RAMADAN 2004 - The 3rd Day

1413

18 February, 2018

Who speaks anything better than the one
who summons to Allah, acts righteously, and says,
"I am among those who submit to Allah"?
(Surah Fussilat: 33)

Whoever causes a harm to believers,
Allah harms him. Whoever causes difficulty to them,
Allah makes his way difficult.
(Tirmidhi)

MIRACLES OF THE QUR'AN

THE EXPANSION OF THE UNIVERSE

Edwin Hubble with his giant telescope

In the Qur'an, which was revealed fourteen centuries ago at a time when the science of astronomy was still primitive, the expansion of the universe was described in the following terms:

And it is We Who have constructed the heaven with might, and verily, it is We Who are steadily expanding it. (Qur’an, 51:47)

The word "heaven," as stated in the verse above, is used in various places in the Qur'an. It is referring to space and the wider universe. Here again, the word is used with this meaning, stating that the universe "expands." The Arabic word “moosiaaoona” in the term “inna lamoosiaaoona,” translated into English as “it is We Who are steadily expanding it”, comes from the verb “evsea,” meaning “to expand.” The prefix “la” emphasises the following name or title and adds a sense of “to a great extent.” This expression therefore means “We expand the sky or the universe to a great extent.” This is the very conclusion that science has reached today. 1

Georges Lemaitre

Until the dawn of the 20th century, the only view prevailing in the world of science was that "the universe has a constant nature and it has existed since infinite time." However, modern research, observations, and calculations carried out by means of modern technology have revealed that the universe in fact had a beginning and that it constantly "expands."

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Russian physicist Alexander Friedmann and the Belgian cosmologist Georges Lemaitre theoretically calculated that the universe is in constant motion and that it is expanding.

This notion was confirmed by the use of observational data in 1929. While observing the sky with a telescope, Edwin Hubble, the American astronomer, discovered that the stars and galaxies were constantly moving away from each other. This discovery is regarded as one of the greatest in the history of astronomy. During these observations, Hubble established that the stars emit a light that turns redder according to their distance. That is because according to the known laws of physics, light heading towards a point of observation turns violet, and light moving away from that point assumes a more reddish hue. During his observations, Hubble noted a tendency towards the colour red in the light emitted by stars. In short, the stars were moving further and further away, all the time. The stars and galaxies were not only moving away from us, but also from each other. A universe where everything constantly moves away from everything else implied a constantly expanding universe. The observations carried out in the following years verified that the universe is constantly expanding.

From the moment of the Big Bang, the universe has been constantly expanding at a great speed. Scientists compare the expanding universe to the surface of a balloon that is inflated.

In order to gain a clearer understanding of this, let us imagine the universe to be the surface of a balloon being inflated. In the same way that the more the balloon is inflated, the further away the points on its surface move from one another, celestial bodies also move away from one another as the universe expands. This was theoretically discovered by Albert Einstein, regarded as one of the greatest scientists of the 20th century. However, in order to avoid violating the “static universe model” that was generally accepted at that time, Einstein laid that discovery aside. He would later describe this as the greatest blunder of his life. 2

This fact was explained in the Qur'an in a time when telescopes and similar technological advancements were not even close to being invented. This is because the Qur'an is the Word of Allah: the Creator and Ruler of the entire universe.

(For further reference, please see, Miracles of the Qur'an, by Harun Yahya)

1. S. Waqar Ahmed Husaini, The Quran for Astronomy and Earth Exploration from Space 3rd ed. (New Delhi: Goodword Press: 1999), 103-108.
2. www.time.com/time/time100/scientist/profile/hubble.html

THE END TIMES AND THE MAHDI

THE SIGNS OF THE LAST DAY IN THE HADITHS

Wars and anarchy

Allah's Messenger (saas) said: 'The Harj (will increase).' They asked, 'What is the Harj?' He replied, '(It is) killing (murdering), (it is) murdering (killing).' (Bukhari)

The Hour will come when violence, bloodshed, and anarchy become common. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Muntakhab Kanzul Ummaal)

The world will not come to an end until a day would come to the people on which there will be general massacre and bloodshed. (Muslim)

If we look at the last fourteen centuries, we see that wars were regional before the twentieth century. However, wars that affected everyone in the world, political systems, entire economies and social structures, have happened only comparatively recently, in the two world wars. In World War I, more than 20 million died; in World War II, the toll was more than 50 million. At the same time, World War II is acknowledged to have been the bloodiest, the greatest and the most destructive war in history.

