Open Question & Answer Session
(Duration – 2 hours)
Dr. Mohammed: Now we would be having the question and answer session. To derive more benefit for all of those present here, in the limited time that we have available, we would like the following rules to be observed. Your questions asked should be on the topic of the day, ‘Qur'an and Modern Science - Conflict or Conciliation?’ only. Questions not relevant to the topic will not be entertained. Kindly state your questions briefly and to the point. This is question answer time and not lecture time. Only one question at a time will be permitted, for your second question you would have to go behind the row and await your second chance. We have three mikes provided on the ground; two on my sides, right side, one left side, one these are for the gents. And we have one behind in the centre in the ladies section for the ladies. I am told there are people watching this programme in the Alma Latifi Hall which is full on the video screen. I would request those brothers if they have any questions, to kindly come down on the ground, the volunteers present at your end would assist you in it.
We will allow only one question on each of the mikes, in clock wise rotation. First the ladies, second the gent on my right, third the gent on my left, and so on in clockwise manner. Written questions on papers or slips which are available from our volunteers in the aisles would be given secondary preference after the open questions on the mikes are answered by Dr. Zakir.
In the interest of having a less time wasting, a more educative and an interesting question and answer session; our decision to allow or disallow irrelevant questions will be final. In the interest of eliciting a proper and clear answer from the speaker, kindly state your name and profession before putting forward your question, so his answer can be more appropriate to your understanding. May we have the first question from the ladies section - Member of audience.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum, I am Kausar Shaikh, a product of Darul Qur’an Kuwait, presently I am teaching Arabic in Anushakti Nagar. My question is, It is mentioned in the Qur’an that…one day in the sight of Allah is equal to a thousand years’ and in another place it is mentioned that…one day is equal to fifty thousand years’. Isn’t the Qur’an contradicting itself?, Please explain.
Dr. Zakir: The Sister has asked a question that, it is mentioned in the Qur’an in a certain place, that...one day in the sight of Allah is equal to a thousand years and some where else it is mentioned that, one day in the sight of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is equal to a fifty thousand years, is’nt this a contradiction? What the sister was referring to a verse of the Holy Qur’an from
Surah Al-Hajj, Ch. 22, V. No. 47, as well as Surah Sajdah, Ch. 32, V. No. 5, which does say that…
“One day in the sight of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is equal to a thousand years”
And in Surah Maarij Ch. 70, V. No. 4, it says that…
“One day in the sight of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is equal to a fifty thousand years of your reckoning”
Doesn’t it seem to be a contradiction?
Sister, what these verses in the Holy Qur’an are referring to – it is giving an indication that time in the sight of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is incomparable to the earthly time. The earthly time, whether it is a thousand years or whether it is a fifty thousand years, whether it is thousands of years, it is somewhat equal to one day in the sight of Allah, or may be one second in the sight of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). It is just giving you a reference, that time in the sight of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is incomparable to the earthly time but even if you want to take these verses literally, still there is an explanation for that.
The Arabic word used in these verses is ‘Yaum’. It has got two different meanings, It can be either translated as ‘day’ or as ‘period’ or as ‘Epoch’…. very long period. So if you read this verse of Surah Sajdah, Ch. 32, V. No. 5, it says…
“It is Allah who rules the affairs from the Heavens to the Earth and all these go up to him on a day, which is equal to a thousand years of reckoning”
If you translate this word correctly ‘Yaum’ as ‘period’, it will read that ‘Allah rules all the affairs from the Heavens to the Earth, and all of them go unto him in a period which is equal to a thousand years of your reckoning”.
Surah Marijj, Ch.No. 70, V. No. 4, reads that…
“The spirits and the angels they ascend to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) in a day which is equal to fifty thousand years of your reckoning”
If you translate it correctly, ‘Yaum’ as period - it will read that…
“The spirits and the angels ascend unto Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) in a period equal to fifty thousand years”
The Qur’an is referring to two different periods - therefore there is no contradiction.
For example if I say I will take one hour to reach Vashi… I will take a period of one hour to reach Vashi, and then say I will take a period of fifty hours to reach Shrinagar… to reach Kashmir, it’s not contradicting, because both are different periods. So one place the Qur’an says…
The period required for all the spirits and the angels to go up unto Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is equal to fifty thousand years of your reckoning”
and the other place says… “The period required for all the affairs to go unto Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is one thousand years”
There is no contradiction in that. I hope that answers the question.
Questioner: As-Salam Alaikum Zakir bhai, My name is Shakir, and I am a Mechanical Engineer student. I would like to ask you a question, that how can you prove to an atheist scientifically the existence of God?
Questioner: My name is Javed , and I am a student, I would like to ask an question. At one place the Holy Qur’an states that… man is created from sperm which is in conciliate with modern science but at another place it also states that…man is made from dust, Now isn’t the Holy Qur’an contradicting itself ? Or is it conciliate with modern Science?
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question that, at one place Holy Qur’an says that human beings have been created from sperm’ which conciliates with modern science - the other place… human being is created from dust. Can you prove it scientifically – ‘it is created from dust?’ And isn’t there a contradiction - one place… ‘sperm’, one place it says… ‘dust?’
The Holy Qur’an does say as I mentioned in my talk, in Surah Qiyamah, Ch.75, V. No. 37 to 39. It says that…
“Human beings have been created from sperm” which has been proved by Science.
The Holy Qur’an also says in Surah Hajj, Ch. No. 22, V. No. 5, that…
“We have created the human beings from a quintessence of dust”
Today Science tells us that all the elements that are there in the human body they are present in lesser or greater quantity, in the soil in the earth. So the statement that human beings have been created from earth is scientifically proven that whatever components are there in the human body the constituent, the elements they are present in the Earth, in the soil, in lesser or greater proportion.
Your second part of the question. Isn’t it a contradiction? One place the Qur’an says…Man is created from sperm, one says… ‘from dust’, Isn’t it a contradiction? See, a contradiction is two statements which are conflicting with each other, which cannot take place simultaneously. The Qur’an does not only say… ‘Man has been created from sperm’… and the other place… from dust it also says in Surah Furqaan, Ch. No. 25, V. No. 54, that… ‘Man has been created from water’. You will tell me there are three contradictions.
See, Science has proved that man has been created from dust, as well as from sperm, as well as from water. If I tell you in one statement, that to make a cup of tea, I require water, In the second statement, I say to make a cup of tea I require tea leaves or tea powder. It’s not a contradiction, I require both. If I want to make sweet tea, I add sugar to it If I want to make ‘Pani kum’ tea, I add less water and more milk. If I want to make ‘Sulaimani’ tea I add only water. So there is no contradiction when the Qur’an says… ‘Human being is created from sperm and dust and water’. It is actually Contradistinction - What’s the meaning of contradistinction? Contradistinction means, speaking two or more things about a subject, which are not conflicting with each other. For example, if I say that… ‘this man, he is honest, he is kind and loving’ It is contradistinction but if I say… ‘this man is always a liar and a truthful person’ then it’s a contradiction, because both are opposing. If it is not opposing, it’s called as a contradistinction.
Next question from the ladies’ section.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum brother, My name is Farida Ansari, I am a laboratory technician. Qur’an says… ‘Allah is the Creator of the human being’, Does science agree with it ?
Dr. Zakir: The sister has posed a question, that the Qur’an mentions that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is the Creator of the human beings - Does Science agree with it? And Qur’an says in several places including the last verse of the Embryological stages, that is Surah Muminun, Ch. No. 23, V. No. 14, that… Allah is the best to create. Can we prove it scientifically that Allah is the Creator? Qur’an gives the answer… Qur’an gives the answer in Surat Tur, Ch. No. 52, V. No. 35. It poses a question that “were you created from nothing?” See… the Arabic word used for ‘Creator’, in all the verses of the Qur’an, is ‘Khaliq’… is derived from the Arabic word ‘Khalaqa’. Arabic word ‘Khalaqa’ has got four meanings. One meaning is to create some thing from nothing… without any previous example. That’s only possible for Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). Second meaning of ‘Khalaqa’ is… to create some thing new from pre-existing material. The third meaning is of ‘Khalaqa’ ‘Programming’ or ‘Planning’. And the last meaning is, ‘to make smooth’. So Qur’an poses the question in Surah Tur, Ch. No. 52, V.No. 35, that… “Were you created from nothing?” But natural the answer is negative… No! Human beings are not created from nothing. They pose the next question – “Were you the Creators, or We the Creator?” We know very well, that man cannot create another man. If he could do that, the moment he died he would have created himself back. If his relatives would have died, he would have got them back to life. Human beings cannot even create living creature as such as fly, leave aside human being. Neither can you attribute the organs of the body, say… the reproductive organs, like testes or ovaries - that they are the cause for our creation because if you say that the testes, the uterus, etc., are the cause, then you have to include your ancestors - their reproductive systems, their ancestors, their ancestors, all are responsible. So the answer is negative.
Qur’an poses the next question in Surah Waqiah, Ch. 56, V. No. 58 and 59… that
“Do you not look at the sperm you have emitted. Were you the Creator or we the Creator?”
And but natural all these questions that Qur’an poses the answer is negative. Some people can say… it is by chance By chance we were created’. They say… Nature… Nature… Natural things, It happened by chance.
Let us analyse scientifically, whether the human beings can be created by chance. The protein molecule is a very important structure of the living cell, Very important part in the living structure of the cell. The protein molecule consists five elements the Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Hydrogen and Sulphur and there are tens and thousands of Atoms required to make one Molecule. One Atom has five elements - Carbon, Nitrogen, Oxygen, Hydrogen and Sulphur. There are tens of thousands of Atoms, which make one Protein Molecule and there are approximately 92 free elements. The chances that out of these 92, the five will form an Atom… and these atoms will form tens and thousands of Atom, to form one Protein Molecule was calculated by Frank Alien and he said…the chances are 1 in10 raised to 160. You know what is the meaning of 1 in 10 raised to 160? If I say 1 in 10 raised to 2, 10 raise to 2 means, one zero zero zero. 2 zero, one in hundred chance is one percent. If I say 1 in 10 raised to 3, it means one in a 1000 – That is .1% If I say 1 in 10 raise to 4 it means 1 in 10,000 - Means point 0.01%.
So when the calculation was made, (1/10) raised to 160. It means point zero zero zero zero zero hundred and fifty seven zeros, then one, and mathematics tells, anything 1 in 10 raised to 50, is counted as zero.
