easily on searching it.

 It could be found from the two verses previous to this verse (56:79) “ This Magnificent Quran is from the ‘Safeguarded Book’. 

In the next verse we find the words “they will not be able to touch it”

Hence we need to understand the master copy of the Quran from “‘Safeguarded Book” from where it was revealed by the Archangel Jibreel is referred to as “This” in these verses. 

Hence the words “ they will not touch” does not refer to the Quran that was revealed in sound form to men, but the master copy that is in the ‘safeguarded book’ in the custody of Almighty.

The argument that unclean men are prohibited from touching the Quran is wrong.

The Quran was addressed to all for guidance, to be read by everyone at all situations.

Non -Muslims only when they go through the Quran can get to know about the guidance offered by it. When they are discouraged by the false notion on sanctity of touching the Quran, the very objective of the revelation of the Quran is lost.

Prophet Muhammad invited many heads of state to Islam by writing to them verses from the Quran. (Bukhari 7, 2941, 4553.)

Prophet Muhammad sent over the written Quranic verses very well knowing the heads of state will touch the media while reading them. The notion that only clean people can touch the Quran would alienate common people from the Quran. 

This verse does not in any way substantiate the view that only clean persons are allowed to touch the Quran. 

 The Quran could be read, touched, learned, at all situations, by all men is the decision taken on the basis of sayings of Prophet Muhammad and as well from the verses of the Quran.

There are un authenticated hadiths saying that people are prohibited from touching the Quran without performing Wudu (ablution).

Let’s get into the detail regarding this.. 

1- Hakim bin Hizam (RA) says: 

At the time of sending me to Yemen, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) cautioned me from touching the Quran without Wudu. 

Book: Haakim.

This hadith was narrated by Zuhaid bin Abi Hatim. Nasaaey, Abu Soor identify this person as weak. Ibn Maja has also declared him as a person with bad mentality. Ibn Hajar says there were many misgivings from him . Navavi has mentioned this hadith as weak in his book Alakulasa. Though this hadith is declared as authentic by Haakim, scholars say he is sometimes ignorant of taking decisions on authenticity of persons.

Abdullah bin Umar says:

“Prophet Muhammad said Quran should not be touched by unclean people.”

Book :Tabrani.

The name of Saeed bin Muhammad props up here, who was never certified as authentic by any of the scholars.

In addition the name of Ibn Juraij is found in this hadith quote. Though he is reportedly authentic he is considered as one who indulges in blackout/deliberate prevention and need to be taken note only when his messages contain the words like ‘I heard’, ‘I was informed’ etc, accompanies them.

In the above cited message, there is no declaration by him as having directly received it from Sulaiman bin Musa.

2- Usman bin Abil Aas says:

Prophet Muhammad said “ do not touch the Quran until you become clean”

Book:Tabrani.

We find the name of Ismail bin Raafiu in this chain of narrators.

Ibn Hajar, Yahya ibn Ma'in, Nasaaye, Tahbi, Ahmad bin Hanbal, Yakub bin Sufyaan, Ibn Adi, Taraqtani, Ibn Karaash, Abu Hatim, and Muhammad bin Sa’ad have declared this person as unauthentic. Only Bukhari declares him as authentic. Since many scholars other than Bukhari have unanimously declared him unauthentic and cast doubts about his memory power, hadiths narrated by him are considered with no substantiation.

Since Bukhari declared this person as authentic without being unaware of the shortcomings, this hadith is declared as a weak one.

3- Abdullah bin Abi Bakr bin Muhammad bin Amr bin Hazm says: 

The message that persons other than who are clean should not touch the Quran, was found in the letter from Prophet Muhammad to Amr bin Hazm (RA).

Book :Marasalu Abi Dawood (90)

This message is found without a complete narrator chain.

Taraqtani, regarding this hadith, says belongs to the category of narrator missing (Mursal) classification. 

Though the narrators are found authentic, a missing link in the chain of narrators renders the said hadith weak.

The hadith in mention was narrated by Abdullah Ibn Abi Bakr who is not a comrade of Prophet Muhammad (ie) he did not live in the period of Prophet Muhammad. Tarqtani has made it clear that, hadiths narrated by persons who are outside the period of Prophet Muhammad are declared to belong to the Mursal category. Abu Dawood has also classified this hadith as belonging to the Mursal category.

The name of Sulaiman bin Arkam, is found in the available chain of narrators, who is declared as a completely weak link in the chain by scholars.

Hence there is no substantiation in the message declaring that unclean persons are prohibited from touching the Quran, non-Muslims, women undergoing menstrual cycle, and those on whom a cleansing bath is mandatory, and people who have not performed wudu, are not barred from touching the Quran is the underlying message here.

