In the past, astronomers believed that the Milky Way galaxy was riddled with planets hosting intelligent life. This understanding stemmed from an equation known as the Drake Equation, which is a mathematical formula created by astrophysicist Frank Drake in 1961 to estimate the number of technologically advanced civilizations that may exist in our galaxy. It takes into account several factors believed to be relevant in determining the likelihood of extraterrestrial civilizations:
N = R∗ × fp × ne × fl × fi × fc × L
- N = Number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible
- R∗ = Average rate of star formation per year in our galaxy
- fp = Fraction of those stars with planets
- ne = Average number of planets that could potentially support life per star with planets
- fl = Fraction of those planets where life actually develops
- fi = Fraction of life-bearing planets where intelligent life evolves
- fc = Fraction of intelligent civilizations that develop technology capable of communication
- L = Average length of time such civilizations can exist
At the time, Drake and his colleagues provided their best estimates for these variables and determined that there were between 1,000 and 100 million civilizations in the Milky Way Galaxy.
- R∗ = 1 yr−1 (1 star formed per year, on average, over the life of the galaxy; this was regarded as conservative)
- fp = 0.2 to 0.5 (one-fifth to one-half of all stars formed will have planets)
- ne = 1 to 5 (stars with planets will have between 1 and 5 planets capable of developing life)
- fl = 1 (100% of these planets will develop life)
- fi = 1 (100% of which will develop intelligent life)
- fc = 0.1 to 0.2 (10–20% of which will be able to communicate)
- L = somewhere between 1000 and 100,000,000 years
These promising results spawned projects like SETI, the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. At the onset of SETI, scientists were absolutely confident that if they listened to radio signals in space, they would be able to hear broadcasts from all kinds of intelligent civilizations. Except after all these decades, the scientist still heard nothing.
The error in the scientist’s calculations stemmed from their overconfidence in the selected values. Most notably, they were 100% sure that planets could develop life “fl” and intelligence “fi“. The hubris in this understanding is because they made an overtly simplified assumption in the requirements for a habitable planet. Materialists currently have no direct evidence or comprehensive understanding of how life originated on Earth, let alone how likely it is for intelligent life to evolve elsewhere. Yet, these initial scientists thought both these variables were absolute.
Determining the probability of life originating and evolving into intelligent beings capable of radio communication involves making a laundry list of assumptions about various factors. These factors include the conditions necessary for a habitable planet and the requirements for scientific advancement.
As our scientific understanding has progressed in these areas, it has become clear that Earth-like planets are not only rarer than previously supposed, but the likelihood of finding a planet like Earth, perfectly suited for both life and scientific progress, is so astronomically low that technically, we shouldn’t even exist. This presented a challenge for materialists, who either are forced to admit that our entire existence is an enormous coincidence or resort to the fanciful idea of a multiverse with infinite universes, in which case, with endless universes, the probability of anything occurring, including an earth-like planet with intelligent life is always considered absolute.
So what makes Earth rarer and more uniquely suited for scientific advancement than previously assumed?
Some of the unique aspects of Earth that are necessary for life
Liquid Water:
Earth is the only known planet in our Solar System with large quantities of liquid water on its surface, a vital ingredient for life, and water in all its various states as a liquid, gas, and ice.
[21:30] Do the unbelievers not realize that the heaven and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe?
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَـٰهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Special Properties of Water
Universal Solvent: Water is an excellent solvent, capable of dissolving a wide range of substances, facilitating chemical reactions necessary for life.
High Heat Capacity: Water has a high specific heat capacity, meaning it can absorb and store a significant amount of heat without experiencing a large increase in temperature. This property helps regulate Earth’s climate and stabilize temperature fluctuations.
Density Anomaly: Water is one of the few substances that become less dense when it freezes. This property ensures that ice floats on water, insulating bodies of water and providing a suitable habitat for organisms beneath the surface.
Surface Tension: Water molecules have cohesive forces that allow them to stick together, forming surface tension. Adhesive forces enable water to adhere to other substances, facilitating capillary action in plants and the movement of water through narrow channels.
[67:30] Say, “What if your water sinks away, who will provide you with pure water?”
قُلْ أَرَءَيْتُمْ إِنْ أَصْبَحَ مَآؤُكُمْ غَوْرًا فَمَن يَأْتِيكُم بِمَآءٍ مَّعِينٍۭ
pH Buffering: Water acts as a pH buffer, helping to maintain stable pH levels in living organisms and ecosystems. It resists large changes in acidity or alkalinity, providing a suitable environment for biochemical reactions.
