Sciences of Man (4/4)

Language and Communication:

Animals and birds have their own forms of language. For example, scientists have communicated with dolphins, and whales have been shown to be very intelligent and to have a complex communication system known as songs. The killer whale in the wild has 8 to 15 special calls, and each family group (pod) has a particular dialect. They are the first mammals known to have dialects, as is the case with man. Bees transmit data to each other about food sources by a dance, each movement of which gives rise to sound impulses picked up by tiny hairs located on the back of its head. The dance's orientation is also significant. God said that animals and birds, like man, are nations that communicate in their own language (Surah Al-An’am, 6:38) and that ants have a language that Solomon could understand (Surah An-Naml, 27:18-19).

 “All animals (that live) on the earth and that fly on their wings (form part of) communities like you. We have omitted nothing from the Book, and (all of) them shall be gathered to their Lord in the end.” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:38)

“The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, declare His glory. Everything celebrates His praise, although you do not understand how they declare His glory. Truly, He is Oft-Forbearing, Most Forgiving.” (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:44)

 “When they came to a (low) valley of ants, one of the ants said, "Fellow ants, go into your homes lest Solomon and his soldiers crush you (underfoot) un­knowingly." Solomon smiled, amused by the speech, and said, "0 my Lord. Inspire me to be grateful for the favors You have bestowed on me and my parents, and (inspire me) to lead a righteous life that will please You. Admit me, by Your grace, to the ranks of Your righteous servants." (Surah An-Naml, 27:18-19)

Light:

People have always known that light comes from the sun, the moon, the stars, lightning, and fire. Perhaps they did not realize that lightning creates a very strong electric charge that can kill people by means of electric shock (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:13). Electricity has been demonstrated to man through animals. For example, the electric eel, which lives in South American rivers, can produce enough electricity to light more than a dozen electric lightbulbs. It releases from its tail 600 volts, which, at a current of approximately 2 amps, is enough to kill its prey by shock. The electric eel can reach six feet in length and, when it moves, sends out weak electric impulses from two small pilot "batteries" to detect unseen prey or enemies. This creates an electric field around the eel, and any change in it will inform the eel of the intruder's size and position.

Electric fish are found in rivers and oceans in various parts of the world. The fresh water electric cat fish of tropical Africa paralyses or kills its prey with a shock of up to several hundred volts discharged from a membrane located along its back. The disc-shaped electric ray of the Atlantic and Indian oceans and the Mediterranean, a member of the shark family, can stun or kill smaller fish but cannot harm humans. From the firefly, man saw how light could be produced by chemical reactions. Unlike lightbulbs, the light produced has no heat energy and is far more efficient than an electric bulb.

Evidence has been given to man that light can be produced without fire. It already existed when God gave the example of His own light. It is up to man to unveil its secrets.

“Thunder repeats His praise, as do the angels, with awe. He flings loud-voiced thunderbolts and, with them, strikes whoever He wills. And yet these (men dare to) dispute with God over the strength of His (supreme) power.” (Surah Ar-Ra’d, 13:13)

“God is the light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is thus: there is a niche, and within it a lamp, the lamp enclosed in glass, the glass a brilliant star lit from a blessed tree - an olive tree ­ neither of the East nor the West, whose oil is luminous, though fire hardly touches it. Light upon light. God guides whom He will to His light. He sets forth parables for men, and He knows all things.” (Surah An-Nur, 24:35)

Hygiene:

Water was very scarce in the deserts of Arabia at the time of the Qur'an's revelation. A person living at that time probably would have considered it the most valuable object in the area. However, God has asked people to wash before prayers, and, in its absence, to use "wholesome dust" and behave as if they were washing their hands and face. This was done to implant the habit of cleanliness in man (Surah Al-Ma'idah, 5:6). Rain­water was described as pure (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:48), an assertion that has now been revealed as true, for it is virtually distilled water with very few impurities from the air through which it passes. He advised people to use it to purify themselves (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:11). If people only consumed rainwater, they would not be infected by water-borne diseases. Britain relies on rain­water for its drinking water and collects it in large reservoirs for this purpose. Unfortunately, it becomes polluted as it flows downhill to the reservoirs.

“It is God Who sends the winds as heralds of glad tidings, going before His mercy, and We send down pure water from the sky.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:48)

“Remember that He covered you with a sort of drowsiness in order to make you calm, and that He caused rain from heaven to fall upon you in order to cleanse you and to remove from you the stain of Satan, to strengthen your hearts, and to plant your feet firmly there­with.” (Surah Al-Anfal, 8:11)

“O believers, when you prepare for prayer wash your faces and your hands (and anus) up to the elbows. Rub your heads (with water) and (wash) your feet to the ankles. If you are in a state of ritual impurity, wash your whole body. If you are sick, traveling, answering the call of nature, or have had (sexual) relations with women and can find no water, use clean sand or earth and rub your faces and hands with it. God does not want to make things hard on you, but to make you clean and to complete His favor to you so that you may be grateful.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:6)

Legal, Social, Economic, and Humanitarian Teachings:

The teachings found in the Qur'an cover many aspects of human life, they have been the subject of many publications and books, and are discussed and practiced by millions of people all over the world. There are laws covering marriage, divorce, inheritance, contracts, bearing witness, and testimonials. Civil and criminal laws, as well as advice and instructions on morality and human relations, are also present, as are systems for the equal taxation of all people, including non-Muslims. It covers many aspects of human psychology. Instructions from the Qur'an have been adopted by many nations and by many people who live in nations that do not recognize the Qur'an. Qur'anic teachings are applicable to all times and, over time, seem to prove their value as more people adopt their principles, at times without even being aware of this fact. Sometimes, man­made laws are difficult to adapt to a changing society.