THE QURAN AND

RATIONALISM

Cheriyamundam Abdul Hameed Madani

NICHE OF TRUTH
2000
(English)
The Quran and Rationalism
Author: Contents......
Cheriyamundam Abdul Hameed Madani

Translator:
Biju Abdul Qadir
Director’s Message............................................... 7
Rights Reserved
First Published : April 1999
English Edition : June 2000 Translator’s Foreword.......................................... 11
Cover Design : FASTCom, Cochin
Typesetting & Translation : FASTCom, Cochin Introduction.......................................................... 17
Printing: Poineer Offset, Cochin-20
Publishers: Materialism and Creation Theory........................... 31
Niche of Truth, Kalabhavan Road, Ernakulam

Man - In the Quran and Rationalism...................... 34

Price : Rs. 15/-
Misunderstandings, Accusations............................ 38
The Quran and Rationalism 7

In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.

I slam, which ever continues to attract people of

intelligence, has nevertheless, been subjected to criticism in
all ages. Indeed, lakhs of such critical books have been brought
out. Amongst these, however, there also exists books which,
in the guise of a commending nature, have only sought to lay
out an array of accusations.

All criticism should eventually find its origin either in

genuine ignorance or in arrogance. Furthermore, the
circumstances in which the critics themselves lived also affects,
and paves the way for, criticism. Ignorance, by itself, can be
rectified with ease. But to seek to correct those, who feign
sleep in the grip of arrogance will be sheer foolishness.

It is relevant, however, to study the nature of criticisms

and accusations that have been laid upon Islam. To date, the
8 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 9

criticism due to ignorance which has come forth all over the in the execution of this duty. It is for the same reason that
world falls into two categories. victory can be reserved only for those who have cast aside
their arrogance and prejudices to understand Islam with the
One: the fundamental sources of Islam have been straightforwardness of the intellect which is the highest
criticised due to the lack of appreciation of their actual requirement. The Quran’s invitation goes thus:
meaning and import. Indeed, there have been those who, for
purposes of study, selectively take out the narrations or “Give glad tidings to those of My servants who
incidents from the Quran, or the practices of the prophet, in pay heed to the words with care and who follow but the
a fashion that was completely out of context. There have very best therein. It is they whom Allah will guide to the
been those who never understood the context. There have right path. Indeed, it is they who are the intelligent.”
been those who knew not the idea behind the legal
prescriptions. Yet others there were who failed to understand This small book is dedicated to those who, in their
the relationship between the incidents, laws and narrations. ignorance, had criticized or misunderstood Islam.
All of these people may naturally falter in their understanding
This is the book form of a speech by Cheriyamundam
of Islam.
Abdul Hamid Madani, a renowned writer, orator and scholar
Two: some people who mistook all practices among of Kerala.
the Muslims to be the very manifestation of Islam ended up
Abdul Hamid Madani provides, herein, a succinct reply
conjuring the idea that the malpractices amongst Muslims
to the rationalists who had come on to the scene with their
were, in fact, the very shortcomings of Islam itself. But, surely,
scathing criticism against the Holy Quran.
there must exist various types of followers in the case of any
ideology, whatsoever: those who followed it in its totality, May Allah enable us through His blessings to
those who accepted it partially and those who donned the understand, and to live by, the truth
guise of ideology merely for the sake of worldly interests.
O Allah! May this work be accepted as a virtuous
Indeed, many acts of many followers can turn out to deed. May all shortcomings and faults thereof be forgiven!
be against the religion. It is, therefore, unwise to see in the
failings of society the weakness of ideology.

In both cases, all criticism stand on the flimsiest of Director

grounds. The duty of the intellectual will be to seek to study
in depth, any ideology through its real and fundamental
sources. Prejudices will undoubtedly stand as an impedient
The Quran and Rationalism 11

TRANSLATOR’S FOREWORD

E ver since it broke out onto the historical scene, nearly

fourteen hundred years ago, the Holy Quran has remained a
book that has caught the attention of the world in ways that
have been truly remarkable for the variety of responses that
it elicited. To an ever growing group of millions upon millions
of its believers, the Quran epitomizes the very word of God
as revealed to His last messenger. As such, it represents all
that is holy and sacred; perfect and complete, even as it should
be for the guidance of all humanity that is to come right upto
the end of the world. Indeed, an impartial scrutiny will scarce
hide the obvious perfection that it does embody.
Notwithstanding the admiring millions, whether blind or
otherwise, of its supporters today, there has continued to exist
12 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 13