Evaporation: Through the process of evaporation, pure water can be purified and recycled. When water evaporates, it transitions from liquid to gaseous, leaving impurities and contaminants behind. Substances such as minerals, pollutants, and dissolved solids are generally left behind as water molecules separate and rise as vapor. This process effectively purifies the water, as the impurities are left behind in the liquid phase.
[25:53] He is the One who merges the two seas; one is fresh and palatable, while the other is salty and undrinkable. And He separated them with a formidable, inviolable barrier (evaporation).
وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى مَرَجَ ٱلْبَحْرَيْنِ هَـٰذَا عَذْبٌ فُرَاتٌ وَهَـٰذَا مِلْحٌ أُجَاجٌ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخًا وَحِجْرًا مَّحْجُورًا
[15:22] And we send the winds as pollinators, and cause water to come down from the sky for you to drink. Otherwise, you could not keep it palatable.
وَأَرْسَلْنَا ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ لَوَٰقِحَ فَأَنزَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَسْقَيْنَـٰكُمُوهُ وَمَآ أَنتُمْ لَهُۥ بِخَـٰزِنِينَ
Plate Tectonics
Earth is the only planet in our solar system equipped with tectonic plates. The movement of Earth’s tectonic plates helps regulate the planet’s temperature, carbon cycle, nutrient distribution, and the formation of mountains. This contributes, to Earth’s ongoing geological activity, including volcanic eruptions and tectonic movements, contributing to the recycling of nutrients and creating diverse habitats.
[27:88] When you look at the mountains, you think that they are standing still. But they are moving, like the clouds. Such is the manufacture of GOD, who perfected everything. He is fully Cognizant of everything you do.
وَتَرَى ٱلْجِبَالَ تَحْسَبُهَا جَامِدَةً وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ ٱلسَّحَابِ صُنْعَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّذِىٓ أَتْقَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ إِنَّهُۥ خَبِيرٌۢ بِمَا تَفْعَلُونَ
[21:31] And we placed on earth stabilizers, lest it tumbles with them, and we placed straight roads therein, that they may be guided.
وَجَعَلْنَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِهِمْ وَجَعَلْنَا فِيهَا فِجَاجًا سُبُلًا لَّعَلَّهُمْ يَهْتَدُونَ
[21:32] And we rendered the sky a guarded ceiling. Yet, they are totally oblivious to all the portents therein.
وَجَعَلْنَا ٱلسَّمَآءَ سَقْفًا مَّحْفُوظًا وَهُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهَا مُعْرِضُونَ
Magnetic Field
Earth possesses a strong magnetic field generated from the Earth’s iron core that shields it from harmful solar radiation, protecting life on the surface.
Earth’s magnetic field is generated by a phenomenon called the dynamo effect, which is driven by the movement of molten iron within the Earth’s outer core. The rotation of the Earth plays a crucial role in this process.
If we look at the Moon, we see that only one side of the moon always faces the Earth. This is because the Moon is tidally locked to the Earth. This phenomenon is due to the gravitational forces between the Earth and the Moon. As a result, the Moon takes the same amount of time to complete one rotation on its axis as it does to complete one orbit around the Earth, which is approximately 27.3 days. This is why we always see the same face of the Moon from Earth.
If the Earth was tidal locked to the sun such that one side of the Earth only faced the sun, not only would this make the Earth uninhabitable as one side would be too hot and the other side too cold, but we would also lose our magnetic field.
The rotation of the Earth causes the molten iron in the outer core to undergo convective motion, creating circulating currents. These circulating currents, combined with the Earth’s conductive properties, generate the magnetic field through a process known as the geodynamo.
If the Earth did not rotate, the convective motion of the molten iron would be greatly diminished or even cease altogether. As a result, the generation of the magnetic field through the geodynamo process would be severely impaired.
Without the Earth’s rotation sustaining the convective motion, the magnetic field would weaken significantly over time and eventually diminish to a negligible level. The absence of a significant magnetic field would have various consequences. It would reduce or eliminate the protection of the Earth’s atmosphere and surface from harmful solar radiation and cosmic rays, impacting the planet’s habitability.
Furthermore, Earth’s magnetic field plays a crucial role in navigation, as it provides a reference for compasses and aids in the navigation of migratory animals.
