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To:
S.W.Hawking@damtp.cam.ac.uk
Prof. S.W. Hawking
From:
abdussalama@alrajhibank.com.sa
Abdussalam Ambazhathingal
Part I
Dear Sir, “Peace and blessings be upon you”
I read your book “A brief history of time”. It is wonderful
and a great piece of work.
I have read many books of thinkers like
Sartre, Camus and also of some rationalists. What I noticed in
common is that their thinking finally converge to one point, rather
to a dilemma i.e. submission or revolt? Submission leads to faith.
True faith starts with submission. As man is the only creature that
defies himself, the innate arrogance quite often tempts him to
revolt. That leads him astray.
‘A brief history of time’ speaks
of God and at the same time raises questions on His
existence. It speaks of God as well as His absence in a search for
the ultimate triumph of human reason on ‘why it is that we and the
universe exist’. This prompted me to write you as follows:
Man is unable to surpass his limits of
senses, thinking, intelligence and reasoning. Human brain is just a
part of a product, a later creation by the Entity responsible for
the creation of the universe or nature. It is unjust to expect that
the whole intelligence of the vast universe should match with the
little reason of this tiny dust (human being) of the universe.
Instead, part should match with the whole. One of the creations
cannot claim to have the absolute reason to explain all the others.
So it is not necessary and may not be, always, possible either, that
human reason should be able to explain the universe absolutely. It
is impossible because human reason came very late as a product and
has never been the criterion for the design of the universe.
“Why it is that we and the universe
exist” can be reasonably viewed as totally unreasonable as far
as human reason is concerned, unless and until the reason or
justification for existing (rai.son d’e.tre) and the rationale is
faithfully propounded by some Knowledgeable Source. In any case
human reason was never consulted as to the creation or the evolution
of any silly item of the universe, let alone the whole universe.
After all, how can a creation explain
its own existence and the purpose and reason underlying it, unless
an external Super- agency gives forth some clue?
The creation of man is not in proportion
to the creation of the universe.
“Assuredly the
creation of Heavens and the earth is a greater matter than the
creation of mankind, but most of mankind knows not”. “Are ye the
harder to create, or is the heaven that He built?” (Quran:Chapter
79: 27).
Man is only an insignificant speck in
Allah’s (God’s) spacious creation. Mans sense and intelligence
are not reliable source of knowledge. Intelligence takes decision on
the basis of reports gained through senses.
Therefore to realize and approach the
absolute truth we have to use some other frame of reference than our
own reason which is not the master, but only one of the many tools
for gathering and manipulating intelligence in the universe which is
still 99.999% unknown. There is an elastic limit and an end to the
reliability of human reasoning capacity. Man can not stretch it
beyond that limit. It will seize to be reasonable if we try further.
We have to change the tool, i.e. the frame of
reference, using other parameters. This frame of reference is what
is generally called "Faith" which also should be chosen to be
correct, apt and absolute. It is inculcated at an early age or, in a
submissive mind, it starts from where reason ends.
Science is the product of
application of one frame of reference and religion is the result of
the application of a superior frame of reference. The absolute
reason is, therefore, always, beyond the human reason and far and
far above that. So, to know the absolute truth, we have to
synchronize with the absolute reason, parting temporarily, with our
conventional practical frames of references and measurements.
Synchronization occurs when our reason is submitted to the Absolute
Reason and remains linked to it whence then flow the reasons for the
existence of each and every creation. And that is the only reasoning
possible ultimately.
There can be a certain human rational
uncertainty with regard to the whole universe. This uncertainty is
also a natural entity. Man has to admit, submit and proceed.
Otherwise, what is the answer of the 'human reason' to the very
basic query about the origin of the universe, as you said, the
singularity to start with?
What for and why there should be a
singularity at all? Is it the requirement of human reason or the
requirement of the universe itself? What is the intelligence
implanted in this singularity? And whose intelligence?. Even
hypothetically, what predictions could have been made by human
reason about the outcome at the very instant of the singularity?
Absolutely, nothing! And where and how did this entire universe flow
from, and why at all?.
Human reason came too late. So the simple reason is that there
was/is a Commanding Intelligence, like a mouse click, telling the
universe “To be and it was”. This answer is not scientific. The very
question and the answer are unscientific, because science is unable
to answer it nor able to raise such a question.
What we feel unscientific need not be unintelligent or unreasonable.
As a matter of fact, all that is scientific is liable to be
continuously true or untrue. So you can not depend on scientific
methods which are always, by its very nature ‘trial and error’
techniques, yielding results continuously interpreted and verified
to be false or true.
