PROCEEDINGS OF THE RESEARCH COMMITTEE
2006
15. 01 January 2006 Qur’an And Life in the Heavens
There are a number of verses in the Holy Qur’an which quite clearly indicate the existence of life like ours in the Heavens (Samawat). The life like ours has been defined in the Qur’an by the word “Daabbah” (singular) and “Dawabb” (plural). Research is required to be done to prove the confirmation of this understanding. In this connection following verses of the Holy Qur’an may be referred: 2/164, 6/38, 8/22, 8/55, 11/6, 11/56, 16/49, 16/61, 22/18, 24/45, 27/82, 29/60, 31/10, 34/14, 35/28, 35/45, 42/29 and 45/4.
For more detail, please see the article on the same subject under the Title “Articles on Qur’an and Science” on this website.
16. 05 February 2006 Natural Calamity or Disaster – What Qur’an Says About It?
Qur’an has described a number of ways the various habitations have been punished and destroyed (a collective punishment) not only on account of disbelieving and teasing the messengers of Allah, but also on various other accounts such as being ungrateful for the favours of Allah, iniquities, etc. Such attitudes are very common in our society.
Some persons have interpreted some verses of the Holy Qur’an that no punishment from Allah can befall now as no messenger of Allah is present among us, and that present disasters are just the natural calamities. However, they have not considered that Qur’an is present among us as live message of Allah and is warning the people. So, Allah has the excuse of punishing us any time in any form on our disobedience.
The various methods of punishment defined in Qur’an include hurricanes, cyclones, tornados, mighty blasts, heavy floods, earthquakes, etc. Dividing the people in groups fighting each other is also a definite form of punishment as defined in the verse 6/65 of the Holy Qur’an. Our Society is already divided on linguistic, sectarian, social, cultural, religious, monetary, provincial (political) and other bases. This party strife could be a punishment giving warning of a bigger punishment such as earthquakes, etc. So, the present disaster in the form of tsunamis and earthquakes could be a form of wrath of Allah.
17. 05 March 2006 The Nature and Extent of Prophet Noah’s Floods
The description given in the Qur’an about the nature and extent of the Noah’s Floods is quite brief and many questions remain unanswered. For example, what area was covered under this flood, what was the height of flood water, for how long it continued, in which city or country the “Judi” mountain is present, and so on. Even in the books of “Sahih Ahadith” this description is not available. Some of the translators and scholars of Qur,an in their Qur’anic commentary have given their views on these questions, but the source of their information is not clear. Most probably they have taken guidance from the Bible.
In verse 54/15 of the Holy Qur’an Allah after stating that He has made Noah’s Ark a sign for others, has invited to deliberate rather carry out research on it. This invitation of research is not limited to this incidence only, but in Surah 54 this invitation is repeated six times after mentioning the punishment on some habitations. Such research on the History and Archaeology of various nations mentioned in the Qur’an cannot be carried out by an individual person, or a small group of persons, or a small organization in view of its scope and cost involved. This has to be done by a major organization which has the support of all Muslim countries in the world.
In view of this, the Managing Trustee of this Trust has written a letter to the Secretary General of OIC on 17 February 2006 proposing to take up this assignment and establish an organization in the name of “Qur’anic Geographics”.
18. 02 April 2006 The Scientific Nature of Punishment on Qaom-e-Aad.
The various facts described in various verses of Qur’an are:
It was a very fierce windstorm (e.g. verses 41/16, 54/19, 69/6)
It produced severe sound like thunderbolt (verse 41/13)
It contained painful torment (verse 46/24)
It killed/destroyed everything except the living houses (verse 46/25)
The wind was completely dry (verse 51/41)
It had the property of making things like rotten bones (verse 51/42)
It continued to run for seven nights and eight days (verse 69/7)
Looking at the above, it appears that it was not a simple windstorm. The various
possibilities are that the windstorm could contain:
Extremely hot air, or
Lack or no oxygen at all, or
Harmful chemicals, or
Radioactivity, or
Any combination of above things.
A team consisting of experts in Geology, Agro-chemistry, Physics, History, Archaeology
and other related subjects should visit the place/ruins of Qaum-e-Aad and carry out
experiments to establish facts, and make documentaries. The research institutions are
invited to carry out this research.
In this connection the following books may also be referred to:
The Unveiling of Arabia, by R. H. Kirnan, London, 1937.
The Empty Quarter, by Philby, London, 1933.
