The First Day

MIRACLES OF THE QUR'AN

Truly it [the Qur'an] is revelation sent down by the Lord of all the worlds. (Qur'an, 26:192)

Fourteen centuries ago, Allah sent down the Qur'an. This book of guidance and wisdom calls man to the truth and instructs all human beings to adhere to the values which this mighty revelation contains. From the day of its revelation to the Day of Judgement, this last divine book will remain as the sole guide for humanity. The book of Allah states, "But it is nothing less than a Reminder to all the worlds." (Qur'an, 68:52)

Ever since the Qur'an was revealed, it has possessed an easily understandable language and tone, accessible to all people and in all times. Allah tells us of this style in the Qur'an: "We have made the Qur'an easy to remember..." (Qur'an, 54:22)

The perfection of the literary language of the Qur'an, the incomparable features of its style and the superior wisdom contained within it are some of the definitive proofs that it represents the Word of our Lord.

In addition, the Qur'an contains within its words many miracles which prove it to be Allah's Word. One of these attributes is the remarkable number of scientific truths which are contained in the holy book of Islam. In this book which was revealed over fourteen centuries ago to the Prophet Muhammad (saas), there are innumerable examples of information humanity have only been able to uncover by the technology of the 20th and 21st century.

Of course, we should not view the Qur'an as a book of science for it is primarily a book of moral and spiritual guidance. However, many scientific facts that are expressed in an extremely concise and profound manner, within the verses of the Qur'an, have only been discovered by scientists with the aid of the technological advancement of the 20th and 21st century. Quite simply, these facts which we now point out to the reader could not have been known at the time of the Qur'an's revelation, and this is still more proof that the Qur'an is the Word of Allah.

In order to understand the scientific miracles contained in the Qur'an, we must first look at the level of scientific knowledge which existed at the time when this holy book was revealed. When one understands the context in which the Qur'an was revealed, one can understand more clearly how extraordinary the book of Islam actually is.

In the 7th century, when these sacred verses were sent down, Arab society was awash with many superstitious and groundless notions. Lacking the technology to examine the universe and nature, these early Arabs believed in uncorroborated tales inherited from past generations and did not question them. For example, they supposed that mountains supported the sky above. They believed that the earth was flat and that mountains acted as pillars that kept the vault of heaven high above us.

Into this atmosphere of legend and myth, the Qur'an came down. It replaced ignorance with knowledge and illogical conjecture with guidance and certainty. One verse of the Qur'an states, "Allah is He Who raised up the heavens without any support..." (Qur'an, 13:2)

This verse invalidated the belief that the sky remains above because of support from the mountains. The Qur'an is filled with important facts which were revealed at a point in human history when no man could possibly have known them. The Qur'an-which was revealed at a time when people knew very little about astronomy, physics, or biology-contains key facts on a variety of subjects all of which point to the fact that it is revealed by Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Some of the subjects explained and dealt with in the Qur'an are: the creation of the universe, the creation and miraculous development of the human being from miniscule embryo to grown adult, the structure of the atmosphere in which we live and the delicate balances that make life on earth possible. (For further reference, please see, Miracles of the Qur'an, by Harun Yahya)

THE SIGNS OF THE LAST DAY IN THE QUR'AN

What are they awaiting but for the Hour to come upon them suddenly? Its Signs have already come. What good will their Reminder be to them when it does arrive? (Surah Muhammad: 18)

From this verse we learn that the Qur'an describes signs that announce the coming of the Last Day. In order to understand the signs of this 'great announcement' we must reflect upon these verses. Otherwise, as the verse indicates, our thinking will be of no use when the Last Day is suddenly upon us.

The Hour is near

Allah reveals in the Qur'an that there can be no doubt that the Last Day is near.

And the Hour is coming without any doubt ... (Surat al-Hajj: 7)

We did not create the heavens and earth and everything between them, except with truth. The Hour is certainly coming. (Surat al-Hijr: 85)

There may be some who think that the message of the Qur'an concerning the Last Day was revealed more that 1400 years ago and that this is a long time compared to the length of a human life. But here, it is a question of the end of the world, the sun and the stars, in short, of the universe. When we consider that the universe is billions of years old, fourteen centuries is a very short period of time.

The supremacy of the morality of Islam in the world

Allah announces that those who serve Him purely, without associating any of His creatures as divinities besides Him, and do good works to win His favor, will be endowed with power and authority.

