Islam and Evidence

Nature is an incredible source of inspiration for scientists and R&D experts, leading to the development of biomimicry: a new branch of science that seeks to imitate living things. Through biomimicry, researchers are able to develop new technologies by studying and imitating the designs created in nature by Allah. This approach has been applied in the world of technology, particularly in nanotechnology, robot technology, artificial intelligence, medicine, and the military. By drawing from these natural systems as models, humans are able to create more sustainable technologies than those in use today.

Biomimicry has surprised scientists and revealed incomparable structures and systems that have the potential to enrich technology in a wide range of fields. Nature is a source of inspiration for scientists, and biomimicry is a way of using the extraordinary designs in living things in the service of humanity. Scientists are making important gains with regard to time and labor, and using less material resources by imitating nature. There are many scientific papers that discuss these topics, such as "Science is Imitating Nature," "Life's Lessons in Design," "Biomimicry: Secrets Hiding in Plain Sight," and more. In the 19th century, nature was only imitated aesthetically, but in the 20th century, scientists began studying natural mechanisms at the molecular level and learned from living things, as revealed in the Qur'an 1,400 years ago.

Notes:

159. Frederick Pratter, "Stories from the Field Offer Clues on Physics and Nature," Christian Science Monitor; www.biomimicry.org/reviews_text.html

160. "Biomimicry;" www.bfi.org/Trimtab/spring01/biomimicry.htm

161. Michelle Nijhuis, High Country News, July 6, 1998, vol. 30, no. 13,

www.biomimicry.org/reviews_text.html

162. "Biomimicry Explained: A Conversation with Janine Benyus," www.biomimicry.org/faq.html

163. Bilim ve Teknik, August 1994, 43.

164. Philip Ball, "Life's lessons in design," Nature 409 (2001): 413-16; www.nature.com/cgi-taf/DynaPage.taf?file=/nature/journal/v409/n6818/full/409413a0_fs.html&filetype=&_UserReference=C0A804EF465069D8A41132467E093F0EDE99.

165. "Biomimicry: Secrets Hiding in Plain Sight," NBL (New Bottom Line) 6, no. 22, November 17, 1997; www.natlogic.com/resources/nbl/v06/n22.html

166. Janine M. Benyus, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature (New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.: 1998); www.biomimicry.org/reviews_text.html

167. Ed Hunt, "Biomimicry: Genius that Surrounds Us," Tidepool,

www.biomimicry.org/reviews_text.html

168. Robin Eisner, "Biomimetics: Creating Materials from Nature's Blueprints," The Scientist, July 8, 1991; www.the-scientist.com/yr1991/july/research_910708.html

169. Jim Robbins, "Engineers Ask Nature for Design Advice," New York Times, December 11, 2001.

Many animals and birds live in societies and form a structured social order, with different roles and tasks assigned to each. For example, honey bees build their nests in colonies with a queen, workers and males, and the queen's main responsibility is laying eggs. Ants live in colonies with a communication network, advanced town planning and military strategies. Smaller birds protect themselves from predators by surrounding and producing sounds to draw other birds.

Mammals also protect their young as a group, such as zebras and dolphins. Through long years of research, we can see that these animals' social behaviour is mentioned in the Qur'an, proving it is the word of Allah.

Notes:

156. Edward O. Wilson, Sociobiology: The New Synthesis, (England: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press: 1975), 123.

157. Russell Freedman, How Animals Defend Their Young, (USA: Penguin USA: 1978), 69.

158. Ibid., 66-67.

The Prophet Muhammad (saas) Stated That He Would Never Follow Disbelievers

To his people, who strove to divert him from the straight path, slandered him, threatened him with murdering and exiled him, the Prophet Muhammad (saas) conveyed the following message:

Say: “I am forbidden to worship those you invoke besides Allah.” Say: “I will not yield to your whims and desires. If I did, I would go astray and cease to be on the right path.” Say: “I have received veritable proofs from my Lord and yet you deny Him. I have no power to hasten that which you challenge. Jurisdiction over this is Allah's alone. He tells the truth and He is the Best of Arbiters.” (Surat al-An’am, 56-57)

The Prophet Muhammad (saas) explained his people that Allah is the only god and summoned them to believe in Allah. He warned against a grievous torment. Some of the relevant verses are as follows:

Say: “This is my path. With inner sight, I call on you to believe in Allah, I and all who follow me. Glory be to Allah! I am not one of the idolaters!” (Surah Yusuf, 108)

Say: “I call only upon my Lord and do not associate anyone else with Him.” Say: “I have no control over any good or evil that befalls you.” Say: “No one can protect me from Allah and I will never find any refuge apart from Him. My mission is only to make known His Messages.” “As for one who disobeys Allah and His Messenger, he shall abide in the Fire of Hell, remaining in it timelessly, for ever and ever.” (Surat al-Jinn, 20-23)

Say: “I am commanded to serve Allah, and to worship none besides Him. And I am commanded to be the first of the Muslims.” Say: “I fear, were I to disobey my Lord, the punishment of a Terrible Day.” Say: “It is Allah I serve, and Him alone I worship. As for yourselves worship anything you will apart from Him!” Say: “The real losers are those who will lose themselves and their families on the Day of Rising. That shall be the ultimate loss.”(Surat az-Zumar, 11-15)

Surely worthier is He Who originates creation and then regenerates it and provides for you from the Earth and sky. Is there another god besides Allah? Say: “Bring your proof if you are being truthful.” (Surat an-Naml, 64)

The Qur'an pointed to the existence of microscopic life forms that are invisible to the naked eye and consist of a single cell. Today, modern technology has enabled us to discover this secret world, with an estimated 20 times more microorganisms than animals on Earth. These tiny life forms are essential for life on Earth, such as the nitrogen cycle, photosynthesis and decomposition of organic substances.

Fourteen centuries ago, the Qur'an indicated the existence of living things beyond those which can be seen with the naked eye. This is another spectacular miracle contained within the verses of the Qur'an.