Scientific Errors in the Quran: Difference between revisions

no edit summary
[checked revision][checked revision]
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 360: Line 360:


===All organisms created in pairs===
===All organisms created in pairs===
The Quran states that all beings are created in pairs. However, modern science has revealed that not every creature procreates or reproduces through a male and female sexual relationship. The [[w:Desert grassland whiptail lizard|whiptail lizard]] in the U.S. Southwest, Mexico, and South America, for instance, is an all-females species which reproduces by [[w:parthenogenesis|parthenogenesis]]. [[w:virus|Viruses]] (if considered a life form) reproduce using a host's DNA and are neither female nor male. [[w:Bacteria|Bacteria]] reproduce by cell division. [[w:Fungus|Fungus]] can reproduce either sexually or asexually. Many species of plants also reproduce either asexually or through [[w:Pollination|pollination]].  
The Quran states that all beings are created in pairs. However, modern science has revealed that not every creature procreates or reproduces through a male and female sexual relationship. The [[w:Desert grassland whiptail lizard|whiptail lizard]] in the U.S. Southwest, Mexico, and South America, for instance, is an all-females species which reproduces by [[w:parthenogenesis|parthenogenesis]]. [[w:virus|Viruses]] (if considered a life form) reproduce using a host's DNA and are neither female nor male. [[w:Bacteria|Bacteria]] reproduce by cell division. [[w:Fungus|Fungus]] can reproduce either sexually or asexually. Many species of plants also reproduce either asexually or through [[w:Pollination|pollination]]. Hermaphrodites of all species also do not appear to fit in to this dichotomy.  


{{Quote|{{Quran|51|49}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|51|49}}|
Line 375: Line 375:


===Functions of the heart===
===Functions of the heart===
In several verses, the Qur'an ascribes understanding and thinking to the heart instead of the brain.
The Quran describes the heart as a locus of contemplation, thought, and even decision outside of the brain.


{{Quote|{{Quran|17|46}}|And We place upon their hearts veils lest they should understand it, and in their ears a deafness; and when thou makest mention of thy Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs in aversion. }}
{{Quote|{{Quran|17|46}}|And We place upon their hearts veils lest they should understand it, and in their ears a deafness; and when thou makest mention of thy Lord alone in the Qur'an, they turn their backs in aversion. }}
Line 382: Line 382:


===Source and purity of Milk===
===Source and purity of Milk===
The Qur'an states that milk is produced, in the body, somewhere between excretions and blood. The mammary glands, where milk is produced and stored, are nowhere near the intestines which is where excrement is stored. Many kinds of cattle and goat milk needs processing or pasteurization before they can safely be consumed; the milk is often infected with bacteria and other micro-organisms. A significant number of  humans are [[Qur'an and Milk|lactose intolerant]] and unable to digest milk without experiencing abdominal bloating and cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. This makes the Qur'anic claim that milk is 'pure' and 'agreeable' to those who drink it dubious in the eyes of critics.
The Qur'an states that milk is produced in the body somewhere between excretions and blood. The mammary glands, where milk is produced and stored, are, however, not located near the intestines, which is where excrement is stored. Many kinds of cattle and goat milk needs processing or pasteurization before they can safely be consumed; the milk is often infected with bacteria and other micro-organisms. A significant number of  humans are [[Qur'an and Milk|lactose intolerant]] and unable to digest milk without experiencing abdominal bloating and cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting. These realities appear to challenge the Qur'anic notion that milk is 'pure' and 'agreeable'.