a sustained opposition to the Holy Quran; making it, in one declared: “And if ye are in doubt concerning that which We
way , a very live subject indeed. In fact this hostility, again have revealed to Our servant, then bring forth a single chapter
whether blind or otherwise, has existed right from day one of like thereunto.And if ye cannot - and of a surety ye cannot -
the revelation. And as the Quran was brought forth piecemeal, then fear the fire whose fuel is men and stones prepared for
bit by bit, over a span of twenty three world - transforming the disbelievers.”
years, Muhammad ( ), the vehicle of that revelation had to
face the onslaught of the enemies of his message with an The list of those who have laboured to tarnish the image
endurance and strength of will, and of the intellect, that spoke of the Quran is long and impressive. Ranging from the
volumes for the truth in his claim of being the messenger of ordinary simple-minded opponent to the most celebrated of
God. poets, writers, intellectuals and even scientists, the Quran
has been sought to be disproved, without any degree of
After Muhammad ( ), too, the Quran has continued to
success, however, by a large number indeed. Included in this,
stir millions of souls as well as controversies - controversies
rather dubious, hall of fame is the rationalist and his theory
that were mostly the insinuations of its envious opponents. It
of Rationalism both of which actually forms the subject matter
is, indeed, doubtful that a greater number of people, of men
of this small treatise.
and women; people of the greatest devotion and faith, of
surpassing intelligence and profound wisdom, have ever been
raised forth, or rather, raised themselves, in defence of a single If we understand Rationalism to be a theory of knowledge
book as was the case with the Holy Quran down the annals that bases itself on the firm foundations of rational, or rather
of history upto the present day. Through books, speeches, reasoned thinking, it is exceedingly strange that the Holy
articles and debates, they defended the word of God and laid Quran, which so often calls upon its reader to observe the
bare the barest of facts that the Holy Quran can never ever phenomena of nature and to ponder over its working; which
be successfully challenged by all, and any, standards known ever declares that it is a guidance for ‘those who reflect’ and
to impartial scholarship. More wonderful still is the realization for ‘those who give thought’, should have actually come in
that there is perhaps no other scripture in the world which for the criticism of the rationalist. Did not Muhammad ( )
actually calls for an impartial scrutiny of the truth of its own himself say that ‘God hath not created anything better than
message. ‘Have they not considered the Quran with care?’ (the reasoning of) the intellect?’ Indeed, to the mind of this
asks the Quran. ‘Had it been from any other than God they writer, at least, the confrontation between the so-called
would have found in it many an inconsistency.’ rationalists and the Quran represents one of the more
unnecessary and unsavoury ironies in the history of intellectual
Despite the most vigorous and unstinting attacks of its development. Perhaps, it would be more correct to say that
adversaries, the challenge of the Quran has remained as fresh the confrontation is actually between the truth of the Quran
today as it was fourteen hundred years ago when it had openly and the falsehood inherent in the vested interests of the
14 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 15

pseudo-rationalist. For Rationalism in its positive sense can of the Quran to the vivid expositions on the nature of the
never he antithetical to the message of the Quran. As Eduard universe and the heavenly bodies that it harbours within its
Montet remarked in his La propagande chrestiene et es confines - which finds precise mention in the Quran - the
adversares Musulmans: author has sought to maintain a scholarly distance from
personal affectations of any kind. Furthermore, in his
‘Islam is a religion that is essentially rationalistic in the subsequent explanation of the need for an external agency or
widest sense of this term, considered etymologically and a First Cause as derived from Einstenian physics; of the
historically. The definition of rationalism as a system that bases intricate phenomena of nature that sustains life on earth; of
religious beliefs on principles furnished by reason applies to the position of man in the Quran and in Rationlism, he, indeed,
it exactly. It is true that Muhammed who was an enthusiast takes home the sword to the rationalist. Finally, in a somewhat
and possessed also the ardour of faith and the fire of abrupt ending of an, otherwise, excellent speech, he lays bare
conviction, the precious quality that he transmitted to so many the facts to dispel the accusations of the rationalist against
of his disciples, brought forward his reform as a revelation; the Quran in the matter of the rights of women, of polygamy
but this kind of revelation is only one form of expostion, and and of slavery.
his religion has all the marks of a collection of doctrines
founded on the data of reason... A creed so precise, so stripped Translation is never an easy task and when the subject
of all theological complexities and consequently so accessible happens to be a speech of an extempore nature it becomes all
to the ordinary understanding might be expected to possess, the more difficult. Nevertheless, the translator has striven to
and does indeed possess, a marvellous power of winning its present as faithful a version of the original oration as was
way into the consciences of men.’ possible. No fault can be found in the flow and beauty of the
actual presentation even if anything is found wanting in the
The present work is the book form of a speech that was translation. The shortcomings in the translation will be the
made by the author, Cheriyamundam Abdul Hamid Madani, burden of the translator alone.
who is one of the more well-known figures of the Islamic Much credit for this translation goes to Prof. C.A. Babu
movement in Kerala. Delivered originally in the Malayalam of Al-Ameen College, Edathala, for his patient proof-reading
language, his has been a commendable defence of the Quran and editing. Credit is also due to Mr. V.A. Mohammed Ashrof
against the pseudo-rationalists of our day. The questions that whose encouragement and help has been considerable. There
he addresses, and answers, form some of the more common is also a debt of gratitude to the staff of FASTCom
criticisms laid against the Quran by the rationalists. His Communications, who have been instrumental in the tedious
presentation has been scholarly while yet striving, as he has job of type-setting of the entire manuscript.
been, to retain the lucidity and flow demanded of a convincing
and coherent speech. From the unchallenged linguistic beauty Lastly, it would be sufficient reward for the humble work
of all those involved if God were to make of this small treatise
a significant step towards the compelling appreciation of the
value of His word.
The Quran and Rationalism 17