290. Kaaba! Every Muslim has a right to Kaaba.

Generally every place of worship all around the world, confers rights and priveleges only to preferred groups of people. 

But the first place of worship in the world built for Muslims the Kaaba, does not discriminate nor distinguish among men. All men around the world have equal rights over Kaaba to worship. Nobody gets preferential treatment there. 

This verse (22:25) of the Quran declares equality among men in Makkah (ie) An Indian has the same rights as an Arab there. 

Please refer to explanation points 11, 32, 49, 59, 141, 168, 182, 227, 368, 508 to know more about equality and brotherhood in Islam.a

289. Is belief in fate a superstition?

In this verse (57:23) we find the reason to believe in fate and the goodness we derive from it.

One of the basic principles of Islam is belief in fate. Prophet Muhammad has said though there is official explanation for all beliefs in Islam, the belief in fate is not something to be debated upon.

Because it may look like there is no such thing called as fate when viewed from a certain angle, and from a different one would find such a thing known as fate does exist.

A question may rise in one’s mind, that if such a thing called fate did exist, where does a question of being rewarded or being punished for an come from? 

Let’s assume there is no such thing as fate existing, Any or all acts committed happen to be solely decided by us. If we assume that all the results of our deeds are known to us beforehand, then the conclusion is, Almighty God is unaware of the same.

This leads to a belief that God comes to know of things only after we have accomplished them. Such a juncture will give rise to a question “ What kind of a God is the One who is unaware of what is being accomplished by us?” 

But when we start believing that God has prior knowledge of things that are about to happen, it is assumed by us as bound to happen. Here the underlying message everything happens as per fate.

That is, when we come to believe that God is aware of everything, it automatically leads to belief in fate. Anything comes to be known by God Almighty only after having been accomplished diminishes His power.

It becomes dangerous to declare that , there is no such thing called as fate! 

It is also dangerous to declare that there is fate! 

Hence we need to have belief in fate and at the same time not blame it for deeds carried out by our own decisions. Islam teaches us to own up our failures, and to have an understanding that God has not granted us the knowledge to be aware of things ahead.

God, Who has given us knowledge of innumerable things around us, may have intended this denial of knowledge to test us. 

At the same time the concept of fate is different in Islam, when compared to other faiths.

Islam doesn't say things like “ All things take place as per fate, do not work for a livelihood! Allah will provide for you, and do not take medicines for ailments’ etc;

On the contrary Islam teaches us to pass the buck on to fate when everything is done and gone.

Islam teaches us to understand matters until they have happened as if there there is no such thing as fate, it requires us to work and toil.

Hence the concept of fate in Islam is never an impediment for development. 

At the same time, we need to believe in fate at least for the benefits it brings to mankind.

Let’s take the example of a man who fails in all his efforts to succeed. 

If he had to have belief in fate, he brushes away all his failures thinking “Whatever and however I tried my best efforts to succeed, God’s will is not forthcoming in my attempts”

How will a person who does not have belief in fate react?

He will become a mentally stressed person, by brooding over things that did not bear fruit in his life.

A survey on people committing suicide in the state of Kerala in India was undertaken based on gender, religion, caste, education, etc;, it was found in that study, Muslims were the least prone to suicide.

The reason when delved was found out to be the belief in Muslims that whatever takes place in their lifetime happens at the will of God.

Verse 57:23 says there are two benefits to men who believe in fate.

When unlimited wealth, riches, opportunities start to accumulate in man, he tends to exhibit pride, arrogance, in his behaviour, this is a kind of mental illness.

By resorting to belief in fate, one can easily overcome this illness. 

When he starts believing that all the riches, wealth etc are not of his making but a blessing from the Al-Mighty, his vanity, pride, and arrogance disappear without a trace.

Similarly at times of despair, we get overwhelmed by grief for days and months together.

Our belief in fate makes us overcome this mental sickness.

By resorting to a thinking that “ I am powerless and nothing can be done by me, Allah has willed this kind of a thing to happen”. Will lead the person to his normal senses quickly. 

These are the two benefits that accrue to humankind is pointed out by this verse of the Quran.

What we need to understand is to think of fate for whatever has already happened, and react to circumstances that are yet to happen as if there is no such thing called as fate.

Even the latest discoveries when talking about fate present contradictory views. 

Researchers today point out that cells and genes in a man are responsible for most of their activities and deeds, and the resultant variance in their behaviour and characteristics.

 They point out for example a man with a habit of stealing has cells in him that design his acts.

If it is found that his cells are responsible for his behaviour, there is no justification in punishing him for the traits of his cells and genes.

But here the blame on cells and genes is given the go, and the person is punished.

They become victims themselves of questions directed by them regarding fate. We come to an understanding now about fate as something that cannot be comprehended by human capabilities. But fate does exist.

