Preservation From Hellfire.

“In The Name Of Allah Entirely Merciful Especially Merciful.”
Allah has said in the Quran:

"Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if one offered it as a ransom. They will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers."(Quran, 3:91)

So, this life is our only chance to win Paradise and to escape from Hellfire, because if someone dies in disbelief, he will not have another chance to come back to this world to believe.  As God has said in the Quran about what is going to happen for the unbelievers on the Day of Judgment:

"If you could but see when they are set before the Fire (Hell) and say, “Would that we might return (to the world)!.Then we would not reject the verses of our Lord, but we would be of the believers!” (Quran, 6:27)

But no one will have this second opportunity.

The Prophet Muhammad  said: {The happiest man in the world of those doomed to the Fire (Hell) on the Day of Judgment will be dipped in the Fire once.  Then he will be asked, “Son of Adam, did you ever see any good?  Did you ever experience any blessing?”  So he will say, “No, by God, O Lord!”}-{Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2807, and Mosnad Ahmad, #12699}

My Humble Words To The Unbelievers:

So, My Dear Friends,Brothers & Sisters! This Is My(Irfan) Humble Advice To You All Who Does Not Belive In Allah And His Messenger! Please Belive Hereafter Because...

"And the Hour is coming, there is no doubt in it, and God will
resurrect those who are in the graves."- (Al-Quran 22:7)

The Day! Which Is Going To Come Is Not Like The Ordinary Day! That Is The Day Of Judgment...

"And beware of a Day when no soul can avail another soul, nor
will any amendment be accepted from it, nor will any intercession help
it; they will not be supported."-(Al-Quran 2:123)

So Save Yourself From The Hellfire...!
By Irfan Your Friend Forever!

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

Islam, a religion of mercy, does not permit terrorism.

In the Quran, God has said:

"God does not forbid you from showing kindness and dealing justly with those who have not fought you about religion and have not driven you out of your homes.God loves just dealers."  (Quran, 60:8)

The Prophet Muhammad(saw) used to prohibit soldiers from killing women and children,

- Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1744, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3015. 

And Muhammad(saw) would advise them: ...Do not betray, do not be excessive, do not kill a newborn child.

- Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1731, and Al-Tirmizi, #1408

And Muhammad(saw) also said: Whoever has killed a person having a treaty with the Muslims shall not smell the fragrance of Paradise, though its fragrance is found for a span of forty years.

- Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #3166, and Ibn Majah, #2686

Also, the Prophet Muhammad(saw) has forbidden punishment with fire.

- Narrated in Abu-Dawood, #2675.
Muhammad(saw) once listed murder as the second of the major sins,

- Narrated in Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6871, and Saheeh Muslim, #88. 

And Muhammad(saw) even warned that on the Day of Judgment, The first cases to be adjudicated between people on the Day of Judgment will be those of bloodshed.(This means killing and injuring)

- Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1678, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #6533.

Muslims are even encouraged to be kind to animals and are forbidden to hurt them.  Once the Prophet Muhammad(saw) said: A woman was punished because she imprisoned a cat until it died.  On account of this, she was doomed to Hell. While she imprisoned it, she did not give the cat food or drink, nor did she free it to eat the insects of the earth.

- Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2422, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2365.
Muhammad(saw) also said that a man gave a very thirsty dog a drink, so God forgave his sins for this action.  The Prophet  was asked, “Messenger of God, are we rewarded for kindness towards animals?” He said: There is a reward for kindness to every living animal or human.

- Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2244, and Saheeh Al-Bukhari, #2466}

Additionally, while taking the life of an animal for food, Muslims are commanded to do so in a manner that causes the least amount of fright and suffering possible.  

The Prophet Muhammad  said: When you slaughter an animal, do so in the best way.  One should sharpen his knife to reduce the suffering of the animal.

- Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #1955, and Al-Tirmizi, #1409.

In light of these and other Islamic texts, the act of inciting terror in the hearts of defenseless civilians, the wholesale destruction of buildings and properties, the bombing and maiming of innocent men, women, and children are all forbidden and detestable acts according to Islam and the Muslims.  Muslims follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness, and the vast majority have nothing to do with the violent events some have associated with Muslims.  If an individual Muslim were to commit an act of terrorism, this person would be guilty of violating the laws of Islam.

Completely About Hoor-Ul-Ayn or Houris In Heaven.

“In The Name Of Allah Entirely Merciful Especially Merciful.”

Praise be to Allah (Subhaanahu Wa' Ta’aalaa);

Intoduction To Hoors Of Jannah (Paradise):

*Definition of Houris (also called: hoor al-Ayn/hur ul-Ayn/hoors/hurs) from Noble Quran:
"Very fair females created by Allah as such not from the off-spring of Adam, with intense black irises of their eyes and intense white scleras". [Noble Quran; Glossary; Houris]
The Houris (hoors/hoor al-Ayn) have variously been described as being "chaste females", "restraining their glances", "modest gaze", "wide and beautiful/lovely eyes", "untouched / with hymen unbroken by sexual intercourse", "like pearls", "virgins", "voluptuous/full-breasted", "with large, "non-menstruating/urinating/defecating and childfree", round breasts which are not inclined to hang", "companions of equal age", "transparent to the marrow of their bones", "eternally young", "hairless" , "pure", "beautiful", "white", "revirginating", "splendid beauty".

Now You Can Read Some Verses Of The Holy Quran Mentioning The Attributes Of Houris (Hoor-Al-Ayn/Hurs):

"And with them will be chaste females, restraining their glances (desiring none except their husbands), with wide and beautiful eyes; (Delicate and pure) as if they were (hidden) eggs (well) preserved." [Sura As-Sâffât (37):40-48]

"And beside them will be chaste females (virgins) restraining their glances only for their husbands, (and) of equal ages." [Sura Sâd (38):52]

"So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide, lovely eyes." [Sura Ad-Dukhân (44):51-55]

"They will recline (with ease) on thrones arranged in ranks. And We shall marry them to Houris (female, fair ones) with wide lovely eyes." [Sura At-Tûr (52):20]

"Wherein both (gardens) will be those (maidens) restraining their glances upon their husbands, whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny? (In beauty) they are like rubies and coral." [Sura Ar-Rahmân (55):56-58]

"Therein (gardens) will be fair (wives) good and beautiful; ...Houris (beautiful, fair females) restrained in pavilions; ...Whom no man or jinn yatmithhunna (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them." [Sura Ar-Rahmân (55):70,72,74]

"And (there will be) Houris (fair females) with wide, lovely eyes (as wives for the pious), Like unto preserved pearls." [Sura Al-Wâqi'ah (56):22-23]

Verily, We have created them (maidens) of special creation. And made them virgins; Loving (their husbands only), equal in age. [Sura Al-Wâqi'ah (56):37-40]


And young full-breasted (mature) maidens of equal age; [Sura An-Naba' (78):33]
 
Now you can read some Hadiths regarding the attributes of Houris (Hur ul-ayn/Hoors):

Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
"Houris (beautiful, fair females) restrained in pavilions
...With Whom no man or jinn "yatmithhunna" (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them." [Sura Ar-Rahmân (55):72,74]

"The statement of Allah in above mentioned ayah, Beautiful fair females restrained in pavilions. Narrated Qaisi, Allah’s Apostle said, ‘In Paradise there is a pavilion made of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner there are wives (houris) who will not see those in the other corners; and the believers (Muslims) will visit and enjoy them.’" [Al-Bukhari vol.6:402 and prior p.374]

According to Ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE) in his Holy Quranic commentary (Tafsir) of the above mentioned Surah Al-Rahman (55), verse 72: "The Prophet Muhammad was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives (houris), over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]’." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

·    The Prophet (saw) said, "If a houri looks down from her abode in heaven onto the earth, the whole distance (space) shall be filled with light and fragrance. A houri's face is more radiant than a mirror, and one can see one's image in her cheek. The marrow of her shins is visible to the eyes." [Mishkat, volume 3,pg 83-97]

·    Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, "The first batch (of people) who will enter Paradise will be (glittering) like the full moon, and the batch next to them will be (glittering) like the most brilliant star in the sky. Their hearts will be as if the heart of a single man, for they will have neither enmity nor jealousy amongst themselves; everyone will have two wives from the houris, (who will be so beautiful, pure and transparent that) the marrow of the bones of their legs will be seen through the bones and the flesh." [Al-Bukhari vol.4, book 54, number 476]

·    Narrated Anas (R.A.): The Prophet (saw) said, "A single endeavor (of fighting) in Allah's Cause in the afternoon or in the forenoon is better than all the world and whatever is in it. A place in Paradise as small as the bow or lash of one of you is better than all the world and whatever is in it. And if a houri from Paradise appeared to the people of the earth, she would fill the space between Heaven and the Earth with light and pleasant scent and her head cover is better than the world and whatever is in it." [Al-Bukhari volume 4, book 52, number 53]

·    Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Apostle said, "The first group of people who will enter Paradise, will be glittering like the full moon and those who will follow them, will glitter like the most brilliant star in the sky. They will not urinate, relieve nature, spit, or have any nasal secretions. Their combs will be of gold, and their sweat will smell like musk. The aloes-wood will be used in their centers. Their wives will be houris. All of them will look alike and will resemble their father Adam (in statute), sixty cubits tall." [Al-Bukhari vol.4, book 55, number 544]

·    The Prophet (saw) said: "A houri is a most beautiful young woman with a transparent body. The marrow of her bones is visible like the interior lines of pearls and rubies. She looks like red wine in a white glass. She is of white color, and free from the routine physical disabilities of an ordinary woman such as menstruation, menopause, urinal and offal discharge, child bearing and the related pollution. A houri is a girl of tender age, having large breasts which are round (pointed), and not inclined to dangle. Houris dwell in palaces of splendid surroundings." [At-Tirmizi, volume 2, pg 35-40]

In book by the great Imam Ghazzali: Ihya Uloom Ed-Din. Volume 4, Page-4.430;

·    "According to Prophet Muhammad (saw) the Hurs (Houris) of Paradise will be pure women—free of menstruation, urine, stool, cough and children. The Hurs will sing in Paradise on divine purity and praise—we are most beautiful Hurs and we are for the honored husbands. Muhammad also said that an inmate of Paradise will have the sexual strength of 70 men. Muhammad said, "An inmate of Paradise will have 500 Hurs, 4,000 unmarried women and 8,000 widowed women. Each of them will keep embracing him for the duration of his whole worldly life."

Volume 4, Page-4.428 of the same book:

·    The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said once to Jaber: "Shall I not give you the news of the windows of Paradise ? We said: 0 Messenger of God give us that information. He said: Those are made of emeralds and jewels. Their inner parts will be seen from their outer parts. Therein there will be such enjoyments, amusements and joys as no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no heart has conceived. I said: 0 Messenger of God, who will be the owners of those windows? He said: Those who spread peace, give food, keep fasts, pray at night when the people remain asleep. We asked: 0 Messenger of God, who will be able to do that? He said: My people will be able to do that. I am saying it to you. He who meets his brother, salutes him and replies to his salute,' spreads peace; and he who gives food to his wife and members of his family to their satisfaction gives food. He, who keeps fast of Ramazan and three days every month, keeps fast as it were for the whole year. He who prays Isha and Fajr in congregation prays as it were the whole night when the people remain asleep. God says: The fine buildings in Eden Paradise.' The Prophet said regarding its meanings: These places are builts of emeralds and jewels and in each building there will be 70 rooms of red colour and in each room 70 sub-rooms of green colour and in each sub-room there will be one throne and over each throne 70 beds of varied colours and on each bed a hoor al-ayn (houri- a girl having wide lovely eyes with intense black irises). There will be 70 dining cloth in each room and 70 kinds of food in each dining cloth. There will be seven girls in each room.Each believer will be given such strength in the morning as he can cohabit with them".

·    Abu ‘Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said: "Allah will not admit anyone in the Paradise but Allah, the Mighty and glorious will marry him with 72 wives, two will be from virgin (houris) with big eyes and 70 will be his inheritance from the people of the Hell-Fire*." Every one of them will have a pleasant vagina and he (the man) will have sexual organ that does not bend down during sexual intercourse (perpetual erection)." [Ibn Majah, volume 5, number 4337]

·    Hashim b. Khalid (R.A.) says, ‘The words "out of his inheritance (due) from the denizens of the Fire", mean men who will enter the Fire (Hell) and the inmates of the paradise will inherit their wives just as the Faroah’s wife (Asiah A.S.) will be inherited (by the Muslims-believers).

Mention of the hope of maidens of paradise after martyrdom in Al-Tabari vol.19 p.121; "Yet, by God, I feel happy for what we shall soon meet, for, by God, if all there is between us and the maidens of Paradise (hur al-ayn/houri) is that these people should come against us with their swords, then I want them to come against us with their swords."

·    Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that: "Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah (houris) with their worshipping (good deeds) they had performed in this world." [Bayhaqi, al-Bas wa’n-Nushur; Tabari, Tafsir; Abu Yala, Ibn Hajar, Fathu’l-Baari, Tabarani and others]

·    Houris do not want wives to annoy their husbands, since the houris will also be the spouses [i.e. wives] of the Muslim husbands in the afterlife; ---"Mu’adh b. Jobal (R.A.) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said, ‘A woman does not annoy her husband but his spouse from amongst the houris (maidens with wide eyes, intensely white and deeply black irises) will say: Do not annoy him, may Allah ruin you." He is with you as a passing guest. Very soon, he will part with you and come to us.’" [Ibn-i-Majah vol.3:2014 p.212]

Now from the above mentioned verses of Holy Quran and Hadiths we can summarize the characteristics of Houris (Hoors/Hur al-ayn) as follows;

1.    A houri is a most beautiful young woman with a transparent body. The marrow of her bones is visible like the interior lines of pearls and rubies. She looks like a red wine in a white glass.
2.    She is of white color, and free from the routine physical disabilities of an ordinary woman such as menstruation, menopause, urinal and offal discharge, child bearing and the related pollution.
3.    She is a woman characterized by modesty and flexing glances; she never looks at any man except her husband and feels grateful for being the wife of her husband.
4.    A houri is a young woman, free from odium and animosity. Besides, she knows the meaning of love and has the ability to put it into practice.
5.    A houri is an immortal woman, who does not age. She speaks softly and does not raise voice at her man; she is always reconciled with him. Having been brought up in luxury, she is a luxury herself.
6.    A houri is a girl of tender age, having large rising breasts which are round, and not inclined to dangle.
7.    Houris dwell in palaces of splendid surroundings.
8.    If a houri looks down from her abode in Heaven onto the earth, the whole distance shall be filled with light and fragrance
9.    A houri's face is more radiant than a mirror and one can see one's image in her cheek. The marrow of her shins is visible to the eyes.
10.    Every man who enters Paradise shall be given minimum seventy-two houris; no matter at what age he had died, when he enters Paradise, he will become a thirty-year-old and he will not age any further.
11.    Their glances, with big eyes (Of wonder and beauty)
when a man turns his face away from her, she will become 70 times more beautiful in his eyes.
12.    If she were to spit in the salty water of the seven occeans, then all the seven occeans would turn sweater than honey.