{{Quote|{{Quran|16|66}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|16|66}}|
Line 394: Line 394:
====Facing toward Mecca====
====Facing toward Mecca====


The Qur'an tells all Muslims to face in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca when they pray. Critics point out a number of problems when applied to a round Earth, where they must align with a great circle around the globe passing through Mecca. You are simultaneously facing opposite its direction as the circle can be traced behind you. On the opposite side of the Earth every direction is equally facing towards and away from Mecca. The Americas are mostly in the hemisphere of this antipode. There, the rhumb line method is often preferred because the great circle method lines across the continent diverge before they start to converge when they enter the hemisphere of Mecca, causing people north and south to face away from each as they pray. Astronauts in Earth orbit or (one day) on the Moon and Mars would require even more contrived solutions.
The Qur'an instructs Muslims to face the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca when they pray. A number of problems have been suggested with this instruction in consideration of the roundness of the Earth: one facing Mecca also necessarily has their back turned to it (a display of disrespect which is roundly prohibited in Islam), one directly opposite Mecca on the globe may pray in any direction (thus leading North American Muslims, who live near this antipode of Mecca, to opt for the rhumb-line technique lest they all pray in different directions), and, finally, Astronauts in Earth's orbit or on the Moon and Mars would are essentially unable to follow these instructions (suggesting that the author of the Qur'an did not have such future realities in mind).


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|149}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|149}}|
Line 402: Line 402:
{{Main|The Ramadan Pole Paradox}}
{{Main|The Ramadan Pole Paradox}}


The Qur'an commands Muslims to fast from eating and drinking from sunrise till sunset during Ramadan. In the polar regions there are six months of sunlight and six months of perpetual night during Summer and Winter. Such fasting is not observable by anyone living in the polar regions, and very easy (depth of Winter) or extremely hard (height of Summer) in places within around 40 degrees latitude of the poles. Various contrived rules have been proposed by Muslim scholars for those at such latitudes to try to accommodate the inconvenient fact that we live on a round Earth.
The Qur'an instructs Muslims to fast by abstaining from food and drink from sunrise till sunset during Ramadan. In the polar regions there are six months of sunlight and six months of perpetual night during Summer and Winter. Such fasting is not practicable for anyone living in the polar regions, and very easy (depth of Winter) or extremely hard (height of Summer) in places within around 40 degrees latitude of the poles. Various rules have been contrived by Muslim scholars for those at such latitudes to try to accommodate the (here inconvenient) fact that we live on a round Earth.


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|187}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|187}}|
...Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall...}}
...Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall...}}


A similar issue exists for the five daily prayers. Anyone living in the polar region would not be able to make a sunset or sunrise prayer for much of the year. Even for cities further south like Aberdeen in Scotland, the gap between the night prayer (Isha) and the dawn prayer (Fajr) is around 4 and a half hours in June, so anyone following these rules has to interupt their sleep around 3.20am, then go back to sleep before getting up for the day. Critics argue that such issues would not have crossed the mind of a 7th century man in Arabia, who believed that everyone experiences sunrise and sunset when he does, and where it would be perfectly natural to arise at dawn any time of the year.
A similar issue emerges for the five daily prayers. Persons living in the polar region would not be able to make a sunset or sunrise prayer for much of the year. Even in less extreme contextxs, for cities further south like Aberdeen in Scotland, the gap between the night prayer (Isha) and the dawn prayer (Fajr) is still around 4 and a half hours in June, so a person praying five times a day is required to interrupt their sleep around 3.20am, then go back to sleep before getting up for the day. These challenges would likely not have been on the mind of the author of the Quran during the 7th century in Arabia.


{{Quote|{{Quran|17|78}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|17|78}}|
Line 414: Line 414:
====Earth as spread out and flat====
====Earth as spread out and flat====


The author of the Qur'an mentions to his audience that the Earth is 'spread out' and laid flat. The Arabic word here ([http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume4/00000081.pdf sataha]) was used to describe making the flat top or roof of a house or chamber and making a top surface flat. Words from the same root mean the flat top surface or roof of a house or chamber, a flat plane in geometry, a level place upon which dates can be spread, a rolling pin (which expands the dough), plane or flat.
The author of the Qur'an mentions that the Earth is 'spread out' and laid flat. The Arabic word here (sataha) was used to describe making the flat top or roof of a house or chamber and making a top surface flat.<ref>[http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume4/00000081.pdf Lane's Lexicon سُطِحَ]</ref> Words from the same root mean the flat top surface or roof of a house or chamber, a flat plane in geometry, a level place upon which dates can be spread, a rolling pin (which expands the dough), plane or flat.