288. Sky being a protected canopy.

Verses (2:22, 21:32, 40:64, 52:5) of the Quran denote the sky as a protected canopy. 

When you call a structure a canopy or a roof, it means a protection that wards off dangers like heat, rains , snow etc; from above. 

Some may pose a question, how a structure that we do not even realize exists can be a roof?

Based on modern research carried out in recent times, we realize the sky remaining a canopy for the earth as declared by the Quran.

The word sky is used in the Quran in two contexts. (Please refer to explanations point no; 507 to know more in this regard.)

The daytime temperature of the Moon is 127℃. The earth being closer to the moon should more or less be maintaining the same heat, but has an average temperature of 40℃, it is because of the existence of the sky as its canopy/roof with air.

The first layer of atmospheric air is at a distance of 16 kms, from the surface of the earth. This acts as a barrier to ward off ⅔ of the heat intensity directly from the Sun.

This layer also consists of Oxygen, Nitrogen, and Carbon Di-Oxide. 

Air is prevalent in the atmosphere between a distance ranging from 16 kms to 50kms facilitating air transport. 

The Ozone layer exists in the atmosphere in this second layer at a distance ranging from 20 kms to 50 kms from the surface of the earth. The rays of the sun have a combination of seven colors with different wavelengths, the ultra-violet rays being the most dangerous to humans, destroying cells in their bodily structure.

The technology using ultraviolet rays to destroy organisms is used for treatment of water. These ultra-violet rays are powerful in destroying the bacteria completely.

The Ozone layer prevents ultraviolet rays from reaching and destroying organism living on earth.

Thus we find the sky acting as a protective covering.

The middle layer of the atmosphere lies at a distance between 50 kms and 80 kms. And we witness every now and then meteorites and comets coming towards the earth at speeds ranging from 43,000 and 57,000 kms/hr.

This middle layer of the atmosphere stops and burns away some meteorites with an expanse as huge as 96,000 sq meters rushing towards the earth, preventing horrible catastrophes. 

And also the speed of the resultant debris is controlled by it. 

Here again we see the sky acting as a protective roof.

There is a heat layer in the atmosphere at a distance of about 80 kms and 1600 kms above the surface of the earth containing gases like Helium, Hydrogen etc; that keeps preventing the passage of light and sound waves sent from earth, through them.

We find the sky as a protective covering preventing light and sound waves escaping from the earth.

The Almighty after having created all such protections against dangers to the earth calls the sky in the Quran a protective roof. 

These verses also prove the Quran as the word of God.aa

287. The “Big Bang” theory from the Quran.

Verse (21:30) of the Quran says the earth, the skies and everything in between formed a single unit of creation in the beginning, to be cleaved by fission.

Followed by formation of clouds of dust of heavens and planets.

There were only folklores earlier about the the creation of world.

But the Quran speaks about it in the present day terms nearly 1443 years ago.

The whole universe (now,multiverse ) existed , compressed as a minute object, all of a sudden exploding with a big bang by fission into dust, forming clouds, that resulted in the creation of the Sun, Billions of Stars, and other planets etc.

This fact is being propounded as the “Big Bang Theory” by today’s scientists . How was this discovery of the present day scientists came to divulged by a person who lived 1443 years ago? It is possible only if the words of person were to be dictated by the Creator of the universe.

This is yet another substantiation to claim the Quran as the word of God Almighty.

Please refer to explanations point 353 to know more.

286. The verses, restraining secret counsels?

In verses (58:8,9) of the Quran Allah queries Prophet Muhammad whether he was aware of those who were restrained from holding secret counsels? 

We need to ponder about what these verses convey.

1.) Secret counselling was entirely forbidden.

2.) Some not only violated this restriction, but carried on to do it for evil doing.

3.) The commandment lifting total ban on secret counselling, and permission to hold secret parleys in doing good was revealed later.

We come to understand the three facts from the above cited verses.

We came to know secret counseling was prohibited from the words “ Are you not aware of those who were banned from holding secret counselling”. These two verses that remove the ban on secret counselling are found in the Quran, and there are no verses that enforce the ban.

There is nothing confusing about them. Allah did not enforce restrictions through the Quran alone. The Almighty also plants ideas of banning in the heart of Prophet Muhammad to be revealed to people. 

It should be understood from these verses, the earlier ban was by Prophet Muhammad.

To know more about obeying the commandments of the Almighty and following the guidance of Prophet Muhammad please refer to explanations in points 18, 36, 39, 50, 55, 56, 57, 60, 67, 72, 105, 125, 127, 128, 132, 154, 164, 184, 244, 255, 256, 258, 318, 350, 352, 358, 430.