Ramadhan pre-IFTAR lecture

1. RAMADHAN LECTURE: BY USTAZ ZHULKEFLEE HJ ISMAIL @ THE GALAXY, Organized by Muslim Converts’ Association “Darul Arqam, Singapore” AL-QUR’AN : “MIRACLE OF ALLAH’S LAST BOOK OF REVELATION” Presentation by: Ustaz Zhulkeflee Hj Ismail سَنُرِيهِمْ ءَايَـٰتِنَا فِى الأَفَاقِ وَفِى أَنفُسِهِم حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ “ We shall show them Our portents on the horizons and within themselves until it will be manifest unto them that it is the Truth .” ( Qur’an Surah Fussilat: 41: 53 ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. SLIDES FOR THE TALK 28 August 2010 (Saturday)

2. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 INTRODUCTION IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf. ( Qur’an: Al-Kahfi: 18: 1-3 )

3. “ Praise be to Allah Who hath sent to His Servant the Book (this al-Qur’an), and hath allowed therein no Crookedness: (He hath made it) Straight (and Clear), in order that He may warn (the godless) of a terrible Punishment from Him, and that He may give Glad Tidings to the Believers who work righteous deeds, that they shall have a goodly Reward. Wherein they shall remain forever:” ( Qur’an: Al-Kahfi: 18: 1-3 ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 INTRODUCTION مقدّمة IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL.

5. ISLAM INVITES WITH ‘REASON’ NOT WITH ‘COMPULSION’ “ Invite with Wisdom ( bil - Hikmah ) not with the Law ( bil-Ahkam )” AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

10. RELEVANT VERSE TO BE REFLECTED: “ O mankind! There hath come to you a admonition (this al-Qur’an) from your Lord and a healing for the (diseases) in your hearts and for those who believe, a Guidance and a Mercy.” ( Qur’an: an-Nisa’: 4: 136 ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf.

11. AL-QUR’AN THE FINAL DIVINELY REVEALED BOOK MEANT FOR ALL MANKIND AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

16. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf. (Qur’an: Surah al-’Alaq: 96: 1-5 )

17. “ Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created― Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood: Proclaim! And thy Lord is Most Bountiful― He Who taught (the use of) the Pen― Taught man that which he knew not. (Qur’an: Surah al-’Alaq: 96: 1-5 ) IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

22. WHY A MUSLIM BELIEVES ALQUR’AN IS A DIVINELY REVEALED BOOK AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 To acknowledge that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, as well as to be able to invite others to this message ... every Muslim themselves must know .....

23. “ AL-FURQAN” ( THE SEPERATOR ) : TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN MANY CLAIMS OF DIVINE AUTHORSHIP AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 A REFLECTION

24. FROM ONE INTER-FAITH DIALOGE (circa 1980) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 Presenting the Qur’an to non-Muslims .... Sharing an experience

25. WHY CRITERIA ? INTRODUCTION AND A BRIEF BACKGROUND AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

26. CLAIMS ITSELF TO BE FROM GOD………. The Book itself must make the claim, and not what people attribute to it based on whatever reasons. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 1

27. UNIQUE AND INIMITABLE………. A Book from God must be unique so that it is distinct from other books. Thus, inimitability (not possible for any to produce another like it) is an important quality. * This is one of the most important criteria, presented by the Qur’an itself as a challenge to doubters. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 2

28. CONTAINS ABSOLUTE PRINCIPLES………. All principles which the book contains must be absolute (not affected by time) and remain as true today as they will remain true in the future and as they had proven true in the past. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 3

29. CONTAINS NEITHER DISCREPANCY NOR INACCURACY………. God is perfect in His Wisdom and cannot be the author of discrepancies and/or inaccuracies. * This is one of the most important criteria, presented by the Qur’an itself as a challenge to doubters. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 4

30. CONTRIBUTES TO THE WELL-BEING OF PEOPLE OF ALL LEVELS………. Unlike other books which appeal to or benefit only certain classes of people according to their intellectual levels, the Book of God is meant for all classes of people. Only God’s Wisdom is capable of producing such a Book. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 5

31. SOME PROPHECIES PROVEN TRUE………. Proof of God’s knowledge is in the truth of His prophecies. Although there are many which have not yet come to pass, still there must be some prophecies which can validate this unique attribute of God in the Book. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 6

32. SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH VALIDATES DATA IN THE BOOK………. Any scientific fact mentioned in the Book should be able to stand the test of time and scientific research. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 7

33. MUST REMAIN PRESERVED AND NOT BE TAMPERED WITH………. A claim of a Book from God must be on the basis of its original writing. Not something which has been doctored with or edited, with the intention of giving it credibility, based on newly discovered knowledge. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 8

34. MUST SPEAK ABOUT GOD AND HIS DIVINE PLAN If God sends a Book to us, it must be to inform us about Himself and His Divine Plan. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 9

35. UNIVERSAL APPEAL AND APPLICATION … Whatever the message of the Book, it must remain relevant throughout the ages from the time of its revelation. THE CRITERIA AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 # 10

42. To read further with more details, please go to my blog: http://criteriaforaholybook-quran.blogspot.com/ “ The Criteria for a Holy Book” - a case for the Qur’an AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

43. WHAT IS ‘MIRACLE’ ? THE ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 وَبَيِّنَـٰتٍ مِّنَ ٱلهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرْقَان “ ........ clear explanation (with Signs) for the Guidance and the Criterion (to differentiate between right and wrong).”

44. “ AL-FURQAN” ( THE SEPERATOR ) : EXPLANATION TO DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN TERMS : “ MIRACLE AND MU’JIZAT ” AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 A REFLECTION

52. “ A LINGUISTIC MIRACLE ( MU’JIZAT )” AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 AMONGST OTHERS, THE MOST SIGNIFICANT IS THAT IT IS : THE CHALLENGE AND A FALSIFICATION TEST...

64. Challenge to the best Arab linguist and literati AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

65. Challenge to the best Arab linguist and literati AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 إِنَّا نَحنُ نَزَّلنَا ٱلذِّكرَ وَإِنَّا لَهُ ۥ لَحَـٰفِظُونَ “ We have, without doubt sent down the Message (Al-Qur’an); and We will assuredly guard it (from corruption).” ( Surah al-Hijr: 17: 9 )

66. LET US ANALYSE : “ PROPHECIES”

67. “ PROPHECY OF YET MANY FUTURE DISCOVERY OF ITS OTHER MIRACLES” AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 SOME EXAMPLES: OF ITS FULFIMENT “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings” REMEMBER: AL-QUR’AN WAS REVEALED MORE THAN 1400 YEARS AGO ...

68. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 “ In time We shall make them fully understand Our messages [through what they perceive] in the utmost horizons [of the universe] and within themselves, so that it will become clear unto them that this [revelation] is indeed the truth. [Still] is it not enough [for them to know] that thy Sustainer is witness unto everything?” ( Qur’an: Fussilat: 41: 53) THE AMAZING PROPHECY ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf.

69. LET US ANALYSE : “ COMPATIBILITY WITH MODERN SCIENTIFIC FINDINGS”

70. “ ISLAM AND CONTEMPORARY EMPIRICAL SCIENCE” - AN IMPORTANT QUALIFICATION AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

74. ASTRONOMY AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 Expanding universe.... A SAMPLE :

76. MOLECULAR PHYSICS AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 Smallest particles? .... ANOTHER SAMPLE :

81. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - MOLECULES ” ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf. ( Qur’an: Yunus: 10: 61 )

82. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - MOLECULES ” “ And in whatever condition you may find yourself and whatever discourse of this [Book] you may be reciting and whatever work you [all, O men] may do – [remember that]- We are your witness [from the moment] when you enter upon it: for, not even an atom’s weight [of whatever there is] on earth or in heaven escapes thy Sustainer’s knowledge; and neither is there, anything smaller than that, or larger, but is recorded in [His] clear decree.” ( Qur’an: Yunus: 10: 61 )

85. EMBRYOLOGY AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 ANOTHER SAMPLE : Pre-formation in foetus? ....

86. notice the preformed shape of a foetus Seventeenth century drawing by Hartsoeker of a sperm (circa 1600) SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - EMBRYOLOGY ” 17 th Century Western ‘preformation’ theory AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

87. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - EMBRYOLOGY ” ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf. ( Qur’an : Surah al- Mu’minun : 23: 12-15 )

