Introduction: A Short Voyage Through The Human Body

This book describes howthe human body's various systems function,and
gives examples of their components. In contrast to many other books
about human anatomy, however, we also regularly emphasizea number of
points. We examine information in considerable detail, draw attention
to the fine characteristic in every square millimeter of the human
body, and particularly emphasize the cells, tissues, molecules and
glands that perform such miraculous processes within that body's
depths.
From time to time, we also provide technical details, to ensure a
better understanding of the complex structure within your body, and
also to give you a new perspective on events occurring inside your
body and to encourage you to consider them more deeply.
In order to achieve this, as you read this book, imagine yourself on a
voyage throughout yourown body—a voyage on which unbelievable
surprises await you. You will discover that there is a generator in
your heart, and when that generator cuts out, a spare one steps in to
take over the work. You'll witness how cells in your small intestine
are able to recognize and trap iron atoms out of the many hundreds
ofdifferent substances they encounter. You will see how, after a long
journey, a molecule of hormone, produced in an endocrine gland located
in your head, reaches its far distant objective—your kidney, for
example—and how itinstructs the cells there what to do.
During the course of thisjourney you will witness miraculous events
that have been taking place throughout what you refer to as "My body"
ever since the day you were born, starting rightbeneath the surface of
your skin.
Viewed from that point of view, your body is a whole city, a whole
other world, in fact. Inside it are modes of transport, buildings,
factories, infrastructure systems, equipment more highly advanced than
even the most sophisticated technologyin the outside world,
specialized elements (such as cells, hormones, glands) that seem to
exhibit unexpected awareness, fully equipped defensive troops, and
many other marvels.
Moreover, this miniaturized environment is not restricted to your own
body alone. Everyone you see around you—your parents, brothers,
sisters, friends, colleagues, people walking in the street, the actors
you watch on television, and all the billions currently living on this
planet—possesses this same miraculous world withinthe skin. Similarly,
people who lived hundreds or even thousands of years ago—indeed all
the humans who have ever lived—have possessed this same inner
perfection. Just like those alive today, peoplein the past had the
same flawless systems in their bodies: trillions of conscious-seeming
cells, secretory glands with decision-making abilities, and organs
equipped with the most sophisticated biotechnology.
Considering and evaluating the events taking place within this
miniature environment is of great importance, because anyone who does
so has taken the first step towards freedom from a great illusion.
Those who realize the perfection of the systems inside their own
bodies—in the heart, for example—and who have grasped the creation
within that system, can no longer betaken in by evolutionary fables
that claim that theheart acquired all these features by chance. You
will know that cells formed by the coming together of unconscious
molecules could never do these things by themselves, and will seek to
question of Whose intellect it actually is that these cellsexhibit.
Someone who realizes that the stomach, a mereenclosure of muscle and
tissue, possesses a special system that prevents it digesting itself
while it secretes the acid strong enough to dissolve meat . . . those
who know that when they cut their finger, at least 20 different
enzymes go into action in a very special sequence in order for their
blood to clot, with never any confusion or deficiency in the various
processes while this is carried out .. . will find, by thinking deeply
about the details of matter, that none of these systems could
havedeveloped in stages, as evolutionists would haveus all believe.
Those who understand these details will realize that the tiny worlds
of their bodies, has a Creator, and will regard the information they
read here as a guide to becoming acquainted with that Creator.
Everyone who sees the order in the systems within the human body, its
superior creation at every point, will also clearly see that an Entity
possessed of a superior power and a superior intellect must have
created that body. In theQur'an it is revealed that:
Everything in the heavens and everything in the earth belongs to Him.
Allah is the Rich Beyond Need, the Praiseworthy. Do you not see that
Allah has made everything on the earth subservient to you and the
ships running upon the sea by His command? He holds back the heaven,
preventing it from falling to the earth—except by His permission.Allah
is All-Compassionate to humanity, Most Merciful. It is He Who gave you
life and then will cause you to die and then will give you life again.
Man is truly ungrateful. (Surat al-Hajj:64-66)
As you will clearly see from the examples giventhroughout this book,
it is Almighty Allah Who created the 100 trillion or so cells, the
glands, many organs and tissues in your human body. Allah creates
human beings as a whole, together with all their physical components,
and reveals evidence of this to allow them to come to know Him. As our
Lord has revealed in the Qur'an:
If you tried to number Allah's blessings, you could never count them.