Sudden outburst of scientific knowledge in the 18th and 19th century
made them misunderstand that science is enough. Ridiculed Religion.
Now science is apologetic for its past arrogance. Science has had to
confess its errors. The spiritual conception is more suitable for
the universe than the material conception. Science, which had
dragged the world into materialism through its mechanical theory of
the universe is now dragging it to a kind of spiritualistic
conception.
And all the more pathetic is the case of philosophy attempting to
solve the riddle,
introducing more and more dangerous puzzles in the pursuit of truth
and reality. It often takes off from the terrain of reason, but
prefers to linger in the air, flying hither and thither, and unable
to reach any destination due to the fuel of reason having been
depleted during the aimless exercises, finally tries to make a crash
landing on the terrain of reason, again, making irreparable injuries
to both. The plane of philosophy, thus, either perishes in the
terrain of reason it started from or, if lucky enough, tries again
to replenish it with some more reason for another take-off, but with
little progress more often than not. How can the humanity on the
earth, rely on the never coming conclusions of philosophy floating
in the air? How long it has to wait for?
Pure water may be a scientific object, but what about pure and
righteous man? Is it a subject of science at all? A strong and
healthy or weak and unhealthy man may be an object of science. But,
what about a pious man?. Does he come under the purview of science
or philosophy?. Science cannot make life just, true, honest etc. The
question of human destiny, loneliness, feelings, friendship,
hostility, death, and the way out of these situations can never be
the subject matter of science.
Religion looks into the inner man, his conscience, secrets etc.
Knowledge is not acquired in a rational or scientific way only. It
is one method but it doesn’t mean that it is the only method to
realize truth in the human sense wherein the man is really the fruit
of his soul or its essence.
The humanity cannot ,therefore depend too much on science or
philosophy for deriving the immediate and essential values of life
which cannot be halted at any stage , waiting for the uncertain
trains of thought from either of them, lest it should be an endless
and aimless waiting for nothing.
Life is neither futile nor absurd as Sartre and Camus wrote. Life is
for meaningful purposes. Life is a trust from God and man should
handle this trust mindful of God and conscious of his responsibility
to God. Belief in the Oneness of God and in the Hereafter is
supreme. The Best use of life is to live it according to the
Guidance of God and make it a safe passage to the future life of
eternity.
“O mankind, indeed we have created you from
male and female and made you peoples and tribes that you may know
one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah
(God) is the most righteous of you. Indeed Allah is knowing and
acquainted.” (Qur’an:49:13)
Mankind will be resurrected on the Day of Judgment after every thing
on earth is destroyed. The Holy Quran says:“That
day, the people will depart separated to be shown (the result) of
their deed. Whoever does an atom’s Weight of good will see it. And
whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” (Qur’an:
99-6,7,8)
Man is a unique creature. He is born pure and sinless and is
bestowed with the freedom to choose between right and wrong, i.e. he
is given a limited free will to do righteous deeds or indulge in
sins. This difference between man and other animals itself, is,
strictly speaking, an unscientific concept. Animals, by nature of
their brain, have also a physical frame of reference to follow. But
man, by the very nature of his mind, has a different frame of
reference from those of animals though some physical features are
common in both. Animal is not worried about the cosmic truths even
though both are governed by the cosmic laws
There remains a blunt/frank irrationality that all have to live on,
willing or unwilling, obeying the same cosmic laws. This compulsion
itself is unreasonable. Why there is no choice? But there is a
choice as regards those who reflect on cosmic truths and values.
These values are the basis of true religion and the foundation of
human life and humanity at large from time immemorial, and human
life in its core is the same now or then but for the conveniences
and comforts acquired through the ages.
The precise set-ups in our chaotic brain, the flawless set-up of the
entire universe are all portents for man to submit his reason to the
Absolute Reason. This submission, in Arabic, is called ‘Islam’.
‘Islam’, in Arabic, means Total submission to the will of One God.
May your intellectual journey towards the truth be a pleasant and
fruitful one.
As I said at the beginning “A brief history of time” speaks of God
and at the same time raises questions on His existence. This
prompted me to write this letter to invite your attention to The
Quran, the word of God, the Absolute Truth and Guidance where you
can find answers to all your unanswered questions. It holds the
unique position of being God’s final testament to humanity. It is
the only scripture in human history that has been preserved in its
complete and original version. Its Author (God) claims that it will
survive for ever and that Mohammed (pbuh) through whom it was
revealed is truly the final prophet and messenger of God.