Arabia and Bible, by James Montgomery.
The Sea Land of Ancient Arabia, by R. P. Doughty.
Looking for DILMUN, Geography Bibly, 1970.
Southern Arabia, by Brian Doe.
Arabia and the Isles, by Harold Ingram, London, 1946.
19. 07 May 2006 The Scientific Nature of Punishment on Qaom-e-Thamud
There are some points of similarity between the punishments on Qaum-e-Aad and Qaum-e-Thamud. They are:
Both of them were very strong, having special skills and prosperous nations and were enjoying bounties given by Allah
e.g. verses 41/15, 46/26, 89/7-8 for Qaum-e-Aad, and
e.g. verses 26/ 147-149, 89/9 for Qaum-e-Thamud)
There were punished by a severe sound like thunderbolt
e.g. verse 41/13 for Qaum-e-Aad, and
e.g. verses 11/67, 41/13, 41/17, 51/44 for Qaum-e-Thamud.
Their remains are saved for others to see (verse 29/38)
The additional points regarding Qaom-e-Thamud are:
· They were the Khalifa (descendents) of Qaum-e-Aad (verse 7/74)
· They used to make Palaces on the plain lands and protected houses in the valleys and mountains (verses 7/74, 15/82, 26/149, 89/9).
· A warning of three days was given by the Prophet Saleh (AS) (verse 11/64)
· In addition to severe sound like thunderbolt, as mentioned above, they were also punished by an earthquake (verses 7/78 and 29/37)
· The Prophet, the believers and the followers were saved from punishment (verses 11/66 and 41/18)
The point to consider here is that while they used to live in Palaces in plain areas, meaning that they were living in comfort, then why they used to make “safe” or “protected” stone houses in the valleys of the mountains. If they wanted to enjoy Summer season in the mountains then they should have made the houses on the heights of the mountains and not in the valleys. Verses about the making of houses by them in the valleys and called as “safe” or “protected” houses indicate that they were afraid of some sort of attack from somewhere and they made these stone houses to be used as “bunkers” during the attack.
Research is required to be carried out by the scientists to get the answer with the help of available remains of Qaum-e-Thamud.
20. 04 June 2006 The Scientific Nature of Punishment on Qaom-e-Lut
The punishment on Qaom-e-Lut has been described at many places in the Qur’an. Most of these verses describe the conditions (the unnatural sexual relationship, or homosexuality) for which this punishment was awarded, and how his family was saved from this punishment except his wife. Only some of these verses describe the nature of punishment. For example:
(1) Upside (of township) was turned down (verses 11/82, 15/74)
(2) Brimstones, hard as baked clay, were rained down on them (11/82, 15/74, 26/173, 27/58, 29/34, 54/34)
(3) Indeed, there are signs (secret codes) in it for those who can read these signs (15/75, 26/174, 29/35)
Looking at this description scientifically, it can be seen that the punishment of unnatural sexual relationship (Homosexuality) was given to Qaom-e-Lut in the form of stoning which must have damaged the skin of the persons. At the same time, for those who commit illegal intercourse (Heterosexuality) and cross the limits as defined by Allah, a punishment has been defined in Qur’an in which the skin of the persons is also damaged. In Verse 24/2 of the holy Qur’an Allah says:
“The adulteress and adulterer should be flogged a hundred lashes each, and no pity for them should deter you from the law of Allah, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day.”
One hundred lashes to each of the persons committing this act may appear to be a barbarian action to the non-believers, but to the believers there is a food for thought in this punishment. There appears to be a similarity between these two punishments. Both of these actions, i.e. homosexuality of Qaom-e-Lut and heterosexuality of others, appear to have a common base. Both may be responsible for creating a certain disease, the AIDS, for which Allah has given a similar punishment, i.e. damaging the skin.
AIDS is considered to be a viral disease in which the immune system of a person totally collapses, and even a minor infection can be fatal for him. It usually originates in the persons having unnatural sexual relations, and in the women having sexual relations with more than one man at a time. Apart from blood transfusion which can easily be checked through pathological tests, the most common and unchecked mode of its spread is through sexual intercourse.
Looking at the verses describing the two cases it appears that damaging the skin is not only a punishment, but Allah has given a clue how to eliminate the potential danger of AIDS from spreading once the persons have committed unnatural and illegal sexual acts. So, it is not only a punishment, but Allah wants to sterilize these persons so that they may not become the potential danger for the society. That is why Allah in verse 24/2 has stressed that we as believers should have no pity for them and must take this action. After all Allah is very kind to us and does not want us to acquire this dreadful disease. The mercy on such persons in fact is the potential punishment for them and the whole community.