INTRODUCTION

T he Holy Quran is today a book whose traslations are

easily accessible in all languages. A book that has been
considered, by Muslims, to be the most invaluable treasure
that mankind has ever been endowed with. It has remained a
book that has been unconquered, for fourteen centuries, by
the challenges posed by the antagonists of Islam. It is not for
the first time that the spearhead of Rationalism has been turned
against it. As was the case in the northern parts of the world,
our country, too, stands witness to the fact that it was the
greatest opponents of the Holy Quran who were to eventually
become its greatest supporters. Howsoever that may be, there
yet continues to be a section of the Muslims themselves who
have not subjected the Holy Quran to a study in all the
18 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 19

seriousness that it deserved; even to the present day. Based Arabian literature.
on the flimsiest hearsay, an even smaller section continues to
harbour within themselves a completely distorted idea, as Then, as now, there continues to exist a vociferous
regards the Quran. opposition to the literary value of the Holy Quran. There has
also been no dearth of people who, in praising the Graeco-
How, then, is the Holy Quran to be understood? One Roman literature and the Egyptian and Persian civilizations,
way to do that would be to carry out a comparative analysis have taken them to the greatest heights. The fact remains,
with the other existing scriptures in the world. Another way however, that there has not been another book to rival the
would be to subject its linguistic specialities and literary beauty Holy Quran in having ascertained the destiny of the Arabic
to a closer scrutiny. The authenticity of its contents as well as language and the very course of world civilization itself. A
its practicality, too, should be the other factors that must be linguistic appreciation can only serve to highlight the point
evaluated. that the language of the Holy Quran is, in itself, the modern
Arabic language. The formation of a few novel technical
Mankind has at its disposal, all the religious texts that usages aside, we can say that the Arabic language of fourteen
are in the Indian, Chinese, Persian, Egyptian and Hebrew centuries past is seen to have not faced any basic changes
languages. Beside these, there are numerous other world even today. Furthermore, as a dynamic and living language
that has actively met, over the ages, the exigencies of a
classics that include poems and stories as well. But which
among these can claim for itself the ability to lead forward changing communication scenario, it is completely free of
humanity, as a whole, in the varied fields of its life along the any shortcoming whatsoever.
straight path of the faith and action simultaneously? Although
A book is revealed in the dialect of fourteenth century
not in the form of complete books, literary works were extant
Hijaaz. It was a time when the Arabic language had regional
in the Arabic language even before the Holy Quran, right
variations of its dialect. But, thenceforth, the Arabic language
from the code of the emperor Hammurabi to the Muallaqath
was to have but one single dialect alone. That book had
which was a collection of poetry. Arabic literature has been
obtained for that dialect the very status of immortality itself.
enriched with many valuable works after the advent of the
Along with the Holy Quran, its language too attained to its
Holy Quran also. There were also the world famous Arabian
eternal blossoming of youth. The idea will be made more
classics to reckon with. The works of poetry of authors from
clear with a few comparisons - comparisons which show how,
Jarir to Jibraan, the prose literature of scholars from Jaahidh
in history, other classics were left behind in the lurch as their
to Taha Hussain: these were to be the invaluable gems of
language moved on ahead of them. The linguistic style of the
20 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 21

Greek with which Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey were written, authors of such texts have ever dared, with any degree of
the style of the Persian in which was written Zend Avesta of certitude, to lay claim to the complete veracity of their own
Zoroaster, the style of the Tamil in which Tiru Kural was work. But the Holy Quran has declared, at the very outset,
written, the style of the Sanskrit with which Mahabharath that it, in itself, is Al Kitab or ‘the Book’ in which there is no
was written, the style of the English of Shakespeare: none of doubt. The mighty changes in the world, wrought by the Holy
these dialects are the living languages of today. This fact, Quran, and its ability to overcome all the contemporary
when evaluated properly, can only lead to the acceptance of civilizations of the day will serve to prove the genuineness of
the incomparable nature of the Holy Quran. its claim. Which other classic work in the Arabic language
The Holy Quran’s has been a literary style that stands has so survived the vicissitudes of the ages and managed, at
distinguished in the Arabic language. A style remarkable for the same time, to continue to ever remain as the foundation
its impeccable balance between prose and poetry. It has not of true guidance for millions of the human race, in the domain
been a few who have attempted to create literary works using of word, thought and deed, and that too, despite the changes
that most inimitable of linguistic expressions. Nevertheless, that sweep over the centuries?
they were never able to achieve any degree of success in
The Holy Quran then dwells upon the nature of its
their endeavour.
contents. “It is a guidance for those who are ever conscious
All, except one, of its chapters begin with the verse of God.” Even the rationalists, who tend to let fly their arrows
Bismillahi Rahimani Raheem. Look at its preface or The of criticism against the Holy Quran, do not deny the fact that
Fathiha. There is mention, therein, neither of the context in the well-regulated life of a believer in the Holy Quran, who
which it was written nor of the nature of its contents. On the follows the commandments mentioned therein, never goes
contrary, however, nothing has been left out to make of the astray or is spoiled. Those who claim that the Holy Quran is
preface a serious call and exhortation to study a scripture medieval, backward, an obstacle to progress and the like have
that is of the utmost importance. Look at the first chapter never - not even once - ventured to study the matter in some
that follows after the preface of the Holy Quran! The chapter depth. Take a look at the legal decrees in the Holy Quran! All
which begins in the name of the Most Merciful God starts, mankind is to be shown kindness and mercy, the surplus of
thus: ‘Alif-Lam-Meem. This, indeed, is the Book wherein one’s earned wealth, that comes beyond one’s needs, must
there is no doubt.’ Alif, Lam and Meem are three characters be spent on those who are poor and destitute in a fashion that
of the Arabic alphabets. These are some of the most repeated has been exactly prescribed, the orphans and the down-
alphabets of the language. Indeed, all texts in Arabic are but trodden are to be helped, parents are to be treated with the
the combination of these alphabets. However, none of the utmost respect and care; indeed, they are to be supported
22 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 23

