Muslim/Christian Dialogue.  Clarkson Cummunity Centre  Time: Saturday June 5th,  Speakers: Prof. Soharwardy /
	MAT is participating in the ISNA Rochester Conference on June 12th , 2004.   Subjects: Prophet Abraham: Patriarch of many Nations      Problems of Muslim Families and Youth.
	MAT is holding a meeting on June 10 th to discuss Sharia Tribunals in Canada. We will also be showing a video of an interview with Mr. Mumtaz Ali, the initiator of the Tribunals.  The meeting is being held at the Sheridan Centre Library, Sheridan Centre 2225 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga from 7--8:30 pm. Members of all faiths welcome.   From the Holy Qur’an:   It is Allah who splits the seed and the fruit-stone.  He brings forth the living from the dead, and the dead from the living. Such is Allah. How then can you turn away?? (6:95)   Hadith (Oral Tradition attributed to the Prophet pbuh)   He who obeys Allah and His Messenger, they are among those on whom Allah has bestowed a special bountiful favour, as they will be in the company of the prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the righteous?(Tabarani)     Ponder the “Signs” of Allah   The Holy Qur’an is composed of verses, referred to as Aayahs or the "signs" of Allah. Each word or phrase of the Qur’an is therefore an attestation of His Oneness, His Sovereignty and His Unlimited Power.  More specifically, there are numerous verses in the Qur’an which draw attention to the “‘signs” of Allah as clear proofs of His Existence, found throughout nature in abundance. They are repeatedly mentioned in the various chapters of the Qur’an, but in Surah Rum (The Romans) in particular, we see them narrated in sequence, as clear and unequivocal evidence of His Majesty, His Creative Power, and above all His Existence.   Many have challenged the existence of a Deity because they believe the concept cannot be proven through the five physical senses. Hence God, as an unknowable concept for them, becomes unworthy of consideration. The Qur’an however, counters this view by asserting that the signs of Allah’s Existence pervade our daily lives, and knowledge of Him is attainable precisely through the five physical senses by adverting to the wonders and marvels which abound in natural phenomena. The Qur’an states that although Allah cannot be seen through the instrument of the human eye, there are nonetheless several proofs or signs, discernable in nature and the universe, which point  to His Existence.

In the olden days people accepted the messages of God?s prophets based on the “miracles”. They performed. These miracles usually defied physical laws such as the parting of the Red Sea by Moses, or the countless miracles performed by Jesus during his short ministry. The Qur’an however, posits the view that the living world, regulated by clearly predictable laws is no less of a marvel, given the intricate processes that govern the smooth functioning of the simplest of organisms. The conception of the human embryo and all the intricate processes that make this possible, the ecological balance, the alternation of night and day, the solar system and the earth’s location in it, all work according to a perfectly designed plan, which is in itself a wonder and a miracle. This would necessitate a redefinition of the antiquated view of miracles as phenomena defying physical laws. A miraculous event would now have to include the various marvels of creation.
 
The Qur’an states in the following verses:
  
He has created the heavens without any pillars that you can see, and He has placed in the earth firm mountains that it may not quake with you, and He has scattered therein all kinds of creatures, and We have sent down water from the clouds, and therein  grow every noble species. (Luqman, 11)
 
He brings forth the living from the dead, and He brings forth the dead from the living, and He gives life to the earth after its death. And in like manner shall you be brought forth.
 
And among His signs is this, that He created you from dust; then behold, you are human beings who move about on the face of the earth.

And One of His signs is this, that He has created spouses for you from among yourselves that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and tenderness between you. In that surely are signs for people  who reflect.
 
 And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your tongues and colours. In that surely are signs for those  who posses knowledge. (Rum 21-23)
 
Medieval Muslims took these exhortations to heart, which led to many a scientific discovery spawning the European renaissance. Because of these discoveries it has become possible to appreciate and understand the complexity behind what may appear as a simple function of nature. We are better able to recognize the miraculous processes behind natural phenomena due to what science can reveal. Human intellect too, has attained a level of sophistication  which enables it to perceive  Intelligent Design in the creation of the universe. There is a miracle for example, in the fact that no "pillars" support the celestial bodies and their course and orbit are determined according to the laws of gravity and motion. Who created these  laws and regulated the orbits of the galaxies, stars and planets? There is a lesson and a "sign"  in the fact that we are creatures endowed with a sense of right and wrong, capable of emotions such as love and compassion.
 Where do we get this highly developed moral sense from? Who gave us the intellect to perceive Providence at work?
 
 
The Qur’an therefore  exhorts humankind to ponder the daily occurrences of ordinary life in order to discover the wonder behind them. This can only be achieved through careful consideration and reflection, which the Qur’an deems incumbent upon all human beings.
 
For more information on scientific data in the Qur’an, please visit the MAT/Ontario website:www.m-a-t.org and click on ?Miracles in the Qur’an.?

Muslims Against Terrorism
P.O Box 47018,
Quinn Stationary Outlet
Sheridan Centre,2225 Erin Mills Parkway, Mississauga.
Email:matontario@m-a-t.org