[2:164] In the creation of the heavens and the earth, the alternation of night and day, the ships that roam the ocean for the benefit of the people, the water that GOD sends down from the sky to revive dead land and to spread in it all kinds of creatures, the manipulation of the winds, and the clouds that are placed between the sky and the earth, there are sufficient proofs for people who understand.
إِنَّ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ وَٱخْتِلَـٰفِ ٱلَّيْلِ وَٱلنَّهَارِ وَٱلْفُلْكِ ٱلَّتِى تَجْرِى فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ بِمَا يَنفَعُ ٱلنَّاسَ وَمَآ أَنزَلَ ٱللَّهُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن مَّآءٍ فَأَحْيَا بِهِ ٱلْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ مَوْتِهَا وَبَثَّ فِيهَا مِن كُلِّ دَآبَّةٍ وَتَصْرِيفِ ٱلرِّيَـٰحِ وَٱلسَّحَابِ ٱلْمُسَخَّرِ بَيْنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَٱلْأَرْضِ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ
In addition, to the magnetic field, the presence of an ozone layer in Earth’s atmosphere filters out most of the Sun’s ultraviolet radiation, which is crucial for life’s protection.
Jupiter
Jupiter, in addition to the Sun and moon, serves as a bodyguard from comets and asteroids that could threaten life on Earth. In July 1994, the comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 collided with Jupiter. If not for this gas giant’s strong gravitational pull, this comet could have collided with Earth and destroyed life as we know it.
Large Moon
Earth’s relatively large moon helps stabilize the Earth’s climate and rotation. This axial stability results in relatively regular seasons, which is important for maintaining stable climate patterns and ecological systems. The Moon’s gravitational pull causes tides on Earth. Tidal movements have various environmental benefits, such as nutrient distribution, oxygenation of coastal ecosystems, and the creation of diverse habitats. Tidal rhythms also play a role in the reproductive cycles of marine organisms.
The presence of a large moon helps stabilize Earth’s rotation, preventing significant variations or wobbling in the planet’s spin. A stable rotation provides a consistent day and night cycle, crucial for developing and sustaining organisms adapted to daily rhythms.
Winds
The winds on Earth follow atmospheric circulation patterns. These circulation patterns are driven by a combination of factors, including the rotation of the Earth, the distribution of heat, and the influence of large-scale pressure systems.
There are two primary atmospheric circulation patterns: global-scale and regional-scale circulation.
The global-scale circulation is characterized by the Hadley, Ferrel, and Polar cells operating in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. In this circulation pattern, warm air rises near the equator, creating a low-pressure zone and forming the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). As the air rises, it cools, moves poleward, and descends into the subtropics, creating high-pressure belts known as subtropical highs. The descending air creates the trade winds, prevailing winds that blow from east to west in the tropics. The Ferrel and Polar cells contribute to the westerlies and polar easterlies at higher latitudes.
In addition to the global-scale circulation, local and regional factors can influence wind patterns. For example, mountains, coastlines, and temperature variations can create localized wind patterns such as land and sea breezes, mountain and valley breezes, and monsoonal winds.
[42:32] Among His proofs are the ships that sail the sea with sails like flags.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِ ٱلْجَوَارِ فِى ٱلْبَحْرِ كَٱلْأَعْلَـٰمِ
[42:33] If He willed, He could have stilled the winds, leaving them motionless on top of the water. These are proofs for those who are steadfast, appreciative.
إِن يَشَأْ يُسْكِنِ ٱلرِّيحَ فَيَظْلَلْنَ رَوَاكِدَ عَلَىٰ ظَهْرِهِۦٓ إِنَّ فِى ذَٰلِكَ لَـَٔايَـٰتٍ لِّكُلِّ صَبَّارٍ شَكُورٍ
[30:46] Among His proofs is that He sends the winds with good omen, to shower you with His mercy, and to allow the ships to run in the sea in accordance with His rules, and for you to seek His bounties (through commerce), that you may be appreciative.
وَمِنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦٓ أَن يُرْسِلَ ٱلرِّيَاحَ مُبَشِّرَٰتٍ وَلِيُذِيقَكُم مِّن رَّحْمَتِهِۦ وَلِتَجْرِىَ ٱلْفُلْكُ بِأَمْرِهِۦ وَلِتَبْتَغُوا۟ مِن فَضْلِهِۦ وَلَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
[34:12] To Solomon we committed the wind at his disposal, traveling one month coming and one month going. And we caused a spring of oil to gush out for him. Also, the jinns worked for him, by his Lord’s leave. Any one of them who disregarded our commands, we subjected him to a severe retribution.
