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Quran and a Universe from Smoke: Difference between revisions
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==Analysis== | ==Analysis== | ||
===Definition of Smoke=== | ===Definition of Smoke=== | ||
Since the entire argument rests on the Qur'anic description of the "heavens" as "smoke", it is claimed this word is the best possible way to describe the early Universe:{{Quote|{{cite web quotebox|url= http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_04.html|title= Creation from Hot Smoke|publisher= Miracles of the Qur'an|author= Harun Yahya|date= accessed December 19, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miraclesofthequran.com%2Fscientific_04.html&date=2013-12-19|deadurl=no}}|The Arabic word for "smoke" in the above verse is "''dukhanun''," which describes the hot, cosmic smoke in question. This word in the Qur'an, in pinpoint fashion, describes this smoke very accurately for it is a warm body of gas containing mobile particles connected to solid substances. Here, the Qur'an has employed the most appropriate word from the Arabic language for describing the appearance of this phase of the universe. Let us note that only in the 20<sup>th</sup> century have scientists discovered that the universe emerged from a hot gas in the form of smoke.}}This claim is based on a | Since the entire argument rests on the Qur'anic description of the "heavens" as "smoke", it is claimed this word is the best possible way to describe the early Universe:{{Quote|{{cite web quotebox|url= http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_04.html|title= Creation from Hot Smoke|publisher= Miracles of the Qur'an|author= Harun Yahya|date= accessed December 19, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miraclesofthequran.com%2Fscientific_04.html&date=2013-12-19|deadurl=no}}|The Arabic word for "smoke" in the above verse is "''dukhanun''," which describes the hot, cosmic smoke in question. This word in the Qur'an, in pinpoint fashion, describes this smoke very accurately for it is a warm body of gas containing mobile particles connected to solid substances. Here, the Qur'an has employed the most appropriate word from the Arabic language for describing the appearance of this phase of the universe. Let us note that only in the 20<sup>th</sup> century have scientists discovered that the universe emerged from a hot gas in the form of smoke.}}This claim is based on a logical fallacy; a false equivalence between "smoke" and their definition of the early universe: "an opaque highly dense and hot gaseous composition" or just "hot gas". The actual definition of smoke is presented below:{{Quote||'''smoke''' ''noun'' \ˈsmōk\ | ||
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The claim presupposes that the Qur'anic author must describe the earliest phase of the universe using a single word. However, no one would be convinced if a scientist, purporting to be an expert in cosmology, put together a paper on the formation of stars and only described it in a single word. Even apologists realize that a single-word description is not adequate to convey such a complex topic, which is why they use multiple words to describe this state of the universe and even a short paragraph to make their point. One has to wonder why the Qur'anic description is so sparse and inadequate given how easy it would have been for [[Allah]] to have conveyed such information. | The claim presupposes that the Qur'anic author must describe the earliest phase of the universe using a single word. However, no one would be convinced if a scientist, purporting to be an expert in cosmology, put together a paper on the formation of stars and only described it in a single word. Even apologists realize that a single-word description is not adequate to convey such a complex topic, which is why they use multiple words to describe this state of the universe and even a short paragraph to make their point. One has to wonder why the Qur'anic description is so sparse and inadequate given how easy it would have been for [[Allah]] to have conveyed such information. | ||
This lack of detail is further highlighted by the depth and number of words used by the author of the Qur'an on other topics. The author explains in detail [[Cousin Marriage in | This lack of detail is further highlighted by the depth and number of words used by the author of the Qur'an on other topics. The author explains in detail [[Cousin Marriage in Islamic Law|who you can and cannot marry]] and how [[Critical Analysis: Inheritance Laws|an inheritance can be divided]]. The Qur'an also retells stories multiple times. Based on these facts, it is difficult to rationalize why such sparse details were used to describe something as complex as the formation of the universe, especially when such information could have validated the authenticity of the Qur'anic message. | ||
===Nebulea and Milky Way=== | ===Nebulea and Milky Way=== | ||
