A Perfect Perceiver: Skin

You can hold and carry objects with smooth surfaces like a glass, for
example. You can feel softness when you touch a feather and hardness
when you hold a stone. Perceiving all this and sending necessary
signals toyour brain, your skin has the characteristics that enable
you to visualize the objects in your brain.
A great number of nerves exist in the fingertips. This provides you
with facility in movement and does not cause any inconvenience. On the
other hand, in "less important" regions, on a man's back for example,
there are fewer nerve endings present. This is a very important
advantage. Now, let's assume the opposite: Let's assume that our
fingertips are quite insensitive while nerves are arranged in greater
numbersat the back of our bodies. This, undoubtedly, would be very
troublesome. In such a situationwhile we could not use our hands
properly, we would feel the slightest object touching ourback, the
folding of our clothing,for example.
Human skin is a complex organ consisting of many layers, containing
nerves for perception, circulation canals, airing systems and heat and
moisture regulators which protect the body like a shield against the
rays of the sun. Because of this, a man can be in great danger if a
part of his skin is damaged. Under the skin is a layer consisting of
fat. This layer of fat serves as insulation against heat. Over this
layer is another one, most of which consists of proteins that give
theskin elasticity.
If we were to lift the skin and look just one centimeter below it, the
sight greeting us would be an unaesthetic, even frightful sight, where
fats and proteins and various blood vessels exist. By means of the
feature that enables it to cover these structures, the skin both
provides a very important aesthetic contribution and also enables us
to protect ourselves from outside factors. It will be sufficient to
remark upon a couple of the functions of the skin that makes it vital
for us and to ponder on them in order to understand the importance
ofits existence.
Human skin prevents the disturbance of the water balance of the body,
is strong and elastic, can repair itself, protect the body from
harmful rays, maintains contact with the outside world, and protect
the temperature of the body in cold or hot weather.
Human skin, which functions as a sensitive detector and an advanced
air-conditioner meeting all kinds of needs, is a blessing that has
been created by God, with the beauty it provides visually and the
features it has to protect man. The skin, about which many pages of
books have been written, once again displays God's magnificence in
creation to us.

WHY IS DENYING THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION PORTRAYED AS REJECTING DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRESS?