وَلِسُلَيْمَـٰنَ ٱلرِّيحَ غُدُوُّهَا شَهْرٌ وَرَوَاحُهَا شَهْرٌ وَأَسَلْنَا لَهُۥ عَيْنَ ٱلْقِطْرِ وَمِنَ ٱلْجِنِّ مَن يَعْمَلُ بَيْنَ يَدَيْهِ بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِۦ وَمَن يَزِغْ مِنْهُمْ عَنْ أَمْرِنَا نُذِقْهُ مِنْ عَذَابِ ٱلسَّعِيرِ
Some of the unique aspects of Earth necssary for scientific advancement
Front row seats
The Earth just happens to be situated in the perfect location in the Milky Way, where it is less volatile but also such that we can distinguish the stars within our galaxy from those of other galaxies. In addition to that, our atmosphere is transparent at night, allowing us to peer into the cosmos and see what else is out there. So it is as if we have the ideal location to observe the universe.
Perfect Solar Eclipse
Earth is the only planet in the solar system where one can witness a perfect solar eclipse. It just happens that the sun is ~400 times bigger than the moon and ~400 times further away. Because of this, from our vantage point, the sun and the moon appear to be the same size, and when the sun and moon align, the moon will block all of the sun except its chromosphere. And these perspective proportions just happen to align during the period of Earth’s history when humans are around to benefit from this. It was because of a solar eclipse that we were able to verify Einstein’s theory of relativity, confirm that stars are made of hydrogen and helium, and extract that the universe is expanding when we play this in reverse, we discovered that the universe must of all started from one singularity, e.g., the big bang.
[21:30] Do the unbelievers not realize that the heaven and the earth used to be one solid mass that we exploded into existence? And from water we made all living things. Would they believe?
أَوَلَمْ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ كَانَتَا رَتْقًا فَفَتَقْنَـٰهُمَا وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ ٱلْمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ حَىٍّ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ
Harnessing of Fire
Earth’s atmosphere consists of a balanced mix of gases, including 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, necessary for complex life forms. If there isn’t enough oxygen in the atmosphere, it limits the ability of complex lifeforms to exist. Too much oxygen in the atmosphere will create a much higher risk of combustion, increased atmospheric pressure, enhanced oxidation, and toxicity for organisms.
Oxygen is necessary for combustion and the harnessing of fire. The challenge is that too much or too little oxygen and either combustion can get out of hand or there isn’t enough oxygen, making combustion very difficult. If the oxygen in the atmosphere was below 18.5%, fire activity would be greatly suppressed and entirely switched off below 16%. If, on the other hand, it was above 22%, the chance of combustion would be too dangerous for a stable ecosystem. So it just happens that we are at the limit of maximum oxygen necessary for complex life but also perfectly suited for harnessing fire.
Elements
Almost 99% of the human body’s mass consists of six elements: oxygen, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, calcium, and phosphorus. But beyond these, some 19 other elements are also necessary for a healthy human being. Yet, there are 94 naturally occurring elements on Earth, many of which are not necessary for human life but essential for scientific advancement. For instance, iridium, nickel, tin, silver, and gold are not necessary for life but are essential for scientific advancement, as they are key components for the electronics and instrumentation we use.
The Uniqueness of Quran
There is a series of challenges proposed in the Quran, which poses to anyone who doubts the Quran to produce something like this.
[2:23] If you have any doubt regarding what we revealed to our servant, then produce one sura like these, and call upon your own witnesses against GOD, if you are truthful.
وَإِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّمَّا نَزَّلْنَا عَلَىٰ عَبْدِنَا فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّن مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ شُهَدَآءَكُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[10:38] If they say, “He fabricated it,” say, “Then produce one sura like these, and invite whomever you wish, other than GOD, if you are truthful.”
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِسُورَةٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[11:13] If they say, “He fabricated (the Quran),” tell them, “Then produce ten suras like these, fabricated, and invite whomever you can, other than GOD, if you are truthful.”