and aided in their old age, children are to be shown kindness freedom and progress of man and that these are but the most
and love, one’s speech and gait must bespeak of humility, outdated of injunctions. This is so because even the
others must be thought of, and talked of, in favourable terms, materialists of our day realize that no society, which accepts
the purity of the marriage must be well guarded, men and the insinuation of the Satan as its guide, can ever hope to
women are to observe modesty in their talk, behaviour and survive. It is also for the same reason that they have now
apparel. Nobody has yet claimed that any of these observances ventured to concoct a separate religion of humanism by
are irrational, an obstacle to progress, or is unfit for the high borrowing wholesale from the Divine Guidance while at the
status of humanity. It is, indeed, strange to note that it is the same time, openly rejecting God.
very same people, who had cried out that religion was the
enemy of science, who have now acknowledged most of these Now, if it is the expositions of the Holy Quran
values in their own concept of morality i.e., the Socialist pertaining to nature, life and man, and not its commandments
Morality as they name it. or prohibitions, that are against rational thought, then we
can proceed, henceforth, to a factual discussion of the same.
The very same observance, if proclaimed in the name
of God is found to be backward! If in the name of the socialist What is the essence of the Quranic vision? One of the
ideologue, progressive! Strange, indeed, are their ways! most important concepts of the Islamic vision has been the
fact that the entire universe has not come into being by itself
Now look at the prohibitions of the Holy Quran! Kill and that all in it follow the most meticulously planned system
no man unjustly, spill not even a drop of blood without justice, of laws created by an Almighty Creator. Another crucial facet
do not commit adultery, do not slander chaste women, do continues to be the vision of singular devotion to the Creator
not commit theft, do not drink intoxicants, do not gamble, and the free will as well as the duties of man. The other
do not be a spendthrift, do not misappropriate the wealth of fundamental issues revolve around the belief in Divine
the orphan, do not tamper with the rights of the destitute, do Revelation, the Soul, the Angels, the Devil and the concepts
not lie, do not abuse, do not cheat, do not adulterate, do not of Hell and Paradise. It is the contention of the rationalists
backbite and slander, do not entertain jealousy and malice, that all these are superstitions contrary to science and rational
do not commit injustice in the matter of weights and measures, thought and that this ‘irrational’ Quran was but the fabrication
do not take or give in interest. Such, then, is the nature of the of the prophet Muhammad ( ) who had sought to use it for
prohibitions of the Holy Quran. It is felt that none, not even the fulfilment of his own vested interests. However, the
the rationalist, would come out with the declaration that these rationalists have not pointed out any law in the fields of
prohibitions are but taboos which only serve to curtail the science, or philosophy, which has been contradicted by Divine
24 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 25

