II.1.QURAN AND MODERN ASTRONOMY
The Universe is God’s open book. The more we scrutinize its mysteries and wonders, the surer we become of the existence of the One God. The sun, the moon, the stars, constellations and all the heavenly bodies inspire awe in people who plumbed the mysteries of the Universe; but through their ignorance or narrow knowledge they adored these celestial bodies as if they were supreme gods. These false ideas about the Universe, which prevailed for a long time haunting people’s minds, were destroyed with the coming of Islam. The latter gave a new outlook about the Universe as well as natural phenomena, rejecting all superstitions and myths. Islam, through the Qur’anic revelation, stated from the very beginning that all what is in this Universe is just a mere creation of God Who is alone to be worshipped. God Almighty says:
{So also did We show Abraham the power and the laws of the heavens and the earth, that he might (with understanding) have certitude. When the night covered him over, he saw a star: he said: “This is my Lord.” But Saw the moon rising in splendour, he said: when it set, he said: “I love not those that set.” When he “This is my Lord.” But when the moon set, he said: “Unless my Lord guide me, I shall surely Be among those who go astray.” When he saw the sun rising Splendour, he said: “This is my Lord; this is the greatest (of all).” But when the sun set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from your (guilt) of giving partners to God.”}
[VI: 75-79]
What we should bear in mind, as it is explained by Yusuf Ali (1938, fns 897-901, pp.309-10) in his translation and commentary of the Glorious Qur’an, is that Abraham (p.b.u.h.) did not indeed worship these heavenly bodies. But seeing his people, through their follies, worshipping them, he wanted to testify the reliability of adoring such things and teach people how futile they are. After observing those celestial bodies, he realized that though they are grand and wonderful, either in size or beauty, their adoration is indeed pointless. The futility comes from the fact that their power does not remain forever, but lasts for a limited period of time. Then they disappear out of sight. One day, they will actually vanish as cosmologists and astronomers confirm. Such is not the quality of God. That is why we note that the Qur’an solves the problem of taking celestial bodies and natural phenomena as gods, by stating that they are but a mere creation of a Supreme Power. It is God Who created them according to definite laws. Hence, Almighty God warns us not to join partners with Him.
{Among His Signs are the Night and the Day, and the Sun and the Moon, adore not the sun and the moon, but adore God, Who created them if it is Him ye wish to serve.}
[XLI: 37]
God also show us that “Sirius” which the pagan Arabs worshipped is just a mere creation of His.
{That he is the Lord of Sirius (the Mighty Star).}
[LIII: 49]
On the other hand, the Qur’an draws our attention to observe and think over astronomical and cosmic phenomena: stars, planets, constellations, cosmic rays, day and night, etc. These, if deeply and empirically studied, will surely lead us to believe in the One God. Hence, Almighty God emphasizes the fact that we should observe this marvellous universe through myriads of Qur’anic statements scattered here and there. In other words, as Dr Bucaille (1985, p.139) states:
“…the Qur’an does not provide a unified description of the Creation. Instead of continuous narration, there are passages scattered all over the Book which deal with certain aspects of the Creation and provide information on the successive events making its development with varying degrees of detail. To gain a clear idea of how these events are presented, the fragments scattered throughout a large number of suras have all to be brought together.”
It is as if God wants us not to remain where we are, but to read, search for knowledge and also try to collect different data with which we can form a clear idea about any matter.
{Say: Behold all that is in the heavens and the earth.}
[X: 101]
Qutb (1987, V.III, p.1822) points out:
“Verily, the addressee by this Qur’an, for the first time, had a little scientific knowledge about what is in the heavens and the earth…The Qur’anic method in shaping the Islamic concept…relies on what is in the heavens and the earth, and asks this universe for inspiration. It also turns the sight, hearing and mind to this universe, without infringing the congruity and equilibrium in it, or making from it a god that has a bearing upon man, similar to that of Allah. This is what the blind materialists do, and yet they call that blasphemy a ‘scientific’ doctrine upon which they establish a social system that they call ‘Scientific Socialism’. But true science is exempt from all that blasphemy.”
If somebody reads the Holy Qur’an, especially if he knows astronomy, he will certainly be struck at the scientific data its verses contain. But what is worth noting is that the Qur’an deals with cosmic phenomena in a sort of generality. It does not tend to enter into thorough details, simply because it is not a book of science, but that of guidance and revelation.