أَمْ يَقُولُونَ ٱفْتَرَىٰهُ قُلْ فَأْتُوا۟ بِعَشْرِ سُوَرٍ مِّثْلِهِۦ مُفْتَرَيَـٰتٍ وَٱدْعُوا۟ مَنِ ٱسْتَطَعْتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ إِن كُنتُمْ صَـٰدِقِينَ
[17:88] Say, “If all the humans and all the jinns banded together in order to produce a Quran like this, they can never produce anything like it, no matter how much assistance they lent one another.”
قُل لَّئِنِ ٱجْتَمَعَتِ ٱلْإِنسُ وَٱلْجِنُّ عَلَىٰٓ أَن يَأْتُوا۟ بِمِثْلِ هَـٰذَا ٱلْقُرْءَانِ لَا يَأْتُونَ بِمِثْلِهِۦ وَلَوْ كَانَ بَعْضُهُمْ لِبَعْضٍ ظَهِيرًا
For generations, when people read these verses, they thought that the challenge was only limited to the linguistic aspect of the Quran and were oblivious to the multitude of other facets that make the Qurna unique and impossible to be imitated.
For instance, in a recent video, a Muslim is challenging someone to produce a Sura like one in the Quran, and someone claims that this challenge was already fulfilled by the second Caliph Umar because there were a number of Hadith narrations where he foretold of verses prior o their revelation.
So according to this, the person conceded that Umar met the challenge 🤦
Narrated Anas: Umar said, “I agreed with Allah in three matters,” or said, “My Lord agreed with me in three matters. (1) I said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Would that you took the station of Abraham as a place of prayer.’ (2.125) (2) I also said, ‘O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)! Good and bad persons visit you! Would that you ordered the Mothers of the believers to cover themselves with veils.’ So the Divine Verses of Al-Hijab (i.e. veiling of the women) were revealed. (3) I came to know that the Prophet (ﷺ) had blamed some of his wives so I entered upon them and said, ‘You should either stop (troubling the Prophet (ﷺ) ) or else Allah will give His Apostle better wives than you.’ When I came to one of his wives, she said to me, ‘O Umar! Does Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) haven’t what he could advise his wives with, that you try to advise them?’ ” Thereupon Allah revealed: — “It may be, if he divorced you (all) his Lord will give him instead of you, wives better than you Muslims (who submit to Allah)..” (66.5)
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ حُمَيْدٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ عُمَرُ وَافَقْتُ اللَّهَ فِي ثَلاَثٍ ـ أَوْ وَافَقَنِي رَبِّي فِي ثَلاَثٍ ـ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، لَوِ اتَّخَذْتَ مَقَامَ إِبْرَاهِيمَ مُصَلًّى وَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ يَدْخُلُ عَلَيْكَ الْبَرُّ وَالْفَاجِرُ، فَلَوْ أَمَرْتَ أُمَّهَاتِ الْمُؤْمِنِينَ بِالْحِجَابِ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ آيَةَ الْحِجَابِ قَالَ وَبَلَغَنِي مُعَاتَبَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بَعْضَ نِسَائِهِ، فَدَخَلْتُ عَلَيْهِنَّ قُلْتُ إِنِ انْتَهَيْتُنَّ أَوْ لَيُبَدِّلَنَّ اللَّهُ رَسُولَهُ صلى الله عليه وسلم خَيْرًا مِنْكُنَّ. حَتَّى أَتَيْتُ إِحْدَى نِسَائِهِ، قَالَتْ يَا عُمَرُ، أَمَا فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَا يَعِظُ نِسَاءَهُ حَتَّى تَعِظَهُنَّ أَنْتَ فَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ {عَسَى رَبُّهُ إِنْ طَلَّقَكُنَّ أَنْ يُبَدِّلَهُ أَزْوَاجًا خَيْرًا مِنْكُنَّ مُسْلِمَاتٍ} الآيَةَ. وَقَالَ ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ أَخْبَرَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ أَيُّوبَ حَدَّثَنِي حُمَيْدٌ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا عَنْ عُمَرَ.
Sahih al-Bukhari 4483
https://sunnah.com/bukhari:4483
Here is the Hadith regarding the verse about performing funeral prayer for the hypocrites.
Ibn Umar reported that when ‘Abdullah b. Ubayy b. Salul (the hypocrite) died, his son Abdullah b. Abdullah came to Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) and asked him to give his shirt, which should be used for the coffin of his father. He gave that to him. Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) stood up to say prayer over him. Thereupon Umar caught hold of the clothing of Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) and said: Allah’s Messenger, are you going to offer prayer, whereas Allah has forbidden to offer prayer for him, whereupon Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: Allah has given me a choice saying: Ask forgiveness for them or you may not ask for them; even if you ask for them seventy times, I will make an addition to the seventy. He was a hypocrite and Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said prayer over him that Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, revealed the verse: ” And never pray over any one of them that has died and never should you stand by his grave” (9:84).