Allah has promised those of you who believe and do right actions that He will make them successors in the land as He made those before them successors, and will firmly establish for them their religion with which He is pleased and give them, in place of their fear, security. 'They worship Me, not associating anything with Me.' Any who are disbelievers after that, such people are deviators. (Surat an-Nur: 55)

In a number of verses, it also says that it is a divine law that those servants who are faithful and live the true religion in their hearts will be made the inheritors of the world:

We wrote down in the Psalms, after the Reminder came: 'It is My righteous servants who will inherit the earth.' (Surat al-Anbiya': 105)

We will leave you the land to live in after them. That is the reward of those who fear My station and fear My threat. (Surah Ibrahim: 14)

There is no doubt that Allah will keep His promises. The high morality that will conquer perverse philosophies, distorted ideologies and false religious understanding is Islamic morality. The disbelievers and pagans cannot prevent this from happening. (For further reference, please see, The End Times and the Mahdi, by Harun Yahya)

DIFFERENT RACES ARE NOT EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION

Some evolutionists try to put the existence of different races forward as evidence for evolution. In fact, this claim is more frequently expressed by amateur evolutionists who have a less than sufficient knowledge of the theory they defend.

The thesis proposed by those who defend this claim is based on the question, "If, as divine sources say, life began with one man and one woman, how could different races have emerged?" Another way of putting it is: "Since Adam and Eve's height, colour, and other features were those of only two people, how could races with entirely different features have emerged?"

In fact, the problem lying beneath all these questions or objections is an insufficient knowledge of the laws of genetics, or the ignoring of them. In order to understand the reason for the differences between the races in today's world, it will be necessary to have some idea of the subject of "variation," which is closely linked to this question.

Variation, a term used in genetics, refers to a genetic event that causes the individuals or groups of a certain type or species to possess different characteristics from one another. The source of this variation is the genetic information possessed by the individuals within that species. As a result of breeding between those individuals, that genetic information comes together in later generations in different combinations. There is an exchange of genetic material between the mother's and father's chromosomes. Genes thus get mixed up with one another. The result of this is a wide variety of individual features.

The different physical features between human races are due to variations within the human race. All the people on Earth carry basically the same genetic information, yet some have slanted eyes, some have red hair, some have long noses, and others are short of stature, all depending on the extent of the variation potential of this genetic information.

In order to understand the variation potential, let us consider a society in which brunette, brown-eyed people predominate over blond, blue-eyed individuals. As a result of the two communities intermingling and marrying over time, new generations which are brunette but blue-eyed will be seen. In other words, the physical characteristics of both groups will come together in subsequent generations and produce new appearances. When one imagines other physical characteristics mixing in the same way, it is clear that a great variety will emerge.

The important point that must be understood here is this: There are two genes that rule every physical feature. One may dominate the other, or they may both influence matters to an equal extent. For instance, two genes determine the colour of a person's eyes. One comes from the mother, the other from the father. Whichever gene is the dominant one, the individual's eye colour will be determined by that gene. In general, dark colours dominate lighter ones. In this way, if a person possesses genes for brown and for green eyes, his eyes will be brown because the brown eye gene is dominant. However, the recessive green colour can be passed down the generations and emerge at a later time. In other words, parents with brown eyes can have a green-eyed child. That is because that colour gene is recessive in both parents.

This law applies to all other physical features and the genes which govern them. Hundreds, or even thousands, of physical features, such as the ears, nose, the shape of the mouth, height, bone structure, and organ structure, shape, and characteristics, are all controlled in the same way. Thanks to this, all the limitless information in the genetic structure can be passed on to subsequent generations without becoming outwardly visible. Adam, the first human being, and Eve, were able to pass the rich information in their genetic structure on to subsequent generations even though only a part of it was reflected in their physical appearance. Geographical isolation that had happened over human history has led to an atmosphere where different physical features came together in different groups. Over a long period of time, this led to different groups having different bone structures, skin colour, height, and skull volumes. This eventually led to the different races.

However, this long period did not change one thing, of course. No matter what their height, skin colour and skull volume, all races are part of the human species. (For further reading, see “The collapse of the theory of evolution in 20 questions” by Harun Yahya)

PRAISING THE MIGHT OF ALLAH

In everything sincere believers experience in life, they are witness to the wisdom, knowledge, and might of Allah, and bow their heads to Him in reverence. This sincere love, respect and submission is then reflected in believers' language, as it is in the whole of their lives. Believers are aware at all times that Allah is rich beyond need of anything, but that all living creatures are in need of Him. Since they have understood the might and greatness of Allah, they are also aware of their own weakness. They know that they can do nothing on their own unless Allah wills it. Essentially, no matter how virtuous they may be, they do not give way to feelings of conceit and superiority. They are continually mindful of their own limited abilities and dependence on Allah; when referring to any success they may have achieved, they do so in the knowledge that it has resulted through those talents imparted to them by Allah. Similarly, when they receive praise, they remain humble, being aware that such praise is ultimately to be attributed to Allah's supreme wisdom.