In Chapter 16, verse 89, Allah (God) declares unequivocally:
" We have sent down to thee, A Book explaining all things, a
guide, a mercy and Glad tidings to those who submit."
A submissive mind gets divine guidance. Submission to the ‘Will of
one God’ is the quintessence of Islam [In Arabic, Islam means
submission, i.e. total submission to the will of One God).
No other book on earth has put forth such a tall claim! The Quran is
not a book of science but rather a book of ‘signs’. It has 6236
signs (verses) out of which about 1000 verses deal with hints on
scientific knowledge, nature and its wonders. It points to the
secrets of nature which could not have been perceived 1400 years
ago. Thus The Quran is superior to science then, now and forever. It
is the ultimate yardstick.
The Quran presents clues/hints on almost all the areas touched in
your book “A Brief History of Time”, such as the origin and fate of
the universe, Big Bang, Big Crunch, expanding universe, String
theory, time, shape of earth and heaven, sun, moon, man and his role
on this wonderful tiny planet etc.
Please read The Quran and see what it has to say on many of the
Questions you mentioned in your book.
I seek your attention to what The Quran says about the instinctive
nature of man.
Chapter 17: Verse: 85
“They will ask thee concerning the Spirit.
Say: The Spirit is by command of my Lord, and of knowledge ye have
been vouchsafed but little”.
Chapter 96: verses: 6&7
“Nay! Verily, man does transgress (in
disbelief and evil deed). Because he considers himself
self-sufficient”
Man is only given that which he can understand, however dimly. He is
not in a position to ask anything he wishes. The absolute truth is
given to us through His revelation (Quran).
Chapter 69: verses 48-52:
But verily this is a Message for the
God-fearing. And We certainly know that there are amongst you those
that reject (it). But truly (Revelation) is a cause of sorrow for
the unbelievers. But verily it is the Truth of assured certainty. So
glorify the name of thy Lord Most High”
Man is also the only creature bestowed with FREEDOM OF CHOICE, a
limited free will, indeed. Not to choose is also a choice. But who
instills in man the wisdom and the power of discrimination between
the right and the wrong? Man’s built-in sense of right and wrong is
an innate awareness of code of law, i.e. awareness, implanted in man
by his Creator (God).
The Quran says: Chapter 91: Verses 7 to 10
“And (by) the Soul and Him who proportioned
it; And inspired it (with conscience of) what is wrong for it and
(what is) right for it. He has succeeded who purifies it, And he has
failed who corrupts it”
Chapter 90: verse 10
“And shown him the two ways (good and evil)”.
Man, bestowed with the freedom to choose, is shown two clear paths
(the right and the wrong). It is up to him to choose and proceed.
This universe is not eternal but our souls are!. Man has destiny.
The acceptance of this destiny is supreme. Not even a single leaf
stirs without His (God’s) will. Nor a quark met an anti-quark
without His will. And man is granted with very little knowledge.
Submission to God is the only dignified human choice which is also
the real test of human intelligence and no animal has got a sense
for making such a choice for the good or bad. And that is the
difference between man and the animal.
This difference is the citadel of human culture and civilization,
when he chooses for the good and discards the vice and the worse.
The science has got no role here because virtue or vice cannot be
tested in a laboratory and like an animal science also cannot make a
meaningful distinction between these two extremes of human life.
That is to say that human life is not a scientific subject as far as
the human values are concerned. That is, life is unscientific! How
can you try to live it out scientifically ,then? Better live it on
religiously and righteously. That is called piety which is the
cradle of humanity ultimately.
The Quran says in Chapter 7: Verse: 59:
”And with Him (Creator) are the keys of the
invisible. None but He knoweth them... Not even a leaf falleth but
He knoweth it, not a grain amid the darkness of the earth, naught of
wet or dry but (it is noted) in a clear record”.
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Part II
Quoted below are some of the verses from The Quran providing clues
on certain questions raised in your book, “A brief history of
Time”.
1. On a Bewildering world:
The concluding chapter of your book ‘A Brief History of Time’ (page
181) begins with:
”We find ourselves in a bewildering world…”
See what Quran says about this bewilderment in Chapter 67 verses 3-4
and also on the creation of 7 heavens one above another:
67:2. “ He Who created Death and Life that He
may try which of you is best in deed: and He is the Exalted in Might
Oft-Forgiving ”
67:3. “ He Who created the seven heavens one
above another; no want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation
of (Allah) Most Gracious so turn thy vision again: Seest thou any
flaw? ”
67:4. “ Again turn thy vision on a second
time; (thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited in a
state worn out.”