Also note that the Muslim women of this world will be superior to Houris (Hoors/Hur-Al-Ayn) in Paradise:

*Definition of Houris (hoors/hur al-ayn) from Noble Quran:

"Very fair females created by Allah as such not from the off-spring of Adam, with intense black irises of their eyes and intense white scleras". [Noble Quran; Glossary; Houris]

So it is obvious that houris (hoor al-Ayn) will be different from the off-springs of the Prophet Adam (A.S.), and as humans are the most superior creation of Allah (SWT) so Muslim women are superior to houris just like we as humans are superior to Jinns, Angels and all other creatures of Allah (SWT) that exist. So a hoori who is one of the delights of Paradise, she has only been created in Paradise for the sake of someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man for his righteous deeds.

But for Muslim women, they themselves are from the off-springs of Adam and the rewards of Paradise are created for them and on the contrary houris (hoors/hur al-ayn) themselves are from the rewards of Paradise.
Therefore it is clear that Muslim women will not feel jealous of the houris (hoor al-Ayn) as righteous women of this world will be much more superior and beautiful than houris (hoor al-Ayn), in Jannah (Paradise). Thus the Muslim women of this worldly life have superiority over houris (hoor al-Ayn) due to the acts of worship and obedience that they performed in this world. Therefore, the believing (Muslim) women will enter Paradise just like the believing men. If a Muslim woman had a number of husbands, she, upon entering Paradise with them, would choose among them the one with the best character and behavior.

The following two Hadiths confirms the fact stated above:

·    Umme Salamah (Radiahallahu Anha) narrates that she said to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) "O Rasûlullah, are the women of this world superior or the hûrs (of Paradise)?" He replied, "The women of this world will have superiority over the hûrs (houris) just as the outer lining of a garment has superiority over the inner lining." Umme Salamah R.A then asked, "O Rasûlullah, what is the reason for this?" He answered, "Because they performed salâh, fasted, and worshipped [Allah]. Allah will put light on their faces and silk on their bodies. [The human women] will be fair in complexion and will wear green clothing and yellow jewelry. Their incense-burners will be made of pearls and their combs will be of gold. They will say, 'We are the women who will stay forever and we will never die. We are the women who will always remain in comfort and we will never undergo difficulty. We are the women who will stay and we will never leave. Listen, we are happy women and we will never become sad. Glad tidings to those men for whom we are and who are for us.'" [Tabrânî]

·    Al-Qurtubi said: Abu Bakr ibn al-Najjaad said: Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Shaakir told us, ‘Ubayd ibn Ishaaq al-‘Attaar told us, Sinaan ibn Haaroon told us, from Humayd from Anas that: Umm Habeebah the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "O Messenger of Allaah, if a woman had two husbands in this life, then they all died and came together in Paradise, with which of them would she be – the first or the last?" He said: "With the one whose attitude and conduct with her was best, O Umm Habeebah; a good attitude brings one the best of this world and the Hereafter."[Al-Tadhkirah fi Ahwaal al-Mawtaa wa’l-Aakhirah, 2/278]

·    Imam Qurtubi in his "at-Tadhkirah fi-Ahwalil Mawta wa'l-Akhirah (in Remembrance of the Affairs of the Dead and Doomsday)" and Ibn Kathir in his "al-Bidaya wa'n-Nihaya (Kitabu’l-Fitan wa’l-Malahim) the Termination of the Afflictions and Fierce Battles" tell the story of the songs of houri in heaven: "Houri will sing for their own husbands, songs are so marvelous that every hearer will be so pleased. Houri will say: "We are Houri who has not had a sin." The women of this world will reply them saying: "We are the fasters (who keep fast), and you are not, we are the prayers, but you are not and we are the givers of charity but you are not."

·    And there is another narration which is famous with the name "Hadith of Soor" narrated from Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that: "Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah (houris) with their worshipping (good deeds) they had performed in this world." [Bayhaqi, al-Bas wa’n-Nushur; Tabari, Tafsir; Abu Yala, Ibn Hajar, Fathu’l-Baari, Tabarani and others]

Now some people, mostly non-Muslims still ask a question that: there will be multiple wives or Houris (Hoor al-Ayn/hur-ul-Ayn/Hoors/Hurs) in Islamic Paradise for Muslim men then what is for Muslim women?

As stated in above mentioned Hadiths the situation of the believing woman in Paradise will be better than the situation of the houris (hoor al-Ayn); she will be higher in status and more beautiful. If a righteous woman from among the people of this world enters Paradise, then she will do so as a reward for her righteous deeds and as an honor from Allah to her for her religious commitment and righteousness. As for the houri who is one of the delights of Paradise, is an immortal woman, who does not age. She speaks softly and does not raise voice at her man; she is always reconciled with him. Having been brought up in luxury, she is a luxury herself, she has only been created in Paradise for the sake of someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man for his righteous deeds. There is a great difference between one who enters Paradise as a reward for her righteous deeds and the one who was created as a reward for one who did righteous deeds. The former is a queen and a princess, and the latter, no matter how beautiful she is, is undoubtedly lower in status than a queen, and she (houri) is subject to the command of her believing master (man) for whom Allah created her as a reward.

The main reason why the Quran and Hadith are stressing the fact that men will get Houris (Hoor al-Ayn) is because it more appealing to men than promising virgin men to women. Men are more sexually active and therefore are facing a lot of difficulty (especially in the teenage years) to remain chaste. There are a lot of temptations in this world. That is why that Allah keeps promising these virgin girls to those that remain patient and steadfast. That way, this motivates the unmarried men to remain chaste and be patient because they know they have something better waiting for them in the next life. As if they do not get it legally in the next life then they would get it illegally in this life.

Now with all these proofs you can easily invalidate the argument made by some non-muslims that women will not get any benefits out of the Islamic Paradise. The men and women are equal in the sight of Allah (SWT) except for those whom are more pious. Just because they're equal doesn’t mean they're exactly the same. They have physical, mental and emotional differences. Men have superiority over women in certain aspects such as physical strength, while women have more superiority over men from a caring and nurturing perspective. In the same manner, like our differences, they may have rewards that are different from one another, but that in no way suggest inequality. For instance, if you want to reward your son for something, perhaps you'll let him play a video game for example, whereas if you want to reward your daughter, perhaps you'll let her invite her friend over, or buy her something nice.

Therefore, men and women have different needs and wants so obviously rewards would differ. But overall the rewards for both men and women will be equal (but not same) as Allah (SWT) says in the following verses of the Holy Quran:

"And whoever does righteous good deeds, male or female, and is a true believer in the Oneness of Allâh (Muslim), such will enter Paradise and not the least injustice, even to the size of a Naqîra (speck on the back of a datestone), will be done to them." [Surah An-Nisâ' (4):194]

"Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he (or she) is a true believer (of Islâmic Monotheism) verily, to him We will give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)." [Surah An-Nahl (16):97:]

Now following are some Hadiths mentioning the number of the Hoors (houris) that Muslims will get in addition to the wives of this world in Paradise:

According to Ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE) in his Holy Quranic commentary (Tafsir) of the above Surah Al-Rahman (55), verse 72: "The Prophet Muhammad was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives (houris), over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]’." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

·    The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Every man who enters paradise shall be given 72 (seventy-two) houris; no matter at what age he had died, when he is admitted into paradise, he will become a thirty-year-old, and shall not age any further. A man in paradise shall be given virility equal to that of one hundred men." [Tirmizi, vol. 2 states on page 138]

·    Narrated Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the crown of honour, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is married to 72 wives of the maidens with large dark eyes (houris); and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives." [Tirmidhi:Hadith number 1067; and Ibn Majah]

·    In a book by the great Imam Ghazzali (R.A.): The Prophet Muhammad (saw) said once to Jaber: "Shall I not give you the news of the windows of Paradise ? We said: 0 Messenger of God give us that information. He said: Those are made of emeralds and jewels. Their inner parts will be seen from their outer parts. Therein there will be such enjoyments, amusements and joys as no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no heart has conceived. I said: 0 Messenger of God, who will be the owners of those windows? He said: Those who spread peace, give food, keep fasts, pray at night when the people remain asleep. We asked: 0 Messenger of God, who will be able to do that? He said: My people will be able to do that. I am saying it to you. He who meets his brother, salutes him and replies to his salute,' spreads peace; and he who gives food to his wife and members of his family to their satisfaction gives food. He, who keeps fast of Ramazan and three days every month, keeps fast as it were for the whole year. He who prays Isha and Fajr in congregation prays as it were the whole night when the people remain asleep. God says: The fine buildings in Eden Paradise.' The Prophet said regarding its meanings: These places are builts of emeralds and jewels and in each building there will be 70 rooms of red colour and in each room 70 sub-rooms of green colour and in each sub-room there will be one throne and over each throne 70 beds of varied colours and on each bed a hoor al-ayn (houri- a girl having wide lovely eyes with intense black irises). There will be 70 dining cloth in each room and 70 kinds of food in each dining cloth. There will be seven girls in each room.Each believer will be given such strength in the morning as he can cohabit with them". [Ihya Uloom Ed-Din.Volume 4, Page-4.428]

From above mentioned Hadith a simple calculation will show that each believer will get 343,000 wives from houris (hur al-ayn) i.e: 70*70*70 = 343,000 houris/hoor al-ayn.

·    Narrated from Abu Hurayra (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was asked: "O RasulAllah (saw)! Will we touch our wives in heaven? He (saw) replied: A man will touch 100 virgins a day." [Tabarani, al-Mucam as-Saghir & Awsat]

·    Narrated from Anas (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "A believer man will have 73 wives in heaven. We asked him (saw): Will he able to do (i.e. have sex with all of them) this? And He (saw) replied: He will be given power of 100(men)." [Abu Na’eem Sifat al-Jannah]

·    Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that: "Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah (houris) with their worshipping (good deeds) they had performed in this world." [Bayhaqi, al-Bas wa’n-Nushur; Tabari, Tafsir; Abu Yala, Ibn Hajar, Fathu’l-Baari, Tabarani and others]

Doubtless, a believer will have many houris (hoor al-ayn/hoors/hurs) in heaven which are in addition to his wordly wives but exact number is not given.It implies that the people of Paradise will have these wives according to their degree i.e: those who are more pious will get more wives than others but as mentioned in the following Hadiths:

·    Abu ‘Umama (R.A.) reported that Allah’s Messenger (saw) said: "Allah will not admit anyone in the Paradise but Allah, the Mighty and glorious will marry him with 72 wives, two will be from virgin (houris/hoor al-ayn) with big eyes and seventy will be his inheritance from the people of the Hell-Fire*." Every one of them will have a pleasant vagina and he (the man) will have sexual organ that does not bend down during sexual intercourse (perpetual erection)." [Ibn Majah, vol.v, page 547: Hadis number 4337]

Hashim b. Khalid says, ‘The words "out of his inheritance (due) from the denizens of the Fire" in above stated Hadith, mean men who will enter the Fire and the inmates of the paradise will inherit their wives just as the Faroah’s wife (Aasiah R.A.) will be inherited (by the believers).

·    The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives, over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]’." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

So that is the minimmum what every Muslim man in Paradise will get.

Another important aspect in Paradise is that: Not just the reward but the beauty of the people of Paradise will also go on increasing with time as mentioned in the following Hadith:

·    Narrated Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "In Jannah there is a market to which the people will come every Friday. The northern wind will blow and shower fragrance on their faces and clothes and, consequently, it will enhance their beauty and loveliness. They will then return to their wives who will also have increased in their beauty and loveliness, and their families will say to them: `We swear by Allah that you have been increased in beauty and loveliness since leaving us.' Thereupon they will reply: `we swear by Allah that you have also been increased in beauty and loveliness since we left you.''' [Sahih Muslim]

·    Bazaar, where everything will be available, free of cost. Similarly, people will gather there for a time period equal to that of Jumu`ah (friday), as there will be no sun, nor night and day. Another speciality of Jannah is that the beauty and charm of men and women will go on increasing and so the love and affection between husbands and wives will also keep on progressing and increasing. It will be just the opposite of what happens here in this world.

One Important Note (Must Read):

Some Non-Muslims point out to verses in the Qur'an, which speak about how Muslim men would be able to have sex with the Houris in paradise. Then they exclaim that this is immorality or fornication. However, we must pay close attention to what the Quran actually says...

Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
"So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide, lovely eyes." [Surah Ad-Dukhân (44):54]

"But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwâjun Mutahharatun [purified mates or wives (having no menses, stools, urine, etc.)] and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise)." [Sura An-Nisâ' (4): 57]

The word used here is AZWAAJ. In Arabic, it means spouse. Notice, the key word, SPOUSES. The houris (hoors/hurs) will be the wives of Muslim men in Paradise. If a man has sex with his wife, is that fornication? No, of course not, she is his spouse. So, if a man can legitimately have sex with his spouse here on earth, then why can't a man legitimately have sex with his spouse in paradise.