THE word "evolution" has been used in several senses in recent times.
A social aspect has been added to it, for instance, and theword has
come to mean human progress and technological development. There is
nothing wrong with the concept of "evolution" when it is used in this
sense. There is no doubt that man will use his intelligence,
knowledge, and strength to develop over time. The sum of human
knowledge will grow from generation to generation. In the same way
that this is not evidence for the theory of evolution itself, which
seeks to explain the emergence of life by chance, neither does it
conflict in any way with the fact of creation.
Yet evolutionists engage in a facile word game here, and confuse a
true concept with a false one. For example, it is true to state that
"On account of man's long years of living as a social being, his
knowledge, culture, and technology are in a constant state of
development." (We must remember, however, that there can be regression
over time as well as progress. Sociologically speaking, there have
been times of progress, as well as times of stagnation and
regression.) However, the claim that "In the same way as man has
developed and progressed, living species have also advancedand changed
over time" is completely false. Although it is perfectly logical and
scientific to say that, as a thinking being, man's knowledge has
increased and been passed on to subsequent generations, allowing
constant progress, it is utterly senseless to claim that living
species developed and evolved by chance and coincidence, in accordance
with uncontrolled and unconscious natural conditions.
The greatest names in the advancement of science were all creationists
No matter how much evolutionists try to identify themselves with
concepts such as innovation and progress, history has shown that the
real initiators of innovation and progress have always been faithful
scientists who have believed in divine creation.
We see the mark of such believing scientists at every point of
scientific progress. Leonardo da Vinci, Copernicus, Kepler, and
Galileo, who opened a new era in astronomy, Cuvier, the founder of
paleontology, Linnaeus, the founder of the modern classification
system forplants and animals, Isaac Newton, the discoverer of the law
of gravity, Edwin Hubble, who discovered the existence of the galaxies
and the expansion of the universe, and many othershave believed in God
and that life and the universe were created by Him.
One of the greatest scientists of the twentieth century, Albert Einstein, said:
I cannot conceive of a genuine scientist without that profound faith.
The situation may be expressed by an image: science without religion
is lame...1
The German Max Planck, who laid the foundations of modern physics, said:
Anybody who has been seriouslyengaged in scientific work of anykind
realises that over the entrance to the gates of the temple of science
are written the words: Ye must have faith. Itis a quality which the
scientist cannot dispense with.2
The history of science reveals that change and progress have been the
work of creationist scientists. On the other hand, of course,
scientific developments in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries
especially have allowed us to come by countlesspieces of evidence of
creation. Modern science and technology have allowed us to discover
the fact that the universe came into being from nothing, in other
words that it was "created." It isa fact accepted by the whole
scientific world that the universecame into being and developed as a
result of the explosion of one single point. In this way, themodel of
the infinite universe, with no beginning or end, maintained by
materialists under the primitive scientific conditions of the
nineteenth century has been destroyed. It has been realised that the
universe was created, as it says in the Qur'an, and that it has a
beginning and frontiers and has expanded over time. The Qur'an
expresses this fact thus:
Do those who disbelieve not seethat the heavens and the Earth were
sewn together and then We unstitched them and that We made from water
every living thing? So will they not believe? (Surat al-Anbiya,30)
It is We Who have built the universe with (Our Creative) power, and
verily, it is We Who are steadily expanding it. (Surat adh-Dhariyat,
47)
It was again twentieth century scientific progress that allowed us to
discover more evidence of the design in life. The electron microscope
revealed the structure of the cell, the smallest unit of life, as well
as the parts that comprise it. The discovery of DNA demonstrated the
infinite intelligence in the cell. Biochemical and physiological
advances have shown the flawless workings at the molecular level of
the body, and its superior design which cannot be explained by
anythingother than creation.
As opposed to all this, it was theprimitive state of science 150 years
ago that prepared the ground for the formation of the theory of
evolution.
In conclusion, it is impossible to consider those who believe in
creation, and who constantly provide new evidence of it, as being
opposed to progress, development, and science. On the contrary, such
people are their greatest supporters. Those who actually oppose
progress are those who turn their backs on all the scientific evidence
and defend the theory of evolution, which is nothing but an
unsubstantiated fantasy.
1. Science, Philosophy and Religion, A Symposium, published by the
Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion in Their Relation to
the Democratic Way of Life, Inc., New York, 1941, (emphasis added)
2. Max Planck, Where Is Science Going?, Allen & Unwin, 1933, p.214,
(emphasis added)

