Introduction Volume 2
FOREWARD
Volume Two
As Muslims, we try to adhere to the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), not because of its scientific soundness, but because it is the command of the Almighty and out of love for the beloved Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wassallam). Indeed, Allah mentions in his book that love for Allah is inextricably linked to the following of the path of his beloved Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him).
May Allah reward brother Muhammad ‘Abdul Mannan for his efforts in trying to explain the logical nature of the Sunnah. A large portion of the text is well cited and backed up by scientific evidence, whereas other parts lack this. I urge the scientific Muslim community of the globe to read the text and scrutinize it in order to provide constructive critique for the second edition. Please contact Brother Muhammad ‘Abdul Mannan via e-mail: Taiba78692@hotmail.com
May Allah give us the ability to follow the path of the Best of Creation (peace and blessings be upon him).
Hafiz (Dr.) Javed Yakub 2
PREFACE
Volume Two
Praise be to Allah the Lord of all the worlds, and may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad, Allah bless him and grant him peace, and his family and Companions.
Since the tragedies of September the 11th 2001, Islam has been examined, especially by the west, in more detail than ever before. Every aspect from it’s doctrines to its history is being scrutinised. This research is not only being done by the authorities to try and understand the hearts and minds of the Muslims but also by the ordinary people living in the west. Therefore, this is the reason why the Holy Qur’an was the best selling book in America after 9/11.
To enable people to understand Islam fully and not refer to it as a backward religion or something from the dark ages that is no longer relevant in the civilised 21st century they need to relate the teaching and philosophy of Islam with the teachings of modern science. This is the very matter that is being addressed in this book by the author by comparing the research of science on various aspects of natural life and existence and the statements of Allah and His Messengers on these issues. The reader will be pleasantly surprised, whether they are Muslims or not, to see how science has actually learned so much from the teachings of Islam. This is one of the reasons why Islam is now the fastest growing religion on the globe. Many people including many women are coming to Islam after understanding its teachings and doctrines. One famous female convert to Islam said:
“Before my illegal entry into Afghanistan, my understanding of Islam was no more than what you can write on the back of a postage stamp. However, one of my conditions of release was to read the book ‘The Holy Qur’an’. After two years of study I have to accept that this is the most glorious book man can ever read, and hence I have decided unreservedly to accept the faith” (Yvonne Ridley – Journalist/Anti war campaigner)
Whist there are many people who would like to suppress the teachings of the Qur’an, it is an obligation for those with the ability to ensure that God’s word is raised to the highest level and is not hidden from any human being. This is what the Author has attempted. Whilst research between Islam and science has been done extensively by the scholars of the religion to whom the whole community of Muslims are indebted to, one must also recognise that to bring some of that research in to the English language is a major responsibility and burden which Abdul Mannan has done here.
I pray that the whole of mankind can benefit from the teachings of Islam and view this beautiful religion in the positive light that it deserves. May Allah bless Abdul Mannan and his family for his efforts and may he continue to serve Islam with further books on various topics to illuminate the lives of Muslims and non Muslims all over the globe.
Ameen
(Shaykh) Muhammad Salim Ghisa (Preston – United Kingdom) 3 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk
INTRODUCTION
Allah (The Exalted) States; “…This day I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you and have chosen Islam as religion for you….” i
i Surah Maida, Surah No: 5; Verse 3.
Being a complete, final and perfect religion, Islam offers an all-embracing, comprehensive Code of Life; so much so that its teachings and directives extend to people from all walks of life in every aspect of their existence.
Some say that Islam is a backward religion or say it can’t be used in this day and age. Statements such as these throw a person out of Islam like an arrow leaves its bow. The book of Allah (The Exalted) The Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) are the final messages till the last day and will be practiced by those whom Allah (The Exalted) wills. Allah (The Exalted) will preserve His book and the Sunnah of His beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
We have seen to date that there are many subjects that science have studied and will study that the Qur’an has already mentioned but have only been understood as time has moved on. For instance, the studies of Astronomy, the Earth, Animal and Vegetable Kingdom’s, Man and Human Reproduction etc. However, the Sunnah which is the second authority for Muslims, I feel has not been paid much attention to in the light of modern science. The Sunnah is complementary to the Holy Book itself; it helps to explain and clarify the Holy Qur’an and present practical applications of its teachings. Without the study of Hadith a Muslim’s knowledge of his faith remains incomplete, and without it the non-Muslim is unable to form a true picture of the Islamic faith and its fundamental spiritual, moral, legislative, and cultural principles.
There are some Muslim thinkers who do not like the interpretation of Qur’an or Sunnah in terms of scientific terminology. However, I believe there is nothing wrong in attempting to understand or interpret “Islam” in the light of modern knowledge. Through this book I want to encourage freethinking, stimulate research ideas among Muslim scholars, scientists and students so that our understanding of Qur’an and Sunnah can be furthered.
We shall examine statements of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) which appear today merely to record scientific truth, but which men in former times were only able to grasp the apparent meaning of. These scientific considerations should not, however, make us forget that the Hadith remains the excellent sayings of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and that it cannot, of course, be expected to have a ‘scientific’ purpose per se.
There is always new research coming to light every month in papers, magazines, TV, Internet, university research etc. it is not possible to cover everything in a book. Research can get outdated; however, the Sunnah is never outdated. Only some research has been provided in this volume just to make people aware of the benefits the Sunnah has. We should not follow the Sunnah for the sake of benefits but for the sake of the love of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
May Allah (The Exalted) give us the ability to follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah for His sake only and to please Him and His beloved Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).