The claim then makes use of images of distant nebulae only visible through the aid of modern telescopes. These wispy, red and pink clouds of hydrogen gas are supposed to provide a visual connection to smoke. In the absence of other imagery, one might make the mental connection. However, smoke is a thick, billowing substance that is always black, gray, or white. Given this fact, another image of the night sky is far more reminiscent of smoke than the distant nebulae above, and it can be seen with the naked eye right here on earth. It does not require divine revelation nor advanced scientific instruments to imagine the Milky Way as a cloud of smoke in the night sky. It is easy to see how someone in the 7<sup>th</sup> century looking up from the desert could have invented this myth.[[File:Milky Way Arch.jpg|center|500px]]<center><small>The Milky Way as observed from earth (fisheye view)</small></center>[[File:Forest fire.jpg|center|500px]]<center><small>Cloud of smoke rising on the horizon</small></center> | The claim then makes use of images of distant nebulae only visible through the aid of modern telescopes. These wispy, red and pink clouds of hydrogen gas are supposed to provide a visual connection to smoke. In the absence of other imagery, one might make the mental connection. However, smoke is a thick, billowing substance that is always black, gray, or white. Given this fact, another image of the night sky is far more reminiscent of smoke than the distant nebulae above, and it can be seen with the naked eye right here on earth. It does not require divine revelation nor advanced scientific instruments to imagine the Milky Way as a cloud of smoke in the night sky. It is easy to see how someone in the 7<sup>th</sup> century looking up from the desert could have invented this myth.[[File:Milky Way Arch.jpg|center|500px]]<center><small>The Milky Way as observed from earth (fisheye view)</small></center>[[File:Forest fire.jpg|center|500px]]<center><small>Cloud of smoke rising on the horizon</small></center> | ||
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The Arabic word for "gas" is ''gaz'' or ''ghaz'' (غاز), not ''dukhan''. It is this word which should have been used to describe the state of the universe if the above verse were correct. | The Arabic word for "gas" is ''gaz'' or ''ghaz'' (غاز), not ''dukhan''. It is this word which should have been used to describe the state of the universe if the above verse were correct. | ||
===Support from Scientists=== | ===Support from Scientists=== | ||
The final piece of evidence is the claim that a renowned geologist supports the view that the information in the Qur'an could not have been of human origin:{{quote||Dr. Alfred Kroner is one of the world’s renowned geologists. He is Professor of Geology and the Chairman of the Department of Geology at the Institute of Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. He said: “Thinking where Muhammad came from . . . I think it is almost impossible that he could have known about things like the common origin of the universe, because scientists have only found out within the last few years, with very complicated and advanced technological methods, that this is the case.” Also he said: “Somebody who did not know something about nuclear physics fourteen hundred years ago could not, I think, be in a position to find out from his own mind, for instance, that the earth and the heavens had the same origin.”}}While Dr. Alfred Kroner was a geology professor in | The final piece of evidence is the claim that a renowned geologist supports the view that the information in the Qur'an could not have been of human origin:{{quote||Dr. Alfred Kroner is one of the world’s renowned geologists. He is Professor of Geology and the Chairman of the Department of Geology at the Institute of Geosciences, Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz, Germany. He said: “Thinking where Muhammad came from . . . I think it is almost impossible that he could have known about things like the common origin of the universe, because scientists have only found out within the last few years, with very complicated and advanced technological methods, that this is the case.” Also he said: “Somebody who did not know something about nuclear physics fourteen hundred years ago could not, I think, be in a position to find out from his own mind, for instance, that the earth and the heavens had the same origin.”}}While Dr. Alfred Kroner was a geology professor in Germany, he never endorsed the Qur'an as being an accurate source of scientific information. A video interview conducted with Kroner in 2011 confirms that his comments from the 80s were taken out of context.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClHuG880pqU|title= Alfred Kröner - Quote mined scientist denounces Quran miracle claims|publisher= YouTube (video)|author= TheRationalizer|date= March 21, 2011|archiveurl= |deadurl=no}}</ref> He currently does not endorse the Qur'anic view of creation nor did he at the time of the original interview. He affirms that parts of the Qur'an are not supported by modern scientific evidence and are completely unscientific and mythical. | ||
==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
The entire argument rests on the Qur'anic description of the "heavens" as "smoke"; a claim which in-turn rests on a false equivalence made between smoke and the makeup of the early universe. It also presupposes that the Qur'anic author must describe something as complex as the earliest phase of the universe using only a single word. A presupposition that makes little sense and is far from convincing when you consider how such information could have validated the authenticity of the Qur'anic message. | The entire argument rests on the Qur'anic description of the "heavens" as "smoke"; a claim which in-turn rests on a false equivalence made between smoke and the makeup of the early universe. It also presupposes that the Qur'anic author must describe something as complex as the earliest phase of the universe using only a single word. A presupposition that makes little sense and is far from convincing when you consider how such information could have validated the authenticity of the Qur'anic message. | ||
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==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
[[Category:Sacred history]] | |||