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ اللَّهِ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ لَمَّا تُوُفِّيَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ أُبَىٍّ ابْنُ سَلُولَ جَاءَ ابْنُهُ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَسَأَلَهُ أَنْ يُعْطِيَهُ قَمِيصَهُ أَنْ يُكَفِّنَ فِيهِ أَبَاهُ فَأَعْطَاهُ ثُمَّ سَأَلَهُ أَنْ يُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِيُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَامَ عُمَرُ فَأَخَذَ بِثَوْبِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَتُصَلِّي عَلَيْهِ وَقَدْ نَهَاكَ اللَّهُ أَنْ تُصَلِّيَ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ” إِنَّمَا خَيَّرَنِيَ اللَّهُ فَقَالَ { اسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ أَوْ لاَ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ إِنْ تَسْتَغْفِرْ لَهُمْ سَبْعِينَ مَرَّةً} وَسَأَزِيدُ عَلَى سَبْعِينَ ” . قَالَ إِنَّهُ مُنَافِقٌ . فَصَلَّى عَلَيْهِ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ { وَلاَ تُصَلِّ عَلَى أَحَدٍ مِنْهُمْ مَاتَ أَبَدًا وَلاَ تَقُمْ عَلَى قَبْرِهِ} .
Sahih Muslim 2400a
https://sunnah.com/muslim:2400a
Additionally, there is a Hadith about Umar correctly judging what should be done to the prisoners of Badr, as well as some other supposed verses that Umar stated before their revelation. According to Suyuti and the book Fada’il al-Imamayn of Abu ‘Abdullah ash-Shaybani there were 21 instances where Umar foretold a verse before it was revealed.
The Real Challenge
The real challenge of the Quran is far beyond the linguistic challenge. The miraculous nature of the Quran is not just its linguistic excellence but many other factors we are coming to understand the more we research this book.
Scientific miracles in the Quran.
As our understanding of science increases, we find that the Qruan contained the right understanding of these matters. In addition to the examples listed earlier, there are other miracles like that of iron.
Sura 57 of the Quran is entitled Iron (Al-Hadeed / الحـديد). Iron is the 26th element on the periodic table.
In Arabic, every letter also has a corresponding gematrical value, where each letter also represents a number, similar to Roman numerals.
If we look at the word iron in Arabic, Hadeed حـديد , we see that this word has a gematrical value of 26. While the gematrical value of Al-Hadeed / الحـديد has a gematrical value of 57.
The Quran has 114 suras. If we divide 114 in half, we see that the center sura is 57, which happens to be entitled Iron (Al-Hadeed / الحـديد). Similarly, if we cut the earth in half, we see that the center of the Earth is also made from an iron core.
[57:25] We sent our messengers supported by clear proofs, and we sent down to them the scripture and the law, that the people may uphold justice. And we sent down the iron, wherein there is strength, and many benefits for the people. All this in order for GOD to distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers, on faith. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.
لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ
Prophecy
The Quran contains prophecies that were foretold in advance, most notably that of the defeat of the Romans followed by their overcoming, and how this corresponded with the victory of the believers over Mecca, as well as the detection of the lowest land of that of the Dead Sea and Jericho.
Also, in Sura 54, it prophesies the splitting of the moon, which took place on July 21, 1969, when the Apollo 11 lunar module lifted off from the surface of the moon carrying 21.55 kilograms (47.51 lbs) of lunar rock to be brought back to Earth, so it could be analyzed.
Test of time
The “test of time” concept refers to the evaluation or judgment of something, such as an idea, a work of art, a theory, a relationship, or a belief, over a prolonged period. It suggests that the true value, effectiveness, durability, or authenticity of something can only be determined by observing its performance, impact, or endurance over an extended period.
When something withstands the test of time, it has proven its worth, quality, or significance through the passage of time and continues to be relevant, valid, or successful. Conversely, if something fails the test of time, it has not stood up to scrutiny, has lost relevance, or has proven flawed or inadequate over time.
