valkyrie wrote:Hi, shafique. I have sent another e-mail to an earth science professor who specializes on earthquakes. He will probably respond in the coming days (monday).
Excellent - as I said, I am not well read when it comes to geology.
valkyrie wrote:The reason I asked you if v27:88 was dealing with the end times was because the context of the verse appears to be clearly speaking about judgment day. The immediate verses before and after this verse are prophecies of the end of the world:
And the Day that the Trumpet will be sounded - then will be smitten with terror those who are in the heavens, and those who are on earth, except such as Allah will please (to exempt): and all shall come to His (Presence) as beings conscious of their lowliness. Thou seest the mountains and thinkest them firmly fixed: but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away: (such is) the artistry of Allah, who disposes of all things in perfect order: for he is well acquainted with all that ye do. If any do good, good will (accrue) to them therefrom; and they will be secure from terror that Day.
It reads to me that mountains are currently fixed (as what several Koranic verses say), but at the end of days, Allah will move the mountains as clouds like the other different verses in the Koran that talk about mountains moving, vanishing, collapsing, scattering and being crushed.
Yes, I can see the context and agree that they can be viewed about talking about the latter days when you look at the context (and I can imagine that is how scholars as old interpreted them).
The other verses which clearly talk about the disintegration of mountains say that this will happen in the latter days.
However, v88 in Arabic does not say that the mountains will 'disapear' like clouds, but what has been translated as 'pass away like clouds pass away' is what was translated as 'moving' or 'floating' like clouds 'move'/'float'.
The clincher for me is that this verse is in the present tense - it instructs the reader to look at mountains (now) and says that even though they are fixed, they are (present tense) floating like clouds. However, the translation you have quoted gives the impression that the 'passing like clouds' is in the future tense.
Thus we need to establish whether the Arabic words referring to clouds are in the present or future tense. I'll consult with some Arabic speaking guys and get back to you.
I think its worth repeating my stance on the Quran and science (as this thread was initially set up to discuss alleged contradictions, not descriptions of nature). I do believe that the Quran's descriptions are in accordance with the laws of the universe/physics/nature etc. This is because if God is the author the Quran, he won't reveal something that is wrong.
However, it was written in the 6th century and explains concepts in terms that have meaning for man at every stage of scientific development since. The main message of the Quran is not as a scientific textbook explaining the universe. It does however ask readers to study nature (i.e. science) and discover the beauties and complexities of creation.
Therefore I view the examination and fitting of science to Quranic verses as a peripheral activity - and not a core measure of the truthfulness or otherwise of the message of Islam.
I personally haven't found a verse or claim of the Quran that asks me to put aside logic, but I like challenges and hence I continue to look and question.
So, let us keep these discussions in perspective - the main message of the Quran is that it is a pure revelation containing the pinnacle of religious evolutions - the final code by which man can attain the ultimate peace - being at one with Creation (nafse muttmainah - the soul at rest, where God is pleased with it and it is pleased with God).
Cheers,
Shafique