Now the question is how scientifically these persons are sterilized? What happens when a punishment of 100 lashes is given to such persons? What hormonal and other pathological and physiological changes take place? It is well known that when tissue injury occurs, large quantities of histamine, bradykinin, serotonin, and other substances are liberated by the injured tissues into the surrounding fluids. These, especially the histamine, increase the local blood flow by increasing the permeability of venous capillaries and venules, allowing large quantities of fluid and protein, including fibrinogen, to leak into the tissues, thus producing inflammation. The intensity of inflammatory process is usually proportional to the degree of injury.
Soon after inflammation begins, the inflamed area becomes invaded by leukocytes, especially the neutrophils, from the bone marrow’s storage pool. Since the neutrophils are already mature cells, they are ready to begin immediately their scavenger function for removal of foreign matter.
Though the quick response of tissue damage occurs in the form of rapid production and movement of neutrophils, a slow but long term response increases the number of macrophages. Therefore, the long term chronic defense against infection is mainly a macrophage response rather than a neutrophil response. These macrophages can phagocytise far more bacteria and far larger particles, including necrotic tissue, thus strengthening the immunity in a person.
So, in the verses 11/82, 15/73-77, 26/173, 27/58, 54/34, etc., giving some explanation of the punishment on Qaom-e-Lut and the verse 24/2 prescribing the punishment for the adulterers and adulteresses, there is a food for thought for the researchers. Most probably these verses invite us to carry out research on the immunological response of skin injury equivalent to flogging of one hundred lashes, and to take guidance from this research in order to find a scientific cure for AIDS.
Ordinarily, it is extremely difficult to carry out research of immunological response of skin damage equivalent to flogging of 100 lashes, as no volunteers will be available. However, this punishment is still being given to the adulterers and adulteresses in some Islamic countries. If a team of medical experts is sent there to study the immunological response before and after punishment of persons who have been awarded this punishment, then this research may be carried out.
21. 02 July 2006 Understanding Possible Mechanism of Creating AIDS Virus Taking Guidance from
the Verses 2/228, 24/2, and Others.
Scientists and researchers have discovered the virus that causes AIDS. They are aware of various modes of its spread, but they are not yet sure how this virus originated. Various theories have been presented, but none has been considered acceptable. Some persons think it is a mystery. However, if it is known how this disease originates, then not only will the mystery be resolved, but it will also be easy to find a cure for this disease.
By taking guidance from the Holy Qur’an in which the bounds of the man-woman sexual relationship are defined, an explanation can be proposed for the creation of AIDS virus. It may be said that the AIDS virus originates, or has greater chances to originate, whenever the semen of two different male persons combine in effect, directly or through hormonal changes, etc. in a body of hospitable environment, be it a male or female. However, this explanation has to be confirmed by thorough research to be carried out.
In a natural sexual relationship a man marries a woman. While polygamy is allowed in many religions and social set ups throughout the world, polyandry has never received general acceptance. No religion or no civilized section of the society in any part of the world allows the marriage of a woman with more than one man at a time. Socially, the sexual relation of a married woman with a man other than her husband is considered an immoral act, while religiously it is a sin. At the same time, the sexual relation of an unmarried woman with more than one man makes her a bad woman (prostitute). It is so because the sexual relations of a woman with more than one man at a time are unnatural, and like any unnatural act it is likely to have an unnatural result or outcome. So, by defining the bounds of the sexual relationship of a man with a woman nature has guided us and has tried to protect mankind from acquiring a disease, such as AIDS, which could be the result of coalescing the semen of two different persons in a body.
In the above, the social and religious aspects of a man-woman sexual relationship have been considered because this type of sexual urge is natural, and is respected if it is within the legal, social and religious bounds in the form of marriage. One can easily see that in all dignified and respectful man-woman relationship throughout the world there is no possibility of mixing the semen of two different male persons in a female body, and there is no chance of acquiring unnatural results. And whenever these bounds are broken, we must expect something unnatural to happen.
So, apparently, the chances of creating AIDS virus in heterosexuals are as good as in homosexuals, but there are some natural, medical and social reasons which make an important difference. Let us now see how the semen of two different male persons may be combined in effect even if the sexual acts are carried out days or weeks apart.