Allah is Ever-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Surat an-Nahl:18)
That being so, those who are aware of all thismust also realize the
many blessings impartedby Allah. Such people will arrange their lives
insuch a way as to please only Him, know that their own bodies, and
every new day bestowedon them when they rise in the morning are
blessings from Allah, andwill give due thanks to Him.
Why indeed should I notworship Him Who brought me into being, Him to
Whom you will bereturned? Am I to take asdeities instead of Him those
whose intercession, if the All-Merciful desires harm for me, will not
help me at all and cannot save me? (Surah Ya Sin:22-23)
Intelligent Design—In Other Words, Creation
In order to create, Allah has no need to design.
It's important to properly understand the word "design." That Allah
has created a flawless design does not mean that He first made a plan,
and then followed it. Allah needs no "designs" in order to create.
Allah, the Lord of the Earth and the heavens, is exalted above all
such deficiencies. His planning and creation take place at the same
instant.
Whenever Allah wills a thing to come about, it isenough for Him just
to say, "Be!" As we are told in verses of the Qur'an:
His command when He desires a thing is just to say to it, "Be!" and it
is. (Surah Ya Sin:82)
[Allah is] the Originator of the heavens and Earth. When He decides on
something, He just says to it, "Be!" and it is. (Surat al-Baqara: 117)
-
Do you not see that Allahhas subjected to you everything in the
heavens and Earth and has showered His blessingsupon you, both
outwardly and inwardly? (Surah Luqman:20)

A profound respect forAllah is a sign of genuine faith

A profound respect for Allah, the religion, the Qur'an, our Prophet
(saas), the angels and all our spiritual values is an important sign
of genuine faith. Allah described in the Qur'an how the prophets and
true believers stood in respectful awe of Him and remembered him with
awe, how their hearts were softened by fear of Him, and how they came
with a sound and pure faith through their profound fear. Therefore,
all Muslims must be scrupulous and punctilious when it comes to
remembering Allah, in speaking of our Prophet (saas) and all the other
prophets, and in discussing religious matters.
Language that is disrespectful of Allah willimpose a heavy
responsibility in the Hereafter and also have a negative impact on
people of weak or no faith who hear it. Every Muslim must carefully
avoid talking in any suchway.
BELIEVERS' PROFOUND RESPECT FOR ALLAH
(Believers are) those WHO ARE FILLED WITH THEFEAR of their Lord.
(Surat al-Muminun, 57)
(People of intelligence are) those who join what Allah has commanded
to be joined and are AFRAID OF THEIR LORD and fear an evil Reckoning.
(Surat ar-Rad, 21)
Those who fear their Lord in their most secret thoughts, and WHO HOLD
THE HOUR (OF JUDGMENT) IN AWE. (Surat al-Anbiya',49)
We responded to him and gave him John, restoring for him his wife's
fertility. They outdid one another in good actions, calling outto Us
in yearning and in awe, and HUMBLING THEMSELVES TO US. (Surat
al-Anbiya', 90)
If We Had sent down thisQur'an onto a mountain, YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN IT
HUMBLED, CRUSHED TO PIECES OUT OF FEAR OF ALLAH. We make such examples
for people so that hopefully they will reflect. (Surat al-Hashr, 21)
HAS THE TIME NOT ARRIVED FOR THE HEARTS OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE TO YIELD
to the remembrance of Allah and to the truth He has sent down, so they
are not like those who were given the Book before for whom the time
seemed over long so that their hearts becamehard? Many of them are
deviators. (Surat al-Hadid, 16)
(It is) so that you might all believe in Allah and His Messenger and
honorHim and RESPECT HIM and glorify Him in the morning and the
evening. (Surat al-Fath, 9)
Men and women who are Muslims, men and women who are believers, men
and women who are obedient, men and women who are truthful, men and
women who are steadfast, MEN AND WOMEN WHO ARE HUMBLE, men and women
who give charity, men and womenwho fast, men and women who guard
theirchastity, men and women who remember Allah much: Allah has
prepared forgiveness forthem and an immense reward. (Surat al-Ahzab,
35)
Among the people of theBook there are some who believe in Allah andin
what has been sent down to you and what was sent down to them, and WHO
ARE HUMBLE BEFORE ALLAH. They do not sell Allah's Signs for apaltry
price. Such peoplewill have their reward with their Lord. And Allah is
swift at reckoning. Surah Al 'Imran, 199)
Those who speak in a manner that is inappropriate towards Allah and
Islam, who foolishly adopt a mocking tone or who behave in such a way
as to weaken people's love and respect for Allah in this world will be
able todo none of these things when they are brought into His Presence
and will seriously regret their actions.