Having said that, the gretest reward for the Muslim believers, men and women, in Jannah (Paradise) will be to view the Countenance (Apperance) of Allah (SWT). And for the believers there will be nothing more delightful than looking at Him;

This is mentioned in the following Hadiths:

·    Imam Ahmad recorded from Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi: The Messenger of Allah recited, (the words meaning), "For those who have done good is the best and even more." [Sura Yunus, 26] He said, "When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, a caller will say: `O people of Paradise, Allah has promised you something that He wishes to fulfill.' They will reply: `What is it Has He not made our Scale heavy Has He not made our faces white and delivered us from Fire?' He (the narrater) said: "Allah will then remove the veil (from their eyes), and they will look at the Countenance (Appearance) of Allah, the Mighty, the Majestic." He said, "By Allah, they have not been given anything dearer to them and more delightful than looking at Him." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Muslim]

·    Narrated Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi: The Apostle of Allah said: "When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Has You not brightened our faces? Has You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the narrator) said: He (God) would lift the veil (from their eyes), and of things given to them nothing would be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious." [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 0347]

Doubtless we, the Muslim, men and women, are promissed to have what we want in Paradise (Jannah);

Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
"Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask for." [Sura Fussilat 41:31-32]

"They shall have all that they will desire with their Lord. That is the reward of Muhsinûn (pious-good doers)." [Az-Zumar (39);34]

Therefore in Paradise a Muslim, wether male or female, will have every thing that they wish for and they will abide therein forever. So we should strive for this absolute success by doing good and righteous deeds. There are a lot of temptations in this world (mostly created by satan) from which we have to seek refuge with Allâh alone and fear Allâh much and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden. And for that matter we have put our trust completely in Allah (SWT).

"Verily! he (satan) has no power over those who believe and put their trust only in their Lord (Allâh)."
"His (satan's) power is only over those who obey and follow him (satan), and those who join partners with Him (Allâh) [i.e. those who are Mushrikûn-polytheists]." [Sura An-Nahl (16);99,100]
                                  
 "ALLAH KNOWS BEST"

The exact number of the wives or Hoors (Hoor alayn/Hurs/Houris)   that each Muslim Man will get in Jannah(Paradise) in Light of the Holy Quran and Hadith:
 
Praise be to Allah(Subhaanahu Wa' Ta’aalaa)

Houris (hur ul-Ayn/hoors/hurs):"Very fair females created by Allah as such not from the off-spring of Adam, with intense black irises of their eyes and intense white scleras". [Noble Quran; Glossary; Houris].

Many people want to know the exact number of the wives that a Muslim man will inherit in Paradise. If you too want to know then you can read this whole article till the end.

The exact number of Houris (hoor al-Ayn/hoors/hurs) that each Muslim man will get is not mentioned in Holy Quran and regarding this matter, there are so many Hadiths which give information about the numbers. These Hadiths cited the number 70, 72,100, etc.

Following are some Hadiths mentioning the number of the wives that Muslims will get in Paradise:

·    Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:

"Houris (beautiful, fair females) restrained in pavilions...With Whom no man or jinn "yatmithhunna" (has opened their hymens with sexual intercourse) before them." [Sura Ar-Rahmân (55):72,74]

·    According to Ibn Kathir (died 1373 CE) in his Koranic commentary (Tafsir) of above mentioned Surah Al-Rahman (55), verse 72: "The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was heard saying:‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives, over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]’."

·    Al-Bukhari vol.6:402 and prior p.374; "The statement of Allah in above mentioned ayah, Beautiful fair females restrained in pavilions. Narrated Qaisi, Allah’s Apostle said, ‘In Paradise there is a pavilion made of a single hollow pearl sixty miles wide, in each corner there are wives (houris) who will not see those in the other corners; and the believers (Muslims) will visit and enjoy them.’"

·    Tirmizi, vol. 2 states on page 138: 'Every man who enters paradise shall be given 72 (seventy-two) houris; no matter at what age he had died, when he is admitted into paradise, he will become a thirty-year-old, and shall not age any further. A man in paradise shall be given virility equal to that of one hundred men'.

·    Ibn Majah, vol.v, page 547: Hadis number 4337: Abu ‘Umama (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah will not admit anyone in the Paradise but Allah, the Mighty and glorious will marry him with 72 wives,two will be from virgin (houris/hoor al-ayn) with big eyes and seventy will be hisinheritance from the people of the Hell-Fire*.” Every one of them will have a pleasant vagina and he (the man) will have sexual organ that does not bend down during sexual intercourse (perpetual erection).

Hashim b. Khalid says, ‘The words “out of his inheritance (due) from the denizens of the Fire”,mean men who will enter the Fire and the inmates of the paradise will inherit their wives just as the Faroah’s wife (Aasiah R.A.) will be inherited (by the believers).

·    Tirmidhi:Hadis number 1067; Narrated Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'dikarib: Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said, "The martyr receives six good things from Allah: he is forgiven at the first shedding of his blood; he is shown his abode in Paradise; he is preserved from the punishment in the grave; he is kept safe from the greatest terror; he has placed on his head the crown of honor, a ruby of which is better than the world and what it contains; he is married to 72 wives of the maidens with large dark eyes; and is made intercessor for seventy of his relatives." (Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah transmitted it).

In a book by the great Imam Ghazzali(R.A.): Ihya Uloom Ed-Din.

Volume 4,Page-4.430:

·    “According to Prophet Muhammad (SW) the Hurs of Paradise will be pure women—free of menstruation, urine, stool, cough and children. The Hurs will sing in Paradise on divine purity and praise—we are most beautiful Hurs and we are for the honored husbands. Muhammad also said that an inmate of Paradise will have the sexual strength of 70 men. Muhammad said, “An inmate of Paradise will have 500 hurs, 4,000 unmarried women and 8,000 widowed women. Each of them will keep embracing him for the duration of his whole worldly life.”

Volume 4,Page-4.428 of the same book:

·    The Prophet said once to Jaber: "Shall I not give you the news of the windows of Paradise ? We said : 0 Messenger. of God give us that information. He said : Those are made of emeralds and jewels. Their inner parts will be seen from their outer parts. Therein there will be such enjoyments, amusements and joys as no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no heart has conceived. I said : 0 Messenger of God, who will be the owners of those windows ? He said: Those who spread peace, give food, keep fasts, pray at night when the people remain asleep. We asked : 0 Messenger of God, who will be able to do that ? He said : My people will be able to do that. I am saying it to you. He who meets his brother, salutes him and replies to his salute,'spreads peace; and he who gives food to his wife and members of his family to their satisfaction gives food. He who keeps fast of Ramazan and three days every month, keeps fast as it were for the whole year. He who prays Isha and Fajr in congregation prays as it were the whole night when the people remain asleep. God says : The fine buildings in Eden Paradise.' The Prophet said regarding its meanings : These places are builts of emeralds and jewels and in each building there will be 70 rooms of red colour and in each room 70 sub-rooms of green colour and in each sub-room there will be one throne and over each throne 70 beds of varied colours and on each bed a hoor al-ayn (houri- a girl having wide lovely eyes with intense black irises). There will be 70 dining cloth in each room and 70 kinds of food in each dining cloth. There will be seven girls in each room*.Each believer will be given such strength in the morning as he can cohabit with them".

From above mentioned Hadith a simple calculation will show that each believer will get 343,000 wives from houris (hur al-ayn) i.e: 70*70*70=343,000 houris/hoor al-ayn.

·    Narrated from Abu Hurayra (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was asked:“O RasulAllah (saw)! Will we touch our wives in heaven? He (saw) replied: A man will touch 100 virgins a day.” [Tabarani, al-Mucam as-Saghir & Awsat]

·    Narrated from Anas (R.A.) said that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: “A believer man will have 73 wives in heaven. We asked him (saw): Will he able to do (i.e. have sex with all of them) this? And He (saw) replied: He will be given power of 100 (men).”[Abu Na’eem Sifat al-Jannah]

·    Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that: “Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah (houris) with their worshipping (good deeds) they had performed in this world.” [Bayhaqi, al-Bas wa’n-Nushur; Tabari, Tafsir; Abu Yala, Ibn Hajar, Fathu’l-Baari, Tabarani and others]

Conclusion:

Doubtless a believer will have many houris (hoor al-ayn/hoors/hurs) in heaven which are in addition to his wordly wives but exact number is not given.It implies that the people of Paradise will have these wives according to their degree i.e: those who are more pious will get more wives than others but as mentioned in the following Hadith:

·    The Prophet Muhammad (saw) was heard saying: ‘The smallest reward for the people of paradise is an abode where there are 80,000 servants and 72 wives , over which stands a dome decorated with pearls, aquamarine, and ruby, as wide as the distance from Al-Jabiyyah [a Damascus suburb] to Sana'a [Yemen]’." [Tafsir Ibn Kathir]

So that is the minimmum what every man in Paradise will get inshAllah.

Also note that the Muslim women of this world will be superior to Houris (Hur al ayn) in
Paradise:

Definition of Houris (hoor al-Ayn/hur ul-Ayn/hoors/hurs) from Noble Quran:

"Very fair females created by Allah as such not from the off-spring of Adam, with intense black
irises of their eyes and intense white scleras". [Noble Quran; Glossary; Houris]

So it is obvious that houris (hoor al-Ayn) will be different from the off-springs of the Prophet Adam (A.S.), and as humans are the most superior creation of Allah (SWT) so Muslim women are superior to houris just like we as humans are superior to Jinns, Angels and all other creatures of Allah (SWT) that exist. So a hoori who is one of the delights of Paradise, she has only been created in Paradise for the sake of someone else, and has been made the reward for the believing man for his righteous deeds. But for Muslim women, they themselves are from the off-springs of Adam and the rewards of Paradise are created for them and on the contrary houris (hoor al-Ayn) themselves are from the rewards of Paradise.

Therefore it is clear that Muslim women will not feel jealous of the houris (hoor al-Ayn) as righteous women of this world will be much more superior and beautiful than houris (hoor al-Ayn), in Jannah (Paradise). Thus the Muslim women of this worldly life have superiority over houris (hoor al-Ayn) due to the acts of worship and obedience that they performed in this world.Therefore, the believing (Muslim) women will enter Paradise just like the believing men. If a Muslim woman had a number of husbands, she, upon entering Paradise with them, would choose among them the one with the best character and behavior.

The following two Hadiths confirms the fact stated above:

·    Umme Salamah (Radiahallahu Anha) narrates that she said to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) "O Rasûlullah, are the women of this world superior or the hûrs (of Paradise)?" He replied, "The women of this world will have superiority over the hûrs (houris) just as the outer lining of a garment has superiority over the inner lining." Umme Salamah R.A then asked, "O Rasûlullah, what is the reason for this?" He answered, "Because they performed salâh, fasted, and worshipped [Allah]. Allah will put light on their faces and silk on their bodies. [The human women] will be fair in complexion and will wear green clothing and yellow jewelry. Their incense-burners will be made of pearls and their combs will be of gold. They will say, 'We are the women who will stay forever and we will never die. We are the women who will always remain in comfort and we will never undergo difficulty. We are the women who will stay and we will never leave. Listen, we are happy women and we will never become sad. Glad tidings to those men for whom we are and who are for us.'" [Tabrânî]

·    Al-Qurtubi said: Abu Bakr ibn al-Najjaad said: Ja’far ibn Muhammad ibn Shaakir told us,‘Uba yd ibn Ishaaq al-‘Attaar told us, Sinaan ibn Haaroon told us, from Humayd from Anas that: Umm Habeebah the wife of the Prophet (saw) said: “O Messenger of Allah, if a woman had two husbands in this life, then they all died and came together in Paradise, with which of them would she be – the first or the last?” He said: “With the one whose attitude and conduct with her was best, O Umm Habeebah; a good attitude brings one the best of this world and theHereafter.”[Al-Tadhkirah fi Ahwaal al-Mawtaa wa’l-Aakhirah, 2/278]

·    Imam Qurtubi in his "at-Tadhkirah fi-Ahwalil Mawta wa'l-Akhirah (in Remembrance of the Affairs of the Dead and Doomsday)" and Ibn Kathir in his "al-Bidaya wa'n-Nihaya (Kitabu’l- Fitan wa’l-Malahim) the Termination of the Afflictions and Fierce Battles" tell the story of the songs of houri in heaven: “Houri will sing for their own husbands, songs are so marvelous that every hearer will be so pleased. Houri will say: “We are Houri who has not had a sin.” The women of this world will reply them saying: “We are the fasters (who keep fast), and you are not,we are the prayers, but you are not and we are the givers of charity but you are not.”

·    And there is another narration which is famous with the name "Hadith of Soor" narrated from Abu Hurayrah (R.A.) that the Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that: “Every man in heaven will go to 72 of the creatures of Allah (houris) and 2 of the women of mankind, these two women are superior to the creatures of Allah (houris) with their worshipping (good deeds) they had performed in this world.” [Bayhaqi, al-Bas wa’n-Nushur; Tabari, Tafsir; Abu Yala, Ibn Hajar, Fathu’l-Baari, Tabarani and others]

One Important Note (Must Read):

Some Non-Muslims point out to verses in the Qur'an, which speak about how Muslim men wouldbe able to have sex with the Houris in paradise. Then they exclaim that this is immorality or fornication. However, we must pay close attention to what the Quran actually says...

Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran:
So (it will be), and We shall marry them to Houris (female fair ones) with wide, lovely eyes. [Surah Ad-Dukhân (44):54]

"But those who believe (in the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) and do deeds of righteousness, We shall admit them to Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), abiding therein forever. Therein they shall have Azwâjun Mutahharatun [purified mates or wives (having no menses, stools, urine, etc.)] and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening (Paradise)." [Sura An-Nisâ' (4): 57]

The word used here is AZWAAJ. In Arabic, it meansspouse. Notice, the key word, SPOUSES. The houris (hoors/hurs) will be the wives of Muslim men in Paradise. If a man has sex with his wife, is that fornication? No, of course not, she is his spouse. So, if a man can legitimately have sex with his spouse here on earth, then why can't a man legitimately have sex with his spouse in paradise.