Further more, this is talking about one molecule. And the substance required to form this one molecule of protein was calculated by another person Charles Guy that it will require millions of times of substance as huge as our Galaxy. Millions of galaxies will be required to form this one molecule of protein. And the time was calculated by Charles Guy - the time taken for one protein molecule to be formed, will be 10 raised to 263 years. You know what is that? One zero zero zero zero zero zero, 263 zeros, it will take to form one protein molecule. And do you know there are how many protein molecule in one cell? And do you know how many other molecules are there in the cell? And how many cells are there in the human being? There are more than six billion molecules when a child is born. That’s what doctors tell us today, six billion. One protein molecule takes 1 in 10 raise to 160 chances. Time taken is 10 raise 243 years. To take six billion for one baby imagine. And how many women are pregnant ? There are millions of women pregnant at a time and it takes only 9 months. ‘The chances’… Science tells us, ‘is zero zero zero, no chance at all’.
These things cannot take by chance they have to be programmed by Someone. Science tells us… ‘There has to be Someone, some Supernatural force’. Therefore science as I said earlier, is not eliminating God’ - It is eliminating models of god. ‘La Ilaha IllAllah’. Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum, My name is Ashfaq, and I am a student. My question is, Qur’an in several places has mentioned that… “the Heavens and the Earth were created in six days” But in Surah Fussilat, it says… ‘the Heaven and the Earth was created in eight days’, Isn’t this a contradiction? In the same Verse also says… ‘that the Earth was created in six days, and then later, on the Heaven in two days’. This is against the Big Bang Theory…that the Heavens and Earth were created simultaneously’.
Dr. Zakir: Brother has posed a very important question. The Qura’n says… ‘the Heavens and the Earth were created in six days’ and in Surat Fussilat, it says… ‘eight days’. Isn’t there a contradiction and also contradiction with the Big Bang Theory. I do agree with you brother the Qur’an says in several places that… the Heavens and the Earth were created in six days, in several places. I
n Surah Araf, Ch. 7, V. No. 54;
in Sura Yunus, Ch. 10, V. No. 3;
in Surah Hud, Ch. 11, V. No.7;
in Surah Furqan Ch. 25, V. No.59;
in Surah Sajdah, Ch. 32, V. No. 4; in Surah Hadid, Ch. 57, V. No. 4. In several places,
The Qur’an says… ‘the Heavens and the Earth were created in six days’. It is not the earthly days, It is ‘Ayyaam’. ‘Very long periods’ which Scientists have got no objection.
And I also agree with you, that in the Qur’an does speak about… the creation of the Heavens and the Earth… in Surah Fussilat. The verse you are referring to brother is Verses 9 to12, which says that…
“Do you not believe in the One who has created the Earth in two days… and do you join equals with Him - Do you join partners with Him, who is the Lord of the worlds?”
Verse No. 10 says…”He has set on the Earth, mountains standing firm and given due nourishment on the Earth, in four days” Verse No. 11 says….
“Moreover in His design, He comprehended the sky when it was smoke and He said to it and the Earth… come ye together willingly or unwillingly, and they said ‘we come together in willing obedience”
This, He did in two days so if you read it just without thinking two plus four plus two is eight days Qur’an gives the answer in starting of the Verse - that is… says that… all those who will take out this fault, they are equal to those people who will join partners to God means, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) knew that there will be people who will take out fault in the Qur’an, in this verse - they will be the Mushrikhs and today this verse is commonly used by the Christian missionaries against the Mulsims If you go around… I have been travelling in the world - this question was posed to me even there - the Christian missionaries they pose this question. Qur’an says… it predicts… that people will ask about this question, and these people will be those who associate partners with God.
Let’s analyse the first two Verses, that is, Surah Fussilat, Ch. 41, Verse No. 9 to 10 says… that…
“The Earth was created in two days, and then mountains were set on it, and nourishment was given in due proportion in four days”
So it says two days the Earth was formed mountains were set on it afterwards in four days total comes to six days.
Then Verse No. 11, starts with the Arabic word ‘Summa’. Now the Arabic word ‘Summa’, can be translated in three different ways. One is ‘Then’, one is ‘Moreover’, and the other is ‘Simultaneously’. I do know that many translations have translated the Arabic word ‘Summa’, as ‘then’. If you translate ‘Summa’ as ‘then’ - then there is a contradiction. It says… ‘then’ the Heavens were made in two days. That means two plus four, plus two is equal to eight days. But the exact translation should be ‘Summa’ should be translated as ‘Moreover’ or ‘Simultaneously’. And Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Alhumdulillah in this place has translated ‘Summa’ correctly - as ‘Moreover’. So If you translate ‘Summa’, as ‘Moreover’ or ‘Simultaneously’ it will mean that when the Earth and the Mountains were created in six days, ‘Simultaneously’ the Heavens were created in two days.
For example suppose a builder he gives in his brochure…that I have constructed a ten story building along with it’s surrounding and compound wall, in six months. When a person who wants to buy a flat in that building he goes to the builder and he asks for more details. So the builder says… ‘It took me two months to make the basement of the building, and another four months to make the ten story. And while I was building the basement and the story, I simultaneously built the compound wall and the surrounding in two months’. It’s possible - so then he is not contradicting total comes to yet six months.
So similarly when Surah Fussilat, Ch. 41, Verse No. 9 to 12, it says that…
“While the Earth was created along with the mountain in six days simultaneously the Heaven was created in two days” There is no contradiction.
And similarly if you take ‘then’, it contradicts with Science, because Earth was created first , ‘then’ were created the Mountains, It is contradicting.
Similarly Qur’an speaks in Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse 29, that… ‘Allah made the Earth, ‘Summa’ the Heavens’. But unfortunately , here Abdullah Yusuf Ali has translated ‘Summa’ wrongly, as ‘then’. In Verse 29, of Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, he translates ‘Summa’, as ‘then’. Allah created the Earth, and then the Heaven then there is a contradiction.
Even here ‘Summa’ should be translated as ‘Moreover’ or ‘Simultaneously’. If it is translated ‘Simultaneously’ then it is not a contradiction, because the Big Bang Theory tells us that, the Earth and Heavens were created simultaneously. No wonder in the Qur’an… the Qur’an says in many places… ‘We created the heavens and the earth’, in the other places it says… “We created the earth and the heavens”. Giving evidence to the verse of the Qur’an of Surah Anbiya, Ch. 21, Verse No. 30, which says…
“Awalam Yaral Ladhina Kafaru 'Annas Samawati Wal 'Arda Kaanata Ratqan Fafataqnahuma”
that
“Do not the unbelievers see that the Heavens and the Earth were joined together and We clove them asunder”
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum - I am Gulam Mohammed - I appreciate your explanation about the Bi-Sexual reproduction in animals. And my question is, can you support this change of sexes in animals and plants, with the change of Nutrients and Environment, with the Qur’anic versions, and also the production of fruits without fertilization?
Dr. Zakir: That is right - Brother has asked a very good question. He has asked a question that scientifically can you prove that there are certain plants he mentioned, and I can mention more few also… Bananas and Papayas they are bi-sexual plants. So if you heard in my talk brother, I made a statement that even the bi-sexual plants they have got distinct characteristics of male and female. Regarding your question of ‘fruits’ if you analyze the fruit is the product of reproduction, it is the end product of reproduction of superior plants… of superior plants. The stage before fruit is the stage of flower, the flowers have got both, male and female stamen and ovules. Only after the pollen comes there do you get fruit, and then the fruit gives off seeds, etc - these are known as ‘Parthenocarpic’ fruits. Even in these, there is distinct characteristics of male and female and the Qur’an rightly says in
Surah Rad, Ch. 13, Verse No. 3, that…
“We have created fruits in pairs, twos and twos”
Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: I am Farzana Mulla. My question is with regard to the evolution of Homo-Sepians - You have Charles Darwin in Science, giving an explanation that… It’s because of the process of natural selection, that the human beings have evolved. Now this it seems to be in contradiction with the Islamic belief that we have…we are the children of Adam (alaihe salaam), now how can this be reconciled ?
Dr. Zakir: This is a very important question. No lecture of mine on this topic of ‘Qur’an and Modern Science’, is complete without this question. I have given this talk in various places in Canada, in U.S.A, in U.K, in Saudi, never is this topic complete - never is the Question and Answer session complete, without this important question of Theory of Evolution… Charles Darwin. Sister has posed the question, how can you reconcile the Qur’an, with Darwin’s ‘Theory of Evolution’? Sister, I have not come across any book which says… ‘Fact of Evolution’. All the books say ‘Theory of Evolution’ there is no book I have come across saying ‘Fact of Evolution’. If you read the book by Charles Darwin ‘The Origin of Species’ - It says that… Charles Darwin went on an island by the name of ‘Galapagos’ on a ship named as ‘HMS Beguile’ and there he found birds pecking at niches. Depending upon the Ecological niches they peck, the beaks kept on becoming long and short. This observation was made in the same species, not in different species. Charles Darwin wrote a letter to his friend Thomas Thompton, in 1861 saying ‘I do not believe in ‘Natural Selection’- the word that you use, I don’t believe in ‘Theory of Evolution’ because I haven’t got any proof. I only believe in it because it helps me in classification of Embryology, in Morphology, in rudimentary organs’. Charles Darwin himself said that, there were missing links. He did not agree with it, He himself said that there were missing links.
Therefore, if I have to insult someone that if you were present at Darwin’s time this theory would been proved right, trying to insinuate that he looks like an Ape. It is a joke we make. The reason that this theory in most parts of the world it is taught as good as fact, you know why? Even I was in school - I learnt about Darwin’s theory and even today they are taught - You know what the reason is sister? The reason is because, that if you analyse, the Church… the Church was against Science previously and you know the incidence that they sentenced Galileo to death they sentenced Galileo to death - Why? Because he said certain statements in the Astronomy, etc., which went against the Bible so they sentenced him to death , for which the Pope apologized now. So when Charles Darwin came up with a theory which goes against the Bible, they didn’t… they didn’t want any sufficient proof - An enemy of my enemy is my friend. So all the Scientists… most of them, they supported the theory, because it went against the Bible not because it was true. They only supported it because it went against the Bible`.