The language of those who are able to appreciate Allah's glory, with true appreciation, is distinguished by a manner of speaking in which they praise and exalt His intelligence, knowledge, might and greatness. Their hearts are devoted to Allah every moment of their lives; no matter where they go, or what they see or hear, they recognize examples of Allah's artistry in everything, and sincerely express the awe they feel. As such, the Qur'an states that believers' hearts are with Allah at all times, whether standing, sitting, or lying down, and that they ponder upon Allah's might and praise it:

Those who remember Allah, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth [saying]: "Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al 'Imran: 191)

Muslims are aware of this truth at every moment of their lives, and in everything they set out to do. They know that it is Allah Who allows for the food they eat to be cultivated from the dry earth and laid forth before them of the best and most delectable sort, and Who has granted them the opportunity to enjoy it. As a consequence, though they thank the cook, they are aware that their ultimate gratitude is to Allah. When they listen to music which is pleasing to them, they are impressed not by the musicians, but with Allah Who bestowed upon them this talent and in themselves the disposition to take pleasure in such music.

They are also aware that when something they had wished for comes about unexpectedly, it is not an accident, and give thanks to Allah. If they were to admire a beautiful work of architecture, they would be appreciating the architect, never forgetting that the real author of such beautiful works is Allah, and thereby exalt His glory. They do not become consumed with pride over their own talents; they are aware that they are a meek servant of Allah, and direct all praise to our Lord. In the Qur'an, we are told that He Who is truly worthy of praise is Allah, and, therefore, that we should praise and exalt Him:

And say: "Praise be to Allah Who has had no son and Who has no partner in His Kingdom and Who needs no one to protect Him from weakness." And proclaim His Greatness repeatedly! (Surat al-Isra': 111)

(For further reference, please see, The Muslim Way of Speaking, by Harun Yahya)

AL-‘ADL
The Just, The Equitable

O You who believe! Show integrity for the sake of Allah, bearing witness with justice. Do not let hatred for a people incite you into not being just. Be just. That is closer to piety. Have fear [and awareness] of Allah. Allah is aware of what you do. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 5:8)

Allah is the most just judge. As His order encompasses the universe, He will show His justice to His servants both in this world and beyond. All the acts of Allah, Who is All-Seeing, All-Knowing, and All-Aware, are for a divine purpose and are just.

Allah will judge all of each person's deeds according to His justice. Allah informs us that those who engage in violence will be punished and that even a single good word will be rewarded. He will manifest His infinite justice in the Hereafter.

The difficulties that unbelievers make for Prophets and believers, as well as their slanderous accusations and sins, will not remain unanswered. All of these difficulties, which raise believers' ranks in Paradise, lead unbelievers to the lowest level of the Fire. On the Day of Judgment, Allah will set up the Just Balance, and no soul will be wronged in any way. Allah will call them to account by ending the time that He has granted them. Given that Allah, the All-Knowing, keeps His promise, all people will see the consequences of their wrong actions in the Hereafter. Thus, unbelievers will be punished severely, while those who remained true to Allah will be rewarded most bountifully. In one verse, Allah states the following:

Those who pledge their allegiance to you [the Prophet] pledge allegiance to Allah. Allah's hand is over their hands. He who breaks his pledge only breaks it against himself. But as for him who fulfils the contract he has made with Allah, We will pay him an immense reward. (Surat al-Fath, 48:10)

There is an important point to consider here: While pondering over His justice, do not compare it with the human concept of justice, for a faithless person, while passing judgment, may well comply with his whims and desires, remain under the influence of his feelings, or forget what has been done. Most importantly, one never knows what is in the other party's mind. But Allah, Who never errs or forgets, has assigned angels for every person in order to observe and record each of their acts and thoughts. In brief, Allah holds each person's soul in His hand. The Qur'an also reveals that our Lord, Who gives the best judgment, is infinitely just:

On the Day We summon every people with their records, those who are given their Book in their right hand will read their Book and will not be wronged by even the smallest speck. (Surat al-Isra', 17:71)

In the Hereafter, Allah will pay back all of the wrongdoing and plots hatched against believers. In this life, He may grant the unbelievers many blessings (e.g., wealth and possessions), yet these will only lead them to more evil. In the Qur'an, Allah states that believers must not be attracted to such blessings, for when compared with what awaits them in the Hereafter, the benefits of this short life are insignificant, especially when the infinite punishment of Hell awaits unbelievers.

