Introduction

The Holy Quran, as a divine and celestial scripture, is not merely a source of spiritual guidance but also a treasury of scientific knowledge that presents concepts such as Ard (Earth) and Samawat (Heavens) with unparalleled depth and complexity. These concepts, highlighted in numerous verses including verse 117 of Surah Al-Baqarah with the expression بَدِیعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ (Originator of the heavens and the earth), transcend superficial and traditional understandings, requiring a scientific and methodical perspective.

The aim of this treatise is a systematic and comprehensive analysis of these concepts through an academic approach that, while remaining faithful to the revealed text, endeavours to extract scientific and epistemological principles therefrom. This examination, by critiquing traditional methodologies and emphasising the necessity of an experimental approach, seeks to elucidate the position of the Holy Quran as a timeless source of human knowledge. The structure of this treatise is meticulously designed with precise segmentation and detailed analyses to guide specialist audiences and researchers towards a deeper comprehension of the Quranic verses.

Section One: The Scientific Position of Earth and Heavens in the Holy Quran

Concept of Badu al-Samawt wal-Ar (Originator of the Heavens and the Earth)

بَدِیعُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ

Originator of the heavens and the earth

The phrase Badu al-Samawt wal-Ar in verse 117 of Surah Al-Baqarah alludes to the unparalleled divine creativity in the creation of the cosmic system. This concept refers not only to the primordial creation of the earth and the heavens but also to the complexity and order governing them. The vastness of these concepts indicates the depth of knowledge in the Holy Quran, which, beyond ordinary and quotidian understanding, necessitates scientific and precise investigations.

The Holy Quran employs this expression to introduce the earth and the heavens as two fundamental pillars of existence, each bearing characteristics and laws suitable for scientific inquiry.

Critique of Traditional Methods in Understanding the Quranic Verses

Traditional methodologies in religious sciences, primarily based on transmission, narration, and dissemination, are inadequate for analysing the scientific concepts of earth and heavens. These methods, which often limit themselves to superficial readings of the verses and the pursuit of spiritual reward, fail to reveal the epistemological depth of the Holy Quran in scientific fields such as physics, biology, and cosmology.

This critique does not negate the value of religious traditions but calls for a revision of the educational system of religious sciences, employing scientific methods to enable the extraction of principles and laws from Quranic verses.

Necessity of the Experimental Approach

For an accurate understanding of the verses related to earth and heavens, it is necessary to examine the vocabulary, expressions, and attributes mentioned in the Holy Quran within laboratory environments. This approach enables the testing of hypotheses and the extraction of scientific principles from the verses.

For instance, examining features of the earth such as inbat (vegetation) or gravity requires scientific experiments that can lead to the discovery of natural laws. This method transforms the Holy Quran from a purely spiritual text into a source for the production of scientific knowledge.

Conclusion of Section One

The first section of this treatise elucidated the scientific position of earth and heavens in the Holy Quran, focusing on the verse Badu al-Samawt wal-Ar. These concepts, created by unparalleled divine creativity, require scientific and systematic investigations. Criticism of traditional religious sciences methods and emphasis on the experimental approach pave the way for a deeper understanding of Quranic verses. This section invites researchers to re-examine the verses with a scientific perspective and respond to the challenges of modern knowledge.

Section Two: Classification and Analysis of Earths Attributes in the Holy Quran

Classification of Earths Attributes

The Holy Quran describes the earth with multiple attributes that can be classified into the following categories:

• Active Attributes: Features related to life and growth, such as inbat (plant growth).
• Capacitive Attributes: Characteristics referring to the earths capacity to host life and creatures.
• Descriptive Attributes: Descriptive features related to the visible or apparent characteristics of the earth.
• Essential Attributes: Intrinsic features of the earth, such as gravity or its natural structure.
• Constituent Attributes: Features pertaining to the components constituting the earth, such as layers or minerals.
• Historical Attributes: Features referring to the past or future of the earth.

This classification demonstrates the comprehensiveness of Quranic knowledge in describing the earth. Each category requires separate examination which can lead to a deeper understanding of the earths characteristics.

The Three Phases of Quranic Knowledge

Quranic knowledge concerning earth and heavens can be examined in three phases:

1. Past Knowledge: Features understood by humanity historically and compatible with traditional knowledge.
2. Current Knowledge: Features comprehensible and verifiable by modern scientific advancements.
3. Future Knowledge: Features yet unknown in the empirical scientific world and beyond current knowledge.

This division highlights the comprehensiveness of the Holy Quran as a book for all eras. Verses referring to the characteristics of the earth and heavens are not only consistent with past and present knowledge but also present knowledge transcending time.

Conclusion of Section Two

This section, through the classification of earths attributes and explanation of the three phases of Quranic knowledge, addressed the depth and comprehensiveness of verses related to the earth. The analysis showed that the Holy Quran describes the earth with multiple features, each offering a perspective towards scientific and epistemological understanding. Emphasis on future knowledge invites researchers to explore verses not yet recognised in empirical science.

Section Three: Scientific and Epistemological Challenges in Understanding the Verses of Earth and Heavens

Presentation of Quranic Knowledge to Scientists

Presenting Quranic concepts related to earth and heavens to global scientists may astonish them. The Holy Quran contains information that modern science has yet to attain. For example, features of the earth such as inbat (vegetation) or gravity may become subjects of research whose outcomes enrich human knowledge.

Attracting Non-Muslim