The Quran as a Multidimensional Text
The interpretation of the Quran serves as a gateway to discovering its linguistic, philosophical, and scientific dimensions. It is not merely a religious text but rather a comprehensive cognitive system that engages with fundamental questions of existence, time, and cosmic determinism. Inspired by Dr. Adnan Ibrahim’s interpretation of Surah Saba, this study revisits the Surah from a perspective that merges spiritual depth with scientific inquiry, addressing issues such as resurrection, conceptions of time, and cosmic glorification through the lens of contemporary physics and philosophy.
The Concept of Praise: Linguistic and Metaphysical Significance
The Surah begins with the verse: “Praise be to Allah, to whom belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth, and to Him belongs [all] praise in the Hereafter…” Here, praise (hamd) is not merely an act of glorification but carries a deeper philosophical meaning—exclusive entitlement to absolute praise belongs to Allah alone. Dr. Adnan Ibrahim explains that the use of the definite article in Al-Hamdu instead of Hamd signifies that perfection is solely attributed to Allah. This formulation elevates praise beyond a conventional act of commendation to a cosmic characteristic that signifies absolute harmony in the universe.
Divine Knowledge and Resurrection: The Reconstruction of Information
The Surah addresses the disbelievers’ denial of the Day of Judgment: “And those who disbelieve say, ‘The Hour will not come to us.’” The Quran responds: “Say, ‘Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [Allah is] Knower of the unseen. Not absent from Him is an atom’s weight…’”
Here, the Quran links resurrection to knowledge rather than absolute power alone, implying that resurrection is a process of reconstruction based on comprehensive knowledge of a being’s original components. This concept aligns with modern information theory, which posits that reconstructing any material entity is possible as long as complete information about its structure is preserved. The Creator, who knows every atom in existence, can fully restore the human entity with all its details at the time of resurrection.
Cosmic Glorification: When the Universe Sings an Unheard Language
In the verse “O mountains, echo with him [in praise], and [so did] the birds,” the Quran introduces a concept that transcends verbal glorification into what could be termed “energetic glorification.” Dr. Adnan Ibrahim highlights that tawwib refers to repetition, suggesting that the mountains and birds echoed David’s praise in a way that interacted with the cosmos.
Modern physics reveals that every object in the universe emits specific frequencies, known as resonance frequencies. Could the glorification of mountains and birds be an advanced cosmic manifestation of vibrational energy, reflecting a form of universal consciousness? This idea aligns with quantum physics theories on informational entanglement between particles, reinforcing the possibility that the entire universe is in a state of constant “praise,” albeit in ways not perceptible through traditional means.
Atheistic Denial: The Illusion of Perception and Complex Ignorance
The Surah challenges the disbelievers’ rejection of Muhammad’s ﷺ prophethood with a rhetorical question: “Has he fabricated a lie about Allah, or is he possessed?” Dr. Adnan Ibrahim argues that there is an intermediate zone between lying and truth—illusion. This perspective raises an important philosophical question: Is every error in perception a lie? Or are there mental illusions that make a person believe they are right even when they are mistaken?
Cognitive psychology explores this phenomenon through the concept of complex ignorance, in which a person believes they possess knowledge while actually being trapped in an illusion of perception. When disbelievers deny resurrection, they do so not based on scientific evidence but rather due to a pre-existing cognitive bias that rejects the idea. This aligns with the psychological concept of confirmation bias, where individuals seek evidence that supports their beliefs rather than objectively testing them.
Existence Between Earthly Time and Cosmic Time
Dr. Adnan Ibrahim, in his interpretation of Surah Saba, examines the concept of time through the story of David and Solomon, particularly in the verse: “And to Solomon [We subjected] the wind – its morning journey was [the distance of] a month, and its evening journey was [the distance of] a month.” This verse raises questions about the varying perceptions of time in different dimensions, as it suggests that Solomon had access to a mode of travel that surpassed conventional time constraints.
Modern physics presents the concept of time dilation in Einstein’s theory of relativity, where time can slow down or speed up depending on the velocity of an object. Did Solomon possess the ability to harness advanced physical phenomena? This interpretation encourages a reconsideration of traditional explanations of miracles—not as supernatural events that violate natural laws, but as applications of laws that humanity has yet to discover.
Conclusion: Interpretation as a Tool for Understanding the Universe
Dr. Adnan Ibrahim’s interpretation of Surah Saba presents a vision that moves beyond traditional exegesis, recontextualizing Quranic concepts within a contemporary scientific and philosophical framework. The relationship between science and faith is not one of conflict but of integration, where the Quran serves as a renewed cognitive map, inviting humanity to reinterpret the universe from a deeper and more comprehensive perspective.
أضف تعليق