The growth and practice of Islam in the modern world

Islam and Modern Science

Islam is the world's fastest growing religion in the world and the second largest after Christianity. This is evident from the fact that out of 1200 mosques currently in the U.S., 80% were built in the last 12 years.

Despite the media's tainted presentation of Islam, the religious has consistently grown stronger. This can be largely due to the simple nature of Islamic teachings and the ease with which they can be practiced.

This brings us to the very essence of Islam i.e. practice. Islam has repeatedly made it clear through Koran that practice is what makes a Muslim, a true believer in the eyes of God (Allah). Many Muslims in the world today have inherited the faith from their parents but practice remains a very personal effort based on individual's level of commitment to the religion. The five pillars of Islam were enforced to inculcate in Muslims a sense of dedication and to send the message of practice across. One can be a Muslim in name but Islam requires practice to consider a Muslim a true follower. And to become a follower, they must accept and practice the five pillars of Islam.

When it comes to practice, Islam follows a very natural course. A child is never strictly told to perform certain rituals but his parents are expected to naturally get him interested in them through example. Children grow up knowing their parents practice some purification rituals, followed by prayers and they naturally imitate them. No one cares if they stop in the middle and go off to play but as long as it is a common practice at home, parents know that children too will come around.

Growth and Spread of Islam

History of Islam is probably well-known but its true teachings are not. Many would still sadly assume that like Jesus holds a place in divinity for Christianity, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) does the same in Islam. But there can be nothing farther from the truth. Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) holds an important place as a messenger of Allah and there is absolutely no divinity bestowed on any of the prophets. Allah repeatedly claims divinity entirely for Himself and Prophet Mohammad always made it clear that he was a messenger of God and must not be considered a son of God or heir to divinity in any sense of the word. This is what sets Islam apart from other religions. It is what makes it a truly monotheistic religion.

Islam did not begin in 600 a.D. As some may believe. It had already been there since the times of Abraham but it came to stay in its present form in 600s when Koran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad. While most Muslims are as familiar with the history of their religion as they are of theirs but many people outside the religion have fairly vague idea of how Islam came into being and how it gained strength as a major world religion.

Mohammad was born in Mecca in 570 a.D. He grew up without a father because he had passed away months before his birth and his mother left the world six years later. Mohammad's grandfather and his uncle largely took over the responsibility of raising him. A Christian monk who had once seen him instantly knew he was the chosen one. Mohammad grew up with strong character and sense of integrity and even before his Prophet-hood, he had gained immense trust of his people. Mohammad was considered Sadiq (Honest) and Amin (Trustworthy) by the people of Arabia who would never question the veracity of what he said. His quest for the right path would often take him to caves of Mecca where he would meditate for hours. His first revelation came at the age of 40 which was the first revelation of Koran. Prophet Mohammad faced many obstacles and endured extreme hostility from idol-worshippers because he told them to believe in One God and did not endorse idol-worshipping. But together with few followers, among them his wife and a dear friend, Mohammad kept moving forward with his message. Islam was revived with him or actually discovered by many for the first time with Mohammad's consistent effort. The religion continued to gain strength as Prophet and his followers kept spreading the message. From few followers to few hundreds to many thousands, Islam continued making a mark in Arabia and by the end of his days; Prophet Mohammad had spread the message to every nook and corner of Arabia. This resulted in massive success and people embraced Islam in droves as Koran attests:

"When God's support comes, as well as victory, and you see mankind entering God's religion in droves; then hymn your Lord's praise and beg Him for forgiveness, since He is so Relenting!" (Surah Al-Fateh: chapter 110)

"Seeking knowledge is compulsory on every Muslim." (Bucaille)

Interestingly in older commentaries on Quran, there was not much discussion on Quran's observation on scientific matters. This was because in those days, authors, as learned as they might have been, did not yet know of modern science. What was written in Quran was so far beyond their knowledge that they did not ponder those observations. It was only when modern science and knowledge expanded that we could finally compare Quranic verses to modern scientific discoveries and found them to be exceptionally accurate. Even before man knew much about his own creation, Quran had made very accurate medical comments which we know to be true only today:

[15.26] and certainly We created man of clay that gives forth sound, of black mud fashioned in shape.

[16.4] He created man from a small seed and lo! he is an open contender.

[16.5] and He created the cattle for you; you have in them warm clothing and (many) advantages, and of them do you eat.

[23.12] and certainly We created man of an extract of clay, [25.54] and He it is Who has created man from the water,

It is important to understand that even modern science testifies to the fact that man is created of sperm and egg, which are water-based substances and the child is surrounded by amniotic fluid inside the womb which is again water that sustains him for the duration he is inside a mother's body.

It must be made clear here that Quran is a book of guidance; its real purpose is to offer a clear path for life for all Muslims. But it makes important observations for those who wish to reflect on God's scope of knowledge. His knowledge was not limited to the time or space during which Quran was revealed; it was far more encompassing and this is revealed in the Quran for those who wish to reflect and connect the dots.

In Dr. Maurice Bucaille's writings on the subject, there are countless examples of the way Quran and modern science compare. The author offers valuable analysis and explanation of the terms used by the Quran and then compares them with what is found in modern scientific discoveries. Some of the explanations found in his writings are discussed below. They give us a clear idea of how Quran compares to modern science.

Creation of man is an important subject and mentioned on several occasions. And so is the creation of the Universe. Man did not know much about the creation of the Universe until modern science made it possible to understand movement of sun and moon, something that Quran had mentioned many centuries ago.

"Did you see how Allah created seven heavens, one above the other, and made in them the moon a light and the sun a lamp?" Qur'an, 78:12-13

Modern science knows today that moon is indeed an inert body of light, while sun is a more active body continuously producing light and heat.

Quran has not only talked of moon and sun, it spoke of Planets and stars long before modern science knew of their existence or composition.

"We have adorned the lowest heaven with ornaments, the planets." Qur'an,

37:6

Modern science is now aware of the orbits in which celestial bodies travel. But in the days when Quran was revealed, science was not as advanced and yet Quran spoke of the orbits. In Surah al-Ambiyaa it says:

"(God is) the one who created the night, the day, the sun and the moon. Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion." Qur'an, 21:33

One very important observation which is now comparable to modern discovery was made about the changing of days into nights. The Quran said:

"He coils the night upon the day and the day upon the night."

Qur'an, 39:5

The word 'coil' was critical in this observation and it was only when man finally landed on the moon that he found that "the earth spinning on its axis, that the dark half of the globe appeared to wind itself around the light and the light half appeared to wind itself around the dark."

The position of the sun is also very critical in comparing Quran with modern science. "The sun runs its coarse to a settled place That is the decree of the Almighty, the All Knowing." Qur'an, 36:38

Bucaille explains that settled place in the verse points to an appointed position and space. And today "Modern astronomy confirms that the solar system is indeed moving in space at a rate of 12 miles per second towards a point situated in the constellation of Hercules (alpha lyrae ) whose exact location has been precisely calculated. Astronomers have even give it a name, the solar apex."

There is obvious consensus between what Quran said centuries ago and what modern science has recently discovered. Islam constantly urges Muslims and every individual to ponder on the observations made in the Quran. This reflection has been the source of many important discoveries by Muslim scientists over the years.