All the stages you have mentioned sister… all the stages… ‘Lucy’ there were four ‘Homonites’. Science tells us today that there were four ‘Homonites’ - first is ‘Lucy’ along with its guide ‘Dosnopytichest’, which died about 3½ million years - the Ice Age. Then next came the ‘Homosepians’, who died about 5 hundred thousand years ago. Then came the ‘Neanderthal Man’, who died hundred to forty thousand years ago. Then came the fourth stage, ‘the Cromagnon’. ‘There is no link at all between these stages’ - According to P. P. Grasse in 1971 who held the Chair of Evolutionary Studies in Paris, in Sojerion University. He said… It is absurd, we cannot say who were our ancestors based on fossils’. I can give you a list of hundreds of scientists and Noble Prize winners who speak against Darwin’s theory… Hundreds. If you know of Sir Albert George who got the Noble prize for inventing… for inventing the Vitamin ‘C’ - He wrote the book ‘The Crazy Ape and Man’, against Darwin’s Theory. Again if you read, Sir Fred Hoyle’s work - he wrote several works against Darwin’s Theory. If you know about Ruperts Albert, this person wrote a new theory of evolution against Darwin’s Theory. Its unthinkable… you cannot think that we are created from the Apes. If you know of Sir Frank Salosbury… he was a biologist. He said… ‘It is ilogical to believe in Darwin’s theory’. If you know about Whitmeat… Sir Whitemeat, he wrote a book against Darwin’s Theory - He was also a Biologist. Several! You can give a list of hundreds. Today it is taught in the schools - Why? … I told you - Media is in their hands. Otherwise there is no proof at all. There are certain proofs at lower level - an Ameba, at lower species level… Ameba can change to Paremishia. Qur’an does not say…‘Ameba cannot change to Paremishia’ - Qur’an does not say. If they have got proof…can be possible… It is not against the Qur’an. But there is no proof at all.
People talk about Molecular Biology Theory, they talk about Genetic coding. According to Hancis Craig who is a authority in this field - he said… It is unimaginable, again if you do that ratio, the probability of one DNA forming, ‘from Ape to Human being, is again Zero’. If I start calculating, I think you will get bored again - You know the calculation. I told you… for one Protein Molecule, it is some what similar from one DNA. It is not possible at all. You know there is theory recently… that Homosexuality is Genetic. And when I read in the Times of India, I thought, surely the moment I attend the next lecture on Sunday in I.R.F, I will be asked this question. If Homosexuality is Genetic, how can Allah blame us? - Qur’an speaks against homosexuality and I said that see…‘This is a theory wait till it gets established…It is a theory - don’t comment on that
Within just matter of span of just few months it was proved to be illogical and the person who propounded this theory that… ‘Homosexuality is Genetic’ - he himself was an Homosexual. Therefore I said, I am going to give my talk on scientific facts not on theories and assumption. Darwin’s theory has not been proven…We have not been created from Ape. There are hundreds of Scientists who speak against that and Qur’an speaks against that also. Qur’an says the first man was Adam (Peace be upon him). InshaAllah they will discover it 100 years afterwards, or may be a 1000 years afterwards. Today there are researches showing, that human being have been created from one pair again, It’s just a theory. It supports the Qur’anic verse that human beings have been created from one pair, male and female – It is just a theory, therefore I don’t quote that in my talk. InshaAllah it will be established 50 years afterwards, or 100 years afterwards. Then we will know that Qur’an conciliates with this part, So far it is not conflicting, It is not conflicting with established Science, at all. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum, I am Abdul Samir, I am a student. In the Qur’an it is stated that the hearts of the unbelievers are sealed but according to Science… it is the brain that thinks, and not the heart Your comment please.
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question, the Qur’an says that…
“The unbelievers hearts have been sealed by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)”
Today science tells us… ‘it is the brain that thinks and not the heart’ - and I do agree with him. So isn’t the Qur’an unscientific, when it says that… ‘the hearts have been sealed’. And I do agree that Qur’an says in several places, including Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse No. 7 that…
“Allah has sealed the hearts of the kafir people”. Its says… that the seal has been put on the hearts
If you know, the Arabic word used here, is ‘Kalb’. The Arabic word ‘Kalb’ has got two meanings - one is ‘heart’, and the other is ‘intelligence’. If you translate correctly the Verse says… “Allah has sealed the intelligence of the unbelievers”. And it is scientifically proven, that ‘intelligence’ has to be sealed not the organic heart. T
here was a person, who once posed me a question. Brother Zakir, I agree with you that ‘Kalb’ means ‘heart’ as well as ‘intelligence’. But one Verse in the Qur’an says… their ‘hearts’ are behind the breast then what you have to give the answer for that? And he was quoting a verse of the Qur’an from Surah Hajj, Ch. 22, Verse No. 46, which says…that
“their eyes are not blind, it is their heart which is in their breast which is blind”
So Qur’an says… ‘the eyes are not blind - It is the heart which is within their breast which is blind’.
Today Science tells us… Eyes see, heart cannot see, So isn’t this Verse unscientific? Here the translation has to be ‘heart’ - it cannot be ‘intelligence’.
So I tell him, I agree with you that heart has got two translations, but the word used for breast is ‘Sadar’. Sadar…Sadar also has got 2 meanings - One is ‘Breast’ and the other is ‘Centre’. You know how we have the head of a institution, We say ‘Sadar’ of the institution that how we have ‘Centre’… if we have been to Pakistan. How in India we have ‘Chowk’ - over there they have ‘Centres’. ‘Sadar’ so and so… ‘Sadar’ so and so, in Pakistan – ‘Centre’ so and so. ‘Sadar’ also means ‘Centre’. So the correct translation is… ‘the eyes is not which is blind it is the intelligence which is within their centre which is blind’.
Same I started in my talk by quoting, the Verse of the Holy Qur’an from Surah Taha, Ch. 20, Verse No. 25 and 28 which says…
“Rabbish rahli Şadri”….“O my Lord increase my breast for me”. “Rabbish rahli Şadri”, “Wa Yassir Li 'Amri”, “Wa Ahlul `Uqdatan Min Lisani Yafqahu Qawli”
This was a dua made by Moosa (alaihe salam) , when he was asked by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) to go and deliver the message to the people. He asked Allah… ‘O my Lord increase my breast for me’. See ‘Breast’ is not the correct the translation. What is the ‘Breast’, going to do with the message. It means… “O my Lord increase my centre for me”
“Rabbish rahli Şadri, Wa Yassir Li 'Amri” ‘And make my task easy for me”. “Wa Ahlul `Uqdatan Min Lisani Yafqahu Qawli”
“And remove the impediment from my speech so that they will understand me’.
As do you know Moosa (alaihe salam) was a stammerer. And if you know whether fortunately or unfortunately, even I happened to be a stammered in childhood I was a stammerer. Therefore in the beginning of every talk, and even in the beginning of this talk, I said…and I made dua to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala“Rabbish rahli Şadri … O my Lord increase my centre for me I am asking help from Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). Increase my centre, and remove the stuttering in my speech. Even today when I don’t speak on the stage, I yet stutter – It’s Allah who helps me out on the stage. “Rabbish rahli Şadri”, O my Lord increase my centre for me, make my task easy for me and remove the barrier from my speech, and between me and the audience, so that they will understand me.
Therefore scientifically… scientifically if you analyse the words of Surah Hajj, Ch. 22, Verse No.46, it says…
“It is not their eyes which are blind, it is their intelligence which is within their centre is blind” because they are not blind - The unbelievers can see, Saying… ‘they are blind’, is unscientific .
Like the Qur’an says in Surah Bakarah, Ch. 2, Verse No. 18. It says… It says… that
“Deaf, dumb the blind, they will not return to the path”
“Summum, Bukmun, Ummyun Fahum la yarjioon”.
“The deaf, the dumb, the blind, they will not return to the path”
It is not talking about physical deaf people - It is talking about the unbelievers, who hearing they cannot hear, seeing the signs of Allah, they do not accept the Qur’an. So Qur’an is more scientific. It says correctly… they can see, the eyes are not blind It is their intelligence within their centre which is blind’.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the brother on the left.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum to everybody who are present here - My name is Kalim Shah. I am in practicing interior designing, here in Bombay. Qur’an have given all the minute details of Embryology, apart from a miracle called Hazrat Adam Ale-Salam. Is it not a contradictory that Hazrat Isa (alaihe salaam) is born without a father’s sperms, what is the exact scientific reasoning?
Dr. Zakir: The Brother has posed a question that, how can you prove scientifically the miracle of Jesus (peace be upon him) that he was born without a father, without male intervention . Brother as I said in my talk a miracle is an unusual event for which human beings cannot give an explanation. It is an unusual event which is attributed to Super Natural power to God Almighty. The miracles which took place in the past most of them do not give an opportunity to analyse them today because we cannot go back in the past. We cannot go back in the past, there were few miracles, which give us an opportunity to examine. So all the Prophets of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) who came before Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) they were only sent for their people… only for their people, and the message was for a limited time period. Therefore even the miracle was for a limited time period. What miracles they did then, satisfied those people. Those miracles just by saying that Jesus Christ was born without any father, will not satisfy an unbeliever - Why? He cannot go back in time and verify. Because all the messengers that came before Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) - they were meant only for their time not for eternity. But Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), he is the messenger of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) who is the last and final messenger.
He was not only sent for the Muslims or the Arabs, He was sent for the whole of humanity and his message is till eternity. Therefore the miracle, that he has brought, the Holy Qur’an, can be analyzed even today It’s a miracle till eternity. Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) has done hundreds of miracles other miracles, which we Muslims believe but we never emphasize that we Muslims do not boast… of that we Muslims only boast of this, because we cannot prove those miracles scientifically. But this living miracle of Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him), which was given to him by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), can be analyzed by us even today.
So previous miracles time does not allow us to go back in time. If we could go back in time we could have analyzed how was he born without a father but yet brother. I can yet give you a scientific explanation. I can yet give you.
Today science tells us there are certain species which can be born without male intervention, and the best example is a male bee. The male Bee is the ‘Egg’ which has not been fertilized by a male. The Queen Bee which lays Eggs… which doesn’t get fertilized by the male, they are born as male. The female Bee is the ‘Egg’, which are fertilized by the male. So there are several animals today in this world, who are born without fertilization. I do know that this thing takes place in lower animals, there is no proof in higher animals. Who does it? Science cannot tell us. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) does it So when Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) can make this possible to happen in Isa (alaihe salaam) when it is described in Surah Al-Imran, Ch. 3, Verse 45 to 47, it says…(Arabic)…
“Iz Qaalatil Malaaikatu ya Maryamu, InnAllaha yu bash’shiruki bi Kalimatin mihussmahul Maseehu, Isabnu Maryama we jeehad Fid funya wa Aakhirati wa minal Muqarrabeen”
“That behold the angels said to Mary, We give you glad tidings of a word from him , his name shall be Christ , son of Mary , who will be held in honour in this world and the hereafter, and he will be amongst the companies of those most righteous… those most righteous”
The verse continues…that he will speak to the people in childhood and in maturity, and will be among the people those who are righteous’. So Mary (peace be upon her), asked… “How shall I have a son when no man has touched me”.