Having said that, the gretest reward for the Muslim believers, men and women, in Jannah (Paradise) will be to view the Countenance (Apperance) of Allah (SWT). And for the believers there will be nothing more delightful than looking at Him;


This is mentioned in the following Hadiths:

·    Imam Ahmad recorded from Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi: The Messenger of Allah recited, (the words meaning), “For those who have done good is the best and even more.” [Sura Yunus, 26] He said, “When the people of Paradise enter Paradise, a caller will say: `O people of Paradise, Allah has promised you something that He wishes to fulfill.' They will reply: `What is it Has He not made our Scale heavy Has He not made our faces white and delivered us from Fire?' He (the narrater) said:"Allah will then remove the veil (from their eyes), and they will look at the Countenance (Appearance) of Allah, the Mighty, the Majestic.” He said, “By Allah, they have not been given anything dearer to them and more delightful than looking at Him.” [Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Muslim]

·    Narrated Suhayb ibn Sinan ar-Rumi: The Apostle of Allah said: "When those deserving of Paradise would enter Paradise, the Blessed and the Exalted would ask: Do you wish Me to give you anything more? They would say: Has You not brightened our faces? Has You not made us enter Paradise and saved us from Fire? He (the narrator) said: He (God) would lift the veil (from their eyes), and of things given to them nothing would be dearer to them than the sight of their Lord, the Mighty and the Glorious." [Sahih Muslim, Book 1, Number 0347]

Doubtless we, the men and women, are promissed to have what we want in Paradise (Jannah);

Allâh (SWT) says in the Holy Quran: "Therein you shall have (all) that your inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask for.” [Sura Fussilat 41:31-32]

"ALLAH KNOWS BEST"

Hadeeths Of Prophet Muhammad(saw)-(Part-2)

Farsighted-[Save the honour of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)]:-

1.  A Jew lost his invaluable ring and accidentally a poor Muslim fellow found it. When this Muslim came to know that it belongs to that Jew he went to return it to him. The Jew smiled and asked him: "Do you know its value?"

The Muslim replied: "Yes"

"You found this and you are also a poor and a needy!" said the Jew.

"Yes, you are right." The Muslim replied.

The Jew asked, "Did it not come to your mind that by selling this ring you can live a comfortable life as you had an excuse that it belonged to a Jew?"

The Muslim told him, "Why, I should have thought that way?

"So why did you return this ring to me while I was not knowing that you have found it?" questioned the Jew.

The poor Muslim replied: "We believe on the Day of Judgement. I told myself that if I do not give this ring to the owner, then during the accounting of the deeds of the people during Qayamat my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] would be sitting together and you will be complaining about this to your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] and then your Prophet Moses [Hazrat Musa (as)] would complain to my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that a person belonging from your Ummah (nation) has done such an act. And at that moment my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) would not be able to answer him. I have returned this ring so that on the Day of Judgement, I save the honour of my Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Moral of the story: Think like a Muslim, act like a Muslim and love Allah (SWT) and Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) like a true Muslim.

Story of the cloak (Hadith al-Kisa / Ayat Tatheer):-

2.  We narrate an invaluable tradition of Rasulallah (saw) and his honoured family. In Noble Qur'an there is a verse closely related with the Tradition of the Cloak: "And stay in your houses and do not display your finery like the displaying of the ignorance of yore; and keep up prayer, and pay the poor-rate, and obey Allah and His Messenger. Allah only desires to keep away the uncleanness from you, O people of the House! and to purify you a (thorough) purifying." (33:33)
This verse is famous as Ayat Tatheer and is closely related with the Tradition of the Cloak. The following is the tradition:
One day Rasulallah (saw) came to the house of his daughter, Fatima al-Zahra (sa), and told her that he was very tired and asked her to cover him with his cloak. As she was covering Rasulallah (saw), his face lit up and shone like the full moon. After a while Imam Hasan (as) came to the house and said that he could smell the fragrance of his grandfather. Fatima al-Zahra (sa) said that he was resting under the cloak. Imam Hasan (as) greeted Rasulallah (saw) and asked his permission to come under the cloak. The permission was granted. Similarly, Imam Husayn (as), Imam Ali (as), and Fatima al-Zahra (sa), after greeting him and receiving permission from Rasulallah (saw), went under the cloak. Fatima al-Zahra (sa), said that when they, the Ahlul Bayt (as), gathered under the cloak, Almighty Allah (SWT) said, 'Let it be known to you, my angels and those who are in the heavens, that I swear by my honour and might that I have not created the heavens and the earth and what are in them, but only out of love for the five honourable ones who are under the cloak.'
Angel Gabriel (Jabra'il) asked Allah (SWT) who was under the cloak. Allah (SWT) informed him that they were the people of the house of Rasulallah (saw). Angel Gabriel (Jabra'il) requested permission from Allah (SWT) to be the sixth under the cloak. Angel Gabriel (Jabra'il) greeted Rasulallah (saw) and received permission to enter under the cloak. Angel Gabriel (Jabra'il) said that Allah (SWT) has created the universe because of them and out of love for them. And 'Allah (SWT) only desires to keep that which is ritually unclean away from you, O people of the House, and to purify you a thorough purifying.'
Imam Ali (as) asked Rasulallah (saw) to explain the significance of their gathering under the cloak. Rasulallah (saw) said, 'I swear by Allah (SWT) that whenever this tradition will be recited among our friends and lovers, Allah's (SWT) mercy will descend upon them and the angels will surround them and ask forgiveness for them until they disperse. Allah (SWT) will also remove the sorrow and answer the prayers of those who had come to ask. Imam Ali (as) swore by the Lord of the Kaaba that the Ahlul Bayt (as) and their friends had profited both in this world and the next.
Surely Allah and His angels bless the Prophet; O you who believe! Call for (Divine) blessings on him and salute him with a (becoming) salutation. (Noble Qur'an, 33:56)

Virtues of the family of Rasulallah (saw) [Surah Ad Dahr, Surah al-Insan]:-

3.   The family members of Rasulallah (saw) were the true friends and well wishers of the people who felt strong grief when they saw people in any kind of distress or suffering. They worked hard to restore the rights of the deprived and gave all their belongings to the needy.

The family members of Rasulallah (saw) were always ready to face hardships in order to save others. Sometimes, they would even give to the needy the food or clothing which they themselves urgently needed. There are many of such happenings that took place in the life of our religious leaders.

For instance, once Imam Ali's (as) children [Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husayn (as)] were sick. Their mother Fatima al-Zahra (sa), daughter of Rasulallah (saw), vowed (Nazr) to fast three days on the recovery of her children, in thanksgiving to Allah (SWT).

Imam Ali (as) and the children all joined Fatima al-Zahra (sa) in thanksgiving. All of them fasted. It was sunset and they had only a few barley loaves of bread for their breakfast.

As they were about to eat their food, someone knocked at their door, saying I am a poor man. Please give me some food. The food, which the whole family had, was very little. They gave it all to the poor man.

Again on next day, when the family wanted to break their fast an orphan began knocking at the door asking for food. The same thing happened on the third day also with a stranger. Each time they gave their food to the needy and they, themselves, remained hungry continuing their fast.

Muslim commentators say, The next day, Rasulallah (saw) came to the family with these verses of the Noble Qur'an: "Surely the righteous shall drink of a cup the admixture of which is camphor, a fountain from which the servants of Allah shall drink; they make it to flow a (goodly) flowing forth. They fulfill vows and fear a day the evil of which shall be spreading far and wide. And they give food out of love for Allah to the poor and the orphan and the captive: We only feed you for Allah's sake. We desire from you neither reward nor thanks: Surely we fear from our Lord a stern, distressful day. Therefore, Allah will guard them from the evil of that day and cause them to meet with ease and happiness; And reward them because they were patient, with garden and silk." (Noble Qur'an, 76:5-12)

Moral of the Story: Vow (Nazr) is very powerful. Always think of others before yourself. It is not how much you give to others that is important but the intention with which you give: i.e. "Qurbatan Illallah" which means to get closer to Allah (SWT).

Rasulallah (saw) is the supreme example of a family man:-

4.    Rasulallah (saw) is the supreme example of a family man. He was a loving husband, an affectionate father and a doting grandfather. As long as the faithful Khadija tul Kubra (sa) was alive, he never took another wife. Even later on in life, when he had married several women, he used to cherish the loving memory of the faithful Khadija tul Kubra (sa).

His marriages were not for pleasure, but were a humanitarian means to further the cause of Islam, as is evident from the women he married. In the case of Sawda, Umm Salama and Zainab bint Khuzaima, it was to take care of poor and helpless widows well in their middle ages, while the marriage to Juwairiyah was to grant her freedom from captivity. Still others such as those to Umm Habiba, Safiya, Ayesha, Hafsa and Maimoona were meant for uniting some prominent Arab tribes, who were often at loggerheads with each other, and also to safeguard the internal political status of the newfound Islamic State. And the marriage to Zainab bint Jahsh was for the sake of enacting a new law, because she was the divorcee of his adopted son Zaid bin Harithah. As the Noble Qur'an testifies, Rasulallah (saw) married her in order to put an end to the prevalent belief that adopted sons were like real sons and that wives or widows of adopted sons were like daughter-in-laws. In short, the philosophy behind his marriages was entirely revolutionary and ushered in positive changes in ignorant Arabia.

Rasulallah (saw) was an affectionate father and his surviving child, daughter Fatima al-Zahra (sa), was dearer to him than life. His famous saying (Hadith): "Fatima is a part of me, and whoever annoys her (in fact) annoys me," stands as a firm testimony to this fact. History is a witness that he used to stand up to greet his daughter. Many prominent and wealthy Arabs had approached him for Fatima al-Zahra's (sa) hand, but he politely refused them, and according to divine commandment married her to his faithful cousin Imam Ali (as). Hence Fatima al-Zahra (sa) and Imam Ali (as) were the parents of his two grandsons Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husayn (as); through whom the continuity of Prophet Muhammad's (saw) noble progeny has been ensured. Imam Hasan (as) and Imam Husayn (as) were the apple of his eyes and he affectionately doted on them. They used to play with him and accompany him to the mosque. Once when the two grandsons were seated on his shoulders, a companion (Sahabi) remarked: "What and excellent mount", to which Rasulallah (saw) retorted "What excellent riders too".

Thus, Prophet Muhammad's (saw) behavior with his illustrious household (Ahlul Bayt) is a lesson for us. It was not blind love of a doting father or grandfather as some may misinterpret but was something divinely ordained as is clear from several verses of the Noble Qur'an and the following ahadith:

Rasulallah (saw) is reported to have said that "whoever loves them [his grandsons] loves me and whoever hates them hates me", "al-Hasan and al-Husayn are the chiefs of the youth of Paradise and Fatima is the chief of their women", "al-Husayn is from me and I am from him." Rasulallah (saw) looked toward Ali, Fatima, al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and then said, "I am in war with those who will fight you, and in peace with those who are peaceful to you."

Therefore, it is obligatory for all Muslims to love and respect his chosen family, and adhere to their radiant path, which is the only way to save the Ummah (Muslim Community or Nation) from pitfalls. Praise be to Almighty Allah (SWT), the Lord of the Universe.

Rasulallah (saw) and Abu Haitham ibn Tayyahan [Justice and Rasulallah (saw)]:-

5.   Rasulallah (saw) had promised one of his companions, Abu Haitham ibn Tayyahan that he (saw) would present him with a slave.

Incidentally it so happened that three captives were brought before him - two of whom he (saw) gifted away while one remained with him.

Meanwhile his daughter Fatima al-Zahra (sa) approached him and requested: "O' Prophet of Allah (SWT)! Can you grant me a slave or an assistant? Do you not see the effects of the hand mill upon my hands?"

At that moment Rasulallah (saw) suddenly recollected his promise to Abu Haitham ibn Tayyahan and said to himself: "Since I had previously promised Abu Haitham ibn Tayyahan, how can I grant my daughter precedence over him, even though my daughter turns the hand mill with her weak and delicate hands?"

Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) during his Last Days (Forgiveness in Islam):-

6.    On one of the days during his illness, Imam Ali (as) and Fadl ibn Abbas helped bring Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) into the mosque. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) entered with much difficulty dragging his feet. He had tied his head with a piece of cloth. When Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was finally on the pulpit, he said: "O people! The time has arrived that I shall leave you. If I have made a promise with anyone, I am prepared to fulfill it; and if I owe something to somebody, he should speak out, so that I may make payment to him".

At this moment a man stood up and said: "In the past you had promised to help me financially if I got married." Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) immediately ordered Fadl ibn Abbas to pay the required amount to him. Then he dismounted the pulpit and went home. Thereafter he came to the mosque again on the Friday, three days before his demise. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) said: "Whoever has a right over me should stand and mention it, for punishment in this world is lighter than the punishment on the Day of Judgment."

At this moment, Sawadah ibn Qays stood up and said: "When we were returning from the Battle of Ta'if, you raised your scourge to hit the camel you were riding, but it accidentally struck my stomach. I want to take revenge now."

It is remarkable that the request of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) was not a mere formality but it was a serious request. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) wanted to compensate even for the smallest acts and rights, which were not usually of any importance for the common people. Furthermore, as Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) did not hit Sawadah ibn Qays intentionally, Sawadah ibn Qays did not have the right to take revenge. He could only ask for Diya - a prescribed compensation through payment. Regardless of this however, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) wanted to grant his wish.

Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) therefore, ordered the same scourge to be brought from his house. He then prepared his clothing in a manner so that Sawadah ibn Qays could take his revenge. The companions of Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) were watching the scene with grieved hearts. Their eyes were filled with tears. Everyone wanted to see how the matter would end and whether Sawadah ibn Qays would actually take revenge or not?

Suddenly they saw Sawadah ibn Qays kissing Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). At this moment Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) prayed for him and said: "O Allah (SWT)! Forgive Sawadah ibn Qays in the same manner that he has forgiven the Prophet of Islam".

Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) and the distressed Young Man:-

7.    Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) recited his morning Salat (Prayer) in the mosque along with his companions (Sahabah). By this time, it was becoming bright and the people could be clearly seen. At this moment, Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) saw a young man whose condition seemed to be not normal. His head could not rest properly on his body and was continuously moving this way and that way. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) looked at his face that had become pale; his eyes had gone deep into his face. His body had become thin and lean. Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) asked him:

"In what condition are you?"

"I am in the condition of certainty, O Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh)". Replied the young man

"Every certainty has got some symptoms which indicate its truth; what is the symptom of your certainty?"

My certainty is the one, which is associated with my misery. In the nights, it has taken away my sleep; and I pass the days with thirst. I have turned my back from the comforts of this world and have turned my face towards the other side. It is like this that I am seeing the Empyrean of Allah (SWT) on the Day of Judgment and similarly I also see the resurrection of the whole of the creation of Allah (SWT). It is as if I am seeing the people in Heaven in pleasure and the people in Hell in severe torment. It is as if the deadly noise of the flames of the Hell-fire is just now ringing in my ears."

Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) turned his face towards the companions (Sahabah) and said: "He is a worshipper of Allah (SWT) whose heart has been illuminated by the light of faith."

Then Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) turned towards the young man and said: "keep up this good state of yours for yourself." The young man said: "O Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh)! Pray that Allah (SWT) gives me an opportunity for Jihad (holy war) and bless me with Shahadat (martyrdom) in the right path."

Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) prayed. It did not take long when an opportunity arose for Jihad and that young man participated in that Jihad. The tenth person who got martyred in that holy war was none other than this young man.

Famous Sayings of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) on Imam Ali, Abu Turab (as):-

8.     Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Whoever wishes to see Adam in his knowledge, Nuh/Noah in his piety, Ibrahim/Abraham in his forbearance (patience), Musa/Moses in his strength, and Isa/Jesus in his worship and devotion should look at Ali ibn Abi Talib."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Make your gatherings lively with the remembrance of Ali ibn Abi Talib."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Annazro ela'a wajhe Aliyin ibadah (Looking at the face of Ali is Worship.)"
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "You (Ali) are in the same position with respect to me as Aaron (Harun) was to Moses (Musa) except that there is no prophet after me."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Nobody knows Allah except me and Ali. Nobody knows me except Allah and Ali. Nobody knows Ali except Allah and me."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "I am the City of Knowledge and Ali is its Gate."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Allah (SWT) has created me and Ali from the same one Noor."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "I am from Ali and Ali is from Me."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Ali is my brother in the world and hereafter."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said: "Ali is with Haqq (truth) and Haqq is with Ali - O Allah (SWT) turn Haqq in the same direction in which Ali turns."
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) had affirmed in the battle of Khyber, when he said: "Tomorrow, I will give the banner to a man who loves Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) and whom Allah and His Prophet (pbuh) love." This man attacks but never flees. He does not come back from a battle, until he achieves victory by Allah's Blessings.
Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said the following about Ali ibn Abi Talib:
He is the first one to believe in Islam; He is the most knowledgeable; He is the most correct one in his DEEN; He is the most certain; He is the most patient; He is the most forgiving and generous; He is the bravest in heart; He is the IMAM and the successor after me.

Rasool Allah's (saw) love to the Poor [Ya Rasool Allah Ya Habib Allah]:-

9.      One of Rasool Allah's (saw) splendid characteristics was his love to the poor. In the deep of himself he had great love and sincerity toward them. He was a father, shelter, and refuge to them. They got from him indescribable kindness and charity. He often recommended Muslims to be kind and charitable to the poor. He made to them an imposed share in the wealth of the rich. Rasool Allah (saw) legislated zakat (Islamic religious tax) for that purpose and made it obligatory. From his love to the poor was that he often prayed Allah (SWT) to resurrect him with the poor. Abu Sa'eed narrated, "I heard Rasool Allah (saw) saying, 'O Allah make me live a poor, die a poor, and resurrect me with the community of the poor. The most wretched one of the wretched is he for whom the poverty of this life and the torment of the afterlife are gathered.'"

Anas narrated that Rasool Allah (saw) said, "O Allah (SWT), make me live a poor and resurrect me with the community of the poor on the Day of Resurrection." Aishah, the wife of Rasool Allah (saw), asked him, "Why, O messenger of Allah?" He said to her, "They (the poor) enter the Paradise forty autumns before the rich. O Aishah, do not reject a poor even by (giving him) a half of a date. O Aishah, love the poor and approach to them, because Allah (SWT) will approach you on the Day of Resurrection."

Rich near the Poor: Wealth and Poverty [Ya Rasool Allah Ya Habib Allah]:-

10.    It was a usual meeting. Rasool Allah (saw) was in his place and his companions gathered around him to hear the words of wisdom and guidance.
A rich person dressed in clean and elegant clothes arrived in the presence of Rasool Allah (saw) and sat down before him. A short while later, a poor person wearing old and tattered clothes, appeared, saluted the assembly: "Salamun Alaikum" (Peace be on you)!
And finding a vacant place comfortably sat down.
Rasool Allah (saw) had taught them that all Muslims were brothers and in an assembly one should sit wherever one finds a place, regardless of any status. Now, it so happened that this poor man was seated next to a very rich man. The rich man felt very disturbed and tried to collect the edges of his dress around himself, so that the poor man didn't touch them.
Having observed this, Rasool Allah (saw) remarked to the rich man: "Did you fear that the poor person next to you might make your clothes dirty?"
"No," replied the rich person.
"Then why did you behave so?" asked Rasool Allah (saw).
"I admit that was the most undesirable thing to do. It was an error and I confess my guilt. I have a companion (soul) that makes good deeds appear evil to me and vice-versa. O' Prophet of Allah! As a punishment for this reprehensible act of mine, I gift half of my wealth to the poor man."
Turning to the poor man, Rasool Allah (saw) inquired, "Do you accept the offer?"
"No, O' Prophet of Allah," said the poor man.
People present were taken by surprise, they thought that the poor man was a fool, but then he explained: "O' Prophet of Allah, I refuse to accept this offer because I fear that I might then become arrogant and ill-treat my Muslim brothers the way he did to me."

Poor Ones Question Rasool Allah (saw) [Ya Rasool Allah Ya Habib Allah]:-

11.     Some of the poor people of Madinah approached Rasool Allah (saw) and said to him: "The affluent ones perform acts of goodness like freeing slaves, giving charity, performing the Hajj etc., which are beyond our means (as a result, they shall be in possession of greater rewards than us)."

Rasool Allah (saw) said: "One, who recites Allahu Akbar (Allah is the Greatest) a hundred times, shall be granted rewards which shall exceed the rewards of freeing one hundred slaves. One, who recites Subhan Allah (Glorious is Allah) a hundred times, shall come to possess rewards better than the rewards associated with the performance of Hajj. Reciting Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) a hundred times is better than giving one hundred fully laden horses as charity in the way of Allah (SWT). One, who recites La Ilaha Illallah (There is No God but Allah) a hundred times, shall be of the best of the people on the Day of Judgment."

When the affluent ones of Madinah came to know of this they too began to act upon these recommendations and so the poor ones again approached Rasool Allah (saw) and complained: "The affluent ones too have started to act upon your recommendations!"

Hearing their complaint, Rasool Allah (saw) remarked: "This is Allah's grace and favour; He grants it to whomsoever He pleases."

Inshaallah! We All May Try To Live Like Prophet Muhammad(saw)....Amin!

The Qur'an & Modern Science By Dr.Zakir Naik.

I. ASTRONOMY

CREATION OF THE UNIVERSE: ‘THE BIG BANG’

The creation of the universe is explained by astrophysicists in a widely
accepted phenomenon, popularly known as the ‘Big Bang’. It is supported by
observational and experimental data gathered by astronomers and
astrophysicists for decades. According to the ‘Big Bang’, the whole universe
was initially one big mass (Primary Nebula). Then there was a ‘Big Bang’
(Secondary Separation) which resulted in the formation of Galaxies. These
then divided to form stars, planets, the sun, the moon, etc. The origin of the
universe was unique and the probability of it occurring by ‘chance’ is zero.
The Qur’aan contains the following verse, regarding the origin of the
universe: “Do not the Unbelievers see That the heavens and the earth
Were joined together (as one Unit of Creation), before We clove them
asunder?” [Al-Qur’aan 21:30]

The striking congruence between the Qur’aanic verse and the ‘Big Bang’ is
inescapable! How could a book, which first appeared in the deserts of Arabia
1400 years ago, contain this profound scientific truth?

THERE WAS AN INITIAL GASEOUS MASS BEFORE THE
CREATION OF GALAXIES

Scientists say that before the galaxies in the universe were formed, celestial
matter was initially in the form of gaseous matter. In short, huge gaseous
matter or clouds were present before the formation of the galaxies. To
describe initial celestial matter, the word ‘smoke’ is more appropriate than
gas. The following Qur’aanic verse refers to this state of the universe by the
word dhukhan which means smoke.
“Moreover, He Comprehended In His design the sky, And it had been
(as) smoke: He said to it And to the earth: ‘Come ye together, Willingly
or unwillingly.’ They said: ‘We do come (Together), in willing
obedience.’” [Al-Qur’aan 41:11]

Again, this fact is a corollary to the ‘Big Bang’ and was not known to the
Arabs during the time of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). What then, could have
been the source of this knowledge?

THE SPHERICAL SHAPE OF THE EARTH

In early times, people believed that the earth is flat. For centuries, men were
afraid to venture out too far, lest they should fall off the edge. Sir Francis
Drake was the first person who proved that the earth is spherical when he
sailed around it in 1597. Consider the following Qur’aanic verse regarding
the alternation of day and night: “Seest thou not that Allah merges Night
into Day And He merges Day into Night?” [Al-Qur’aan 31:29]
Merging here means that the night slowly and gradually changes to day and
vice versa. This phenomenon can only take place if the earth is spherical. If
the earth was flat, there would have been a sudden change from night to day
and from day to night.

The following verse also alludes to the spherical shape of the earth: “He
created the heavens And the earth In true (proportions): He makes the
Night Overlap the Day, and the Day Overlap the Night.” [Al-Qur’aan
39:5]

The Arabic word used here is Kawwara meaning ‘to overlap’ or ‘to coil’– the
way a turban is wound around the head. The overlapping or coiling of the day
and night can only take place if the earth is spherical.

The earth is not exactly round like a ball, but geo-spherical i.e. it is flattened
at the poles. The following verse contains a description of the earth’s shape:
“And the earth, moreover, Hath He made egg shaped.” 2 [Al-Qur’aan
79:30]

The Arabic word for egg here is dahaha, which means an ostrich-egg. The
shape of an ostrich-egg resembles the geo-spherical shape of the earth. Thus
the Qur’aan correctly describes the shape of the earth, though the prevalent
notion when the Qur’aan was revealed was that the earth is flat.

THE LIGHT OF THE MOON IS REFLECTED LIGHT

It was believed by earlier civilizations that the moon emanates its own light.
Science now tells us that the light of the moon is reflected light. However this
fact was mentioned in the Qur’aan 1,400 years ago in the following verse:.
“Blessed is He Who made Constellations in the skies, And placed therein
a Lamp And a Moon giving light.” [Al-Qur’aan 25:61]
The Arabic word for the sun in the Qur’aan, is shams. It is referred to as
siraaj, which means a ‘torch’ or as wahhaaj which means ‘a blazing lamp’ or
as diya which means ‘shining glory’. All three descriptions are appropriate to
the sun, since it generates intense heat and light by its internal combustion.
The Arabic word for the moon is qamar and it is described in the Qur’aan as
muneer, which is a body that gives nur i.e. light. Again, the Qur’aanic
description matches perfectly with the true nature of the moon, which does
not give off light itself and is an inert body that reflects the light of the sun.
Not once in the Qur’aan, is the moon mentioned as siraaj, wahhaaj or diya or
the sun as nur or muneer. This implies that the Qur’aan recognizes the
difference between the nature of sunlight and moonlight.

The Arabic word dahaha has been translated by A. Yusuf Ali as “vast
expanse”, which also is correct. The word dahaha also means an ostrich-egg.
Consider the following verses related to the nature of light from the sun and
the moon: “It is He who made the sun To be a shining glory And the
moon to be a light (Of beauty).” [Al-Qur’aan 10:5]
“See ye not How Allah has created The seven heavens One above
another, “And made the moon A light in their midst, and made the sun
As a (Glorious) Lamp?” [Al-Qur’aan 71:15-16]

THE SUN ROTATES

For a long time European philosophers and scientists believed that the earth
stood still in the centre of the universe and every other body including the sun
moved around it. In the West, this geocentric concept of the universe was
prevalent right from the time of Ptolemy in the second century B.C. In 1512,
Nicholas Copernicus put forward his Heliocentric Theory of Planetary
Motion, which asserted that the sun is motionless at the centre of the solar
system with the planets revolving around it.

In 1609, the German scientist Yohannus Keppler published the ‘Astronomia
Nova’. In this he concluded that not only do the planets move in elliptical
orbits around the sun, they also rotate upon their axes at irregular speeds.
With this knowledge it became possible for European scientists to explain
correctly many of the mechanisms of the solar system including the sequence
of night and day.

After these discoveries, it was thought that the Sun was stationary and did not
rotate about its axis like the Earth. I remember having studied this fallacy
from Geography books during my school days. Consider the following
Qur’aanic verse: “It is He Who created The Night and the Day, And the
sun and the moon: All (the celestial bodies) Swim along, each in its
Rounded course.” [Al-Qur’aan 21:33]

The Arabic word used in the above verse is yasbahûn . The word yasbahûn is
derived from the word sabaha. It carries with it the idea of motion that comes
from any moving body. If you use the word for a man on the ground, it would
not mean that he is rolling but would mean he is walking or running. If you
use the word for a man in water it would not mean that he is floating but
would mean that he is swimming.

Similarly, if you use the word yasbah for a celestial body such as the sun it
would not mean that it is only flying through space but would mean that it is
also rotating as it goes through space. Most of the school textbooks have
incorporated the fact that the sun rotates about its axis. The rotation of the sun
about its own axis can be proved with the help of an equipment that projects
the image of the sun on the table top so that one can examine the image of the
sun without being blinded. It is noticed that the sun has spots which complete
a circular motion once every 25 days i.e. the sun takes approximately 25 days
to rotate around its axis.

In fact, the sun travels through space at roughly 150 miles per second, and
takes about 200 million years to complete one revolution around the center of
our Milky Way Galaxy.

“It is not permitted To the Sun to catch up The Moon, nor can The Night
outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along In (its own) orbit (According to
Law).” [Al-Qur’aan 36:40]

This verse mentions an essential fact discovered by modern astronomy, i.e.
the existence of the individual orbits of the Sun and the Moon, and their
journey through space with their own motion. The ‘fixed place’ towards,
which the sun travels, carrying with it the solar system, has been located
exactly by modern astronomy. It has been given a name, the Solar Apex. The
solar system is indeed moving in space towards a point situated in the
constellation of Hercules (alpha Layer) whose exact location is firmly
established.

The moon rotates around its axis in the same duration that it takes to revolve
around the earth. It takes approximately 29½ days to complete one rotation.
One cannot help but be amazed at the scientific accuracy of the Qur’aanic
verses. Should we not ponder over the question: “What was the source of
knowledge contained in the Qur’aan?”

THE SUN WILL EXTINGUISH AFTER A CERTAIN PERIOD

The light of the sun is due to a chemical process on its surface that has been
taking place continuously for the past five billion years. It will come to an end
at some point of time in the future when the sun will be totally extinguished
leading to extinction of all life on earth. Regarding the impermanence of the
sun’s existence the Qur’aan says: “And the Sun Runs its course For a
period determined For it; that is The decree of (Him) The exalted in
Might, The All-Knowing.” [Al-Qur’aan 36:38]

The Arabic word used here is mustaqarr, which means a place or time that is
determined. Thus the Qur’aan says that the sun runs towards a determined
place, and will do so only up to a pre-determined period of time – meaning
that it will end or extinguish.