DEVOTED TO ALLAH

The Purpose Of A Believer's Life: The Approval Of Allah
… Allah will guide to the ways ofpeace those who follow what pleases
Him. He will bring them by His will from darkness to the light, and
will guide them to a straight path. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 16)
What makes a Muslim different from other people? Non-Muslimsmay answer
this question in a number of ways; They may talk about cultural and
moral differences, about "different outlooks on the world" or
valueswhich they deny outright. Alternatively, some may say the
difference has its roots in the different ideologies which Muslims
embrace. However, all these answers relate to "visible" differences
that appear to be theconsequences of a more fundamental one. Often,
they failto grasp the reasons underlying this difference. (In fact, if
they are not Muslims, it is because they have failed to grasp this
very difference.)
There is one point to be stressedbefore proceeding to explain thebasic
attribute that makes a Muslim different: When we talk about a
"Muslim," we are not referring to someone whose ID card has the word
"Muslim" written on it. Muslim is actually the name Allah gives to
those who adhere to His religion. The basic attribute, referred to in
theQur'an, that distinguishes Muslims from other people is their being
aware of Allah's infinite might. Awareness of Allah's infinite might
does not inall cases mean affirmation of theexistence of a Creator,
however. The Qur'an underlines this fact as follows:
Say: "Who provides for you out of heaven and earth? Who controls
hearing and sight? Whobrings forth the living from the dead and the
dead from the living? Who ordains all things?" They will reply,
"Allah." Say, "Then will you not fear Allah? Such is Allah, your Lord,
the Truth, and what is there after truth except misguidance? How then
can you turn away from Him?" (Surah Yunus: 31-32)
In the verse above, the questions are put to somebody who acknowledges
the existence of Allah, accepts His attributes yet, despite all these
attributes, has no fear of Allah and thus turns away from Him. (In
fact, Satan does not reject the existence of Allah either.)
Grasping Allah's might is not only a matter of verbal confirmation.
Believers are thosewho recognise Allah's existence and His greatness,
"are steadfastin their duty" to Him and re-orient all their deeds and
conduct in the light of this reality which has become apparent to
them. Others, on the other hand, are either those who deny Allah, or,
as in the case of the people depicted in the above verse, those who do
not perform their duty to Allah, despite their awareness of His
existence.
Throughout their lives, such people remain entirely oblivious of
Allah, the Creator of man. To whom they owe their life and how and why
they were granteda lifetime on earth are questionswith which they do
not care to concern themselves. They envision a kind of life entirely
separate from Allah and His religion. However, the following
comparison in the Qur'an makes it clear that such a life rests upon
vain and rotten bases and is doomed to destruction:
Who is better: someone who founds his building on fear of Allah and
His approval; or someone who founds his building on the brink of a
crumbling precipice, so that it collapses with him into the Fire of
Hell? Allah does not love wrongdoers. (Surat at Tawba: 109)
As the above verse also informs us, the lives of those who lack faith,
as described in the Qur'an, are founded on the brink of a "crumbling
precipice." The major goal to which unbelievers are committed is the
attainmentof happiness and peace "in this world." In this sense, what
they most want is to become rich. They do their best to achieve this
goal, making all-out physicaland mental efforts. For others, on the
other hand, becoming a respected and well-known person is the purpose
of life; they will do anything and make any sacrifices to earn public
respect. However, these are nothing but worldly goals that will vanish
once death comes upon them. Some of them may even elude their grasp
right herein this world.
A believer, however, is fully aware of Allah's existence and might. He
knows why Allah has created him and what His expectations are of him.
For this reason, his basic aim in life is to be a servant with whom
Allah is pleased. He employs all means to try to reach his goal, and
strives to do so. This being the case, he resolves the mystery of
death: for many it means nothing but the ultimate end but for him,
death is not extinction, but a phase of transition to the real life.
Disbelievers assume death, which they take to be an incident that puts
an end to their lives, to be a "self-generated accident," just as
theyassume life to have emerged coincidentally and spontaneously. The
fact is, however, that Allah creates life and likewise takes it away.
Death, which is by no means a coincidence or an accident, is an
incident that takes place by the law of Allah at a predestined moment
and place.
A Muslim is a person who graspsthat Allah has power over all things
and that death is not an end but a transition to the real abode of man
(the hereafter). Aware of these facts, he carefullyavoids building his
life on a "crumbling precipice." He turns to Allah, aware that He is
the real Owner and Creator of life, death and what lies beyond. In
this system created by Allah, he comprehends that wealth, socialstatus
or good looks are not the means that lead man to success;they are only
"causes" operatingunder the rules laid down by Allah, which are
effective for only a brief period of time.
The key to the system that Allah has created is the consent of Allah.
That is because Allah guides only those who seek His approval.
…Allah will guide to the ways of peace those who follow what pleases
Him. He will bring them by His will from darkness to the light, and
will guide them to a straight path. (Surat al-Ma'ida: 16)
A Muslim is a Muslim because he seeks Allah's approval. This is the
most important trait that makes a Muslim different from all other
people. Muslims see religion as a way to earn Allah's approval,
whereas the majority of people consider it to be a system of beliefs
which occupiesan insignificant portion of their lives.
Indeed, at this very point there emerges the distinction between real
Muslims and those who imitate them (hypocrites). Muslims embrace
religion as a path of guidance to the approvalof Allah. For
hypocrites, however, it is something from which they derive benefits.
That is why a hypocrite's prayers are of a "pretentious" nature (Surat
al-Ma'un: 6) while Muslims pray in humility (Surat al-Mu'minun: 1-2).
Similarly, while Muslims spend their money in Allah's cause,
hypocrites spend to impress people rather than to earn Allah's
approval.
You who believe! Do not nullify your almsgiving by demands for
gratitude or insulting words, like him who spends his wealth,showing
off to people and not having faith in Allah and the LastDay. He is
like a smooth rock coated with soil, which, when heavy rain falls on
it, is left stripped bare. They shall have no power over anything they
have earned. Allah does not guide the unbelievers. (Surat al-Baqara:
264

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Justice: Islam’s ultimate value

Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:"And the heaven He raised and
imposed the balance. That you not transgress within the balance. And
establish weightin justice and do not make deficient the
balance."]Quran 55:7-9[
These verses of the Quran, which are mentioned in the
chapterAr-Rahmaan, or")God( the All-Merciful" stand out in their
emphasis of the importance of justice because they unite justice with
the important theological principle of Allaah'sKhalqandAmror His
"Creation and Command." These verses make justice both the basis of
the creation and its source of continuity )by commanding justice(.
This is true because, in essence, the balance is the symbol of justice
and its means of realization at the same time.
Heavens and earth were originallycreated with justice in a balancedway
and they can only )or were meant to( continue with it. Muslims
accepted this magnificent guidance and ultimate value of life, more
than 1400 years ago. The great Commentator of the Quran, Imaam Abu
Ja'far At-Tabari )d. 310 AH( expounded the aforementioned verses,
saying,"Allaah created Heavens and Earth by )and in( justice so that
all things in them exist )and interact( by )and in( justice."
And there is not a single nation, past or present, but that it has
asserted its claims of honoring justice and being just. Yet, the
justice they claimed, at times, meant nothing more than what the
"powers that be" wanted. Or sometimes justice represented what is
recognized and utilized by a majority or a certain religion or
ethnicity. What humans mean by justice, in other words, may differ in
its meaning and means from one nation to another. It is interesting to
note that Socrates )killed in 339 BC( defined justice as the, "Will of
the powerful," and it is also interesting that this applies the vast
majority of the time in situations when religious values are absent or
weak. It is even more interesting that some of the theories man has,
overtime, developed using 'rationality' and empiricism, and which
exceedingly tilt the balance of justice in favor of the powerful or
the rich, still flourish in modern times and continue to find
advocates or even unabashed supporters who will kill or die for them.
In one of the 100 or so verses which deal with theessentials of
justice and fairness, the Quran tells us of this perversion of justice
that sometimes occurs in the course of human events. Verse 25 of the
chapter )57(Al-Hadeed,"the Iron," pregnant with meanings and profusely
poignant, lay bear the reality about the roots of injustice among
people. Many people mention being motivated by hearing this verse
recited just once. Allaah Says )what means(:"We have already sent Our
messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture
and the balance that the people may maintain ]their affairs[ in
justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and
benefits for the people, and so that Allaah may make evident those who
support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allaah is Powerful and
Exalted in Might."]Quran 57:25[ So many points of benefit, so much to
learn and liveby. For one, the balance of justiceis mentioned along
with the Books, guidance from Allaah, to indicate that true justice
needs a compass to save itself from relativism and free judgment from
personal drive. This also means that the interpretation of Allaah's
Guidance must be free from whims and ignorance, and this effort to
free one's self from whims and ignorance is what Muslim scholars—who
are the interpreters of Allaah's Final Message— termIjtihaad. Thepoint
is that Allaah's Guidance entails that only people of knowledge who
are able and honest may interpret Divine texts. Ignoring this
prerequisite has led—in many times and places—to gross justifications
and evil consequences. Without this guidance, man has done enough to
give Socrates' definition of justice precedence over any other.
Another point worthy of our attention here is the fact that Allaah is
reminding us that He has provided the messengers with iron to go along
with the guidance and the command to establish justice. Man has
known,for untold centuries, that he cannot institute justice in almost
any walk of life, or protect justicewhenever needed, without the power
of iron.
But the intent of the message of this verse is unambiguous.
Allmessengers from Allaah, who were sent to various nations throughout
history, came with the very same message.
The implication of this is so profound, especially for today's Muslims.
We must acknowledge and respect that loving and establishing justice
is a human trait, not an attribute of the Muslim Ummahalone. In fact,
our scholars have long asserted, based on the aforementioned verses
among many others, that Allaah grants supremacy to a justgovernment or
nation even though it may be disbelieving, and He takes away supremacy
from an unjust government or nation even though it may be believing.
This is how just the Islamic worldview is.
And a Muslim would not be completely truthful to his belief without
accepting this view. Muslims should support justice and those who seek
it and they should feel happy every time justice triumphs.
But judging by the current situation of most Muslim countries and
communities around the world, itis not difficult to see that we have
strayed from justice.
To lure itback home, we need to mend our ways and make them coincide
with the guidance of ourKitaab)the Quran( first.