Sciences of Man (1/4)

Mathematical sciences have been used by man since the early days of civilization. The design and calculations that allowed the ancient Egyptians to construct the pyramids were advanced and complex even by our modem standards. The ancient Egyptians used three calendars. The first one, based on the moon, was governed by the star Sirius and corresponded to the true solar year. However, it was twelve minutes shorter. Their second calendar, a civil one, was similar to ours and is one quarter of a day shorter than the solar year. Hence, every four years it falls behind the solar year by one day. After the passage of 1,460 years, it will agree with the lunar-solar calendar. The third calendar, which also served as a second lunar calendar although it was based on the civil year and not on the sighting of Sirius, was schematic and artificial. Their calculations were so accurate that the rays of the sun entered the Temple of Abu Simbel and shone in the inner sanctuary on only two days each year: the twenty third of February and twenty third of October. The first celebrates the birthday of Ramses II, and the second is the anniversary of his victory at Kadesh.

The Gregorian calendar is based on the three natural clocks in the sky: the day, the lunar month, and the solar year. It is not very different from the ancient Egyptian civil calendar and is shorter than the solar year by a quarter of a day every year. One day must be added every four years to make up the difference. Sympathy must be given to those born on the twenty ninth of February, as they can celebrate their birthday only once every four years.

Proper mathematical information cannot attain a high level of sophistication unless it is related to time. God informs us that the months that are with Him have been twelve ever since the day He created the heavens and the earth and that the alternation of day and night will help teach mathematics. He created the moon to give light and "determined it into stations" to mark the lunar month. Twelve lunar months formulate a year with God. This is a very strong indication that our calculations should be based on these heavenly clocks.

“The number of months (in a year) in the sight of God is twelve. This was ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth. Four of them are sacred. This is the correct usage, so do not wrong yourselves during them. Fight the pagans as a group as they fight you as a group, and know that God is with those who restrain themselves.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)

“It is He who made the sun a shining glory and the moon a light (of beauty). He measured out stages for it so that you might know the number of years and the count (of time). God created all of this in truth and righteousness. He explains His signs in detail for those who understand.” (Surah Yunus, 10:5)

“We have made the night and the day as two (of Our) signs. We have obscured the sign of the night, whereas We have made the sign of the day to enlighten you, so you may seek the bounty of God and so you may know the number and count of the years. We have explained all things in detail.” (Surah Al-Isra’, 17:12)

Celestial Navigation:

Before the invention of the compass, people could only find their way by means of celestial navigation. From the different phases of the moon and its position in the sky, as well as from the different positions of the sun, people could identify direction during the day and the night. Stars, especially those arranged in constellations and that assumes varied positions during the year, were used to navigate on land and sea. However, the real problem was to find a celestial body with a constant and recognizable path that could be related to other celestial bodies. The answer to this problem was emphasized in the Qur'an: the stages of the moon make one lunar month and twelve lunar months make one year. Hence, the Arab calendar was and remains based on the lunar month.

Accumulated information based on moon sightings and other celestial bodies is collected in an almanac (derived from Arabic al manakh [weather, climate, and changes in natural phenomena]). Almanacs are used to navigate at sea, in the air, and in space. A ship captain can plan his course in advance and plot his course and position at sea on different days by means of an almanac. It also gives him the precise position of the moon and stars at any time in the future. At sea, his boat's position could be readjusted during the journey by taking bearings from existing celestial bodies and adjusting for wind, tide, current, and other weather-related phenomenon.

Traditional navigational methods include the use of a magnetic compass and a sextant. Today, the gyrocompass meets this need, along with highly sophisticated electronic methods employing beacons of radio signals, such as DECCA (accuracy of 50 meters at a range of 180 kms.) and OMEGA (accuracy of 4 kms. during the day and 7 kms. at night). Satellite navigation uses satellites that broadcast time and position signals. The United States Global Positioning System (GPS) has an accuracy of 100 meters and can also be used by pedestrians and motorists. In 1992, 85 nations agreed to take part in trials of a new navigation system. Future Navigation System (FANS) will make use of the 24 Russian Glonass satellites and the 24 American GPS satellites. Small computers will gradually be fitted to civil aircraft, so they can process the satellites' signals. The signals from at least 3 satellites will guide the craft to within a few meters of accuracy. FANS will be used in conjunction with 4 Imarsat satellites to provide worldwide communication between pilots and air-traffic controllers.

This modern degree of sophistication in navigation would never have been reached without the earlier use of celestial bodies. Man has replaced the moon, the sun, and the stars with satellites to guide his way.

“Blessed is He Who made constellations in the skies, and placed therein a [radiant] lamp and a light-giving moon.” (Surah Al-Furqan, 25:61)

“God separates the daybreak (from the dark), makes the night for rest and peace, and the sun and moon for the reckoning (of time). Such is His judgment and ordering. (He is) Exalted in Power, the Omniscient. It is God who makes the stars (as beacons) for you, so that you can guide yourselves with their help through the dark spaces of the land and sea. We detail Our signs for people who know.” (Surah Al-An’am, 6:96-97)

(Continued)