THE PRESENCE OF INTERSTELLAR MATTER

Space outside organized astronomical systems was earlier assumed to be a
vacuum . Astrophysicists later discovered the presence of bridges of matter in
this interstellar space. These bridges of matter are called plasma, and consist
of completely ionized gas containing equal number of free electrons and
positive ions. Plasma is sometimes called the fourth state of matter (besides
the three known states viz. solid, liquid and gas). The Qur’aan mentions the
presence of this interstellar material in the following verse: “He Who created
the heavens And the earth and all That is between.” [Al-Qur’aan 25:59]
It would be ridiculous, for anybody to even suggest that the presence of
interstellar galactic material was known 1400 years ago.
A similar message is conveyed in the Qur’an in 13:2, 35:13, 39:5 and 39:21.

THE EXPANDING UNIVERSE

In 1925, an American astronomer by the name of Edwin Hubble, provided
observational evidence that all galaxies are receding from one another, which
implies that the universe is expanding. The expansion of the universe is now
an established scientific fact. This is what Al-Qur’aan says regarding the
nature of the universe: “With the power and skill Did We construct The
Firmament: For it is We Who create The vastness of Space.” [Al-Qur’aan
51:47]

The Arabic word mûsi‘ûn is correctly translated as ‘expanding it’, and it
refers to the creation of the expanding vastness of the universe. Stephen
Hawking, in his book, ‘A Brief History of Time’, says, “The discovery that
the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the
20th century.”

The Qur’aan mentioned the expansion of the universe, before man even learnt
to build a telescope! Some may say that the presence of astronomical facts in
the Qur’aan is not surprising since the Arabs were advanced in the field of
astronomy. They are correct in acknowledging the advancement of the Arabs
in the field of astronomy. However they fail to realize that the Qur’aan was
revealed centuries before the Arabs excelled in astronomy. Moreover many of
the scientific facts mentioned above regarding astronomy, such as the origin
of the universe with a Big Bang, were not known to the Arabs even at the
peak of their scientific advancement. The scientific facts mentioned in the
Qur’aan are therefore not due to the Arabs’ advancement in astronomy.
Indeed, the reverse is true. The Arabs advanced in astronomy, because
astronomy occupies a place in the Qur’aan.

II. PHYSICS

THE EXISTENCE OF SUBATOMIC PARTICLES

In ancient times a well-known theory by the name of ‘Theory of Atomism’
was widely accepted. This theory was originally proposed by the Greeks, in
particular by a man called Democritus, who lived about 23 centuries ago.
Democritus and the people that came after him, assumed that the smallest unit
of matter was the atom. The Arabs used to believe the same. The Arabic word
dharrah most commonly meant an atom. In recent times modern science has
discovered that it is possible to split even an atom. That the atom can be split
further is a development of the 20th century. Fourteen centuries ago this
concept would have appeared unusual even to an Arab. For him the dharrah
was the limit beyond which one could not go. The following Qur’aanic verse
however, refuses to acknowledge this limit: “The Unbelievers say, ‘Never to
us will come The Hour’: say, ‘Nay! But most surely, By my Lord, it will
come Upon you – by Him Who knows the unseen – From Whom is not
hidden The least little atom In the Heavens or on earth: Nor is there
anything less Than that, or greater, but Is in the Record Perspicuous.’”
[Al-Qur’aan 34:3]

This verse refers to the Omniscience of God, His knowledge of all things,
hidden or apparent. It then goes further and says that God is aware of
everything, including what is smaller or bigger than the atom. Thus the verse
clearly shows that it is possible for something smaller than the atom to exist, a
fact discovered only recently by modern science.
 A similar message is conveyed in the Qur’an in 10:61.

III. GEOGRAPHY

THE WATER CYCLE

In 1580, Bernard Palissy was the first man to describe the present day concept
of ‘water cycle’. He described how water evaporates from the oceans and
cools to form clouds. The clouds move inland where they rise, condense and
fall as rain. This water gathers as lakes and streams and flows back to the
ocean in a continuous cycle. In the 7th century B.C., Thales of Miletus
believed that surface spray of the oceans was picked up by the wind and
carried inland to fall as rain. In earlier times people did not know the source
of underground water. They thought the water of the oceans, under the effect
of winds, was thrust towards the interior of the continents. They also believed
that the water returned by a secret passage, or the Great Abyss. This passage
is connected to the oceans and has been called the ‘Tartarus’, since Plato’s
time. Even Descartes, a great thinker of the eighteenth century, subscribed to
this view. Till the nineteenth century, Aristotle’s theory was prevalent.
According to this theory, water was condensed in cool mountain caverns and
formed underground lakes that fed springs. Today, we know that the
rainwater that seeps into the cracks of the ground is responsible for this.
The water cycle is described by the Qur’aan in the following verses: “Seest
thou not that Allah Sends down rain from The sky, and leads it Through
springs in the earth? Then He causes to grow, Therewith, produce of
various Colours.” [Al-Qur’aan 39:21]

“He sends down rain From the sky And with it gives life to The earth
after it is dead: Verily in that are Signs For those who are wise.” [Al-
Qur’aan 30:24]

“And We send down water From the sky according to (Due) measure,
and We cause it To soak in the soil; And We certainly are able To drain
it off (with ease).” [Al-Qur’aan 23:18]

No other text dating back 1400 years ago gives such an accurate description
of the water cycle.

WINDS IMPREGNATE THE CLOUDS

“And We send the fecundating winds, Then cause the rain to descend
From the sky, therewith providing You with water (in abundance).” [Al-
Qur’aan 15:22]

The Arabic word used here is lawâqih, which is the plural of laqih from
laqaha, which means to impregnate or fecundate. In this context, impregnate
means that the wind pushes the clouds together increasing the condensation
that causes lightning and thus rain. A similar description is found in the
Qur’aan: “It is Allah Who sends The Winds, and they raise The Clouds:
then does He Spread them in the sky As He wills, and break them Into
fragments, until thou seest Raindrops issue from the midst Thereof: then
when He has Made them reach such Of His servants as He wills, Behold,
they do rejoice!” [Al-Qur’aan 30:48]

The Qur’aanic descriptions are absolutely accurate and agree perfectly with
modern data on hydrology. The water cycle is described in several verses of
the Glorious Qur’aan, including 3:9, 7:57, 13:17, 25:48- 49, 36:34, 50:9-11,
56:68-70, 67:30 and 86:11.

IV. GEOLOGY

MOUNTAINS ARE LIKE PEGS (STAKES)

In Geology, the phenomenon of ‘folding’ is a recently discovered fact.
Folding is responsible for the formation of mountain ranges. The earth’s
crust, on which we live, is like a solid shell, while the deeper layers are hot
and fluid, and thus inhospitable to any form of life. It is also known that the
stability of the mountains is linked to the phenomenon of folding, for it was
the folds that were to provide foundations for the reliefs that constitute the
mountains. Geologists tell us that the radius of the Earth is about 3,750 miles
and the crust on which we live is very thin, ranging between 1 to 30 miles.
Since the crust is thin, it has a high possibility of shaking. Mountains act like
stakes or tent pegs that hold the earth’s crust and give it stability. The Qur’aan
contains exactly such a description in the following verse: “Have We not
made The earth as a wide Expanse, And the mountains as pegs?” [Al-
Qur’aan 78:6-7]

The word awtad means stakes or pegs (like those used to anchor a tent); they
are the deep foundations of geological folds. A book named ‘Earth’ is
considered as a basic reference textbook on geology in many universities
around the world. One of the authors of this book is Frank Press, who was the
President of the Academy of Sciences in the USA for 12 years and was the
Science Advisor to former US President Jimmy Carter. In this book he
illustrates the mountain in a wedge-shape and the mountain itself as a small
part of the whole, whose root is deeply entrenched in the ground.5 According
to Dr. Press, the mountains play an important role in stabilizing the crust of
the earth.

The Qur’aan clearly mentions the function of the mountains in preventing the
earth from shaking: “And We have set on the earth Mountains standing
firm, Lest it should shake with them.” [Al-Qur’aan 21:31]
5 Earth, Press and Siever, p. 435. Also see Earth Science, Tarbuck and Lutgens,
p. 157.

The Qur’aanic descriptions are in perfect agreement with modern geological
data.

MOUNTAINS FIRMLY FIXED

The surface of the earth is broken into many rigid plates that are about 100
km in thickness. These plates float on a partially molten region called
aesthenosphere. Mountain formations occur at the boundary of the plates. The
earth’s crust is 5 km thick below oceans, about 35 km thick below flat
continental surfaces and almost 80 km thick below great mountain ranges.
These are the strong foundations on which mountains stand. The Qur’aan also
speaks about the strong mountain foundations in the following verse: “And
the mountains Hath He firmly fixed.” [Al-Qur’aan 79:32]
A similar message is contained in the Qur’an in 88:19, 31:10 and 16:15

V. OCEANOLOGY

BARRIER BETWEEN SWEET AND SALT WATERS

Consider the following Qur’aanic verses: “He has let free the two bodies Of
flowing water, Meeting together: Between them is a Barrier Which they
do not transgress.” [Al-Qur’aan 55:19-20]

In the Arabic text the word barzakh means a barrier or a partition. This barrier
is not a physical partition. The Arabic word maraja literally means ‘they both
meet and mix with each other’. Early commentators of the Qur’aan were
unable to explain the two opposite meanings for the two bodies of water, i.e.
they meet and mix, and at the same time, there is a barrier between them.
Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas
meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that
each sea has its own temperature, salinity and density. 7 Oceanologists are
now in a better position to explain this verse. There is a slanted unseen water
barrier between the two seas through which water from one sea passes to the
other.

But when the water from one sea enters the other sea, it loses its distinctive
characteristic and becomes homogenized with the other water. In a way this
barrier serves as a transitional homogenizing area for the two waters. This
scientific phenomenon mentioned in the Qur’aan was also confirmed by Dr.
William Hay who is a well-known marine scientist and Professor of
Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado, U.S.A. The Qur’aan
mentions this phenomenon also in the following verse: “And made a
separating bar between the two bodies Of flowing water?” [Al-Qur’aan
27:61]

This phenomenon occurs in several places, including the divider between the
Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean at Gibralter. But when the Qur’aan
speaks about the divider between fresh and salt water, it mentions the
 Principles of Oceanography, Davis, pp. 92-93.

existence of “a forbidding partition” with the barrier. “It is He Who has Let
free the two bodies Of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, And the
other salty and bitter; Yet has He Made a barrier between them, And a
partition that is forbidden To be passed.” [Al-Qur’aan 25:53]
Modern science has discovered that in estuaries, where fresh (sweet) and saltwater
meet, the situation is somewhat different from that found in places
where two seas meet. It has been discovered that what distinguishes fresh
water from salt water in estuaries is a “pycnocline zone with a marked density
discontinuity separating the two layers.” This partition (zone of separation)
has salinity different from both the fresh water and the salt water.
This phenomenon occurs in several places, including Egypt, where the river
Nile flows into the Mediterranean Sea
.
DARKNESS IN THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN

Prof. Durga Rao is an expert in the field of Marine Geology and was a
professor at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah. He was asked to
comment on the following verse: “Or (the Unbelievers’ state) Is like the
depths of darkness In a vast deep ocean, Overwhelmed with billow
Topped by billow, Topped by (dark) clouds: Depths of darkness, one
Above another: if a man Stretches out his hand, He can hardly see it! For
any to whom Allah Giveth not light, there is no light!” [Al-Qur’aan 24:40]
Prof. Rao said that scientists have only now been able to confirm, with the
help of modern equipment that there is darkness in the depths of the ocean.
Humans are unable to dive unaided underwater for more than 20 to 30 meters,
and cannot survive in the deep oceanic regions at a depth of more than 200
meters. This verse does not refer to all seas because not every sea can be
Oceanography, Gross, p. 242. Also see Introductory Oceanography, Thurman,
pp. 300-301.
Oceanography, Gross, p. 244 and Introductory Oceanography, Thurman, pp.
300-301.
described as having accumulated darkness layered one over another. It refers
especially to a deep sea or deep ocean, as the Qur’aan says, “darkness in a
vast deep ocean”. This layered darkness in a deep ocean is the result of two
causes:

A light ray is composed of seven colours. These seven colours are Violet,
Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red (VIBGYOR). The light ray
undergoes refraction when it hits water. The upper 10 to 15 metres of
water absorb the red colour. Therefore if a diver is 25 metres under water and
gets wounded, he would not be able to see the red colour of his blood,
because the red colour does not reach this depth. Similarly orange rays are
absorbed at 30 to 50 metres, yellow at 50 to 100 metres, green at 100 to 200
metres, and finally, blue beyond 200 metres and violet and indigo above 200
metres. Due to successive disappearance of colour, one layer after another,
the ocean progressively becomes darker, i.e. darkness takes place in layers of
light. Below a depth of 1000 meters there is complete darkness. 10
. The sun’s rays are absorbed by clouds, which in turn scatter light rays
thus causing a layer of darkness under the clouds. This is the first layer
of darkness. When light rays reach the surface of the ocean they are
reflected by the wave surface giving it a shiny appearance. Therefore it is the
waves which reflect light and cause darkness. The unreflected light penetrates
into the depths of the ocean. Therefore the ocean has two parts. The surface
characterized by light and warmth and the depth characterized by darkness.
The surface is further separated from the deep part of the ocean by waves.
The internal waves cover the deep waters of seas and oceans because the deep
waters have a higher density than the waters above them. The darkness begins
below the internal waves. Even the fish in the depths of the ocean cannot see;
their only source of light is from their own bodies.
The Qur’aan rightly mentions: “Darkness in a vast deep ocean
overwhelmed with waves topped by waves”.
Oceans, Elder and Pernetta, p. 27.
1
2
In other words, above these waves there are more types of waves, i.e. those
found on the surface of the ocean. The Qur’aanic verse continues, “topped by
(dark) clouds; depths of darkness, one above another.”
These clouds as explained are barriers one over the other that further cause
darkness by absorption of colours at different levels.
Prof. Durga Rao concluded by saying, “1400 years ago a normal human being
could not explain this phenomenon in so much detail. Thus the information
must have come from a supernatural
source”.