{{Quote|{{Quran|88|20}}|And at the Earth, how it is spread out?}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|88|20}}|And at the Earth, how it is spread out?}}
Line 424: Line 424:
====Earth as like carpet====
====Earth as like carpet====


The arabic word ([http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume1/00000241.pdf bisaatan]) used here means a thing that is spread or spread out or forth, and particularly a carpet.
The Arabic word (''bisaatan'') used here means a thing that is spread or spread out or forth, and particularly a carpet.<ref>[http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume1/00000241.pdf Lane's Lexicon بِسَاطًا]</ref>


{{Quote|{{Quran|71|19}}|And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out)}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|71|19}}|And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out)}}
Line 430: Line 430:
====Earth as like a couch====
====Earth as like a couch====


The Earth is described using an arabic word ([http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume6/00000155.pdf firashan]) that means a thing that is spread on the ground to sit or lay upon.
The Earth is described using an Arabic word (''firashan'') that means a thing that is spread on the ground to sit or lay upon.<ref>[http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume6/00000155.pdf Lane's Lexicon فِرَٰشًا]</ref>


{{Quote|{{Quran|2|22}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|22}}|
[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him].}}
[He] who made for you the earth a bed [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down from the sky, rain and brought forth thereby fruits as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah equals while you know [that there is nothing similar to Him].}}


The same root word for couch in 2:22 is used as a verb in 51.48 in the sense of to spread (the first word translated spread here).
The same root word for couch in {{Quran|2|22}} is used as a verb in {{Quran|51|48}} in the sense of to spread (the first word translated spread here).


{{Quote|{{Quran|51|48}}|And the earth, '''We have spread it'''; how excellent (are) the Spreaders!}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|51|48}}|And the earth, '''We have spread it'''; how excellent (are) the Spreaders!}}
Line 441: Line 441:
====Earth as like a bed====
====Earth as like a bed====


The Earth is described like a bed (or carpet in Yusuf Ali's translation) in verse 20:53, and similarly {{Quran|43|10}}. The arabic word ([http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf mahdan]) suggests something completely flat and spread out on the ground and not rolled up for storage.  
The Earth is described as a 'bed' (or 'carpet' in the Yusuf Ali translation) in verse {{Quran|20|53}}, and similarly {{Quran|43|10}}. The Arabic word (''mahdan'') suggests something completely flat and spread out on the ground (and not, for instance, 'rolled up' for storage).<ref>[http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon مَهْدًا]</ref>  


{{Quote|{{Quran|20|53}}|
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|53}}|
Who hath appointed the earth '''as a bed''' and hath threaded roads for you therein and hath sent down water from the sky and thereby We have brought forth divers kinds of vegetation}}
Who hath appointed the earth '''as a bed''' and hath threaded roads for you therein and hath sent down water from the sky and thereby We have brought forth divers kinds of vegetation}}


Sometimes the same Arabic word is translated as expanse as in this verse. Together with the next verse, the Earth is a thing spread out and pegged down by mountains.
Sometimes the same Arabic word is translated as expanse, as in {{Quran-range|78|6|7}}. Together with the next verse, the Earth is here a thing spread out and pegged down by mountains.


{{Quote|{{Quran-range|78|6|7}}|Have We not made the earth as a '''wide expanse''', And the mountains as pegs?}}
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|78|6|7}}|Have We not made the earth as a '''wide expanse''', And the mountains as pegs?}}


The same root word is used as a participle at the end of 51.48
The same root word is used as a participle at the end of {{Quran|51|48}}.


{{Quote|{{Quran|51|48}}|And the earth, We have spread it; how excellent (are) '''the Spreaders!'''}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|51|48}}|And the earth, We have spread it; how excellent (are) '''the Spreaders!'''}}
Editors, recentchangescleanup, Reviewers
6,633

edits