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