DENIERS' AND HYPOCRITES'FACIAL EXPRESSIONS AND SPEECH IN THE PRESENCE OF ALLAH
On that day they will follow the Summoner who has no crookednessin him
at all. VOICES WILL BE HUMBLED BEFORE THE ALL-MERCIFUL AND NOTHING BUT
A WHISPER WILL BE HEARD. On that Day intercession will not be of any
use except for him whom the All-Merciful has authorized and with whose
speech He is well pleased. (Surah Ta Ha, 108-109)
You will see them as theyare exposed to it, ABJECT IN THEIR ABASEMENT,
glancing around them furtively. Those who believe will say, 'Truly the
losers are those who lose themselves and their families on the Day of
Resurrection.' The wrongdoers are in an everlasting punishment. (Surat
ash-Shura, 45)
'Be moderate in your tread and LOWER YOUR VOICE. THE MOST HATEFUL OF
VOICES IS THE DONKEY'SBRAY.' (Surah Luqman, 19)
Therefore, (O Prophet,) turn away from them. The Day that THE CALLER
WILL CALL (THEM) TO A TERRIBLE AFFAIR. They willemerge from their
graves with DOWNCAST EYES , like swarming locusts, necks outstretched,
EYES TRANSFIXED, RUSHING HEADLONG TO THE ONE WHO SUMMONS. The
unbelievers will say, 'This is a pitiless day!' (Surat al-Qamar, 6-8)
THEIR EYES WILL BE DOWNCAST, darkened by debasement; for they were
called on to prostrate when they were in full possession of their
faculties. (Surat al-Qalam, 43)
Do not consider Allah to be unaware of what the wrongdoers perpetrate.
HE IS MERELY DEFERRING THEM TO A DAY ON WHICH THEIR SIGHT WILL BE
TRANSFIXED, rushing headlong–heads back, eyes vacant, hearts hollow.
(Surah Ibrahim, 42-43)
ON THE DAY IT COMES, NO SELF WILL SPEAK EXCEPT BY HIS PERMISSION. Some
of them will be wretched and others glad. (Surah Hud, 105)
By your Lord, We will collect them and the demons together. THEN WE
WILL ASSEMBLE THEM AROUND HELL ON THEIR KNEES. (Surah Maryam, 68)

Our Non-Muslim Relatives:Their Rights Upon us

When I reverted to Islam over 10 years ago, I received mixed reactions
from my friends and family. While attending my first family gathering
wearing Hijaab, Iwas eyed very curiously at first, but with time they
have come to accept my choice.
Now, no one even seems to notice much except for the occasional
complement on my choice of scarf. Most of my relatives accepted my new
faith kindly with respect and made efforts to accommodate me, and my
family. When holidays rolled around, my relatives would sometimes find
it difficult to purchase gifts for other children in the family while
"leaving mine out." When I patiently explained why it was important to
me that they respect my decision, they did just that. There were a
coupleof times where my new faith was"challenged" (luring intense
discussions about religion, or world events, but we have all learned
to respect one another's choices and continue to love and support one
another as a family. In many ways, Islam helped me improve my family
relationships since I began taking seriously theinstruction to
maintain family ties. Alhamdu Lillaah (praise be toAllaah), it has
been a pretty easy transition.
Establishing boundaries
Even the most pleasant visit with non-family members can present
challenges and tests. Some things are easy to navigate, like avoiding
alcohol or dishes with non-halal meat at a family event. Others are
more difficult. One area that can be challenging is family gossip.
Many relatives delight in sharing family secrets when they come
together. It can be difficult to resist the urge to listen,
participate and comment about the juicy details of another's life, but
this is considered backbiting, and participating in it, is likewise
forbidden and should be avoided.
Spreading malicious gossip aboutothers is condemned in the Quran;
Allaah Says (what means): {… And do not spy or backbite each other.
Would one of you liketo eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You
would detest it. And fear Allaah; indeed, Allaah is Accepting of
repentance and Merciful.} [Quran 49:12] If you are part of a family
whose favorite pastime is dishing on one another, you may have to get
creative when attempting to avoid this kind of activity. When you
notice that the conversation is taking a turn to gossip, try gently
steering the conversation to another topic instead.
