NATUREA: A Reflection of the teachings of The Holy Quran

By: Masood Ashraf – USA

Modern science and technology has enabled us to make advancements and progressive discoveries that have driven change into the modern era. Evidently, there have been countless scientific discoveries and explorations that have stunned and pivoted progress towards growth. However, it is important to understand that even before all of these discoveries were credited with viability by world-class scientists, a certain ancient scripture that dates back to the time of desert nomads deserves far more credit and acknowledgment. Contrary to popular belief, science and scientific theories have always paralleled The Holy Quran in unfathomable ways. There is no act, law, or theory in any scientific branch that contradicts the Holy Quran, rather anything and everything that happens on this Earth is all a reflection of its teachings. One such example is that of dirt. Historically, dirt, mud, and clay have always been viewed as means of uncleanliness, filth and contamination. The idea of soil being a substance we can use to increase personal hygiene could not be farther from our initial mindset and thoughts. However, like all theories that were once contradicted and ridiculed by many, ended up being proved truthful and evidence-based. Countless research has been done on the numerous qualities of soil, including its ability to indeed encourage cleanliness and aid in the fight against unwanted bacteria and microorganisms. Lynda Williams, a clay and mineral scientist at Arizona State University explained that there are in fact “two elements in clay [that] work in tandem to kill bacteria” (Burnham, 2016). By analyzing evidence-based information, we can establish the fact that this specific quality of soil can aid medical-centered research in new and progressive ways. Specific antimicrobial properties of certain soils can not only resist many harmful bacteria like E.coli and Staphylococcus Aureus, but can also encourage immunity to certain pathogens that may prove harmful to the human body (Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2008). Tying modern research regarding this subject with the timeless text of the Holy Quran, we can advance the idea that both science and the Holy Quran parallel each other. Long before modern scientists discovered the numerous health-benefiting properties of soil, Allah the Almighty instructed his people to situationally “seek clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with it” (6:3). The term Tayammum was coined to represent this method that was to be used situationally. Fifteen hundred years ago, when Allah the Almighty revealed these verses, seldom did people have the opportunity to understand the complex scientific reasoning behind using dirt as an alternative to water for ablution. In fact, a very interesting experiment was conducted by Professor David Whitlock when in an attempt to prove that humans did not need water to keep clean, did not shower for twelve years. Instead, he developed his own soil-spray and used it as a substitute to soap and water for that time period. His results concluded that certain properties of soil and dirt have natural cleaning benefits and that the daily use of soap and water can actually remove healthy bacteria from the skin (Ghose, 2015). He got this idea after a friend asked him about horses rolling in dirt and he thought “the only way the horses could evolve this behavior was if they had substantial evolutionary benefits from it.” It must be noted that “dust has been chosen as substitute for water,” (77:21) because just as water reminds a person of his origin, thus creating in him a sense of humility, similarly dust calls to his mind that other humble substance from which he was created (30:21)” (Tafseer-e-Kabir). In today’s era where misconceptions about Islamic teachings and its viability in the modern world is questioned, one need not look further than the Holy Quran and its verses. Science and scientific theories have always puzzled the minds of men since the dawn of time and it will continue to do so as more innovations and technologies are discovered. However, in the end, due credit must be given to Quranic scriptures and texts which will always be a guiding light to researchers and scientists until the end of time.