revelation. Has science conclusively proved that the require the intervention of an external agency. The
conglomeration of matter in the effulgent, burning stars, has, fundamental point, however, is not about the possibility of
through a process of consistent and continuous evolution, the conversion of energy into mass by any means. The basic
finally developed into the human brain - the highest form of question, in fact, revolves around whether bands of pure
living matter - without the aid of any external agency energy can be changed into mass without any influence of an
whatsoever? Has there been any law in philosophy that has external force. If it is conceded that any transformation of a
sought to establish the idea that the vast system of the physical physical nature necessitates the process of fusion, or of fission
universe, which spans the space occupied by the entities from or of acceleration, the requirement of an outside force, for
the Nebulae to the plant-animal kingdoms, has come into the removal of the inertia of the basic matter and initiating
being by coincidence without the planning and control of any? the movement of the wheel of evolution, becomes inevitable.
Merely exposing the movement within the basic atom will
It is on the basis of the law of conservation of mass
not be sufficient. For even a rock or piece of iron, which is
and energy that the rationalists, today, seek to establish the
made up of the conglomeration of billions of such basic atoms,
spontaneity and self-sustaining capability of the Universe. It
is, after all, inanimate in their existence. Even if they were to
has been the contention of this law that energy is but the
possess an intricate order, it certainly cannot come about in a
differentiated form of matter and that matter can be converted
haphazard, or unplanned manner. For instance, to state that
into energy even as energy can be transformed into matter.
the dense matter which exploded in the Big Bang event
This theory, however, points to the inevitability of the belief
gave rise to the formation of stars, planets and satellites, all
in God. Indeed, it was for this very reason that Albert Einstein,
of which soon developed their very own identities and
the formulator of the concept of Energy-Mass
peculiarities that were truly unique in themselves, while yet
interconvertability, himself had expressed the necessity of an
evolving of their own, the regulatory motion and orbits with
unknown, but calculating, Power behind the delicate, yet
which they were to be associated, through the ‘glorious’
complex; systematic, yet magnificently ordered, functioning
uncertainty begotten of the randomness of a chance happening
of all the entities in the universe. The reason for such a
is but to state what is, by the standards of probability theory
necessity? Atoms of any element matter can, in no wise, be
and the Law of Causality, in its entirety, untenable.
transformed into energy in the absence of an external agency.
Moreover, no atom can assist another in converting it into This discussion may proceed with a greater degree of
pure energy without the aid of an external source. In other clarity if carried out in the light of the facts about the solar
words, if mass is to be converted into energy, the process of system that mankind has so far ascertained. Right from its
fission, or fusion, must occur. These processes, in turn, would birth, the sun has ever kept on burning. Planets and satellites,
26 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 27

on the other hand, do not burn. In fact, the major part of and flavour of these fruits are manifested as per the unwritten
these bodies have been cooled and their temperature subdued. law prescribed in their very own genetic code which preserves
With the exception of the earth all other planets are subject the hereditary traits of each generation.
to the cosmic rays and ultraviolet radiations emitted by the
sun. As for the earth, it has been, to a great extent, well- Observe the various life forms that range from the
protected from the hazards of ultraviolet radiation by the microscopic to the human being. We witness diverse systems
atmosphere which blankets its surface in a number of layers. of reproduction, differing tastes and preferences, varying
Indeed, in the absence of the atmosphere which exists as the systems of habitation, the bond of the ecological cycle that
earth’s protecting blanket - as its very own, invisible roof - holds together the life-forms in the preservation of the
no life, whether of the plant or the animal kingdom, would equilibrium of nature and of the immunity from environmental
have originated or progressed on its surface. Had it not been degradation. Indeed, the animal kingdom is the very melting
for this atmospheric roof no cloud, rain or wind would ever pot of innumerable wonders!
have been possible here.
Look at man himself : the possessor of an
Now, look carefully upon even the smallest segment incomparable freedom of existence worthy of his status of
of this earth. One among the plants - all of which grow upon vicegerency on earth; of an intelligence that enables him to
the same soil, use the very same water, draw the nutrients for perceive and utilize effectively all that comes within the range
their growth from the same fertilizer - is found to taste bitter of his eyes, hands and ears; of an ability of conveying to his
in its fruit. The fruit of yet another plant is found to be sweet own species, through languages, the ideas of the mind and,
and another has sour fruit. The flower of one plant is red that too, with an originality, a clarity and a comprehensiveness
while its fruit is yellow in colour. Yet another has its flower all of its own; of a lasting script that helps convert the sayings
white while its fruit is green; a third one has blue flowers and and speeches into permanently inscribed lines; of clothes that
red fruits. Different colours, distinct tastes. Some plants yield provide for the personality of the wearer; of means of
their fruit several times a year, some only once, others once transportation and of other innumerable specialities.
in twelve years. Yet another plant blossoms only once in thirty Specialities, all of which, serve only to further distinguish,
six years after which it dies out. The sweetness of the orange and maintain aloof, their position from amongst the tens of
is not to be found in the soil or in the water or in the fertilizer. thousands of other existing life-forms. Can any one say with
The acidity of lime, too, is absent there. The red colour of certainty that these phenomena of nature, which function in
the tomato or the yellowish hue of the banana is also non- the most wonderfully systematic fashion, evolved from the
existent therein. The typical characteristics of shape, scent coincidental breaking-up, or conjoining, of different bodies?
28 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 29