The Quran was first revealed 1400 years ago and is the most widely transmitted and memorized book in history. This shows that it has passed the test of time. In order for someone to produce a sura or Quran like this, it would have to have the same impact on society as this book does and pass the test of time to the same caliber as the Quran has done.
Numerical Structure
The Quran is a numerically structured book. Every fact of the Quran is perfectly calculated. For example, the Quran cites the following comparison between Adam and Jesus.
[3:59] The example of Jesus, as far as GOD is concerned, is the same as that of Adam; He created him from dust, then said to him, “Be,” and he was.
إِنَّ مَثَلَ عِيسَىٰ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ كَمَثَلِ آدَمَ خَلَقَهُ مِنْ تُرَابٍ ثُمَّ قَالَ لَهُ كُنْ فَيَكُونُ
And it just happens that Adam and Jesus are both mentioned exactly 25 times in the Quran, and 3:59 is the seventh occurrence of each of their names. We see that the 19th occurrence of Jesus occurs in 19:34, while the 19th occurrence of Adam happens in 19:58, 25 verses apart.
For instance, the term month in the singular form occurs exactly 12 times in the entire Quran. The term “day” ( يوم ) in the singular form occurs 365 times in the Quran, which equals the number of days in a single solar year. The plural forms “days” and “two days” occur 30 times, the average month length.
If we look at how many times the singular form of the word “day” is mentioned between the first mention of “month” in the singular form in 2:185 to the last occurrence in 97:3, we see that the word “day” in the singular form occurs 354 times within this range. 354 is the number of days in a lunar year.
While all forms occur 475 times (19×25) in the Quran, which corresponds with the 19-based mathematical structure of the Quran.
| English | Arabic | Occurrence |
| Day | يوم | 365 |
| Your day | يومكم | 5 |
| Their day | يومهم | 5 |
| Days | ايام | 27 |
| Two days | يومين | 3 |
| That day | يومئذ | 70 |
| 475 (19×25) |
Code 19
One of the first revelations, if not possibly even the first revelation, is Sura 74: The Hidden Secret (Al-Muddath-thir). This sura calls out the disbeliever who analyzes the Quran and determines that this book is clever magic and man-made. The rebuttal to this claim is the Hidden Secret inside the Quran based on the number 19, which will serve the following functions.
[74:31] We appointed angels to be guardians of Hell, and we assigned their number (19)
(1) to disturb the disbelievers,
(2) to convince the Christians and Jews (that this is a divine scripture),
(3) to strengthen the faith of the faithful,
(4) to remove all traces of doubt from the hearts of Christians, Jews, as well as the believers, and
(5) to expose those who harbor doubt in their hearts,
and the disbelievers; they will say, “What did GOD mean by this allegory?” GOD thus sends astray whomever He wills, and guides whomever He wills. None knows the soldiers of your Lord except He. This is a reminder for the people.
وَمَا جَعَلْنَآ أَصْحَـٰبَ ٱلنَّارِ إِلَّا مَلَـٰٓئِكَةً وَمَا جَعَلْنَا عِدَّتَهُمْ إِلَّا فِتْنَةً لِّلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا۟ لِيَسْتَيْقِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَيَزْدَادَ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓا۟ إِيمَـٰنًا وَلَا يَرْتَابَ ٱلَّذِينَ أُوتُوا۟ ٱلْكِتَـٰبَ وَٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ وَلِيَقُولَ ٱلَّذِينَ فِى قُلُوبِهِم مَّرَضٌ وَٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ مَاذَآ أَرَادَ ٱللَّهُ بِهَـٰذَا مَثَلًا كَذَٰلِكَ يُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَهْدِى مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَا يَعْلَمُ جُنُودَ رَبِّكَ إِلَّا هُوَ وَمَا هِىَ إِلَّا ذِكْرَىٰ لِلْبَشَرِ
In addition to all this,
- Verse 74:31 has 57 words = 19 x 3
- The first 19 verses of Sura 74 contain 57 words = 19×3 words
- The number of words from the beginning of Sura 74:1 to 74:30 where it mentions “nineteen” = 19 x5 = 95 words
- The number of letters from the beginning of Sura 74 to the word “nineteen” in 74:30 = 361 = 19 x 19 letters
- From 74:1-8 there are exactly 19 [19×1] words
- From 74:1-19 there are exactly 57 [19×3] words
- From 74:1-30 there are exactly 95 [19×5] words
- From 74:1-31 there are exactly 152 [19×8] words
- The word قَدَّرَ used in 74:18-20 has a special connection with the mathematical miracle, which is detailed in the following article.