In the Hereafter, each person's real abode, every soul will find itself confronted with all of its good deeds. Allah will manifest His justice in Hell and Paradise for all eternity. Ultimately, Allah will separate those who believe in Him from those who do not.

Say: "Our Lord will bring us all together and then will judge between us with the truth. He is the Just Decider, the All-Knowing." (Surah Saba, 34:26)

Allah commands believers to be just as follows:

Allah does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just toward them. Allah loves those who are just. (Surat al-Mumtahana, 60:8)

Allah commands you to return to their owners the things you hold on trust and, when you judge between people, to judge with justice. How excellent is what Allah exhorts you to do! Allah is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. (Surat an-Nisa', 4:58)

They are people who listen to lies and consume ill-gotten gains. If they come to you, you can either judge between them or turn away from them. If you turn away from them, they cannot harm you in any way. But if you do judge, judge between them justly. Allah loves the just. (Surat al-Ma'ida, 5:42)

(For further reference, please see, Names of Allah, by Harun Yahya)

HOW DO WE REALIZE THE EXISTENCE OF ALLAH?

The plants, animals, seas, mountains, and people we see when we look around, and everything else in the micro universe - living or non-living - which we cannot see, are all obvious evidence of a superior wisdom which has brought them into being. Similarly, the equilibrium, order, and perfect creation present in the entire universe also prove the existence of a supreme possessor of knowledge who has designed them perfectly. The possessor of this wisdom and knowledge is Allah.

We realize the existence of Allah from the perfect systems He created and the awesome qualities of living or non-living entities. This perfection is highlighted in the Qur'an:

He created the seven heavens one above the other. You will not find any flaw in the creation of the All-Merciful. Look again-do you see any gaps? Then look again and again. Your eyes will become dazzled and exhausted! (Surat al-Mulk: 3-4)

(For further reference, please see, Quick Grasp of Faith 1-3, by Harun Yahya)

PERISHED NATIONS

by Harun Yahya

In history, many societies have been wiped off of the face of the earth because of their denial and perversions. Here are the true stories of these societies...

This book, which is also available in Portuguese and Spanish, describes these punishments as revealed in the verses of the Qur'an and in the light of archaeological discoveries. Some of the societies examined in the book are the people of the Prophet Noah, Abraham, 'Ad, Thamud, the people of Prophet Moses and Pharaoh, the people of Saba and the Companions of the Cave.

The introduction to the book provides the two reasons why the histories of these societies are being examined:

The stories of earlier peoples, which constitute a great part of the Qur'an, are certainly one of the matters we ought to contemplate. A majority of these people rejected the prophets sent to them and, moreover, showed animosity towards them. Because of their audacity, they brought God's wrath upon themselves and have been wiped off the face of the earth.

The Qur'an tells us that these cases of destruction should be a warning to succeeding generations. For instance, right after the description of the punishment meted out to a group of Jews who rebelled against God, it is said in the Qur'an; "So We made it an example to their own time and to their posterity, and a lesson to those who fear God."(Surat al-Baqara: 66)

The second reason we are examining these destructions is to show how the verses of the Qur'an are reflected externally in the world, and to demonstrate the authenticity of the Qur'an's account. In the Qur'an, God confirms that His verses are observable in the external world: "Praise be to God, Who will soon show you His Signs, so that you shall know them" (Surat an-Naml: 93), and to know and identify them is one of the primary ways leading to belief.

"To purchase the works of Harun Yahya, please visit www.bookglobal.net."

The Qur'an is the word of God and it has many miraculous attributes proving this fact. One of these attributes is the fact that a number of scientific truths that we have only been able to uncover by the technology of the 20th century were stated in the Qur'an 1,400 years ago. Of course the Qur'an is not a book of science. However, many scientific facts that are expressed in an extremely concise and profound manner in its verses have only been discovered with the technology of the 20th century. These facts could not have been known at the time of the Qur'an's revelation, and this is still more proof that the Qur'an is the word of God.
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