The conflicts that occurred after World War II—the Cold War, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the Gulf War—are among the most critical events of our time. Likewise, regional wars, conflicts and civil wars, have caused destruction in many parts of the world. In places such as Bosnia, Palestine, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Kashmir and many others, problems continue to afflict humanity.

Another instance of a type of 'chaos' that concerns human beings as much as war is organized international terror. As authorities on the subject also agree, acts of terror have multiplied in the latter half of the twentieth century.1 Indeed, it is even possible to say that terror is a phenomenon particular to the twentieth century. Organizations devoted to racism, communism and similar ideologies, or with nationalistic aims, have engaged in acts of brutality with the help of the developing technology. Within the world's recent history, acts of terror have, time and again, fomented chaos. Much blood has been shed and countless innocent people have been maimed or killed.

The destruction of great cities: wars and disasters

Great cities will be ruined and it will be as if they had not existed the day before. (Al-Muttaqi al-Hindi, Al-Burhan fi Alamat al-Mahdi Akhir al-Zaman)

The ruin of great cities spoken of in this hadith brings to mind the destruction that now arises from war and various natural disasters. Recently developed nuclear weapons, aircraft, bombs, missiles, and other modern weapons, have caused untold destruction. These terrible weapons have brought about a degree of destruction never before seen. Indeed, the great cities targeted are most affected by this destruction. The incomparable destruction of the Second World War is an example of this. With the use of the atom bomb in world's greatest war, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were completely destroyed. As a result of heavy bombing, European capitals and other important cities suffered a great amount of damage.

In the last few years, hurricanes, storms, typhoons and other such disasters have had a destructive effect on the American continent as well as in several other places in the world. In addition, floods have caused mudslides, which have engulfed certain centers of population. Furthermore, earthquakes, volcanoes and tidal waves have also caused great devastation. Therefore, all this destruction brought on upon the great cities by these calamities is an important sign in each case.

Earthquakes

The Hour (Last Day) will not be established until ... earthquakes will be very frequent. (Bukhari)

There are two great hadiths before the day of Judgment... and then years of earthquakes. (Narrated by Umm Salama r.a.)

In the last few years, major earthquakes have occurred repeatedly and are among the foremost fears of people around the world. If we look at the data collected by the American National Earthquake Information Center for 1999, we find that 20,832 earthquakes happened somewhere in the world. As a result, an estimated 22,711 persons lost their lives. 2

(For further reference, please see, The End Times and the Mahdi, by Harun Yahya)

1. M. Encarta Encyclopedia 2000, 'Terrorism'
2. US Geological Survey National Earthquake Information Center, "Earthquake Facts and Statistics", 2000, http://www.neic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/eqlists/eqstats.html

THE EVOLUTION DECEIT

WHY IS IT DECEPTIVE TO PORTRAY CLONING AS
"PROOF OF EVOLUTION"?

The fact that such a question as whether such a scientific advance as cloning "supports evolution" is asked or even comes to mind actually reveals a very important truth. This is the cheapness of the propaganda that evolutionists resort to to get people to accept their theory. Since the subject of cloning has nothing to do with the theory of evolution, it cannot be a matter of concern for any professional evolutionist. However, some of those who blindly support evolution at whatever cost, and particularly certain circles within media organizations, have even tried to turn such a totally unconnected matter as cloning into propaganda for evolution.

Cloning is the using of one life form's DNA code to make a copy of that life form in the laboratory. It is a biological process, and has nothing to do with evolution. There is no question of the emergence of a new species or organ, nor indeed of any development or change.

What does cloning a living thing mean?

The DNA of the living thing that is proposed to be copied is used in the cloning process. The DNA is extracted from any cell belonging to the organism in question, and then placed into an egg cell belonging to another organism of the same species. A shock is then given immediately afterwards, which prompts the egg cell to start dividing. The embryo is then placed into a living thing’s womb, where it continues to divide. Scientists then await its development and birth.

Why has cloning nothing to do with evolution?