During intercourse when the semen of a male is ejaculated into a female or male body then part of it may be absorbed by the surface or produce some hormonal changes in it. For the reasons described below, this “effect” may remain in the body of the female recipient for a maximum period of 65 days (the minimum period of three menstrual cycles), while in case of a male recipient this period could be even longer. And if during this period the semen of another person enters the body of the same recipient, then this may result in the creation of an AIDS virus. I have used the word “may” because the reaction of different bodies may be different, as in the case of any epidemic some persons are seriously affected, some mildly, and there are persons who are not affected at all. If the process of the semen affecting the recipient’s body is the same in males and females then why are the chances of acquiring this disease not the same in different societies and in different parts of the world? This may be explained in terms of the reasons as described below.
Nature has made the female body such that during every menstrual period some blood is discharged from the uterus. This bleeding process may tend to sterilize the body, thus reducing the risk of mixing the semen of two persons in the following two ways:
(a) The blood lining thus formed in the uterus may act as a barrier for the semen or its effect to enter the female body, thus reducing the effective area available for the action of the semen, and consequently reducing the risk from the second intercourse while the semen or hormonal effects from the first intercourse are already present in her body.
(b) The discharge of the blood from the uterus may have a flushing effect in the body. One menses may partially sterilize the woman from carrying these effects in her body and, if no intercourse takes place during this period, the action of three menstrual cycles may completely sterilize the woman, thus eliminating any possible risk of mixing the semen of two persons and creating AIDS virus.
The two processes described above relate to females only and so, in the absence of such specific functions in the males the chances of mixing of semen of two male persons are greatly increased in homosexuals.
It should be noted here that the chances of mixing two semen in a female body, as described above, are only decreased and not eliminated completely unless a woman keeps away from a second male partner for a minimum period of three menstrual cycles (65 days). This period has been suggested because in verse 2/228 of the holy Qur’an Allah has allowed the second marriage to a divorced woman only after the expiry of this period which must be medically a complete safe period.
It is interesting to note that Allah in verse 2/234 has increased this waiting period to 130 days (Four months and ten days) for a widow. The mental situation of a divorced woman or a widow in general is not the same. It probably points out that mental situation of a woman plays an important part in the creation of an AIDS virus.
Thus, the actual chances of mixing the semen of two male persons and creating AIDS virus in a male or a female body are not the same, and actually depend on social behaviour of the persons and other factors.
Thus, briefly, we can propose that emergence of AIDS Virus in fact is the result of mixing the semen of two different male persons in a body, and the research should be carried out on these lines.
22. 06 August 2006 Mathematical Coding of Qur’an – Miracle “19”
The presentation on the subject lasting for about 2 hours was given by Dr Mohammad Munir Hasan. Full text of this presentation is given under the title, “Books on Qur’an and Science” on this website.
23. 03 Sept. 2006 Appearance of Signs Before the Occurrence of Qyamah (End of the World)
24. 05 Nov. 2006 (Continued)
25. 03 Dec. 2006 (Continued)
There is a large number of such signs which are popularly known. However, in Qur’an only a few signs are mentioned, and most of the known signs are taken from other sources. The signs which are considered to be the signs before the occurrence of Qyamah mentioned in Qur’an are:
· The fall of the iron wall made by Dhul Qarnain (Verse 18/98)
· Let loose of Gog and Magog (Verse 21/96)
· The birth of a creature which will talk to all people (Verse 27/82)
· The birth of Jesus (Verse 43/61)
· The splitting of Moon (Verse 54/1)
The description of iron wall and the technology used for construction give the scientists a food for thought. It needs research to be carried out in relation to: (a) when was this wall made, (b) where is it located, and (c) what is the present condition of this wall?
The case of Gog and Magog is not very clear. It is not understood whether this relates to two creatures, two persons, two nations or two countries having enormous resources of war. This needs further deliberations.
The birth of a creature probably points out to the invention and use of computer because in this verse the Arabic word “Daabbah” has been used in a different way from other verses. While in other verses the word “Daabbah” has been used in relation to the creatures “Made from Water”, in this verse this word has been used for a creature “Made from Earth”. For more detail, see the heading “The Creature From Earth” in the Article “End of the World” on this website.
The birth of Jesus as a sign of the End of the World is also described in the same article, as mentioned above.
The splitting of Moon has been mentioned in Qur’an, but no further description has been given there. Most of the description appears to come from the “Ahadees” – the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Scientific meanings are not very clear and need more deliberations.
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