The Holy Quran has repeatedly asserted that the coincidence And the heavens your canopy; and sent down rain from
- whatever the extent to which it can be stretched - will never the skies; and brought forth therewith fruits for your
be able to exist as the convincing reason for the systematic sustenance; then set not up rivals unto Allah when ye
functioning of the universe. Indeed, this fact, and this fact know (the truth).” (2:21,22).
alone, has been the very cause of the hostility of the rationalists
towards the Holy Quran. Here, the Holy Quran talks not of the God of a
particular sect, but of the God of all mankind in all ages and
The Holy Quran says: of the Lord of the entire universe itself. If man were to submit
to that God and order his life in accordance with His guidance,
“Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the
it would serve to profit him and him alone; never God Himself.
earth; in the alternation of the night and the day; in the
sailing of the ships through the ocean for the profit of It becomes obvious that those who claim that man
mankind; in the rain which Allah sends down from the need not work for the benefit of God have, in fact,
skies, and the life which He gives therewith to an earth misunderstood the concept themselves. Man is enabled to
that is dead; in the beasts of all kinds that He scatters avoid sins by submitting the whole of his life to the decrees
through the earth; in the change of the winds, and the of God. What if the case was different? If it were otherwise,
clouds which they trail like their slaves between the sky man would find himself devastated in the pit-falls of his own
and the earth; (here) indeed are Signs for a people that making.
are wise.” (2:164).
“ ...Thus doth Allah make clear to you (His Law),
All the facts mentioned in this verse constitute the lest ye err. And Allah hath knowledge of all things.” (Holy
clearest of the pageants of nature that must compel the mind Quran 4:176)
of any intelligent person in any age. Can any among the
intelligent claim that all these phenomena occur as the result What then should be the reason for man’s indebtedness
of mere coincidence? Look at a section in which the Holy to God? Firstly, it is that he has been endowed with a special
Quran points out the reason, and the primary purpose, for existence. Then comes the fact that he has been provided
the worship of God: with the requirements for his all-round growth.

“O ye people! Worship your Guardian Lord, Who In this context, special mention must be made of the
created you and those who came before you that ye may earth which has been spread out even as a carpet, the sky
become righteous, Who has made the earth your couch, which has been made as a roof and fruits which have been
30 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 31

provided abundantly. Upto this day, there has been no

indication of a place, wheresoever, within the piercing
surveillance of science, wherein man could stretch out and
rest on what would be the seeming comfort of a bed: a bed
on which he may rest free of the hazards of deadly cosmic
rays, without having his head broken by falling materials,

without the need for carrying around an oxygen cylinder

wherever he may go. This, indeed, has been the speciality of
the earth. If only the rationalists who attack Islam with the
flimsiest of allegations that Muhammad’s earth is like a mat
spread out or is as round as the circle, had ever so much as
I
understood just the meaning of the Arabic term Firaash used
in the verse 2:22 !

What has been the reason for the opposition of

environmental scientists towards supersonic jets? It has ever
been due to the fear that the fissures which these planes create
within the atmospheric layers cause the infiltration of lethal
cosmic rays on to the earth and thereby exposes it to piercing
materials which would ultimately lead to the annihilation of
all life on earth. For it is these layers of the atmospheric
roofing which burns out and destroys the incoming meteorites.
It is also the atmosphere which is responsible for filtering out
the harmful cosmic radiations. The fluctuations in the
32 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 33

atmospheric condition further results in the change of the The Holy Quran has, however, explicitly stated that
seasons and in the rains themselves. The life-sustaining all material things, including the plant-animal species were
Oxygen and the life-giving water of the earth are two of the created by God in pairs. Indeed, the world of matter owes its
most incomparable and indispensable constituents of nature. sustenance and progress to the co-operative and symbiotic
Both of these we receive, unstintingly, from the atmospheric nature of the creatures that have been created in pairs with
roofing overhead. Of that roofing the Holy Quran states all the rich diversity that they represent in themselves. The
elsewhere that, Divinely ordained sense of mutuality and co-operation is, in
fact, the projection of the grandest norm in nature; never the
“And We have made the skies as a canopy well contradictory insinuation begotten of perverted minds. To a
guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which keen observer of the pairs that exists in nature, the hard fact
these things (point to)!” (H.Q. 21:32). of experience is that it is, indeed, the sense of co-operation
which permeates the vivid variety and not the conflicting
MATERIALISM AND THE CONCEPT OF
contradictions, that form the summum bonum of nature. If
CREATION
the evolution of the plants and the animals had all occurred
merely as a product of chance happenings and not through
the agency of a purposeful planning, it stands contrary to all
t was for facing the unanswerable questions which the laws of causality that the entire range of Genus and Species
were encountered by mere materialism that the theory of should have evolved in pairs. The rationalists have mocked
dialectical materialism was formulated. Karl Marx was the at the religious view using the old story of a pope who had
founder of this concept. The crux of this theory is that new grossly miscalculated the age of the earth. However, the Holy
things and species emerge from the contradictions within the
varying forms of matter. Those unaffected by lapses of the
intellect can only find themselves lost in the jargon of the
philosophers of dialectical materialism who try in vain to
reconcile themselves to the idea that there exists a dualism
between the tree and its seed, the mother and her child, and
the hen and her eggs; that the mango is, in fact, the very
negation of the mango-tree and that the egg is similarly the
negation of the hen herself.
34 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 35

Indeed, the Holy Quran points to an earth that is round and

rotating.