This number 19 only occurs once in the Quran, which is in Sura 74. Coincidentally in the year 1974, it was discovered that the entire structure of the Quran is mathematically composed by the number 19. For instance, the number of Suras in the Quran is 114 = 19 x6. The number of verses in the Quran is 6,346 = 19 x 334. The opening statement in the Quran, Bismallah, is 19 letters. The number of times Allah is mentioned in the Quran is 2,698 = 19 x 142. If you count all the verses where the word Allah occurs, that number is 118,123 = 19 x 6,217. The number of times Rahman (Most Gracious) is mentioned in the Quran is 57 = 19×3. The number of times Raheem (Merciful) is mentioned is 114 = 19×6.
But the main part of Code 19 concerns the Quranic initials. The Quran contains 29 suras that have 14 different sets of Quranic initials. If you count the occurrence of any of these sets of letters in their respective chapters, they consistently occur in multiples of 19.
No. | Sura No. | Sura Title | Quranic Initials |
| 1. | 2 | The Heifer | A.L.M. |
| 2. | 3 | The Amramites | A.L.M. |
| 3. | 7 | The Purgatory | A.L.M.S. |
| 4. | 10 | Jonah | A.L.R. |
| 5. | 11 | Hûd | A.L.R. |
| 6. | 12 | Joseph | A.L.R. |
| 7. | 13 | Thunder | A.L.M.R. |
| 8. | 14 | Abraham | A.L.R. |
| 9. | 15 | Al-Hijr Valley | A.L.R. |
| 10. | 19 | Mary | K.H.Y.‘A.S. |
| 11. | 20 | T.H. | T.H. |
| 12. | 26 | The Poets | T.S.M. |
| 13. | 27 | The Ant | T.S. |
| 14. | 28 | History | T.S.M. |
| 15. | 29 | The Spider | A.L.M. |
| 16. | 30 | The Romans | A.L.M. |
| 17. | 31 | Luqmaan | A.L.M. |
| 18. | 32 | Prostration | A.L.M. |
| 19. | 36 | Y.S. | Y.S. |
| 20. | 38 | S. | S. |
| 21. | 40 | Forgiver | H.M. |
| 22. | 41 | Elucidated | H.M. |
| 23. | 42 | Consultation | H.M. ‘A.S.Q |
| 24. | 43 | Ornaments | H.M. |
| 25. | 44 | Smoke | H.M. |
| 26. | 45 | Kneeling | H.M. |
| 27. | 46 | The Dunes | H.M. |
| 28. | 50 | Q. | Q. |
| 29. | 68 | The Pen | NuN |
For instance, Suras 42 and 50 with the initial Q ( ق ).
- The frequency of occurrence of “Q” in Sura “Q” (No. 50) is 57, 19×3.
- The letter “Q” occurs in the other Q-initialed sura (No. 42) exactly the same number of times, 57.
- The total occurrence of the letter “Q” in the two Q-initialed suras is 114, which equals the number of suras in the Quran.
- “The Quran” is mentioned in the Quran 57 times.
- The description of the Quran as “Majid” (Glorious) is correlated with the frequency of occurrence of the letter “Q” in each of the Q-initialed suras. The word “Majid” has a gematrical value of 57.
- Sura 42 consists of 53 verses, and 42+53 is 95, or 19×5.
- Sura 50 consists of 45 verses, and 50+45 is also 95, 19×5.
- The number of Q’s in all verses numbered “19” throughout the Quran is 76, 19×4.
And you will find this kind of structure for each set of initialed chapters.
Without the author’s Knowledge
There is another aspect of these kinds of features of the Quran, in that Muhammad, who the Quran was revealed to, had no knowledge about these facts. He did not knowledge about the scientific miracles in the Quran. That the gematrical value of iron corresponded with the periodic table placement for iron. He did not know that the prophecy of the splitting of the moon corresponded with the departure of Apollo 11 from the moon on July 21, 1969, carrying ~21kb of moon rock. He did not know about the numerical aspects of the Quran and the significance of the occurrence of words. And most notably, he did not know about code 19 or the significance of the Quranic initials. This shows that if someone wanted to produce a book like the Quran or a Sura like the Quran, they would have to produce something that generations later would still be able to extract new amazing value from it that the author themselves were unaware of.
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