The answer is given… “Idha Qadha Amran fa innama Yaqoolu lahu, Kun Fa Yakoon”
“When Allah decrees a matter, He just says to it ‘Be’… and it is’.
I have given you a scientific explanation when Allah can make it possible in a male Bee, it is very much easy for Allah to make it possible, even in this , in Isa (alaihe salaam), for Him… Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) to create a Jesus (peace be upon him) “Idha Qadha Amran fa innama Yaqoolu lahu, Kun Fa Yakoon”
When He decrees a matter, He just says to it ‘Be’… and it is’. For Him to create a million people like that, it is just easy. It’s a miracle – I am not telling you Jesus Christ (peace be upon him), was born like that… like the male Bee, I do not know. I have given you scientific explanation. When it’s possible there, why cannot Allah make it in the higher animal, the human beings. I hope that answer the question .
Questioner: Assalamu Allaikum brother Zakir - my name is Sanya, I am a revert Muslim. The question is in your lecture you mentioned the scientific facts from the Qur’an, which have been established, Can you mention a few Qur’anic verses which Science has not confirmed?
Dr. Zakir: Sister has posed a question that, I have mentioned in my talk, the Scientific facts which Science has already established , it is mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. Can I mention some few points in the Qur’an, which Science has not established.
For example the Qur’an says in Surah Shura, Ch. 42, Verse No. 29, it says…
“It is Allah who has created the Heavens and the Earth, and put creatures… living creatures throughout them”
Qur’an says there is life besides this earth. Allah has put living creatures throughout the heavens and the earth, there is no scientific evidence… established scientific evidence, that there is life besides this earth.
Recently, they have been sending Rockets and Space Ships to different planets… different satellites, etc. And now just a couple months earlier, we read in the newspapers that they got certain material from Mars which gives proof that life can be there in Mars. And in… I think day before yesterday’s paper, I read in Times of India, that they have found water in the Moon - may be a comet crashed and there is a big crater, and the water has been frozen to ice. So in future it will be easier to do investigation we do not have to take water from planet Earth to Moon. Water is already present there, we can use that water and it will save a lot of trouble.
Science is saying there are high possibilities of life being there - besides earth. But since Qur’an says I believe in it. May be after one or two years, they may discover there is life besides this earth or may be after fifty years.
Today Scientists they have given various views how will our earth end? Some Scientists have given description that the mountains will fall down. Some Scientists say the mountain and rock will become smooth when the earth is destroyed, Some people say the ocean will swell up. Some people say the universe will go in a black hole … Several. Qur’an too gives a description about the Day of Judgement, how will our creation end. Many of them match with the theories of Science - theories not established facts. For Example, the Qur’an says in
Surah Ahkaf, Ch. 46, Verse No. 3,
“It is Allah who has created the Heavens and the Earth for a limited period of time”
Giving you indication that this creation will be destroyed and gives various signs in the Qur’an. For example, if you read
Surah Qayamah, Ch. 75, Verse No.8 and 9, it says that…
“the Moon will be burried in darkness, the Sun and the Moon will join together, before the world… our ends”
If you read Surah Takwir, Ch. 81, Verse No. 1 , 2, 3 and & Verse No. 6, it says that…
“The sun will be folded up, the stars will fall down, the ocean will swell up, the mountains will fall down in utter ruin”
Qur’an says in Surah Infitar, Ch. 82, Verse No. 1, 2 and 3, it says…
“The sky will be left asunder the star will be scattered, the mountains will be fall down”
Various signs, how will the earth end is given. These are scientific points mentioned in the Qur’an, which Science hasn’t established yet. For example, the Holy Qur’an also says in
Surah Ambiya, Ch. 21, Verse No. 104, that…
“As We created this creation…We will roll up the Heavens like a scroll is rolled up, and as we created the early creation, We shall create a new creation”
So Qur’an says…‘there is one more creation that is going to be created after the world is destroyed, Science does not know about that. Qur’an says the first man on the earth was Adam (alaihe Salam) - Science has not discovered that yet.
Qur’an speaks about soul, Science hasn’t established that human beings have got soul. The Holy Qur’an also speaks about Jinns, about Spirits, about Angels, Science hasn’t been able to discover that. Qur’an speaks about life after death - Science has not discovered that. Qur’an speaks about ‘Heaven’ and ‘Hell’ Science has not discovered about that. But you may ask me the question - Brother Zakir, you have given such a good lecture, speaking about scientific facts and you believe in ‘Jinns’, you believe in ‘Angels’, you believe in ‘Soul’, you believe in life after death aren’t you illogical? I will say… ‘No , I am not illogical’- I have got a logic why I believe. I do not blindly believe in life after death, in the ‘Soul’, in ‘Heaven’ and ‘Hell’, in ‘Jinns’ and ‘Spirits’ I have a logical belief.
I base my logical belief saying… that suppose there are scientific facts mentioned in the Holy Qur’an, out of which say approximately 80% have been proved to be 100% correct. 80% of the scientific facts mentioned in the Qur’an have been proved by Science till today to be 100% correct. The remaining 20 % is ambiguous unknown. Not even .001% have been proved false. Even if one verse is proved false, the Qur’an is not the word of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). So of these 20 % I say goes in the ambiguous slot … unknown. So my logic says …when 80% is 100% correct, the remaining 20% is ambiguous, out of which not even .001% has been proved wrong, all are unknown, my logic says when 80% is correct, even those 20% will be InshaAllah correct. It is not a blind belief, it’s a logical belief .
Dr. Mohammed: The next question please.
Questioner: My name is Mohammed Shahadat, I am a Chemical Engineer in Hindustan Petroleum. In Qur’an it is mentioned that…‘It is Allah who decides the characteristics and the personality of a person inside his or her mother’s womb’. In the field of genetics this field has advanced so much, that nowadays parents can tell or make their children, If they want to have a very bright student, they can have it by just having that genetic code change, Isn’t this contradictory with Qur’an?
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question that… today genetics field has advanced and it’s possible that we can change the genetics of the child that is going to be born. Qur’an says that… Allah is One who shapes who forms and I do agree with that - Qur’an says in several places so does it not mean it is not -contradicting the Qur’an? No brother, it is not - when it gives the statement … the Qur’an says... ‘Without the power of Allah, it is not possible - Without the power of Allah it is not possible at all’. For example… Qur’an says in Surah Rahman, Ch. 55, Verse No. 33, that…
“With power and skill you will be able to penetrate the Heavens and the Earth , not without the permission of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)”
Means… you will penetrate the Heavens and the Earth, but only with permission of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). So today because people are going in the Heaven… that does not mean that the Qur’an is wrong. Qur’an says… You can do , but with the permission of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) Without permission of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)… it’s predicting that people will go in outer space, in Moon, etc… but if Allah does not wanted, it can not happen .And you know the incidence of‘ Challenger’…‘The challenger’ tried to take off - What happened? It tried to challenge Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)… What happened?… Nothing.. Even today we say… ‘Family planing’. Do you know there is no family planning which is perfect? Even if you do Tubectomy or Vasectomy… if Allah wants He can yet bring easy conception to that lady. Even if she practices permanent method like Tubectomy, or the husband does Vasectomy, still there are chances… but negligible chances, that the baby can be born. If Allah wishes no one can stop… you do any family planning method. In genetics also, if they are able to change, it is with Allah’s permission, If Allah dose not want, you cannot change at all. So few people are successful all aren’t successful. Those who are successful… are with the permission of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). Those who are not… Allah has not given them permission. Same way… ‘Family planning’, those who are successful, Allah gives permission those who are not successful, Allah does not give permission. Hope that answer the question.
Questioner: Assalaam Alaikum, Zakir bhai, I was a Hindu first and I converted into Islam recently .What I would like to ask you a question is this that when a woman is carrying a baby in her womb, Islam forbids abortion. But if a woman is facing some kind of a medical problem… if she is Anemic or if she has just delivered a baby recently… in recent months to come, and there is always a threat to her life - Non Muslims doctors say… ‘to abort it’, and the Muslim doctor say… ‘It is haram’. And someone who is little bit modern has said that… ‘If the child is for 40 days in the womb… before 40 days, you can abort - If after 40 days it is not possible, you cannot do it under Islamic law, Is that right or is that wrong?
Dr. Zakir: Brother has asked a question that…he is speaking today scientifically… the doctors who want to abort, etc.- why does Qur’an not give permission to abort, if it’s danger to the life of the mother?
Qur’an speaks about abortion in Surah Anam, Ch. 6, Verse No. 151. As well as in Surah Isra, Ch. 17, Verse No. 31, it says…
“Kill not your children for want of sustenance, for it is Allah that will provide sustenance to you and your children, for killing of infants is a major sin”
So abortion is haram under normal circumstances, Example, pork is haram, alcohol is haram, having dead meat is haram. But same time the Qur’an says in four different places, in Surah Baqarah, Ch. 2, Verse No. 173, in Surah Maidah, Ch. 5, Verse No. 3, in Surah Anam, Ch. 6, Verse No. 145, and Surah Nahl, Ch. 16, verse No. 115, it says…that if unwillingly if you disobey Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) Allah is Rahman O Rahim If under compulsion, if you disobey Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) …Allah is Rahman O Rahim. If you are dying of hunger… pork is the only dish that you can have, pork becomes halal for you, It is perfectly allowed but do not have so much, and keep on having after you do not require it. If you are in a jungle if pork is the only thing that you can find to eat… or in a desert- pork becomes allowed for you only for that time. When you come back to the city it becomes haram - So same way abortion. Just because you do not want a child… is haram in Islam it is a major sin. But if it is a danger to the life of the mother, it is totally allowed because in Islam the life of the mother is more precious than the life of the child which has not come in being on its own. I do know there are certain people, who say… ‘after 40 days its not allowed before 40 it is allowed’. Qur’an is very clear cut on that If it is a danger to your life… unwillingly if you disobey Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), it is totally allowed.’ So if the doctor says that if you have certain heart problems and the labour pain will cause a strain on your heart… the mother will die you have to abort. You have to go ahead with it, became in Islam you cannot sacrifice a greater loss, to save a small loss. The life of the mother who adult is more important than the child who cannot live on its own. In these cases if it is danger to the life of the mother, it is totally allowed in Islam, if it is not a danger, it is haram. Hope that answer to the question.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the ladies side.
Questioner: Salamu Alaikum, brother Zakir. My question is, when Qur’an speaks so much about Science, then how come the Muslims are so backward in the field of Science?
