Surat Al-'Anbyā' (The Prophets)
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أَوَلَمْ يَرَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
30
Are the unbelievers unaware that the heaven and the earth were once one single entity,
which We then parted asunder? We have made out of water every living thing. Will
they not, then, believe? (Verse 30)
The statement that the heavens and the earth were split apart after having been a
single entity is worth careful consideration. The more advanced theories of
astronomy seeking to explain universal phenomena always tend to support this truth
stated in the Qur’ān over 1,400 years ago. The theory that wins most acceptance
today is that which claims that star constellations, such as our solar system which
includes the sun, its planets and moons including our planet earth and its moon,
were originally nebula. The nebula was then rent asunder and its parts took their
circular shapes. The earth was also a piece of the sun that separated from it and
cooled down.
However, this is merely an astronomical theory which may be fashionable today,
but could be proven false tomorrow, only to be replaced by yet another assumption
to explain universal phenomena. It thus gives birth to a different theory.1 We, as
believers, do not try to interpret a Qur’ānic statement in terms of a theory which is
far from certain. We take Qur’ānic statements as they are. Scientific theories are
different from true scientific facts which can be tried and tested, such as the fact that
metals stretch when heated, or that water evaporates or freezes in severely cold
weather.
The Qur’ān is not a book of scientific theories. Its field is not applied science. It is a
constitution that regulates man’s whole life. Its method is to set the human mind on
the right track, so that it can function and be free within the limits set for it. It also
sets society on the right lines so that it allows the mind to work and be free, without
labouring on purely scientific detail. This area is left for the human mind to work out
after it has been set free.
The Qur’ān may refer to some universal facts, like the one stated here: “The heaven
and the earth were once one single entity, which We then parted asunder.” (Verse 30) We
accept this as an absolute certainty simply because it is stated in the Qur’ān. We
certainly do not know how the heavens and the earth were parted, or ripped one
from the other. We accept astronomical theories which are not in conflict with this
general fact mentioned in the Qur’ān. What we will not do however is take up the
Qur’ānic text and try to fit it to any astronomical theory. We do not seek an
endorsement of the Qur’ān through human theories, because the Qur’ān states onlywhat is certain. The most we can say is that the astronomical theory accepted today is
not in conflict with the general import of this Qur’ānic statement revealed many
generations prior to it.
The next sentence of the verse states: “We have made out of water every living thing.”
(Verse 30) This short sentence states a great and crucial fact. Indeed, scientists shower
praise on Darwin for having identified that water was the first environment where
life began.
It is indeed a fact that should capture all our attentions. That it is mentioned in the
Qur’ān neither fills us with wonder nor increases our belief in the truth of the
Qur’ān. Our belief in the absolute truth of everything it states is based on our
unshakeable belief that it is God’s revelation, not on its being confirmed by scientific
discoveries or theories. The most that can be said here is that on this particular point,
Darwin’s evolutionary theory is not in conflict with what the Qur’ān states.
For fourteen centuries, the Qur’ān has drawn the attention of unbelievers to the
great marvels God has placed in the universe, wondering how they could deny what
they see everywhere: “Will they not, then, believe?” (Verse 30) How could they persist
in their disbelief when everything around them in this universe inevitably leads to
faith in God, the Creator, the Wise who conducts all affairs?