Another challenge specific to women is the issue of Hijaab. Some
non-Muslim family members do not understand the purpose of Hijaab and
may try to discourage a Muslim relative fromwearing it. Some Muslim
women recall being pressured to remove their scarves when running
simple errands, or while attending a large event with family and
friends because it was considered "embarrassing". This could be a real
conundrum for a revert who has her own struggle with the issue of
wearing Hijaab. This could be an opportunity to educate your family
about the benefits of Hijaab. Enlighten themto the fact that covering
has beenan integral part of maintaining modesty in other religions as
well –including Christianity and Judaism. Ultimately, we seek to
please Allaah and have to make decisions that complement that goal.
Balancing religious obligations and family
Muslims can maintain their identity and religious obligations while
keeping family ties by being patient, compassionate and kind to
non-Muslim relatives even when they are critical, or negative:
Remain humble. Don't treat others as if you are superior to them. Be
polite. Accept invitations from family that are within religious
principles. This isan opportunity to strengthen family ties. Refuse to
be a part of bad behavior, or create dissention.
Be cheerful and pleasant to everyone. We all prefer the company of
someone pleasant and happy. A positive attitude is infectious. The
Prophet was known for being cheerful, smilingpleasantly to everyone.
Anyone who spent time with him felt as though he liked him or her
best. Our families deserve to know thatfeeling.
Show mercy to others. Allaah Says(what means): {So by mercy from
Allaah, [O Muhammad sallallaahu ''alayhi wa sallam], you were lenient
with them. And if you hadbeen rude [in speech] and harsh in heart,
they would have disbanded from about you. So pardon them and ask
forgivenessfor them and consult them in thematter. And when you have
decided, then rely upon Allaah. Indeed, Allaah loves those who rely
[upon Him].} [Quran 3:159]
Many Muslims with non-Muslim family members may be confronted with
challenges but they should be considered as opportunities to grow,
increase in faith and ultimately earn the pleasure and rewards of
Allaah Almighty. When you are attempting to establish good habits and
find yourself surrounded by those whose principles are different from
yours, you must establish a delicate balance between monitoring your
own behavior, and allowing others the freedom to choose their behavior
and wayof life. As long as their decisions do not directly affect you,
it may be best to let things go in the interest of maintaining peace
andharmony.
Allaah Almighty Says (what means): {Say: O disbelievers, I worship not
what you worship, nor will you worship that which Iworship. And I
shall not worship that which you are worshipping. Nor will you worship
that which Iworship. To you be your religion, and to me my religion.}
[Quran 109:1-6]
For reverts, accepting Islam can be an exciting experience filled with
lots of change . Many new Muslims often place lots of pressure on
themselves to do everything "right," and may makedrastic changes in
their lives. Some of these decisions may be necessary, but it is a
good idea toremember that Islam calls for moderation in all things.
Islam has turned many wayward lives around, bringing an end to
lifestyles that included drinking, drugs, promiscuity and even
criminal activity. Even though youmay never hear it directly, some
non-Muslim families may be so impressed by the positive behavior of a
Muslim family member, that they may start holding a much higher regard
forIslam. We should always strive toexemplify the positive
characteristics of our faith. We have an opportunity to show our
non-Muslim family members the true, compassionate representation of a
Muslim. So give others the freedom to see the benefit of Islam for
themselves. Make time to visit and keep in touch with relatives. They
are the people closest to us in this life, and can be our greatest
allies and support.

Intercession is a Manifestation of Mercy and Cooperation

The variation that exists among people is one of the approaches of
Allaah The Almighty for His creation. Thus some people are rich while
others are poor, some people are noble while others arenot, some
people are high-ranking and wellborn while others are not, and so on.
People need one another. Some people may commit a mistake that
subjects them to the punishment of those who could punish them, and
such people may need assistance to avoid thispunishment, if it is
within the limits of the Sharee'ah, of course.Hence, Islam encourages
intercession. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Moosa Al-Ash'ari he
said, "Whenever a needy person would come to the Prophet he would turn
to those who were present and say: 'Intercede [for him] so that you
would be rewarded, and Allaah decrees what He wills through the tongue
of His Messenger.'"
