DNA: The Signature of God
Most people understand that a computer's software program has the footprint of human handiwork. Coming from this perspective, one could present a convincing argument based on certain words in the Quran, of how genetic encoded information embedded in all living things similarly points to the signature (existence) of God.
Scientists who are dumbfounded by the sophistication of complex encoded information existing on our DNA structure, have resorted to using terms such as “magical” source or from “extraterrestrial entities”, rather than attribute DNA’s complexity as evidence of a purposeful design, which is in fact “a footprint” left by its source/ creator. Using a fresh overview of the Quran, this article will attempt to unlock the layers of deeper meaning using the simple words of the average Quranic translations to demonstrate the many similarities between these words and modern scientific definitions of DNA.
Some may make the argument, that this is just a Muslim apologist attempt to revise the meaning of Quran to fit a more scientific narrative. However, this is due to their lack of knowledge or ignorance of the chronicles of Quranic Arabic literature containing rich/complex words that were introduced for the first time in 7th century Arabia. This unfamiliarity of new literature standards at times led to translators of the Quran using words that were inconsistent with or even contradictory to the original Arabic root words. To avoid such mistranslations, this research will always use words which are not only consistent/congruent with the classical Arabic root meanings, but also fit the narrative of the related ayat (paragraphs). This should not really be a surprise for well informed readers, since one could make the same argument with the much improved English language upon the arrival of the Shakespeare body of literature. By not straying grammatically from the Quranic Arabic root words, we intend to shed light on the fact that evidence points to life being intentionally designed and that modern scientific knowledge about the complexities of living things are completely consistent.
Evidence of Human Genome:
إِنَّا نَحْنُ نُحْيِ الْمَوْتَى وَنَكْتُبُ مَا قَدَّمُوا وَآثَارَهُمْ وَكُلَّ شَيْءٍ أحْصَيْنَاه ُُ فِي إِمَام ٍ مُبِين ٍ
“We revive the dead and record whatever they have sent on ahead and [left] as traces(footprint);
We أَحْصَيْنَا(calculate or count) everything in an clear إِمَامٍ(pattern or model).”
This biological reference to the human body is quite revealing in the above ayah. A closer examination would seem more analogous to the DNA structure with its genetic encoded information. Here are the reasons why:
1. The first part of this ayah mentions how Allah has recorded (kitab) “what man has sent on ahead” which would be consistent with the human genome passed on to the next generation (e.g the y and x chromosomes).
2. “What they have left behind/ or “footprint” is aligned with the DNA involved with our genetic identification. Recently, advanced research of the mitochondrial genome has led scientists to trace the genealogy of a mummified body, known as the Ice-man, that was preserved for more than five thousand years in the Otztal Alps cave. Not only were scientists able to trace his genealogy, but also other genetic materials of the environment where he lived.
3. The Arabic “ahsai” also means "calculate" or "compute", and if taken into consideration, the rest of the content of the paragraph, it could only mean encoded information present in our genes.
4. The last part “clear model” in Arabic means something that is self-evident (mubin); distinguishing the right from the wrong, (such as the Quran.) What could be more self-evident than DNA genetic fingerprinting, which is accurately used to determine one’s ancestry as well as to positively identify and prosecute a criminal perpetrator.
5. This ayah not only points out how man's ecological footprint is preserved, but how all of man's actions are calculated and stored in a prototype/model (imam), normally represented by the DNA double helix structure.
Importance of Measurement (Qadr)
وَإِنْ مِنْ شَيْء ٍ إِلاَّ عِنْدَنَا خَزَائِنُه ُُ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُ~ُ إِلاَّ بِقَدَر ٍ مَعْلُو ٍ
“For, no single thing exists that does not have its source with Us; and nought do
We bestow from on high unless it be in accordance with a measure well-defined”
Intriguingly, the Quran states how Allah sends down everything with a known measure (qadr), which without a doubt lends another convincing argument to the above explanation of the measurement of (quantum) particles. Had this phenomenon not occurred, technicians would have never been able to design an MRI machine, nor would anthropologists be capable of reading information that is embedded in bio-chemicals to find out more about Ice-man’s genetic background.
Readers who are having difficulties with what measuring information represents, should not be too disappointed, since many scientists themselves struggle with this concept. Some examples of measuring are the X-ray or MRI machine that scans our body; it uses electrons from magnetic light waves that become entangled (quantum entanglement) with another electron from an atom in our body, which then generates a measurement for the machine instrument to read. It must be noted, it is only after such measurement is observed, that it is then permanently stored and becomes part of “classical science”, for humans to use for any future calculations.
“Why - [How could we be resurrected] after we have died and become mere dust?
Such a return seems far-fetched indeed!”
We (Allah) know how the earth consumes their bodies, for with Us is a record unfailing..”
This ayah further supports the concept of preservation of encoded information, even when we pass away and the particles of our bodies are scattered. The latter part of the next verse “for Us is a record unfailing” seems to be very much synonymous with encoded information that is preserved (after coherence of quantum particles) in bio-chemicals so they could be read/measured by geneticists.
Interestingly, scientists recently discovered a new approach to tracing the extinction of species.
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