328. The gravitational pull between the earth and sky.

Verse (35:41) of the Quran speaks of the sky and the earth not being pulled away from each other.

The sky and the earth are held in equilibrium, with the help of the gravitational force between them. This is an indirect message about the scientific truth that, a decrease or increase in the gravitational force would spell disaster.

To know more about gravitational force reference in the Quran please go through explanation point 240 of this book. 

327. Jinns do not have knowledge of the unseen.

This verse (34:14) of the Quran states, the beings known as jinns do not have knowledge of the unseen.

The Quran says jinns are more powerful than humans.And cites the incidence wherein the jinns were capable of carrying the throne of a queen from one nation to another within the batting of an eyelid.

At a time when there were no spacecrafts, the jinns had the power to reach the edges of the heavens for eavesdropping.

Although the jinns were granted such powers they did not possess the knowledge about the unseen. 

The jinns were involved in the construction of Bait-ul-Muqaddas under Prophet Sulaiman’s supervision. He passes away at the site, not falling to the ground being held in position by leaning on to the staff he held. The jinns were unaware of his death till he fell on to the ground, the result of the termites eating away the bottom of his staff. 

The jinns were unable to know whether Prophet Sulaiman was alive or dead, while he was in their proximity.

When the more powerful jinns do not possess the knowledge of the unseen, believing some so-called saints having supernatural powers is wrong.

To know more about how the belief on people interred in shrines is wrong please refer to explanation points 17, 41, 49, 79, 83, 100, 104, 121, 122, 140, 141, 193, 213, 215, 245, 269, 298, 397, 427, 471

326. Are idols permitted in Islam ?

In this verse (34:13) of the Quran we find the message about the jinns and shaitans presenting Prophet Sulaiman with art objects including idols.

We cannot treat this as a sanction for us to follow suit and have in our dwellings idols and hang pictures of figures.

As far as idols are concerned Prophet Muhammad strictly forbade them, and treated such an act as grave crime. ( Please refer Hadith Book Bukhari : 2105, 3224, 3225, 3226, 3322, 4002, 5181, 5949, 5957, 5958, 5961, 7557)

Hence this matter should be treated as something permitted to communities of Prophet Sulaiman, and those before Prophet Muhammad. 

Please refer to point no; 277, to know more on whether laws that were imposed on all earlier prophets are applicable to us today.

325. The Quran about the speed of the wind.

In this verse (34:12) of the Quran we find it saying Prophet Sulaiman was granted the power to subjugate the winds, and not stopping with this, Allah also points out the average speed of the wind in this verse. 

The breeze that blows on a person takes two months to go around the world at 25 kms/hr to return to the same person. 

This should not be misunderstood as the wind goes around the earth with uniform speed. Allah says in this verse (when Prophet Sulaiman was granted the power to command the winds) it would take two months for a particular wind to complete a trip around the earth. 

Though this message is said to be directed towards Prophet Sulaiman’s significance on him being granted the powers to control the winds, it can be seen to talk, taking into consideration of the average speed of the wind, the circumference of the earth, the speed at which the earth rotates, like a scientist. 

This verse also bears testimony to the fact, Quran is the word of God Almighty.

324. What is meant by the word ‘Salawat’?

Some translators have understood this verse (33:56) of the Quran wrongly. They have translated this as “ Since Allah and the angels send blessings on the prophet, you the believers send your blessings” 

The word “salawat” in the verse has a dual meaning: 

1) Blessing others . 

2) Seeking blessings 

In this verse the word ‘Salawaat’ is referred to in connection with Allah, angels, and men. We cannot attribute it to mean the same in all the three contexts.

If it is taken to mean as “sending blessings” then, it would mean Allah is sending his blessings, angels are sending their blessings, hence you also send your blessings on Prophet Muhammad. This understanding would lead to a dangerous message being conveyed. Because the angels and men are not capable of blessing.

And if it is taken to mean as “seeking blessings” would stand to be applicable only in the case of men, and the angels. And not in the case of Allah, because it would mean as Allah seeking blessings from another Allah for Prophet Muhammad, and seeks to demolish the very edifice of Islam. Hence Muslims should avoid using words such as “Allah says salawat.”

To arrive at a correct meaning of the word “salawat” it should be taken to mean blessing

Hence on these fundamentals this should be translated as “Allah blesses Prophet Muhammad, the angels seek blessings for him, and you also seek the blessings of Allah for him.

Verse (33:43) of the Quran stands testimony, it should be translated as above. 

When verse 33:56 is translated by these people as “Allah says salawat on Prophet Muhammad” the same word ‘salawat’ should be applied to verse 33:43. 

But the word blessings is used, meaning ‘Allah sends His blessings”. 

Since their conscience tells them not to use the word “salawat”, they are making use of the correct word.

Verse 33:56 of the Quran also needs to be translated on the same basis.

323. Paths in space to traverse.

 Verse (51:7) of the Quran, speak of paths available in space for humans to traverse. At a time when man believed paths were available only on land for him to travel, the Quran talked of the availability of paths in space some 1400 years ago proving itself to be the word of God.

 Please refer to explanation points 172, 304 to know more on what the Quran says about space flight.

322. Wives of Prophet Muhammad are not to re-marry on his death.

Verses (33:6, 33:53) of the Quran say, the wives of Prophet Muhammad should not be remarried to any one on his death.

Generally, Islam supports remarriage on death and divorce and encourages the same. Some question the restrictions placed on the wives of Prophet Muhammad, while allowing other women to remarry.

The wives of Prophet Muhammad are not to be same as other women. Allah says in the Quran (verse 33:28) the Prophet’s wives are subjected to additional restrictions, and tells the prophet to tell them that if they are unwilling to comply, they are free to leave him.

To this they willingly submitted to the restrictions imposed. 

And continued as his wives, knowing very well they must remain as widows and do not have chances of remarriage on his death.

321. What does the word Shira mean?

Arabs those days worshipped a star named Shira, at a certain constellation. This verse (53:49) of the Quran was revealed to send home the message to them, that Allah is the God even to that star.