Intercession is a Manifestation of Mercy
Intercession is a manifestation ofmercy. Sometimes a person commits a
mistake that results inno prescribed corporal punishment under the
Sharee'ah,but nevertheless it subjects him to the punishment of those
who have authority or who are able totake revenge on him. In such a
case mercy necessitates that those whose intercession can be of value
should intercede on behalf of the person who repentsand hopes to be
forgiven. This happened to Al-Hurr ibn Qays when his uncle 'Uyaynah
ibn Hisn infuriated 'Umar ibn Al-Khattaab by saying, "By Allaah, you
neither give us fairly nor rule justly." When Al-Hurr saw the effect
of these evil words on the Commander of Believers, 'Umar and feared
that he might punish his uncle, he interceded for him with 'Umar
saying, "OCommander of the Believers, Allaah The Almighty Said to His
Messenger (what means): {Take what is given freely, enjoin what is
good, and turn away from the ignorant.} [Quran 7:199],and this [his
uncle] is an ignorantman." Therefore 'Umar pardoned him.
Intercession to Fulfill Needs
When a person needs something lawfully from another person, mercy
means interceding for him to fulfill his need. The Prophet would
intercede with people to fulfill the needs of others. The father of
Jaabir ibn 'Abdullaah died leaving him thirty Awsuq (a measure of
volume) of dates that he owed to a Jew. Jaabir asked the Jew to give
him respite in repaying, but he refused. He asked the Messenger of
Allaah to intercede with the Jew for him. The Messenger of Allaah went
to the Jew andasked him to accept the fruits of his trees in place of
the debt, but the Jew refused. The Messenger of Allaah entered the
date-palm garden, walked among the trees, and then said to Jaabir:
"Pick the fruit and give him his due." Therefore, he picked the fruit
for himself after the Prophet had departed and gave the Jew his thirty
Awsuq, and still had seventeen Awsuq extra for himself.
In another situation the Prophet interceded with a woman to get her to
return to her husband.In a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn 'Abbaas he
said, "Bareerah's husband was a black slave called Mugheeth, and it is
asif I am seeing him now, followingBareerah and weeping, with his
tears flowing down his beard. The Prophet said to 'Abbaas : 'O
'Abbaas! Are you not astonished at the love of Mugheeth for Bareerah,
and the hatred of Bareerah for Mugheeth?' The Prophet then said to
Bareerah: 'Why do not youreturn to him?' She said, 'O Messenger of
Allaah, do you orderme to do so?' He said: 'No, I am only interceding
for him.' She said, 'I am in no need of him.'" [Al-Bukhaari]
Thus, the Prophet was alwayskeen to intercede for Muslims to fulfill
their needs, offering his time, effort and high status to serve people
out of his mercy towards his Ummah (nation).
Two Types of Intercession
Intercession is divided into two types: good and evil.
These types of intercession are mentioned in the Noble Quran, for
Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Whoever intercedes for a good
cause will have a reward therefrom; and whoever intercedes for an evil
cause will have a burden therefrom. And ever is Allaah, over all
things, a Keeper.} [Quran 4:85]
Good intercession is that which ismade to remove injustice, fulfill
people's needs, give people their rights, and to provide
forgivenessand benevolence in situations where the Sharee'ah
recommends them to, reconciling people and the like. The one who
undertakes this type of intercession is rewarded by Allaah The
Almighty.
Evil intercession is that which is made to cancel the execution of
aSharee'ah prescribed corporal punishment, to take another's rights
unjustly or things of the sort.
This type of intercession causes a person to be sinful. Hence the
Prophet was angered when Usaamah ibn Zayd once interceded with him not
to execute the prescribed corporal punishment of theft: In a Hadeeth
on the authority of 'Aa'ishah she said,
The Quraysh were very worried about the case of a woman from Banu
Makhzoom [an esteemed tribe] who had committed theft and wondered who
could intercede for her with the Messenger of Allaah so that she would
not be punished for her crime. They said, 'No one but Usaamah ibn Zayd
his beloved, could dare talk to him about this.' So Usaamah wentand
spoke to him about that matter. The Prophet said to him: 'Are you
attempting to intercede and have a prescribed corporal punishment
ordained byAllaah be waived?' Then he got up and addressed the people,
saying: 'The people before you were ruined because when a noble person
amongst them committed theft they would leave him, but if a weak
person did so they would execute the prescribed punishment on him. By
Allaah, if Faatimah the daughter of Muhammad committed theft I would
cut off her hand.'
Good intercession among Muslims is a manifestation of cooperation,
mercy and sympathy, as clear in the Prophet's advice to his Ummah when
he said: "Intercede to be rewarded, and Allaah decrees what He wills
through the tongue of His Messenger."
Finally, intercession should not be contingent on hoping that it will
be accepted, since the interceder is rewarded regardlessof the results
of his intercession.