Question
What do you mean by “vague indications of the Qur’an “. I believe that the Qur’an is a Book of CLEAR understanding. As it states in the Qur’an:
“By the Book that makes things CLEAR.” (43:2) “And We gave them the Book which helps to make things CLEAR” (37:117)
Please clarify? I may be mistaken in your understanding of your intentions.
Thank you.
Answer
There is a misunderstanding. You are absolutely right that the Qur’an is clear in its guidance. The expression “vague indications of the Qur’an” as written by the author should be seen within the context of the answer. Seeing it within the context, the author means vague indications of the Qur’an related to scientific issues. The Qur’an is clear for its purpose that is guidance. The Qur’an however is not a book of science and therefore does not need to be clear about scientific facts. The verses of the Qur’an have the a function of guiding people in matters of recognizing God, his attributes and of the path of success in the hereafter. Now if we attempt to use those verses not for guidance related to our destiny in the hereafter but to understand a scientific fact from the verse, then of course we can only see vague indications. This is not because the Qur’an is vague, this is because scientific elaboration is not the objective of the Qur’an and because we are trying to utilise the Qur’an for something that is not its purpose. This is in fact praise for the Qur’an, in that while it serves the main purpose (of guidance) it may also be used as an indicator to some scientific facts.
Abdullah Rahim
June 23, 2006