67:5. “And We have (from of old) adorned the lowest heaven with
Lamps and We have made such (Lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the
Evil Ones and have prepared for them the Penalty of the Blazing
Fire”.
67:6. “For those who reject their Lord (and Cherisher) is the
Penalty of Hell: and evil is (such) destination”.
2. On Expanding Universe:
Chapter 51: verse: 47
”And the Heaven we constructed with strength, and indeed, We are
(its) expander” And the earth we have spread out, and excellent is
the preparer and all things we have created pairs, that haply ye may
reflect.”
3. On Big Bang/Big Crunch/String theory
Chapter 21 Verses 30 to 35 on Big Bang etc. and in verse 104 hints
to Big Crunch and String theory as Dr. Abdul Salam, physicist (Nobel
prize winner) referred in one of his articles:
Verse 30: “Do the disbelievers not see that the heavens and earth
were joined together (as one unit of creation) before We clove them
asunder?. We made from water every living thing.”
Verse 31:“And We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake
with them, and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply
they may find their way”.
Verse 32:“And We have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet
they turn away from its portents”.
Verse 33: “And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the
sun and the moon. They swim, each in an orbit”.
Verse 34: “We appointed immortality for no mortal before thee. What!
if thou diest, can they be immortal?”
Verse 35: “Every soul must taste of death, and We try you with evil
and with good, for ordeal. And unto Us ye will be returned.”
Chapter 21: verse 104:
“The Day when We shall roll up the heavens as a recorder rolleth up
a written scroll. As We began the first creation, We shall repeat
it. (It is) a promise (binding) upon Us. Lo! We are to perform it”.
4. On the Shape of Earth:
Chapter 39: verse 5
”He coils the night upon the day and He coils the day upon the
night”
The word used in original Arabic text is “Kawwara” which means coils
or windings. The significance of this verb is that you usually coil
something around a rather spherical object. This was discovered by
Frances Drake in 1580, about one thousand years after the revelation
of this verse to Prophet Mohammed.
5. On Sun and Moon:
Chapter 25 verse 61:
”Blessed is the one who placed the constellation in the Heaven and
placed therein a lamp and a moon reflecting light”
Here the Sun is referred to as a lamp for it has its own
illumination, while the Moon is said to have reflected light or
borrowed light, meaning not its own. Science recently confirmed that
the moon reflected the Sun’s light.
6. On movement of Sun and planets:
Black spot in sun takes 25 days to complete a revolution.
Chapter 21 verse 33:
”God is the One who created the night, the day, the Sun and the
Moon, each one spinning around its own axis (traveling in an orbit)”
The Quran was revealed centuries before the Arabs became advanced in
Astronomy. So it was the Arabs who learnt Astronomy from The Quran.
7. On the Grand Unified Force
Chapter 54: verses 49, 50:
"Verily all things have We created in, Perfect order, and Our
Command is but, A Single Act - Like the Twinkling of an eye"
Chapter 32: verse 5
"He controls (all) affairs from the heavens, to the earth; In the
end will (the Amr - all affairs) go up to Him, on a Day the space
whereof will be (as) a thousand years of, Your reckoning"
Chapter 65: verse 12
"Allah is He Who created seven firmaments, And of the earth a
similar number, through the midst of them (all) descends, His
Command, that you may Know that Allah has power, over all things and
that Allah comprehends all things, In (His) knowledge"
In Chapter 13, verse 2 the same idea is presented in a different
form:
"He does regulate all affairs, explaining the signs in detail, That
you may believe with certainty, In the meeting with your Lord"
Chapter 10: verse 3
"Verily your Lord is Allah, Who created the Heavens and The earth in
six days, Then He established Himself, On the Throne (of authority),
Controlling and governing, All affairs”
Yet another Quranic verse presents the same idea:
In Chapter 16: Verse 77
"To Allah belongs the mystery of, The heavens and the earth, and The
Command over the, Time (of Judgment) is as the Twinkling of an eye,
Or even quicker, for Allah has power over all things”
A separate article on GUF by Dr. Shoukath Ali, King Abdulaziz
University, Jeddah, is appended at the end touching Einstein’s pet
idea of Grand Unified Theory (GUT) and verses from The Quran.
Bruno & Galileo:
The inquisition of Bruno and Galileo Galilei, as partly referred to
in your book, occurred in history due to the ignorance and arrogance
of the erstwhile ecclesiastical authorities ,following the
manipulations of The Bible. Such a clash is inconceivable in Islam
because true science is considered as the revealed knowledge of
God’s signs in nature. The more man learns the more of his ignorance
gets revealed., as well.