Although some amongst the rationalists regard with

contempt the statement of the Holy Quran to the effect that
the mountains are the pegs that maintain the equilibrium of
the earth, the seismographic studies carried out by soviet
experts on the formation of lunar craters created by the impact
of falling debris have led to the clear fact of the solid
foundation which the mountains provide the earth with. The
structure of the mountains which run deep into the earth as
well as the role of the mountains in preserving the balance of
the earth - both are, today, the subjects of deep study. The
Quran has not spoken of anything that may seem irrational Holy Quran which refers to the sun as a lamp and the moon
when it comes to the same subject. There is nothing as a light indicates the profound idea of astronomy which
unbelievable, whatsoever, in the Quranic statement that the would never have been known to any Arab of the seventh
universe was created in six stages. Another declaration of century. The sun does, indeed, burn like a lamp. The moon
the M
Holy Quran has been that of the earth and the heavens but reflects the light that falls upon it.
being one unit of creation before God rent them asunder.
Indeed, this assertion, in an age where there was not the MAN - IN THE QURAN AND
slightest notion of the intricate relationship between the origins RATIONALISM
of the heavenly bodies and the earth, stands as one of the
most lasting and powerful testimonies to the super-human
quality of the Holy Quran. an, in the view of the rationalists, is but a species that
emanated from a succeeding generation of the primates which
The reference to the two easts and two wests as well coincidentally lost the tail, had the spinal cord erect and the
as to the rotation of the day around the night and the rotation structure of the jaw bone altered. The Holy Quran, however,
of the night around the day are, indeed, proofs of the super- helps man in discovering himself by pointing out the wonderful
human nature of the Holy Quran. These statements do not, aspects of the human creation while highlighting the peaks of
in any way, refer to the flat or stationary nature of the earth.
36 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 37

greatness that man can achieve as the most special, most In making man really a man, in making man a civilized
beautiful and incomparable creation of God even as he can being, in making man a man of the letters, in making man a
equally plunge to the depths and degradations of the darkness scientist, in all such cases words and writings play a crucial
that is also before him. role all of their own. Not since time immemorial has a single
one of the animals that inhabit the face of the earth in their
“Behold! thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create tens of thousands ever uttered a word of a speech. Never
a vicegerent on earth.”(H.Q. 2:30) have they made pictures or letters. It is only man, and man
alone, who actually did both. And both combined to provide
The Holy Quran recounts the declaration of God in
his life with an incomparable richness and vista of breath-
connection with the creation of the first man: “And He taught
taking vision. He was thus made the leader - the Khalifa - of
Adam the name of all things..”(H.Q. 2:31)
the earth. Amongst the animals, it is only man who has
God enabled him in understanding the name and nature employed the means of his transportation. It was he, and he
of all things and to master all in a fashion that aided him in alone, who wore clothes. In this context, too, it is but a very
the free fulfillment of his mission on earth. believable account which the Holy Quran presents.

The Quran presents a very believable study of the “We have indeed created man in the best of
nature in which man, of all the tens of thousands of animals,
came into possession of the independent faculties and
tremendous knowledge which are to be found in none of the
others. Perhaps it is for traditional science to say that the
stump of the lost tail of the ancestor further evolved into the
ability and knowledge of man!

“The Most Gracious! It is He Who has taught the

Quran. He has created man : He has taught him an
intelligent speech.” (H.Q. 55:1-4)

“Proclaim! And thy Lord is most Bountiful, He

Who taught (the use of) the Pen” (H.Q. 96:3,4)
38 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 39

God. The blessing of God forms his shelter and retreat in this
world as well as in Paradise. All the seeming losses incurred
by a believer is then turned into the highest gains. All sacrifices
made are transformed into the greatest achievements. As for
the rationalist, he ends up being a fool who wasted an entire
lifetime for yet other fools like himself. The rationalist shows
no hesitation, whatsoever, in attaining martyrdom as a member
of a cohesive group that would strive for a better tomorrow
even at the cost of their own lives. He has nothing to gain no
matter whose head it is above which will rise this dawn of a
good, or a bad, tomorrow. According to the rationalists, with
his death any leader of a non-zero stature ends up as a zero
after all. All the wreaths, memorials and reminders that follow
moulds, Then do We abase him (to be) the lowest of the are but myths, deception and the masks of hypocritical
low” (H.Q. 95:4-5) pretension. There is, however, one consolation: that he has
not died; that he yet lives on in the hearts of millions of the
It is only when man submits his great abilities to a life masses. Indeed, Rationalism is nothing but the vain attempt
I‘
of service that his existence finds its highest fulfillment and to redress the rags of rebirth in a coloured and misleading
joy. When those same abilities are used in hurting and hue. The rationality of the idea that the soul of the leader
exploiting, man degrades himself to levels below that of the lives on after his death within the hearts of the people has not
animals. In which other book can we find such an authoritative been established in the scriptures of rationalist philosophy. In
and factual exposition of the intricacies of human nature? any event, it is the picture of the greater leader of equality
Indeed, the Quranic vision of the objective of human life is standing out, like a set of protruding teeth, in a virtual
rational; is ennobling and of the highest standard. The man graveyard of equality itself. A much bigger zero amongst a
who submit his whole life to God while on the sound soil of gathering of zeroes.
goodness, has already vouchsafed, as it were, the eternal
MISUNDERSTANDINGS, ACCUSATIONS
nobility of existence both during his sojourn in this world as
well as in the life hereafter. It is peace of mind and true
satisfaction of the self which ennobles the life of a believer in
40 The Quran and Rationalism The Quran and Rationalism 41

