We have
Professor Palmer who is one of the foremost geologists in the United States of America. He
headed a committee which organized the Centennial Anniversary of the American Geological
Society. When we met him we presented the various scientific miracles in the Quran and
Sunnah, he was greatly astonished. I remember a pleasant anecdote when we informed him
that the Quran mentions the lowest part of the earth and states that it is near Jerusalem,
where a battle took place between the Persians and the Romans.
Allah, may He be Exalted
and Glorified, said in the Quran:
"Alif Laam
Meem, the Romans have been defeated, in the lowest part of the land (adnal-ardh), but
after defeat they will soon be victorious." [Quran 30:1-3]
The term adna
means both nearer and lowest. The commentators of the Quran, May Allah be pleased with all
of them, were of the opinion that adnal-ardh meant the nearest land to the Arabian
Peninsula. However, the second meaning is also there. In this way, the Glorious Quran
gives one word several meanings, as described by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he said:
"I have been given
the most comprehensive words." [Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
When we investigated the
lowest part of the earth, we found that it was exactly the same spot that witnessed the
battle in which the Romans were defeated. When we informed Professor Palmer about this, he
contested saying that there were many other areas which are lower than the one referred to
in the Quranic verse. He gave examples and names of other areas in Europe and in the
United States. We assured him that our information was verified and correct. He had with
him a topographical globe that showed elevations and depressions. He said that it would be
easy with that globe to ascertain which was the lowest spot on earth. He turned the globe
with his hands and focused his sign on the area near Jerusalem. To his astonishment, there
was a small arrow sticking out towards that area with words: The lowest part on the
face of the earth.
Professor Palmer was
quick to concede that our information was correct. He proceeded to speak, saying that this
was actually the lowest part of the earth.
Professor Palmer:
"It took place in the area of the Dead Sea which is up here and interestingly enough
the labeling on the globe says the worlds lowest point. So it certainly
is supported by the interpretation of that critical word."
Professor Palmer was even
more astonished when he found that the Quran talks about the past and describes how
creation first began; how the earth and heavens were created; how the water gushed forth
from the depth of the earth; how the mountains were anchored on land; how vegetation first
began; how is earth today, describing the mountains, describes its phenomena, describes
the changes on the surface of the earth as witnessed in the Arabian Peninsula. It even
describes the future of the land of Arabs and the future of the whole earth. At this,
Professor Palmer acknowledged that the Quran is such a wondrous Book which describes the
past, the present, and the future.
Like many other
scientists, Professor Palmer was hesitant at first. But soon later he was forthcoming with
his opinions. In Cairo, he presented a research paper dealing with the inimitable aspects
of geological knowledge contained in the Quran. He said that he did not know what was the
state of the art in the field of science during the days of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
But from what we know about the scanty knowledge and means at that time, we can
undoubtedly conclude that the Quran is a light of divine knowledge revealed to Muhammad
(PBUH). Here are the concluding remarks of Professor Palmer:
"We need research
into the history of early Middle Eastern oral traditions to know whether in fact such
historical events have been reported. If there is no such record, it strengthens the
belief that Allah transmitted through Muhammad bits of his knowledge that we have only
discovered for ourselves in recent times. We look forward to a continuing dialogue on the
topic of science in the Quran in the context of geology. Thank you very much."
As you have seen, here is
one of the giants in the field of geology in our world today, coming from the United
States of America. He does not hesitate to admit and to come forth with his opinions. But
he is still in need of someone to point the truth out to him. Both westerners and
easterners have lived in the midst of the battle between religion and science. These
battles, however, were inevitable, because all previous messages have been distorted.
Thus, Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad, (PBUH), with Islam in order to correct that which
had been corrupted.
Someone may ask:
How will these people accept what we tell them when we are materially inferior to
them and we do not follow our religion closely? My reply to them is that knowledge
increases the awareness of one who acquires it. People of knowledge care only to look at
the facts, not at the outside picture. The wealth of Islam today is precisely this
knowledge and scientific advancement. Modern science can but bow its head in reverence to
the book of Allah and to the Sunnah of His Prophet (PBUH).
The primordial nature, Al-Fitrah,
in which Allah created man does not attain tranquility except by means of Islam or Iman
(faith). Those who do not have Imaan (faith) are in a constant state of uneasiness
and confusion. Moreover, the atmosphere of freedom in the West helps Western scientists to
express what they believe without any fear or timidity. We have heard them in many of
these episodes confirming and recognizing the miracle of this age, the Quran, which will
remain living until the Last Hour. |