In the Quran Chapter 3: 190-191:
“Behold! In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of
understanding. Men who remember Allah standing, sitting and lying
down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in
the heavens and the earth, (with the thought) “Our Lord! not for
naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us
Salvation from the chastisement of the Fire
THE CENTRAL THEME
The basic theme discussed in The Quran
is salvation in this life and in the life hereafter. The Quran
addresses itself to mankind, it touches on almost all the
disciplines that concern man. Its subject is man, and object is
Guidance. Let me remind you of the words of Sir Francis Bacon: “A
little knowledge of science makes man an Atheist, and an in-depth
study of science makes him a believer in God Almighty”.
In The Quran the 55th Chapter Al Rahman, Verses 1 to 13 are quoted
below:
The Beneficent
Hath made known the Quran.
He hath created man.
He hath taught him utterance.
The sun and the moon are made punctual.
The stars and the trees adore.
And the sky He hath uplifted; and He hath set the measure,
That ye exceed not the measure,
But observe the measure strictly, nor fall short thereof.
And the earth hath He appointed for (His) creatures,
Wherein are fruit and sheathed palm trees
Husked grain and scented herb.
Which is it, of the favors of your Lord, that ye deny?
Chapter 54 verses 49 to 55
Lo! We have created every thing by measure.
And Our commandment is but one (commandment), as the twinkling of an
eye.
And verily We have destroyed your fellows; but is there any that
remembereth?
And every thing they did is in the Scriptures,
And every small and great thing is recorded.
Lo! the righteous will dwell among gardens and rivers,
Firmly established in the favor of a Mighty King.
I wish to bring to your kind attention some words from Prophet
Mohammed (peace be upon him). He said: “The Quran is the proof on
your behalf or against you.” Well, The Quran is an inimitable and
exceptional witness for your wisdom and freedom of choice.
I also quote excerpts from the Prophet Mohammad’s (Peace be upon
him) last sermon, which he delivered in the Urnah valley of mount
Arafat:
O people, lend me an attentive ear, for I don’t know whether, after
this year, I shall ever be amongst you again, Therefore listen to
what I am saying to you carefully and take these words to those who
could not be present here today ..............
Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you, Remember that you will
indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds...
” O people, it is true that you have certain rights with regard
to your women, but they also have rights over you... Do treat your
women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and
committed helpers...
”You are all equal. Nobody has superiority over other except by
piety and good action” “.
As our birth opened a door to this brief span of life our death
opens a door to an eternal life where right and wrong will be
judged. There:
The Quran says: “Whoever does an atom’s weight of good will see
it, and who ever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it”
For every suffering in this world there is a reward in the hereafter
for those who submit. Pray to the One and Only God (Allah, the
Creator) for His guidance and blessings. May God lead us all in the
right path.
After reading your wonderful work the first thing that came to my
mind was a Quranic verse from
Chapter 18, Verse 109:
“Say to mankind Oh, Mohammed: If the oceans were ink for writing the
words of my Lord, surely the ocean would be exhausted before the
words of my Lord would be finished, even if we brought another ocean
for its aid”
Dear Sir, kindly ponder over what I scribbled here for you. It is
not all. Please read The Quran and analyse it critically. You will
find in there an ocean of knowledge, the purpose of life, creation,
love, peace, justice etc. – answering the nature of the universe,
our place in it and where did it and we come from, why is it the way
it is…? etc.
You lament in your book: “If only man could know the mind of God”.
You will get the answer from The Quran – through His own words!
It is a gift to humanity granted by the Creator. His guidance was
brought to humanity from time to time through His prophets. The
termination of this line of prophets was effected through The Quran
and His last prophet Mohammed (pbuh). Once you realize this truth,
testify that:
“THERE IS NO GOD BUT ALLAH; TESTIFY THAT MOHAMMED IS HIS
MESSENGER”
Thanking you and praying Allah to lead us all in the right path.
Abdussalam Ambazhathingal
e-mail: aambazhathingal@shb.com.sa
ambazhathingal@yahoo.com
Mob: 966 508 461 038
P.O. Box 1467
Saudi Hollandi Bank
Riyadh-11431,
Saudi Arabia.
Note:
I will be very glad to send you the THE NOBLE QURAN with English
Translation where you can find more scientific clues on Astronomy,
purpose of life, movement of planets, GUF, geology, mountains,
marine phenomena, creation of man, embryology, Skin, Cerebrum, male
& female, communities, bees, blood circulation.. etc. Please let me
know by return e-mail.
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