Cloning has recently become a matter of major concern to scientists.
Although it is a biological process carried out within the framework of known laws, evolutionists have tried to take it over in the excited hope that it might support their theory, as happens with every new scientific discovery. The media that gives ideological backing to evolution made headlines out of it, accompanied by slogans supporting evolution. Although it has absolutely no scientific foundation, Darwinists attempted to use cloning as evidence for evolution in various debates. Yet it was clear that cloning had nothing to do with evolution. The scientific community did not even take these ridiculous efforts seriously. Right: A diagram of how cloning works, taken from a scientific publication.

The concepts of cloning and evolution are completely different. The theory of evolution is built on the claim that inorganic matter turned into living matter by chance. (There is not the slightest scientific proof that this could actually happen.) Cloning, on the other hand, is the copying of a living thing by using genetic material from that creature’s cells. The new organism starts from a single cell, and a biological process is transferred to the laboratory and repeated there. In other words, there is no question of such a process happening by "chance”---the basic claim of the theory of evolution---nor of "inorganic matter coming to life."

The cloning process is no evidence for evolution whatsoever. It is, however, clear evidence of a biological law that totally undermines evolution. That is the famous principle that "Life can only come from life," put forward by the famous scientist Louis Pasteur towards the end of the 19th century. The fact that cloning is presented as evidence for evolution, despite that open truth, is a deception being carried out by the media.

Advances in many branches of science over the last 30 years have demonstrated that the emergence of life cannot be explained in terms of coincidence. Evolutionists’ scientific errors and one-sided comments have been well-documented, and the theory of evolution has become indefensible within the realm of science. This fact has propelled some evolutionists to look in other areas. That is why scientific advances such as "cloning," or "test-tube babies," have been so fanatically used as evidence for evolution in the recent past.

Evolutionists have nothing more to say to society in the name of science, and so take refuge in the gaps in people's scientific knowledge and try to prolong the theory’s life in that way, even though that merely brings the theory to a pitiable state. Just like all other scientific advances, cloning is a very important and revealing scientific advance that also sheds light on the fact that life was created.

Other misinterpretations of cloning

Copying consists of adding already existing genetic information to the already existing reproductive mechanism of a living thing. No new mechanism or genetic information is created by the process.

Another misunderstanding that people have fallen into as regards cloning is the idea that cloning can "create human beings." However, cloning bears no such interpretation. Cloning consists of adding genetic information which already exists to a living reproduction mechanism that also already exists. No new mechanism or genetic information is created in the process. Genetic information is taken from someone who already exists and is placed inside a female womb. This enables the child that is eventually born to be the "identical twin" of the person from whom the genetic information was taken.

Many people who do not fully understand what cloning is have all kinds of fantastic ideas about it. For instance, they imagine that a cell can be taken from a 30-year-old man and another 30-year-old can be created that same day. Such an example of cloning is only to be found in science fiction, and is not and never will be possible. Cloning basically consists of bringing a person’s "identical twin" to life by natural methods (in other words in a mother’s womb).This has nothing to do with the theory of evolution, nor with the concept of "creating man."

Creating a human being or any other living thing---in other words bringing something into existence out of nothing---is a power peculiar to God. Scientific advances confirm the same thing by showing that this creation cannot be done by man. This is expressed in a holy verse:

The Originator of the heavens and earth. When He decides on something, He just says to it, "Be!" and it is. (Qur’an, 2: 117)

Cloning a Human Being or any other Living being is not Creating

In some publications, it has been alleged that by the advancement of the science of genetics, human beings would be cloned and therefore, human beings would create human beings. This, too, is a very distorted and farfetched logic. Creating means to bring something into being from nothingness, and this act is peculiar to God alone. The formation of the identical copy of a living being through the copying of genetic information does not mean that this living being is created. When man or any other living being is cloned, the cells of a living being are taken and copied. However, never has a single living cell been created from nothingness by man. The research conducted on this subject has been stopped it was all inconclusive.