slam promotes human sacrifices and other of feminine charms. No such concern has, to date, been voiced
superstitions.’ ‘Islam opposes the equality of women.’ ‘Islam or witnessed. The wife at home, the stenographer in the office,
has maintained slavery.’ The rationalists have attacked Islam the guide in the journey, the call-girl at the hotel.... this list of
with such and similar accusations. Where has the Holy Quran plural female relationships has never been seen to have come
encouraged human scarifices? In fact, the Quran contains the in for the criticism of the rationalists. There have even been
reference to the test of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice all the rational giants who wrote about the idea that it is
before God, to the fact that he did not have to sacrifice his scientifically and physiologically a necessity to give vent to
son and, instead, was only commanded by Allah to sacrifice the impulses of the husband, who has been forced to starve
an animal as a symbolic gesture. It is difficult to understand sexually owing to the pregnancy, delivery, or monthly periods
the exact portion here which is found to be unacceptable by of his wife, at the caberrets. However, if a man were to accept
the rationalists. If it is the opposition to the idea of sacrifice more than one wife lawfully, responsibly and in keeping with
itself, it is indeed a most irrational stand. All of past history justice, the rationalists come out with the view that this is a
as well as contemporary events testify to the fact that it is perversion and a gross immorality. The Quran has,
only those who are prepared to sacrifice all their things of conditionally, given the permission to marry upto four women.
value, including their lives, who will ultimately attain an However, Islam permits polygamy only to the person who is
eventual and lasting victory. A warrior is always faced with certain that he will be able to show fairness to his wives.
the very real possibility of sacrificing his own life. Sometimes Some rationalists immediately ask the question as to why it
it will be his limbs that will have to be sacrificed. Whether in was, then, that Islam disallowed polyandry? Polygamy is a
play or in seriousness many sacrifices will be required to system which invariably guarantees the knowledge of the
attain victory. identity of the father as well as the mother in the wedlock.
But, what of Polyandry? Here, the father figure is but a vague
While a believer in religion is always alive to, and representation. Clearly then, Islam allowed for a system that
conscious of, the value of sacrifice, a rationalist but tends to identifies the father and the mother. To the dubious credit of
fall in a swoon in the event of having to make one himself. the rationalists, then, went the system which identifies not
the father.
There is the least consternation on the side of the
rationalist if a man were to have illicit sexual relationship When Islam made its re-entry onto the scene, slavery
with more than one woman, if he were to enjoy the sight of was a system that was rampant not only within the precincts
the naked female body and if he were to make a merchandise of Arabia but also over all the other places on earth. Indeed,
It had become ingrained within the very civilizational and
42 The Quran and Rationalism

economic ethos of that region. Thus it was that the messenger,

pledged as he was to the intellectual transformation of the
masses, sought first and foremost to remove the miseries that
had become the lot of the slaves. To this end, the services
rendered by the prophet and his followers stand beyond
enumeration. Indeed, the Quran declared that the first hurdle
in attaining to the Islamic solution for the problems facing
humanity was the abolition of slavery.

The Quran recommended the freeing of slaves as an

act of expiation for many a sin. Under no circumstances was
a Muslim to have the right to enslave a free man. Important
too, is the fact that the Quran has not prescribed the making
of slaves out of prisoners-of-war. In fact, the Quran has
instructed that they were either to be let off or to be held
solely for the ransom value they were worth.

Women’s right to inheritance has been yet another of

the points raised by the critics. But what of the economic
duty of the woman? It has become the habit of the critics,
now, to remain silent over that question. No matter what the
role of the woman-whether it be as a daughter, or a sister, a
wife or a mother or even a grand mother - Islam has never
imposed upon her the duty of meeting the family’s living
expenditure. The male who has come of age, however, is to
bear the burden of his own as well as his family’s cost of
living. It is only when this fact, too, is taken into account that
the real justice shown to women by Islam becomes easily
comprehensible. It is pertinent here to note the fact that C.P.
Shreedharan had greatly praised the all-encompassing and
just family laws of Islam in his exhaustive preface to the
comparative study of sexuality in different cultures in the
encyclopaedic work on sex education published by Moral
 NICHE OF TRUTH

Islam is the message given by the Lord of the

universe for the betterment of all mankind as
well as for the cause of victory in both this world
and the next. It is the bounden duty of humanity
to follow this guidance. The invitation is to the
way of peace, salvation and serenity. The objec-
tive remains the eternal victory in the Hereafter.
To that end, worship Allah alone and follow the
message that He has sent us through the prophet
Muhammed. All are, hereby, invited to this truth.

For more details, contact:

Director,
NICHE OF TRUTH

Kalabhavan Road, Cochin - 682

018, Kerala, India. Ph:
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