VI. BIOLOGY

EVERY LIVING THING IS MADE OF WATER

Consider the following Qur’aanic verse: “Do not the Unbelievers see that
the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one Unit of Creation),
before We clove them asunder? We made from water every living thing.
Will they not then believe?” [Al-Qur’aan 21:30]

Only after advances have been made in science, do we now know that
cytoplasm, the basic substance of the cell is made up of 80% water. Modern
research has also revealed that most organisms consist of 50% to 90% water
and that every living entity requires water for its existence. Was it possible 14
centuries ago for any human-being to guess that every living being was made
of water? Moreover would such a guess be conceivable by a human being in
the deserts of Arabia where there has always been scarcity of water? The
following verse refers to the creation of animals from water: “And Allah has
created Every animal from water.” [Al-Qur’aan 24:45]

The following verse refers to the creation of human beings from water: “It is
He Who has Created man from water: Then has He established
Relationships of lineage And marriage: for thy Lord Has power (over all
things).” [Al-Qur’aan 25:54]

VII. BOTANY
PLANTS CREATED IN PAIRS, MALE AND FEMALE

Previously humans did not know that plants too have male and female gender
distinctions. Botany states that every plant has a male and female gender.
Even the plants that are unisexual have distinct elements of both male and
female. “‘And has sent Down water from the sky.’ With it have We
produced Diverse pairs of plants Each separate from the others.” [Al-
Qur’aan 20:53]

FRUITS CREATED IN PAIRS, MALE AND FEMALE

“And fruit Of every kind He made In pairs, two and two.” [Al-Qur’aan
13:3]

Fruit is the end product of reproduction of the superior plants. The stage
preceding fruit is the flower, which has male and female organs (stamens and
ovules). Once pollen has been carried to the flower, they bear fruit, which in
turn matures and frees its seed. All fruits therefore imply the existence of
male and female organs; a fact that is mentioned in the Qur’aan.
In certain species, fruit can come from non-fertilized flowers (parthenocarpic
fruit) e.g. bananas, certain types of pineapple, fig, orange, vine, etc. They also
have definite sexual characteristics.

EVERYTHING MADE IN PAIRS

“And of everything We have created pairs.” [Al-Qur’aan 51:49]
This refers to things other than humans, animals, plants and fruits. It may also
be referring to a phenomenon like electricity in which the atoms consist of
negatively – and positively – charged electrons and protons.
“Glory to Allah, Who created In pairs all things that The earth produces,
as well as Their own (human) kind And (other) things of which They
have no knowledge.” [Al-Qur’aan 36:36]
The Qur’aan here says that everything is created in pairs, including things that
the humans do not know at present and may discover later.

VIII. ZOOLOGY

ANIMALS AND BIRDS LIVE IN COMMUNITIES

“There is not an animal (That lives) on the earth, Nor a being that flies
On its wings, but (forms Part of) communities like you.” [Al-Qur’aan
6:38]

Research has shown that animals and birds live in communities, i.e. they
organize, and live and work together.

THE FLIGHT OF BIRDS

Regarding the flight of birds the Qur’aan says: “Do they not look at The
birds, held poised In the midst of (the air And) the sky? Nothing Holds
them up but (the power Of) Allah. Verily in this Are Signs for those who
believe.” [Al-Qur’aan 16:79]

A similar message is repeated in the Qur’aan in the verse: “Do they not
observe The birds above them, Spreading their wings And folding them
in? None can uphold them Except (Allah) Most Gracious: Truly it is He
That watches over all things.” [Al-Qur’aan 67:19]

The Arabic word amsaka literally means, ‘to put one’s hand on, seize, hold,
hold someone back,’ which expresses the idea that Allah holds the bird up in
His power. These verses stress the extremely close dependence of the birds’
behaviour on Divine order. Modern scientific data has shown the degree of
perfection attained by certain species of birds with regard to the programming
of their movements. It is only the existence of a migratory programme in the
genetic code of the birds that can explain the long and complicated journey
that very young birds, without any prior experience and without any guide,
are able to accomplish. They are also able to return to the departure point on a
definite date.

Prof. Hamburger in his book ‘Power and Fragility’ gives the example of
‘mutton-bird’ that lives in the Pacific with its journey of over 15,000 miles in
the shape of figure ‘8’. It makes this journey over a period of 6 months and
comes back to its departure point with a maximum delay of one week. The
highly complicated instructions for such a journey have to be contained in the
birds’ nervous cells. They are definitely programmed. Should we not reflect
on the identity of this ‘Programmer’?

THE BEE

“And thy Lord taught the Bee To build its cells in hills, On trees, and in
(men’s) habitations; Then to eat of all The produce (of the earth), And
find with skill the spacious Paths of its Lord.” [Al-Qur’aan 16:68-69]
Von-Frisch received the Nobel Prize in 1973 for his research on the
behaviour and communication of the bees. The bee, after discovering any new
garden or flower, goes back and tells its fellow bees the exact direction and
map to get there, which is known as ‘bee dance’. The meanings of this
insect’s movements that are intended to transmit information between worker
bees have been discovered scientifically using photography and other
methods. The Qur’aan mentions in the above verse how the bee finds with
skill the spacious paths of its Lord.

The worker bee or the soldier bee is a female bee. In Soorah Al-Nahl chapter
no. 16, verses 68 and 69 the gender used for the bee is the female gender
(fa’slukî and kulî), indicating that the bee that leaves its home for gathering
food is a female bee. In other words the soldier or worker bee is a female bee.
In fact, in Shakespeare’s play, “Henry the Fourth”, some of the characters
speak about bees and mention that the bees are soldiers and that they have a
king. That is what people thought in Shakespearean times. They thought that
the worker bees are male bees and they go home and are answerable to a king
bee. This, however, is not true. The worker bees are females and they do not
report to a king bee but to a queen bee. But it took modern investigations in
the last 300 years to discover this.

SPIDER’S WEB / HOME IS FRAGILE

The Qur’aan mentions in Soorah Al-‘Ankabût, “The parable of those who
Take protectors other than Allah Is that of the Spider, Who builds (to
itself) A house; but truly The flimsiest of houses Is the Spider’s house – If
they but knew.” [Al-Qur’aan 29:41]

Besides giving the physical description of the spider’s web as being very
flimsy, delicate and weak, the Qur’aan also stresses on the flimsiness of the
relationship in the spider’s house, where the female spider many a times kills
its mate, the male spider.

LIFESTYLE AND COMMUNICATION OF ANTS

Consider the following Qur’aanic verse: “And before Solomon were
marshaled His hosts – of Jinns and men And birds, and they were all
Kept in order and ranks. “At length, when they came To a (lowly) valley
of ants, One of the ants said: ‘O ye ants, get into Your habitations, lest
Solomon And his hosts crush you (Under foot) without knowing it.’” [Al-
Qur’aan 27:17-18]

In the past, some people would have probably mocked at the Qur’aan, taking
it to be a fairy tale book in which ants talk to each other and communicate
sophisticated messages. In recent times, research has shown us several facts
about the lifestyle of ants, which were not known earlier to humankind.
Research has shown that the animals or insects whose lifestyle is closest in
resemblance to the lifestyle of human beings are the ants. This can be seen
from the following findings regarding ants:

(a) The ants bury their dead in a manner similar to the humans.
(b) They have a sophisticated system of division of labour, whereby they
have managers, supervisors, foremen, workers, etc.
(c) Once in a while they meet among themselves to have a ‘chat’.
(d) They have an advanced method of communication among themselves.
(e) They hold regular markets wherein they exchange goods.
(f) They store grains for long periods in winter and if the grain begins to
bud, they cut the roots, as if they understand that if they leave it to
grow, it will rot. If the grains stored by them get wet due to rains, they
take these grains out into the sunlight to dry, and once these are dry,
they take them back inside as though they know that humidity will
cause development of root systems and thereafter rotting of the grain.

IX. MEDICINE

HONEY HAS HEALING PROPERTIES

The bee assimilates juices of various kinds of flowers and fruit and forms
within its body the honey, which it stores in its cells of wax. Only a couple of
centuries ago man came to know that honey comes from the belly of the bee.
This fact was mentioned in the Qur’aan 1,400 years ago in the following
verse: “There issues From within their bodies A drink of varying colours,
Wherein is healing for men.” [Al-Qur’aan 16:69]

We are now aware that honey has a healing property and also a mild
antiseptic property. The Russians used honey to cover their wounds in World
War II. The wound would retain moisture and would leave very little scar
tissue. Due to the density of honey, no fungus or bacteria would grow in the
wound. A person suffering from an allergy of a particular plant may be given
honey from that plant so that the person develops resistance to that allergy.
Honey is rich in fructose and vitamin K. Thus the knowledge contained in the
Qur’aan regarding honey, its origin and properties, was far ahead of the time
it was revealed.

X. PHYSIOLOGY

BLOOD CIRCULATION AND THE PRODUCTION OF MILK

The Qur’aan was revealed 600 years before the Muslim scientist Ibn Nafees
described the circulation of the blood and 1,000 years before William Harwey
brought this understanding to the Western world. Roughly thirteen centuries
before it was known what happens in the intestines to ensure that organs are
nourished by the process of digestive absorption, a verse in the Qur’aan
described the source of the constituents of milk, in conformity with these
notions.

To understand the Qur’aanic verse concerning the above concepts, it is
important to know that chemical reactions occur in the intestines and that,
from there, substances extracted from food pass into the blood stream via a
complex system; sometimes by way of the liver, depending on their chemical
nature. The blood transports them to all the organs of the body, among which
are the milk-producing mammary glands.

In simple terms, certain substances from the contents of the intestines enter
into the vessels of the intestinal wall itself, and these substances are
transported by the blood stream to the various organs.

This concept must be fully appreciated if we wish to understand the following
verse in the Qur’aan: “And verily in cattle there is A lesson for you. We
give you to drink Of what is inside their bodies, Coming from a
conjunction Between the contents of the Intestine and the blood, A milk
pure and pleasant for Those who drink it.” [Al-Qur’aan 16:66]
“And in cattle (too) ye Have an instructive example: From within their
bodies We produce (milk) for you To drink; there are, in them, (Besides),
 Translation of this Qur’anic verse is from the book “The Bible, the Qur’an and
Science” by Dr. Maurice Bucaille.

numerous (other) Benefits for you; And of their (meat) ye eat.” [Al-
Qur’aan 23:21]

The Qur’aanic description of the production of milk in cattle is strikingly
similar to what modern physiology has discovered.

XI. EMBRYOLOGY

MAN IS CREATED FROM ALAQ
A LEECH-LIKE SUBSTANCE

A few years ago a group of Arabs collected all information concerning
embryology from the Qur’aan, and followed the instruction of the Qur’aan:
“If ye realise this not, ask Of those who possess the Message.” [Al-
Qur’aan 16:43 & 21:7]

All the information from the Qur’aan so gathered, was translated into English
and presented to Prof. (Dr.) Keith Moore, who was the Professor of
Embryology and Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at the University
of Toronto, in Canada. At present he is one of the highest authorities in the
field of Embryology. He was asked to give his opinion regarding the
information present in the Qur’aan concerning the field of embryology. After
carefully examining the translation of the Qur’aanic verses presented to him,
Dr. Moore said that most of the information concerning embryology
mentioned in the Qur’aan is in perfect conformity with modern discoveries in
the field of embryology and does not conflict with them in any way. He added
that there were however a few verses, on whose scientific accuracy he could
not comment. He could not say whether the statements were true or false,
since he himself was not aware of the information contained therein.
There was also no mention of this information in modern writings and studies
on embryology. One such verse is: “Proclaim! (or Read!) In the name Of
thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created – Created man, out of A (mere)
clot Of congealed blood.” [Al-Qur’aan 96:1-2]

The word alaq besides meaning a congealed clot of blood also means
something that clings, a leech-like substance. Dr. Keith Moore had no
knowledge whether an embryo in the initial stages appears like a leech. To
check this out he studied the initial stage of the embryo under a very powerful
microscope in his laboratory and compared what he observed with a diagram
of a leech and he was astonished at the striking resemblance between the two!
In the same manner, he acquired more information on embryology that was
hitherto not known to him, from the Qur’aan. Dr. Keith Moore answered
about eighty questions dealing with embryological data mentioned in the
Qur’aan and Hadith. Noting that the information contained in the Qur’aan and
Hadith was in full agreement with the latest discoveries in the field of
embryology, Prof. Moore said, “If I was asked these questions thirty years
ago, I would not have been able to answer half of them for lack of scientific
information”

Dr. Keith Moore had earlier authored the book, ‘The Developing Human’.
After acquiring new knowledge from the Qur’aan, he wrote, in 1982, the 3rd
edition of the same book, ‘The Developing Human’. The book was the
recipient of an award for the best medical book written by a single author.
This book has been translated into several major languages of the world and
is used as a textbook of embryology in the first year of medical studies.
In 1981, during the Seventh Medical Conference in Dammam, Saudi Arabia,
Dr. Moore said, “It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements
in the Qur’aan about human development. It is clear to me that these
statements must have come to Muhammad from God or Allah, because
almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later.
This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God or
Allah.”

Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynaecology, at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, U.S.A.,
proclaims: “...these Hadiths, sayings of Muhammad (pbuh) could not have
been obtained on the basis of the scientific knowledge that was available at
the time of the writer (7th century). It follows that not only is there no conflict
between genetics and religion (Islam) but in fact religion (Islam) may guide
science by adding revelation to some of the traditional scientific
approaches… there exist statements in the Qur’aan shown centuries later to
The reference for this statment is the video tape titled ‘This is the Truth’. For a
copy of this video tape contact the Islamic Research Foundation.
be valid which support knowledge in the Qur’aan having been derived from
God.”

MAN CREATED FROM A DROP EMITTED FROM BETWEEN
THE BACK BONE AND THE RIBS

“Now let man but think From what he is created! He is created from A
drop emitted – Proceeding from between The back bone and the ribs.”
[Al-Qur’aan 86:5-7]

In embryonic stages, the reproductive organs of the male and female, i.e. the
testicles and the ovaries, begin their development near the kidney between the
spinal column and the eleventh and twelfth ribs. Later they descend; the
female gonads (ovaries) stop in the pelvis while the male gonads (testicles)
continue their descent before birth to reach the scrotum through the inguinal
canal. Even in the adult after the descent of the reproductive organ, these
organs receive their nerve supply and blood supply from the Abdominal
Aorta, which is in the area between the backbone (spinal column) and the
ribs. Even the lymphatic drainage and the venous return goes to the same
area.