Consequently, the discovery of the human genetic makeup by no means implies man's challenge to his destiny, and it never can. Every incident, every act of speech and development are all predetermined in the sight of God according to a certain destiny. So are scientific developments and the innovations they will introduce. God is All-Knowing, and All-Encompassing. The fact that everything, big or small, takes places within the knowledge of God is related in the Qur'an as follows:

You do not engage in any matter or recite any of the Qur'an or do any action without Our witnessing you while you are occupied with it. Not even the smallest speck eludes your Lord, either on earth or in heaven. Nor is there anything smaller than that, or larger, which is not in a Clear Book. (Surah Yunus: 61)

(For further reading, see “The collapse of the theory of evolution in 20 questions” by Harun Yahya)

THE MUSLIM WAY OF SPEAKING

CALLING IN ALLAH THROUGH HIS BEAUTIFUL NAMES

With the following verse of the Qur'an, "Say: 'Call on Allah or call on the All-Merciful, whichever you call upon, the Most Beautiful Names are His.'" (Surat al-Isra': 110), Allah reminds us that He possesses the most beautiful of names, and advises believers to call upon Him by them.

Throughout that with which they are faced in their lives, believers recognize the manifestation of the superior wisdom of our Lord. For example, they know that our Lord is the commander of infinite justice, and, during that which they experience, they remember Allah by such a title. Even under the most dire of circumstances, their recognition of Allah's perfect justice is reflected in their speech. Though they may suffer material loss, fall seriously ill, or suffer a grave injustice by the hand of another, they do not forget that all such occurrences have been created only to test them. No matter how outwardly different the events may seem, they never forget that Allah possesses infinite justice, and that on the Day of Judgment all will receive their due reward for the good or evil they had done. As is pointed out by Allah in the verse, "They will not be wronged by so much as the smallest speck." (Surat an-Nisa': 49), they speak with knowledge that humans will not be made to suffer the slightest injustice. They conscientiously avoid uttering any word which will not be approved by Allah. Also, they speak in such a manner as to remind those around them of this same truth, that they may save them from heedlessness or error. In addition to "the Just," another of the beautiful names of our Lord which believers are familiar with that He is "the Ever-Returning, the Most Merciful," "All-Thankful, the All-Knowing," "the One Who answers sincere prayers in the best way" and "He Who protects and takes care of the righteous." They know, too, that only Allah is "the Provider of sustenance," "the Granter of joy and peace" and "He Who causes laughter or tears" and the knowledge of these attributes is reflected in their language. It can be discerned from their speech that in everything they experience they are aware of Allah's absolute control, His superior wisdom, His infinite justice and His unrivalled artistry.

In each of the statements of the Prophets, all shining examples for which the faithful to follow, we can discern the way in which they tended to refer to and exalt our Lord with the most beautiful of names. In the Qur'an, we are told that ‘Isa (as), upon receiving a revelation from Allah, said:

And when Allah says, ''Isa son of Maryam! Did you say to people, 'Take me and my mother as gods besides Allah?'" he will say, "Glory be to You! It is not for me to say what I have no right to say! If I had said it, then You would have known it. You know what is in my self but I do not know what is in Your Self. You are the Knower of all unseen things." (Surat al-Ma'ida: 116)

NAMES OF ALLAH

AL-AKHIR
The Last; The One Who Exists After Everything Else Perishes

He is the First and the Last, the Outward and the Inward. He has knowledge of all things. (Surat al-Hadid, 57:3)

Allah created the universe from nothing and, ultimately, will return it to its initial state and destroy it. Nothing is immortal, for all living beings come into existence for a predetermined period of time and then die—everything, that is, except Allah, Who is the First and the Last and therefore without beginning or end.

Allah, the Creator of life and time, is not affected by any of matter’s characteristics. Given that He is infinite, He will exist for all eternity, existed in the infinite past, and is unaffected by time and space. This fact is stressed in the Qur’an, as follows:

Everyone on it will pass away; but the Face of your Lord will remain, Master of Majesty and Generosity. (Surat ar-Rahman, 55:26-27)

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

QUICK GRASP OF FAITH

CAN ONE SEEK FOREGIVENESS FOR ANOTHER?

It is always possible for a person to ask that other believers be forgiven, regardless of what they have done. The Qur’an mentions that the believers pray to Allah for all believers to be forgiven and for mercy. Since they know that only those with whom Allah is well pleased will be safeguarded from Hell’s punishment and will earn Paradise, they desire the wrongdoings of other believers, as well as their own, to be forgiven. Allah’s command in this matter is expressed as follows:

Know then that there is no god except Allah, and ask forgiveness for your wrongdoing and for the men and women who believe. Allah knows both your activity and your repose. (Surah Muhammad, 19)

Until the end of their lives, the believers seek forgiveness for other believers. However, whether their prayers are accepted or not is completely within the authority of Allah. The Qur’an gives the following example of such a prayer:

Those who have come after them say: "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith, and do not put any rancor in our hearts toward those who believe. Our Lord, You are All-Gentle, Most Merciful." (Surat al-Hashr, 10)

IS THE PERSON WHO COMMUNICATIS THE RELIGION RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMEONE'S DECISION TO BELIEVE OR NOT TO BELIEVE?