Dr. Zakir: Sister has posed the question, that when Qur’an speaks so much about Science - how come the Muslims are backward. Sister I would mainly blame the media. The media today is in the hands of the Westerners, the Europeans, It is in their hand, They have the Satellite, they have the Television, they have the CNN, they have the BBC It’s in their hand. The media is in their hands and whatever you read in your school books, and books which we read in college you will read there that… ‘From 8th to the 12th century it was the Dark Ages’. Dark …for whom? It was dark for the Europeans not for the world. The Arabs and the Muslims were very much advanced… from 8th to the 12th century they were very much advanced. The Europeans were backward because… they were backward so they said…‘dark for the world.’ It was not dark for the world, It was dark for the Europeans. With the limited instruments and technology what we had from 8th to 12th century- what discoveries the Muslim Scientists made – it’s unbelievable. Today, because Science is advanced we are making so many discoveries. There with the amount of limited facilities we had, the amount of discoveries Muslim Scientists made, its unbelievable. For example I quoted in my talk, that Ibn-e-Nafees…he discovered the blood circulation, but in the medical books and the books we read in school… who discovered blood circulation? William Harvey. Every one knows William Harvey no one know about Ibn-e-Nafees. Ibn-e-Nafees spoke about ‘blood circulation’, 400 years before, the Europeans they later on picked up the books of the Muslims and re-hatched it… and said we discovered it. See… if you see the discoveries that Muslims have made. For example if you know Al-Idrusi, In 1154, he drew the first map of Mediterranean, the Geography of the world - first. Mathematics - Muslims were far advanced in Mathematics. We introduced the Decimal point. Do you know, what we call the digits 1, 2, 3? It’s called as Arabic numerals, the other ones are called as Roman numerals , why it is called Arabic numerals?… Because the Arabs were the one who discovered it the decimal point are the Arabic numerals. The person who first proved the Pythagoras Theorem - he was Al Thusi. We know about the Pythagoras Theorem, but we don’t know about Al Thusi. He said that… “The square of the hypotenuse was equal to the sum of the opposite two sides of the triangle”. Al Beruni, he was an authority in Trigonometry. All these people they were experts. If you know of Al-Khindi… Al-Khindi, he was a Philosopher, a Mathematician and Astronomer. When great scientists like Galileo, Newton, etc., they said that all physical laws were absolute, he said that all physical laws, are relative and today we know that, ‘Theory of Relativity’ is proved by Albert Einstein. No one knows about Al-Khindi - He was the person, who basically gave the idea of ‘Theory of relativity’. Later on he did more research and talked about ‘Theory of Relativity’. Who knows about the three brothers Mohammed, Shakir and Hassan? Who knows about them?… They toured the surface area of the earth from a angle at the Red Sea… when people thought the world was flat. Chemistry - the Muslims were far advanced in Chemistry. Ibn-e-Hayyan, Jabir Ibn-e-Hayyan… they have Latinized the word Gebbar, so when we read in our text books Gebbar, we think it is an European. It is a Muslim. Jabir ibn-e-Hayyan… you know Gebbar, you do not know… we do not know who is Jabir. He is the person who distilled Alcohol. ‘Alcohol’ comes from the Arabic word ‘Algul’ meaning ‘Ghost’, ‘Evil Spirit’. ‘Alcohol’ is an Arabic Word. He wrote 2 thousand different pages only on Chemistry. Mohammed Zakariya Razi, he was famous in Medicine, He was authority on the field of Small Pox and Measles. He was the first person who used Mercury ointment. He wrote books on children’s disease. There are several Muslim Scientists. Ali-Ibn-e-Abbas he wrote twenty volumes on Medicine. Ali-Ibn-e-Sina known as ‘Avicina’ …‘Avicina’, it doesn’t not sound Muslim. Ali-Ibn-e-Sina … haa Muslim, ‘Avicina’… not Muslim. Who got the title of ‘Aristole of the East?’ He wrote the book ‘Kanoon’, which was referred as a text book of medicine till as late as seventeenth century. Who knows Ibn-e-Zuhar? He was the person after Alexander who did research on Para cytology. He described the Itch Mite… the Parasites. He described the Otydismedia… Intrycosetomy. Several medical doctors Al-Zaharwi… Al-Zaharwi was the famous dentist, as well as surgeon as well as Optitician. He invented several instruments of Surgery, Gynecology as well as Dentistry. We all of us know the other thing but the media is in the hands of the Westerners.
The Muslims were far advanced sut I do agree with you- today… today the Muslims are getting backward in Science You know why? The Europeans are being advanced, You know why? The Muslims are becoming backward, because we are going away from the Holy Qur’an we are going away from their Religion. And do you know why the Europeans are getting advanced? They too are going away from their Religion. The Europeans are also getting advanced, because even they are going away from their religion. We Muslims they are going backward because they are going away from their religion. I would request the Muslims brothers and sisters out here, as well as Non-Muslims there are people reading the Qur’an… Why don’t we read the Qur’an with understanding? Why don’t we ponder over the verses? We have only kept the Qur’an… kissing, and keeping on top. That’s all… the Qur’an was not meant for it to be kissed, and kept on top, It should be implemented in your daily life. If you implement the Qur’an in your daily life, read it with understanding, InshaAllah again we will be on top of the world. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: Now we would… I would request our volunteers to give an opportunity to any Non-Muslim brothers and guests we have here at our mikes, to give them a preference and opportunity, and then our other brothers.
Questioner: I am K. Mahesh…lecturer from Saboo Siddique Polytechnic, in the computer department. I would like to ask regarding the Muslim marriage system - Why Islam allows more than one woman to be married with a man,
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question that why does Islam allow a man to marry more than one wife? Qur’an is the only religious book on the face of the earth , which says… ‘Marry only one’. There is no other Religious book on the face of the earth. Whether you read the Ramanayana , the Mahabharata , the Bhagawad Gita, the Bible… no religious book says… ‘Marry only one’ - except the Holy Qur’an.
The Holy Qur’an says in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse No. 3, it says..
“Marry women of your choice in twos , threes and fours , but if you cannot do justice, marry only one”
If you cant do justice, marry only one otherwise if you can do justice, Qur’an has put an upper limit… two, three or four, maximum four… not more than that.
Previous religions- they gave permission, for a man to marry as many wives - Qur’an put upper limit… restriction of maximum four. You know why?, because if you think logically… if you analyse. But it says at the same time, in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse 129…
“It is difficult to do justice between your wives, It is difficult, therefore do not turn away from them all together”
Marrying more than one wife, you do not get more ‘sawab’ -You do not get more blessings. There is no Hadith saying , that if you marry more than one wife you will get more sawab’. There is a Hadith which says that if you marry, you complete half you deen. So, somebody ask me at the question answer time… Does it mean that if I marry twice, I compete my full deen. No marriage takes you away from promiscuity, from fornication. Therefore it is Farz… but whether you marry one or two , yet you are only completing half your deen. The reason why Islam gives permission for Polygyny, that is the right word is because if you analyse men and women are born in equal proportion but in the pediatric stage itself , since the female is a stronger sex medically… if you ask any pediatrician , he will tell you… the female can fight the germs and disease much better them the male. So more female children live, than the male children. There are more deaths in the male children than female children. When you grow up there are accidents, death due to cigarette smoking, death due to war more male die than female. War in Afghanistan.. do you know, more them a million people died. Mainly they were gents whatever it is… whatever you said… more men die than females. If you analyse the statistic, India is one of the few countries in which there is more male than female. You know why? Because of female infanticide. Every day 3 thousand fetus are being aborted, when they identified that they are female. More than one million are aborted every year in India, on being identified, they are female that’s the reason… otherwise if you see the statistics of America, there are more than 7.8 million females than males, in America alone. In New York alone, there is 1 million females more than male and out of the population of New York, 1/3rd are Gay… Sodomites… Kaum-e-Luth. There are more than 25 million gays in America. That means there are more than 30 millions females who cannot find husbands in America alone. In U.K alone, there are 4 million females more than male. In Germany alone, 5 million females more than males. In Russia alone, 7 million females more than males - and Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) alone knows there are how many million females more than males in this world.
I am asking you a question, that suppose my sister or your sister happens to be in America , and suppose everyone agrees with your philosophy, that every man should marry one wife and if every man in America marries a woman, still there will be 7.8 million females- and plus, since the gays also do not get married there will be more than 25 to 30 million females , who can’t find husbands - If my sister happens to be one of those unfortunate lady who has not been married, and the market is saturated… the only option remaining for my sister, is to marry a man who already has a wife, or become public property.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the brother on the left.
Questioner: Salam Alaikum! My name is Adyar Anwar… Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) created everything… Some verses … ‘We created ’…‘We prepared ’… like this, Why plural is coming.?
Dr. Zakir: Brother has posed the question that, why has the word ‘We’ used in the Qur’an, for Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) - Is it more than one?
Brother ‘We’, in Arabic… they are 2 types - One is ‘We’ for plural, one is ‘Royal Plural’. ‘Royal Plural’ like, for example… if you know Rajiv Gandhi, how he used to speaks… he used to say… ‘Hum dekhna chahate hain’ . ‘Hum’… That ‘Hum’… was not plural, it was Singular, it is a ‘Royal Plural’… it is called. So same way Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala)… some places uses ‘I’, some places uses ‘We’. The ‘We’… in Arabic does not indicate plurality - It means Royal Plural, Active to Singular. So ‘We’- When it says… ‘We’ have created you, it means singular Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). Qur’an clearly states in Surah Ikhlas, Ch. 112, Verse No. 1 “Qul HuwAllahu Ahad” “Say: He is Allah one and only” - Allah is only one… not more than one. Hope that answers the question.
Questioner: As-Salaamu Alaikum, brothers and sisters - I would like to know whether organ transplant and organ donation, are permitted in Islam?
Dr. Zakir: The sister has posed the question that- is organ transplantation or donation allowed in Islam or not. There is no verse in the Holy Qur’an directly saying that whether you should give or should not give, It is silent on that issue. There were various conferences taken place by various Ulemas throughout the world, including in Malaysia, in Jeddah, in Riyadh, even here on this issue, whether organ transplantation in allowed or not. By the consensus of Ulemas of the world… today they say that organ transplantation is allowed, if you satisfied 3 conditions.
First is, the organ that you are going to give to the person… the person if he receives the organ, his life will be saved. Only if his life is in danger, and then if he wants the organ, then its allowed.
Point number 2, the person donating the organ, he should not do it for economical reasons… not for money , not for getting 1 lakh rupees, or 2 lakh rupees.