88. IN THE NAME OF ALLAH, MOST COMPASSIONATE, MOST MERCIFUL. AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 “ We (Allah) created man from a quintessence (gentle extraction) of clay ( sulaalah min t in ) ; We then placed him as a drop ( nutfah ) in a place of rest firmly fixed; then We made the drop into an “ ’alaqah ” (leech-like); and then We change the “alaqah” into “ mudghah ” (chewed-like substance); then We made out of that “ mudghah ” bones ( ‘izam ); then We clothed the bones with flesh ( ‘lahm ); then We developed out of it another creation *. So blessed be Allah, the best to create.” ( Qur’an : Surah al- Mu’minun : 23: 12-15 ) SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - EMBRYOLOGY ” * This verse clearly rejects the “preformation” myth.

89. What did the Prophet say ? “ When forty-two nights have passed over the Nutfah (i.e. the zygote) Allah sends an angel to it, who shapes it and make its ears, skin, flesh and bones. Then the angel says ‘O Lord ! Is it male or female ?’ And your Lord decide what He wishes and then the angel records it.” ( Hadith reported by Muslim in Kitab al-Qadr ) SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - EMBRYOLOGY ” AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

90. “ It appears that Human knowledge had, at one time contradicted some of the facts brought by Islam on some aspects of reproduction. It is also realised that as man discovers new facts, he finds himself repeating what had already been stated by the Qur’an and the Hadith.” Admission of a modern professor of Embryology, Keith L Moore. SOME EXAMPLES: “ Qur’an and contemporary scientific findings - EMBRYOLOGY ” AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

91. REFLECT AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

97. APPRECIATING THE HOLY QUR’AN AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

98. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

99. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

100. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : “ Educate (nurture) your children upon three things: [1] To Love your Prophet ( s.a.w.), [2] And to love the Family members of his household ( Aali Muhammad ), [3] and (learn) to recite ( tilaawah ) Al-Qur’an.” ( Hadith narrated by Tabrani ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

105. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. also said: “Whosoever recites one letter from the Book of Allah (al-Qur’an) has one reward, and rewards are [multiplied] by ten of their kind. I do not say that “ Alif, Lam, Meem ” is one [single] letter, rather “ Ali f” is one letter, “ Lam ” is one letter and “ Meem ” is one letter ” ( Hadith reported by at-Tirmidhi ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

106. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : “ When the Qur'an is read, listen to it with attention, and hold your peace: that ye may receive Mercy.” ( Qur’an: Surah al-A’raf: 7: 204 ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

107. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : “ Whosoever listens to the verses from the Book of Allah (Al-Qur’an), Allah will record for him Hasanat (Goodly reward) which will be multiplied. And whosoever recites the verses from the Book of Allah (Al-Qur’an), Allah will make it for him as Light ( Nur ) on the Day of Resurrection (Hereafter).” ( Hadith reported by Ahmad from Abi Hurayrah ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

108. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : “ The best amongst you is the one who learns the Qur’an and who teaches it.” (Hadith reported by Abu Dawud, Tirmidzi and Ibnu Majah ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

111. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : “ ... so announce the Good News to My Servants― Those who listen to the Word, and follow the best (meaning) in it: those are the ones whom Allah has guided, and those are the ones endued with understanding.” ( Qur’an: az-Zumar: 39:18 ) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 ‘ Slideshare’ software unable to upload Arabic Qur’anic fonts without errors, so please refer to a Mushaf.

112. A VERY IMPORTANT REMINDER : “ If ye differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger * if ye do believe in Allah and the Last Day: that is best, and most suitable for final determination. ” ( Qur’an: An-Nisa’: 4: 5) AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010 * This instruction especially is referring to the Islamic scholars and jurists, who are competent to refer back to these two primary sources – Al-Qur’an & As-Sunnah - not just any one, as this verse clarified. Al-Qur’an also instructs general Muslims with a command to seek those who are “ Faqqih ” – deeply learned in the knowledge of the Deen for religious rulings.

113. وَاللهُ أَعْلَم وَبِا للهِ الْهِدَا يَة وَ التَّوْ فِيْق “ And Allah knows best, and with Allah is the Guidance and the True Success” السَّلامُ عَلَيْكُم وَرَحْمَةُاللّهِ وَبَرَكَاتُه AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010

114. ANY QUESTIONS? AllRightsReserved©ZhulkefleeHjIsmail2010