No, because each person is responsible only for himself or herself. The believers are responsible only for conveying the message to others in the best way and to call them to believe in Allah.

Nevertheless, the heart of the person to whom the religion is communicated is completely in Allah’s hand. If it is that person’s destiny to believe, Allah will give him or her the love of Islam and will settle faith in his or her heart. Accordingly, Allah states in the Qur’an that Muslims communicate the religion, but only He guides the person:

You cannot guide those you would like to, but Allah guides those whom He wills. He has best knowledge of the guided. (Surat al-Qasas, 56)

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

BOOK REVIEW

ISLAM DENOUNCES TERRORISM

By Harun Yahya

God calls to the Abode of Peace and He guides whom He wills to a straight path. (Qur'an, 10:25)

Terrorism is a crime against humanity. It is a brutal attack on innocent people. Islam is a religion that means "peace". In the Qur’an, the Holy Book of Islam, God commands believers to bring peace and security to the world. Terrorism and all other mischief on Earth are the very acts that Muslims are commanded by God to stand against. The Islamic morality is the cure for terrorism, not the source of it. Those who resort to or support terrorism in the name of Islam are in a great error. They are committing a crime which God has cursed in the Qur’an. All true Muslims denounce terrorism of any kind, and share the sorrows of its victims.

This book maintains that the source of the terror that we condemn is definitely not from a divine religion, and that there is no room for terrorism in Islam. This is made clear in the Qur'an, the main source of Islam, and in the practices of all true Muslim rulers, the Prophet Muhammad being the foremost of them. This book reveals, in the light of the verses of the Qur'an and with examples from history, that Islam forbids terrorism and aims to bring peace and security to the world.

Religion commands love, mercy and peace. Terror, on the other hand, is the opposite of religion; it is cruel, merciless and demands bloodshed and misery. This being the case, the origins of a terrorist act should be sought in disbelief rather than in religion. People with a fascist, communist, racist or materialist outlook on life should be suspected as potential perpetrators. The name or the identity of the triggerman is not important. If he can kill innocent people without blinking an eye, then he is a nonbeliever, not a believer. He is a murderer with no fear of God, whose main ambition is to shed blood and to cause harm. For this reason, "Islamic terror" is an erroneous concept which contradicts the message of Islam. The religion of Islam can by no means countenance terrorism. On the contrary, terror (i.e. murder of innocent people) in Islam is a great sin, and Muslims are responsible for preventing these acts and bringing peace and justice to the world.

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

SITE OF THE DAY

As a verse of the Qur'an reveals, "… Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and the Final Seal of the Prophets." (Surat al-Ahzab: 40), the Prophet Muhammad (saas) was sent to mankind as the last prophet. He was a living example of the sublime morality of Allah's last revelation. He was a friend of Allah and inspired humanity by his nearness to Him. He was His representative, noble in His eyes, and a friend to all believers.

The aim of this site is to introduce various characteristics of the Prophet Muhammad (saas), by showing the superior features and qualities a society may enjoy when it adopts such a morality, thus encouraging others to adopt that same morality. As the Prophet (saas) has revealed in the hadith, "Verily, I have left amongst you the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Apostle which if you hold fast, you shall never go astray," a Muslim's two truest guides are the Qur'an and Sunnah (the practice of the Prophet Muhammad (saas)). The Prophet Muhammad (saas) was an example to all humanity with his morality, to which he called on mankind to live by. It was the Prophet (saas) who said "I was sent to perfect good character" and "By One in whose hand there is my life: None shall enter Paradise except one who has got good conduct."

Those Muslims who follow the way of the Prophet (saas) need to be foremost in their morality and behavior, and to invite others to adopt that same morality. Visit the site >>

TO PURCHASE THE WORKS OF HARUN YAHYA, PLEASE VISIT: WWW.BOOKGLOBAL.NET

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RAMADAN 2004 - The 3rd Day