Third is, after the person donates the organ, it should not cause loss of his life. Today, science tells that there are certain organs in the body, for example the Kidney. One Kidney is sufficient for a human being to survive and lead a normal life the second is an additional. Suppose my mother… if she has both the Kidneys failure and if I donate one Kidney… surely Allah will not hold me responsible but natural if it does not cause a loss to my life. I can’t say… ‘I want to donate my heart’. If my heart is taken out, I will die, so I cannot donate my heart. I can only donate those organs which will not cause loss… loss to my life, and I should not do it for economical reasons, point number 2 and 3rd it should save the life. This is the consensus of Ulemas of the conference which took place in Malaysia, in Riyadh, in Jeddah, in India. In India, the Ulemas were reluctant but now if you ask the Fiqh Academy of India, even they say it should not be done but if it is used to saving the life as a last resort, you can give your organ as a donation. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: The brother on my right.
Questioner: Good evening every body, I am a student of Saboo Siddique - My name is Harsh Waghela. I want to ask the question, that after the death of human being, dead body should be burnt out, or should be buried?
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question that after human being dies, should his body be burnt or should it be buried ? Let’s analyze it scientifically, which is more appropriate. Brother as I told in my talk, during the question answer time I believe, that the elements, the constituent, of human beings is present in lesser or greater quantity in the soil, in the earth. So we are created from earth we should go back to the earth – it’s logical. Its more easier for us to go back into the earth point number one.
Point number two is, that if we burn a body there is pollution, there is environmental hazard… environmental hazard is there when you bury a body there is no environmental hazard. In fact, the place where you bury…
Point number three, the ground and the surrounding ground becomes more fertile.
Point number four , it is very cheap to bury. We do not require any money, Earth is freely available there are graveyards but to cremate… to burn , you require tons and tons of wood.
Therefore, every year if you see statistics, our government goes in loss of millions of rupees, because they are burning wood loss to environment, environmental problem, hazard, and plus waste of money. If you calculate the amount of people that are dying amount of people we are burning it is a loss of money, hazard to the environment, it is much more logical and scientific to bury the body than to burn. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: I would after the next 2 questions are over… I will allow some questions on slip I am told that some ladies have written questions on slips, they would not like to ask on the Mike. or there are some other people also… we will allow some questions. The questions which have come on slips, can be passed on to me after the question... and unless… if there is some brother who is a Non-Muslim... I have told them they have not had enough opportunity, so that we will make an exception to it, so they can ask on the mike otherwise I read questions from the slip, after the next two questions are over.
Questioner: Assalaamu Alaikum, My name is Khalid, and I am a student. It is mentioned in Qur’an that… Sun and other planets revolve and rotate in a fixed orbit and at other place relating to the ‘Doomsday’… it is mentioned that… Earth will collide with sun in some what a spiral form. When ‘Revolution’ and ‘Rotation’- can then the phenomena of collision takes place, how is it possible?.
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question that it says that… The Sun and the Earth rotates… and in some place it says… ‘Sun and the Earth will collide’. Some places it says that … brother as I have told you, there are certain statements in the Qur’an talking about the signs of the Day of Judgment. And I myself quoted in Surah Qiyamah, Ch. 75, Verse No. 8 and 9, that…
“The Sun and the Moon will joined together”
When? On the Day of Judgment… not today. It is giving you signs of the Day of Judgment. It is not telling you that - today it will happen. The name of the Surah was Surah Qiyamah, Day of resurrection’… and give various signs , that the moon will be buried in darkness , the stars will fall down , the oceans will swell up, etc… These are signs of the Day of Judgement. Has it happened? No… But before the world ends it will surely happen. Hope that answers the question No where does the Qur’an says…in normal circumstances it will happen.
Dr. Mohammed: one question I will ask now on the slip, then on the mike, one on the slip, then on the mike.
Question: The question on the slip is…is… it is mentioned in one verse of the Qur’an that… Allah is a Lord of the two Easts and two Wests. How can you explain this verse of the Qur’an scientifically ?
Dr. Zakir: The question posed was that the Holy Qur’an mentions that…Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests. How can you explain scientifically?
What the person is referring to the verse in the Holy Qur’an from Surah Rahman, Ch. 55, Verse No. 17, which says …
“Rabbul Mashrikaine Wa Rabbul Magribaine”
that…
“Allah is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests”
In Arabic word used here is… in Arabic, we have two types of ‘Plural’. One is dual plural …and one is plural, more than two. Here ‘Rabbul Mushrakaine’ is dual plural. That Allah is the Lord of two Easts and Lord of two Wests.
Let’s see what Science has to say about that… and we know that the Sun rises from the East and it sets in the West. But Science tells us today, that…the Sun rises from the due East only on two days…exact East. In the other times if you have noticed, this rising… the point of rising of the Sun keeps on varying. It rises exactly due East, only on two days, the two days of Equinox. All the other days it either rises, South or North, of East.
Similarly it rises from one extreme of the East in the Summer solstice, and rises from the other extreme of the East in Winter solstice. Similarly the Sun sets in due West, only on two days on two days of Equinox. All the other days it either sets South or North of due West. It sets in one extreme of West in the Summer solstice , and sets in the other extreme of west in the Winter solstice. So when the Qur’an says that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) is the Lord of two Easts and two Wests, it is referring to the two extreme points of East and two extreme points of west.
But there is another Verse in the Holy Qur’an in Surah Maarij, Ch. No. 70, Verse No. 40, which says that…
“Allah is the Lord of East and West” It is not dual plural, it is plural more than two . The Allah is the Lord of Easts and the Lord of Wests. Therefore Allah is the Lord of all the various points in East. So in short, Allah is the Lord of two extreme points of East, two extreme points of the West and all the points in between, in the West and all the points in between in the East.
Dr. Mohammed: Next question from the ladies side please.
Questioner: Salam Alaikum, brother Zakir, My name is Malika Mohammed Islam. My question is that, what does the Qur’an mean when it says that Allah send down Iron from the Heaven?
Dr. Zakir: The sister has asked the question - what does the Qur’an means when it says, that Allah has sent down Iron from the Heaven. The Verse that sister is referring to the Holy Qur’an is in
Surah Hadith, Ch. 57, which means ‘Iron’, Verse 25, which says that…
“Allah has sent down Iron , in which there is material for war and various benefits for the human being”
The Arabic word used for send down…. is ‘Anzala.’ - It means…‘to send down’. Now ‘Anzala’ can be looked at in two different ways. One way is… ‘Allah has sent down’ - ‘Allah has revealed’… So Allah has revealed that in ‘Iron’ there is a lot of use and material for mighty war, as well as benefits for human kind. Allah has revealed this that in ‘Iron’ there is material for war and various benefits and we know today that iron is one of the most important metals we know of from it we get ‘Steel’. And Steel and Iron is used for making instruments of war, like weapons swords, spears, guns, etc. It’s even used for making instruments of peace, like brick layer, instruments of an engineer, instruments of an architect, knife, fork, spoon, etc. So if you read the first meaning, it says that… ‘Allah has revealed that in Iron there is various benefits and material for mighty war’.
The other way, if you take it literally, that… ‘Iron has been sent down… been send down from Heaven’. This verse was shown to Professor Armstrong… that what you do have to comment on Surah Hadith, Ch. 57, Verse No. 25, which says that…
“Iron has been sent down from Heaven”
So he tells us that it is recently that the Scientists have come to know about the formation process, of various elements. And they say that the energy required to make one Atom of Iron, it is so enormous that the energy of the whole Solar System is not sufficient. And a calculation was made that energy four times that of the Solar System is made to produce one atom of Iron. Means, the energy of the Moon, the Stars, the Sun all this energy… if we take of the planets, etc only the planet of the Solar System and the Sun and the Moon, it will not be sufficient to produced one Atom of Iron. Scientists today tell us that iron is an extra terrestrial metal, which is confirming the Qur’anic Ayat… if you take it literally, that Iron has been send down from the Heaven.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the slip.
Question: There was a philosopher in six century B.C. who said that… The Earth rotates about its own axis, and the planets move around the Sun. The Qur’an also gives the indication of a similar scientific fact. Some people alleged that the Prophet copied these points from the philosopher, Please comment ?
Dr. Zakir: The question posed was, that there was a philosopher in six century B.C. who said…‘the planets and the Earth rotates around the Sun’ - May be the Prophet copied from this philosopher… Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him). I do agree that in the six century B.C… the Pythagoreans - these people they defended the theory that…the Earth and the planets they rotate and they revolved around the Sun but to say that… ‘Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) copied from them’- is illogical, because these people failed to realize, that these same Pythagoreans, that they also defended the theory… ‘that the Sun was the centre of the Universe’. The Sun was fixe, it did not rotate, neither did it revolve - so to say that Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) copied those two points… ‘Earth and planets rotate and they revolved’ and did not copy the point which says that… the Sun was centre of the Universe the Sun was fixed, it did not rotate, it did not revolve is illogical.
I do know that there are various Philosophers, whose works of antiquity, gives us ideas… and they say several things. But if you analyze the works of Philosophers of antiquity their works is mixed with valid and invalid reasons… Invalid and valid ideas. People normally quote the valid ideas they forget that they even left behind invalid ideas. They were great thinkers the difference between these Philosophers who predicted and the Qur’an is… these philosophers only thought and predicted…and they made even false statements. The Qur’an Alhumdulillah more than 1000 verses speak about science…and not a single is wrong. The difference is Qur’an gives a challenge. To say that Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam) copied from these people… and did not copy the negative point may be one or two, it is possible, it was fluke but to say, that all the thousands of verses the Qur’an speaks about Science were copied is illogical.
Because Qur’an gives a challenge
“Afala Yatadabbaruna Al-Qur'ana Wa Law Kana Min `Indi Ghayri Allahi Lawajadu Fīhikh tilafaan Kathiraa”
in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse No. 82
“Do you not consider the Qur’an with care, had it been from anyone besides Allah, there would have been many contradictions”
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the brother on the right.
Questioner: Salaam Alaikum, My name is Faisal, how scientifically or logically can you explain that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) being Omniscient… that is knowing the past, present, future and every thing, send Scriptures before the Qur’an - Why did not He send the Qur’an itself?
Dr. Zakir: Brother has asked the question that why did Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala), did not send Qur’an earlier. Why did He send the other revelations first… and then the Qur’an ? It is like you asking me, that… ‘Why didn’t you first teach me medicine? Why I had to go to standard one, standard two, standard three, and then do my medicine?’, You have to go in stage wise. All the previous revelations that came before the Qur’an, as I mentioned earlier were sent only for those people and for a particular time period. The Holy Qur’an is sent for the whole of human kind, and its message is meant till Eternity.