HUMAN BEINGS CREATED FROM NUTFAH
(Minute Quantity of Liquid)

The Glorious Qur’aan mentions no less than eleven times that the human
being is created from nutfah, which means a minute quantity of liquid or a
trickle of liquid which remains after emptying a cup. This is mentioned in
several verses of the Qur’aan including 22:5 and 23:13. 13
Science has confirmed in recent times that only one out of an average of three
million sperms is required for fertilising the ovum. This means that only a
The same is also mentioned in the Qur’an in 16:4, 18:37, 35:11, 36:77, 40:67,
53:46, 75:37, 76:2 and 80:19.
1/three millionth part or 0.00003% of the quantity of sperms that are emitted
is required for fertilisation.

HUMAN BEINGS CREATED FROM SULALAH
(Quintessence of liquid)
“And made his progeny From a quintessence Of the nature of A fluid
despised.” [Al-Qur’aan 32:8]
The Arabic word sulâlah means quintessence or the best part of a whole. We
have come to know now that only one single spermatozoon that penetrates the
ovum is required for fertilization, out of the several millions produced by
man. That one spermatozoon out of several millions, is referred to in the
Qur’aan as sulâlah. Sulâlah also means gentle extraction from a fluid. The
fluid refers to both male and female germinal fluids containing gametes. Both
ovum and sperm are gently extracted from their environments in the process
of fertilization.

MAN CREATED FROM NUTFATUN AMSHAAJ
(Mingled liquids)

Consider the following Qur’aanic verse: “Verily We created Man from a
drop Of mingled sperm.” [Al-Qur’aan 76:2]

The Arabic word nutfatin amshaajin means mingled liquids. According to
some commentators of the Qur’aan, mingled liquids refers to the male or
female agents or liquids. After mixture of male and female gamete, the zygote
still remains nutfah. Mingled liquids can also refer to spermatic fluid that is
formed of various secretions that come from various glands.
Therefore nutfatin amsaj, i.e. a minute quantity of mingled fluids refers to the
male and female gametes (germinal fluids or cells) and part of the
surrounding fluids.

SEX DETERMINATION

The sex of a fetus is determined by the nature of the sperm and not the ovum.
The sex of the child, whether female or male, depends on whether the 23rd
pair of chromosomes is XX or XY respectively. Primarily sex determination
occurs at fertilization and depends upon the type of sex chromosome in the
sperm that fertilizes an ovum. If it is an ‘X’ bearing sperm that fertilizes the
ovum, the fetus is a female and if it is a ‘Y’ bearing sperm then the fetus is a
male. “That He did create In pairs – male and female, From a seed when
lodged (In its place).” [Al-Qur’aan 53:45-46]
The Arabic word nutfah means a minute quantity of liquid and tumnâ means
ejaculated or planted. Therefore nutfah specifically refers to sperm because it
is ejaculated. The Qur’aan says: “Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (In
lowly form)? “Then did he become A clinging clot; Then did (Allah)
make And fashion (him) In due proportion. “And of him He made Two
sexes, male And female.” [Al-Qur’aan 75:37-39]
Here again it is mentioned that a small quantity (drop) of sperm (indicated by
the word nutfatan min maniyyin) which comes from the man is responsible
for the sex of the fetus.

Mothers-in-law in the Indian subcontinent, by and large prefer having male
grandchildren and often blame their daughters-in-law if the child is not of the
desired sex. If only they knew that the determining factor is the nature of the
male sperm and not the female ovum! If they were to blame anybody, they
should blame their sons and not their daughters-in-law since both the Qur’aan
and Science hold that it is the male fluid that is responsible for the sex of the
child!

FOETUS PROTECTED BY THREE VEILS OF DARKNESS

“He makes you, In the wombs of your mothers, In stages, one after
another, In three veils of darkness.” [Al-Qur’aan 39:6]

According to Prof. Keith Moore these three veils of darkness in the Qur’aan
refer to:

(i) anterior abdominal wall of the mother
(ii) the uterine wall
(iii) the amnio-chorionic membrane.

EMBRYONIC STAGES

“Man We did create From a quintessence (of clay); Then We placed him
As (a drop of) sperm In a place of rest, firmly fixed; Then We made the
sperm Into a clot of congealed blood; Then of that clot We made A
(foetus) lump; then We Made out of that lump Bones and clothed the
bones With flesh; then We developed Out of it another creature. So
blessed be Allah, The Best to create!” [Al-Qur’aan 23:12-14]
In this verse Allah states that man is created from a small quantity of liquid
which is placed in a place of rest, firmly fixed (well established or lodged) for
which the Arabic word qarârin makîn is used.
The uterus is well protected from the posterior by the spinal column
supported firmly by the back muscles. The embryo is further protected by the
amniotic sac containing the amniotic fluid. Thus the foetus has a well
protected dwelling place. This small quantity of fluid is made into alaqah,
meaning something which clings. It also means a leech-like substance. Both
descriptions are scientifically acceptable as in the very early stages the foetus
clings to the wall and also appears to resemble the leech in shape. It also
behaves like a leech (blood sucker) and acquires its blood supply from the mother through
the placenta. The third meaning of the word alaqah is a blood clot. During
this alaqah stage, which spans the third and fourth week of pregnancy, the
blood clots within closed vessels. Hence the embryo acquires the appearance
of a blood clot in addition to acquiring the appearance of a leech. In 1677,
Hamm and Leeuwenhoek were the first scientists to observe human sperm
cells (spermatozoa) using a microscope. They thought that a sperm cell
contained a miniature human being which grew in the uterus to form a
newborn. This was known as the perforation theory. When scientists
discovered that the ovum was bigger than the sperm, it was thought by De
Graf and others that the foetus existed in a miniature form in the ovum. Later,
in the 18th century Maupertuis propagated the theory of biparental
inheritance. The alaqah is transformed into mudghah which means
‘something that is chewed (having teeth marks)’ and also something that is
tacky and small which can be put in the mouth like gum. Both these
explanations are scientifically correct. Prof. Keith Moore took a piece of
plaster seal and made it into the size and shape of the early stage of foetus and
chewed it between the teeth to make it into a ‘Mudgha’. He compared this
with the photographs of the early stage of foetus. The teeth marks resembled
the ‘somites’ which is the early formation of the spinal column.
This mudghah is transformed into bones (izâm). The bones are clothed with
intact flesh or muscles (lahm). Then Allah makes it into another creature.
Prof. Marshall Johnson is one of the leading scientists in US, and is the head
of the Department of Anatomy and Director of the Daniel Institute at the
Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia in US. He was asked to
comment on the verses of the Qur’aan dealing with embryology. He said that
the verses of the Qur’aan describing the embryological stages cannot be a
coincidence. He said it was probable that Muhammad (pbuh) had a powerful
microscope. On being reminded that the Qur’aan was revealed 1400 years
ago, and microscopes were invented centuries after the time of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh), Prof. Johnson laughed and admitted that the first
microscope invented could not magnify more than 10 times and could not
show a clear picture. Later he said: “I see nothing here in conflict with the
concept that Divine intervention was involved when Muhammad (pbuh)
recited the Qur’aan.”

According to Dr. Keith Moore, the modern classification of embryonic
development stages which is adopted throughout the world, is not easily
comprehensible, since it identifies stages on a numerical basis i.e. stage I,
stage II, etc. The divisions revealed in the Qur’aan are based on distinct and
easily identifiable forms or shapes, which the embryo passes through. These
are based on different phases of prenatal development and provide elegant
scientific descriptions that are comprehensible and practical.

Similar embryological stages of human development have been described in
the following verses: “Was he not a drop Of sperm emitted (In lowly
form)? Then did he become a clinging clot; Then did (Allah) make and
fashion (him) In due proportion. And of him He made Two sexes, male
and female.” [Al-Qur’aan 75:37-39]

“Him Who created thee, fashioned thee in due proportion, And gave thee
a just bias; In whatever Form He wills, Does He put thee together.” [Al-
Qur’aan 82:7-8]

EMBRYO PARTLY FORMED AND PARTLY UNFORMED

At the mugdhah stage, if an incision is made in the embryo and the internal
organ is dissected, it will be seen that most of them are formed while the
others are not yet completely formed.

According to Prof. Johnson, if we describe the embryo as a complete creation,
then we are only describing that part which is already created. If we describe
it as an incomplete creation, then we are only describing that part which is not
yet created. So, is it a complete creation or an incomplete creation? There is
no better description of this stage of embryogenesis than the Qur’aanic
description, “partly formed and partly unformed”, as in the following verse:
“We created you Out of dust, then out of Sperm, then out of a leech-like
Clot, then out of a morsel Of flesh, partly formed And partly unformed.”
[Al-Qur’aan 22:5]

Scientifically we know that at this early stage of development there are some
cells which are differentiated and there are some cells that are
undifferentiated – some organs are formed and yet others unformed.

SENSE OF HEARING AND SIGHT

The first sense to develop in a developing human embryo is hearing. The
foetus can hear sounds after the 24th week. Subsequently, the sense of sight is
developed and by the 28th week, the retina becomes sensitive to light.
Consider the following Qur’aanic verses related to the development of the
senses in the embryo: “And He gave You (the faculties of) hearing and
sight and feeling (And understanding).” [Al-Qur’aan 32:9]
“Verily We created Man from a drop Of mingled sperm, In order to try
him: So We gave him (the gifts), Of Hearing and Sight.” [Al-Qur’aan
76:2]

“It is He Who has created For you (the faculties of) Hearing, sight,
feeling And understanding: little thanks It is ye give!” [Al-Qur’aan 23:78]
In all these verses the sense of hearing is mentioned before that of sight. Thus
the Qur’aanic description matches with the discoveries in modern
embryology.

XII. GENERAL SCIENCE
FINGERPRINTS

“Does man think that We Cannot assemble his bones? Nay, We are able
to put Together in perfect order The very tips of his fingers.” [Al-Qur’aan
75:3-4]

Unbelievers argue regarding resurrection taking place after bones of dead
people have disintegrated in the earth and how each individual would be
identified on the Day of Judgement. Almighty Allah answers that He can not
only assemble our bones but can also reconstruct perfectly our very
fingertips.

Why does the Qur’aan, while speaking about determination of the identity of
the individual, speak specifically about fingertips? In 1880, fingerprinting
became the scientific method of identification, after research done by Sir
Francis Golt. No two persons in the world can ever have exactly the same
fingerprint pattern. That is the reason why police forces worldwide use
fingerprints to identify the criminal. 1400 years ago, who could have known
the uniqueness of each human’s fingerprint? Surely it could have been none
other than the Creator Himself!

PAIN RECEPTORS PRESENT IN THE SKIN

It was thought that the sense of feeling and pain was only dependent on the
brain. Recent discoveries prove that there are pain receptors present in the
skin without which a person would not be able to feel pain. When a doctor
examines a patient suffering from burn injuries, he verifies the degree of
burns by a pinprick. If the patient feels pain, the doctor is happy, because it
indicates that the burns are superficial and the pain receptors are intact. On
the other hand if the patient does not feel any pain, it indicates that it is a deep
burn and the pain receptors have been destroyed. The Qur’aan gives an
indication of the existence of pain receptors in the following verse: “Those
The Qur’aan and Modern Science: Compatible or Incompatible?
who reject Our signs, We shall soon Cast into the Fire; As often as their
skins Are roasted through, We shall change them For fresh skins, That
they may taste The Penalty: for Allah Is Exalted in Power, Wise.” [Al-
Qur’aan 4:56]

Prof. Tagatat Tejasen, Chairman of the Department of Anatomy at Chiang
Mai University in Thailand, has spent a great amount of time on research of
pain receptors. Initially he could not believe that the Qur’aan mentioned this
scientific fact 1,400 years ago. He later verified the translation of this
particular Qur’aanic verse. Prof. Tejasen was so impressed by the scientific
accuracy of the Qur’aanic verse, that at the 8th Saudi Medical Conference
held in Riyadh on the Scientific Signs of Qur’aan and Sunnah he proclaimed
in public: “There is no God but Allah and Muhammad (pbuh) is His
Messenger.”




CONCLUSION

To attribute the presence of scientific facts in the Qur’aan to coincidence
would be against common sense and a true scientific approach. The Qur’aan
invites all humans to reflect on the Creation of this universe in the verse:
“Behold! In the creation Of the heavens and the earth, And the
alternation Of Night and Day – There are indeed Signs For men of
understanding.” [Al-Qur’aan 3:190]

The scientific evidences of the Qur’aan clearly prove its Divine Origin. No
human could have produced a book, fourteen hundred years ago, that would
contain profound scientific facts, to be discovered by humankind centuries
later. The Qur’aan, however, is not a book of Science but a book of ‘Signs’.
These signs invite Man to realize the purpose of his existence on earth, and to
live in harmony with Nature. The Qur’aan is truly a message from Allah, the
Creator and Sustainer of the universe. It contains the same message of the
Oneness of God, that was preached by all prophets, right from Adam, Moses,
Jesus to Muhammad (peace be upon them).

Several detailed tomes have been written on the subject of Qur’aan and
modern science and further research in this field is on. Inshallah, this research
will help mankind to come closer to the Word of the Almighty. This booklet
contains only a few of the scientific facts present in the Qur’aan. I cannot
claim to have done full justice to the subject. Prof.

Tejasen accepted Islam on the strength of just one scientific ‘sign’ mentioned
in the Qu’ran. Some people may require ten signs while some may require
hundred signs to be convinced about the Divine Origin of the Qur’aan. Some
would be unwilling to accept the Truth even after being shown a thousand
signs. The Qur’aan condemns such a closed mentality in the verse: “Deaf,
dumb and blind, They will not return (To the path).” [Al-Qur’aan 2:18]
The Qur’aan contains a complete code of life for the individual and society.
Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), the Qur’aanic way of life is far superior to
the ‘isms’ that modern man has invented out of sheer ignorance. Who can
give better guidance than the Creator Himself?
I pray that this humble effort is accepted by Allah, to whom I pray for mercy
and guidance (Aameen).