Therefore, the previous revelations that won’t be preserved. Allah thought it right, He has Divine knowledge, He knows when to send the final Revelation, not that he could not sent it earlier. Like the teacher knows how much to teach to a student should not go beyond the level. So Allah thought it fit, that humankind may be had reached that level, were I can reveal the final Revelation. Allah knew that may be previously, the time was not right therefore all the previous revelations none of them have been preserved except the Holy Qur’an because Qur’an is the last and the final Revelation and it proved itself to be ‘Word of God’. It proved itself 1400 hundred years ago will prove today- and will be able to prove till Eternity, InshaAllah.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the slip.
Question: The Qur’an says that Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet - this gives an indication that earth is flat… which is contradictory with modern Science.
Dr. Zakir: The question posed was and people are astonished out here… that the Qur’an says the earth was spread out like a carpet… So does it mean, it was flat?
What the person is referring- from the Aayat from the Holy Qur’an, in Surah Nur, Ch. 71,verse no. 19 and 20, which does say… that we have spread out the Earth like a carpet’. But it gives the answer in the next verse, in verse number 20, ‘So that you may walk and travel in the spacious path.
As I mentioned in my talk - the Geologists, they tell us today, the earth which we live- on the surface is hardly one to 10 miles, and less than 1% of the total radius of the earth which is 3750 miles. The top layer is a solid shell. The deeper layers are hot and fluid, and inhospitable for existence of life.
No where does the Qur’an say, that the earth is flat. It gives a similitude that… “We have spread out the Earth like a carpet”. People normally have a misconception that… A carpet can only be spread on a flat surface’. It’s wrong - A carpet, can also be spread on a spherical surface.
For example imagine that there is big model of the earth, the globe, say about 10 feet in radius, very big very well you can spread a carpet around it It’s possible because when we layout a carpet, we normally spread out a carpet, on the surface which is not comfortable to walk on. Carpet is normally spread out on a surface which is not comfortable to walk on.
So Science today tells us that if the outer crust was not spread out like a carpet around this spherical earth, we would not be able to live because the deeper layers are hot and fluid. So when Qur’an says we have spread out the earth, its referring to the earth’s crust has been spread out like a carpet and the reason is given… So that you may walk in the spacious path of the Lord- Qur’an says in other places also that… ‘We have made the Earth, as spacious’.
Qur’an says in Surah Nabah Ch. 78, Verse No. 6,
“We have made the Earth as an expanse”
It is referring that the earth, We have made as wide’ You know why? The answer is given in Surah Ankabut, Ch. 29, Verse, 56 which says…
“We have made the Earth as a wide expanse for you so that you will worship Me and Me alone”
So tomorrow you cannot say that, the situation where I lived in, may be Bombay, it was difficult circumstances, therefore I was prevented to do good deeds and I did evil deeds. Allah says… The earth is a wide expanse for you it is spacious. You cannot give the excuse for doing evil deeds, because of your circumstances. Therefore worship Allah, and Allah alone. There is no place in the Holy Qur’an which says...The world is flat.
In fact, I told you in my speech the Qur’an says in Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, Verse 29, and Surah Al-Zumoor, Ch. 39, Verse No. 5, that… ‘The world is spherical’ and specifically in Surah Naziyath, Ch. 79, Verse No. 30…
“Wal Ardha Ba’da Zaalika Dahaaha”
“We have made the Earth thereafter Egg shape”…like an Ostrich Egg, which is exactly Geo spherical.
Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: Next brother on my left.
Questioner: Salaam Alaikum Wa Rahamtullahi Wabarakatuhu - My name is Abdul Subhan - I am an accountant. It is mentioned in Qur’an that Allah Tabarakahu wa Ta’la says… No one can say what is in the stomach of the mother… male or female. But on the other hand science says is proving that male or female, So kindly give your bright light on this question.
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed the question, that the Qur’an says that… No one besides Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) can mention, what is the sex of the child in the mother’s womb. And today Science is advanced you can come to know by Ultra – Sonography, etc., the sex of the child. What the brother is referring to, a verse in the Holy Qur’an form
Surah Luqman, Ch. 31, Verse No. 34, which says…
“Only Allah has the knowledge of the hour of when it is going to rain, what is in the womb of the mother, where will a person die, and what will he earn.”
The Qur’an says… Only Allah knows what is in the womb of the mother It does not say… What is the sex of the child in the mother’s womb. I do know there are various translations, especially the Urdu translations they mention the word Sex The word ‘Sex’ is not there in the Holy Qur’an. The Arabic verse of Surah Lukman Ch. 31, Verse 34, does not say, Sex. It says no one besides Allah knows what is in the womb. It’s only referring to the nature of the child. Whether the child that will be born will he be good, or will he be bad? Will he be boon for society…Will he be bane for society?… What will he become a doctor or an Engineer? …. Will he go to Heaven or Hell. And no Scientist with the best technology can decipher that. No where does the Qur’an say that… Only Allah knows the sex. It is saying, only Allah knows what will be the nature of the child, and what will he do and no scientist with whatever with equipment they have can predict this.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the slip.
Question: We have talked about Astronomy, What is the reference towards Astrology, and effect of the position of Stars and Planets on human life. The Hindu mythology and belief, lays a lot a stress of ‘Janampatri’ and Palmistry, Your comments please.
Dr. Zakir: Question posed is , the Qur’an speaks about Astronomy, what does the Qur’an speak about Astrology - Like looking at the stars and ‘Janampatri ’, fortune telling, etc. The Qur’an says in several places including
Surah Maidah ,Ch. 5, Verse No. 90, it says;
“Ya Ayyuhal lazeena Amanoo”
“O you have believe”
“Inna Mal Khamru Wal Maysiru”
“Most certainly intoxicants and gambling”
“Wal-ansabu Wal-azlamu”
“Dedications of stones, divination of arrows”
“Rijsun Min Amalish Shaytan”
“These are Satan’s handiwork”
“Fajtaniboohu la’allakum Tuflihoon”
“Abstain from the handiwork that you may prosper”
The Qur’an says that… Do not indulge in fortune telling. It does not say whether fortune telling can be right or wrong, It says…‘ Do not indulge in it
And we know there are may people who can look at the palm and predict your future… by looking at the Stars, and we know most of it is fake, You know most of it is fake. You go to a computer… put you date of birth, and you get the answer.
There was a research done by a professor, to just show to the people, what did he mean. He taught a class room of hundred students for 7 days. At the end of the seven days he said… “I have come to know the nature of all the students. I will write each one’s nature on a piece of chit and give it to him and when I say open the chit, open it simultaneously and give your views” So he wrote a chit of paper, and gave to every student what his nature is and what has he done in the past, what has he done so far. So all the students, they opened the chit and do you know that more then 90% said that ‘the teacher was 100% correct’. The remaining 10% said he was 90% correct. The experiment was the teacher wrote the same thing for all the 100 students. You know there are certain things - if I will tell you…In the next six months, something good is going to happen to you. Even if 100 bad things happen one good thing is going to happen, So it is no prediction. It is just making a fluerry of the people. Most of these people who say that…We can predict. You know what they say… See… See, all the other people… all the other people who predict future are false but the one which I go to he is 100% correct. Everyone says that, and they take them for a ride just to make money. Qur’an does not say whether it is right or wrong Qur’an says…Do not indulge in fortune telling. It does not say…‘No one can tell about this or that’ It says.. don’t indulge, it will cause you more harm. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the slip is by Advocate Abbas Hetavkar
Question: He asks…‘The world is threatened with the menace of AIDS . It is not known how to deal with it, Does Qur’an throw any light on its causes and prevention?
Dr. Zakir: The question posed was that we are threatened with AIDS, Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome - Does Qur’an throw any light on that? If you happen to know, that the first International Aids Conference it took place in our city of Bombay in 1994 in Hotel Oberoi Tower. First International Conference on AIDS… and Dr. Michael Mercen he was the person who headed it. He was from WHO… World Health Organization. At that time he said… There were about eleven million cases of AIDS detected - out of which 1.6 is present in India, and at the end of the century, there will be 40 million cases of AIDS in the world… out of which 11 million will be in India’. More than 25% will be in India and he said that…within 5 years time, the next 5 years, there is doubtful of any cure. No one will know how to cure this Best is, Prevention… Prevention is better than cure - and the reason for this AIDS he gave as, one is homosexuality, other is heterosexuality, unsafe sex that is Adultery, 3rd is using needles for drugs, blood transfusion, etc., and fourth is associated with Alcoholism.
If you analyze Qur’an throws lights on most of these topics. Qur’an says in Surah Araf, Ch. No. 7, Verse No. 80 and 81 that…
We sent Lut (Alaihe Salaam) Prophet Lut (peace be upon him) to the people, and he said to them…”Do you practice lewdness which no one has done before, You prefer in lust men, over women, you have indeed gone far beyond the limits”
Luth (Alaihe Salaam) says that these people used to practice homosexuality. And you know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah and how Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) sends brim stones on them. Homosexuality is prohibited in the Holy Qur’an. But now we find in the modern world, they have legalized Gay marriages Do you know that? When I was in Canada, it came in front page ‘Man and man kissing each other’… husband-wife. Legalized Gay - Homosexuality, legalized. The Gays, they take out a procession for their rights, ‘Gay rights…’ Headquarter at San Francisco, etc. One of the reasons of Homosexuality then comes adultery.
The Qur’an says in Surah Isra, Ch. No. 17, Verse No. 32. It says that…
“Come not close to adultery, it’s an evil, opening other routes to evil”
Come not close to adultery... And do you know in America a man has eight different sexual partners on an average, before he settles down with one permanent life partner. On a average eight -some may have twenty, some may have thirty, some may have one, some may have two, on a average eight sexual partners, before they settle down with a permanent wife. Do you know this?… It has been legalized there, Qur’an is against adultery totally against adultery.
And one of the cause of AIDS it is prostitution, do you know what we medical doctors call them? ‘CSW’- You know what is ‘CSW ’? ‘Commercial Sex Worker’ We give refined words for these. And according to Dr. Gilada, in that conference he said…50% of the commercial sex workers of Bombay had, AIDS by end of the century 90% will have AIDS.’ There is no place for prostitution in Islam. And most of the people going to prostitutes the report said… were between 15 to 24 years young people.
Our beloved Prophet Mohammed (Sallallahu alaihe wa sallam)(peace upon him) he said, it is mentioned in Sahih Bukhari, Volume No. 7, Ch. 3, Hadith number 4.
He said… “O ye young people who ever has the means to get married, get married for it will help, to lower your gaze”
Marrying early is preferable in Islam. It will prevent adultery, it will prevent promiscuity, it will prevent Homosexuality. Therefore our Prophet said: “Marriage completes half your deen”
Coming to the last reason he gave… ‘Associated to Tuberculosis, as well as Alcoholism’ Major people that go to the prostitute 95% they have Alcohol … Alcoholics.
Qur’an says, as I mentioned earlier in Surah Maidah, Ch. 5, Verse No. 90. It says“Ya Ayyuhal lazeena Amanoo”
“O you have believe”
“Inna Mal Khamru Wal Maysiru”
“Most certainly intoxicants and gambling”
“Wal-ansabu Wal-azlamu”
“Dedications of stones, divination of arrows”
“Rijsun Min Amalish Shaytan”
“These are satan’s handiwork”
“Fajtaniboohu la’allakum Tuflihoon”
“Abstain from the handiwork that you may prosper”
Today the medical doctors they say… Don’t call them drunkards Alcoholism is a disease treat them like patients’. You know that’s the terminology we use in the new books of medicine. Alcoholism is a disease. How you treat the patient of Tuberculosis, of Cancer Don’t blame the Alcoholics - Treat them as patients, it is a disease. I tell them, that if Alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease sold in bottles. It’s the only disease advertised in the Newspapers, in the Magazines, in the Radios, as well as the Television.
Our government has a law, that you cannot advertise anything like…Alcohol. So, you know what they do?, Bagpiper Soda… who drinks Bagpiper Soda. It is there, People know it is Bagpiper whisky, It Is not Bagpiper Soda. I saw an Ad. London Pilsner or some other Alcohol company, Glass… Glass… Ad for Glass. Any logical person will know it is an Ad for that Alcohol. So they are taking our government for a ride, these ads are allowed even on the television you see.
If alcohol is a disease, it is the only disease which gets revenue for the government. It is the only disease which has got licensed outlets. It is the only disease which has got no Viral or germ cause. It’s the disease which cause violent deaths on the highways. It is the disease which destroys the family. The Qur’an says…It is not a disease. It says…
“Rijsun Min Amalish Shaytan”
“These are satan’s handiwork”
“Fajtaniboohu la’allakum Tuflihoon”
“Abstain from the handiwork that you may prosper”
Dr. Mohammed: The next question please.
Questioner: Assalam Alaikum, Brother Zakir Naik, Educated people does not believe the ‘Qayamat’, the last day which is Judged by Allah. Obedient of Allah goes to Heaven, disobedient… that is… sinners goes to hell.
Dr. Zakir: The brother has posed a question, that educated people do not believe in ‘Qayamah’…the Day of resurrection and life after death, etc., that the world is going to end, etc.- So how will you prove to them logically or scientifically about ‘Qayamah’, about life after death, etc.
Brother one way as I said earlier, that if 80% of the Qur’an has been proved to be 100% correct , and the remaining 20% is ambiguous… my logic says, that even this 20% will be correct. That is the answer that I gave earlier. There is another way you can prove to these educated people , by asking them a simple question. You ask him the question…‘Is robbing good or bad?… Robbing, is it good or bad?’ The brother is saying… ‘It is bad’. Is raping good or bad? ‘Bad’ the brother is saying ‘Bad’. What I ask the question to these educated people, who do not believe in Qayamah, who do not believe in life after death. I tell them… Can you give me one logical reason why robbing is bad?’ Only one, Can you give me one logical reason why it is bad ?
Questioner Answers: ‘Because people like to live in simple way that is what they would like to do bad things.
Dr. Zakir: People will do bad things?…
Questioner Answers: People like to live in simple way - that is why they would like to do the bad things.
Dr. Zakir: I did not get the answer, Whatever it is - if you ask a person…Why not to rob? they give various reasons… that if you rob it hurts the feeling of the other person. See I am telling you, I am a smuggler... Suppose I am a smuggler, you prove to me why robbing is bad. See I am not bothered whether it is harming the other person or not no one can harm me. If I rob if I take out a thousand rupees from the wallet of a man passing by - I can go to Delhi Darbar, I can have dinner, I can have lunch, I can go to movie, I can enjoy life it is good - why it is bad ? Some people will say… ‘If you rob someone else, some day someone will rob you no one can rob me I am a Mafia. I have just a example - I am Mafia - I have got thousand body guards all with AK47, all with AK47. No one can harm me I can harm them…I have got thousand body guard, all with AK47 no one can harm my family - My family is guarded. I want to ask the question you prove to me robbing is bad. One logical reason, not two, why it is bad, and I will stop it immediately. I am a logical person I believe in science, as you said I am a logical person I believe in science - You prove to me why it is bad.
Some may say that…See, it’s against humanity’. I ask… Who wrote this book called humanity?… Who wrote it ? I do not believe in it I am enjoying life. When I rob thousand rupees, when I rob 1 lakh rupees, I can enjoy life, I can buy a new flat. I can go abroad, and no one can harm me because I am a Mafia. Some people will say…The police will catch you and put you in the jail’. I say… I have got the police in my pocket, I have got the ministers in my pocket. And we know that throughout the world, there are various top smugglers who have got the police in their pockets they have got ministers in their pockets, no one can harm them throughout the world you have got a example, I am saying…I am such a Mafia, you prove to me why it is bad, and I will stop robbing. And this question I have posed to thousands of people in audiences. Whatever answer they give it does not satisfy logically. So I tell them… Okay, now you become that Mafia… and I will try and convince to you why robbing is bad, why raping is bad. So he is happy… now Zakir took me for a ride, now we will take Zakir for a ride.
So I tell them the reason why robbing is bad. May be you are a Mafia, no one can harm you. I agree with you, no one can harm your family, but if you rob you go against the commandments of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) and in the Hereafter you will get punishment. In this world you may have the police in your pocket, you may have the minister in your pocket but in the Hereafter you will be held responsible.
I am asking you a question, that your human law… you talk about a human law… Now I am speaking as a Muslim now you are the Mafia. I am speaking as a Muslim, and convincing you of ‘Qayamah’, and life after death. I am telling you that if you are a Mafia and you kill many people, you may get saved in this world, not in the Hereafter. I asked a question, that suppose there is a smuggler who has killed hundreds of people – do not you think he requires punishment? He requires, Where will he get it? We see many smugglers lead a luxurious life they have got palaces, they enjoy life and they die a very good death. Some people die a bad death, some people die a good death Don’t you think they require a punishment? Hitler, Do you know Hitler?… Hitler incinerated 6 million Jews. He burnt 6 million Jews alive do you know that ? Even if you say 6 lakh, I agree with you? You say 6 thousand I agree with you. I am asking the question, if your law catches Hitler what punishment can you give him? What punishment? Worst you can do is incinerate him, you can burn him but that will compensate only for one death. What about the other 5 million 9 hundred thousand nine hundred and ninety nine deaths but in my logical case, in the Hereafter, Allah will put him in the Hell.
And Qur’an says in Surah Nisa, Ch. 4, Verse 56,
“As to those whose reject Our signs, We well put you in hell fire, and as often as your skin will roasted, We shall give you fresh skins”
If Allah wants, He can burn Hitler 6 million times, He can even burn Hitler, 12 million times. Therefore without a Hereafter, there will be no morality in this world. So raping is bad Why? because if you get saved in this world you will it pay in the Hereafter. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: The next question from the ladies side.
Questioner: Assalamu Alaikum, Can you please comment on artificial insemination and test-tube babies?
Dr. Zakir: Sister has posed a question, can I comment on artificial insemination and test-tube babies whether it is allowed or not in Islam that is what she means.
Sister artificial insemination is of two types, one is ‘Homogeneous’ and the other is ‘Heterogeneous’. ‘Homogeneous’ means using the sperm and the ovum of the husband and wife.
If suppose the wife or the husband has certain medical problems and if you know by doing Homogeneous artificial insemination they can give birth to a child, It is perfectly allowed but Heterogeneous artificial insemination, in which you get a sperm, from a sperm bank it is totally haram. How you have ‘Blood Bank’ - Here today you also have ‘Sperm Bank’ You cannot go to a sperm bank and get a sperm, and use it in your wife that is ‘haram’. So Homogeneous artificial insemination is allowed, Heterogeneous is not allowed.
Same way, for the test tube babies or whatever If it is of the husband and wife, its totally allowed if it is not of husband and wife, it is not allowed It is as good as adultery. Hope that answers the question.
Dr. Mohammed: I would request the audience, for another three minutes. You have borne so much of your time with us. Thank you for your patience. Just give us three more minutes… three to four minutes, to complete the programme in a proper format. We thank Almighty Allah for making this evening’s programme possible for all of us here. On behalf of the Islamic Research Foundation, I thank all our esteemed guests of honour brothers and sisters present here today, for their rapt attention and enthusiasm we have had throughout the programme. Believe me you all have encouraged Dr. Zakir to strive on harder and give better performances…You have.
We appreciate and thank all the persons involved in the professional video recording of the programme today. Mostly from the Star TV network, so that, the many millions to whom this programme may go over Satellite Television, would be able to appreciate it too. We are especially thankful to the Press who is present here today. Again they have responded very well. We have noticed in the past that the press has given objective reportage to most of our programmes that we have had, and not as some of the Muslims have advised us…‘No… No, they write against you all’. They we have been, not kind they have been objective… I would say.
Lastly I would like to congratulate and thank all the many volunteers, who have assisted us, and supported us in handling such a vast audience. It is not possible without… so in… with just one or two people of us, we are the one whose faces are seen on the stage their efforts are there behind all there curtains and chairs. Until we meet again for such regular special programmes, InshaAllah we hope you would keep in touch with the IRF, and its regular programmes. We end the programme today with a short Dua by Ashraf Mohammedy… Brother Ashraf Mohammedy.
Ashraf Mohammedy: “Rabbana Aatina Fid Dunya Hasanataw wa fil Aakhrita Hasanataw wa Qina Azaaban Naar”
“O Lord give us the best in this world and the best in the Hereafter, and save us from the torment of Hell fire”
“Rabbana Taqabbal minna Innaka antas Sameeun Aleem wa tub alaina Innaka Tawwaabur Raheem”
“O Lord accept this service from us , for you are All Hearing All Knowing and forgive us for you, are often Forgiving, Most Merciful”
“Rabbana la Tuzig Quloobana ba’da iz Hadai’tana wa hbalana mil la dunka Rahma”...
“O Lord let not our hearts deviate after You have guided us , and grant us mercy from You”
Aameen Ya Rabbil Aalamin.