The Divine Craftsmanship Secrets in Plants

The intersection of modern genetics and Islamic theology is a burgeoning field of inquiry. This study delves into how technological advancements, especially in genetics, complement the teachings of the Al-Qur’an. Modern genetics, which traces its origins to Gregor Mendel's pioneering work on heredity, provides a scientific framework for understanding the transmission of genetic information across generations. Contrary to the view that science and religion are mutually exclusive, this research, supported by the Ministry of Religion through the scientific interpretation found in Tafsir Ilmi Kemenag, demonstrates their potential synergy. It particularly focuses on Quranic verses that align with genetic principles, such as the developmental stages of a human embryo detailed in Surahs Ar-Rahman, Al-Insan, As-Sajadah, Al-Mu'min, and Al-Hajj. These verses metaphorically describe the embryonic stages that echo modern genetic descriptions of DNA's role in human development. Our findings illustrate that the Quran anticipates certain modern scientific discoveries, offering a unique blend of scriptural interpretation and empirical science to bridge the gap between faith and rational inquiry.

Aim/Purpose: The aim of this paper is to identify some of the issues in writing a trans-disciplinary doctoral thesis and to develop strategies for addressing them, particularly focusing on the presentation of data and data analysis. The paper, based on the authors’ own experience, offers guidance to, and invites further comment from, transdisciplinary doctoral candidates, their supervisors and their examiners, as well as the broader field of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary researchers. Background: The paper uses the authors’ experience of writing four very different transdisciplinary doctoral theses to examine the diverse responses received from examiners and what this means for the thesis writing process. The theses and examiners’ reports span an array of disciplinary and transdisciplinary epistemologies, ontologies, and world views. Methodology: A preliminary review of the examiners’ reports revealed a common concern with the definition of ‘data’ and with ‘data analysis’. The examiners’ reports were then more formally coded and thematized. These themes were then used to reflect critically on the four theses, within a broad interpretive framework based on the idea of writing ‘convincingly’, and in light of current literature on the meaning of ‘data’ and the idea and aims of transdisciplinarity. Contribution: The paper offers specific strategies for doctoral candidates, their supervisors, and examiners in working with the burgeoning number of doctoral research projects that are now taking place in the transdisciplinary space. Findings: Doctoral candidates engaged in transdisciplinary research need to define what they mean by data and make data visible in their research, be creative in their conceptions of data and in how they communicate this to examiners, specify the quality criteria against which they wish their work to be assessed and hold discussions with their supervisors about examiner appointments and briefing, and communicate to examiners the special value of transdisciplinary research and the journey on which it takes the researcher. Our conclusion connects these findings to the development of an emerging concept of transdisciplinary research writing. Recommendations for Practitioners: See below under ‘Recommendations for Researchers’ (For the purpose of this paper, practitioners are the researchers). Recommendation for Researchers: The paper makes the following recommendations for transdisciplinary doctoral researchers: • Make the data visible and argue for the unique or special way in which the data will be used • Make clear the quality criteria against which you expect the work to be judged • Be creative and explore the possibilities enabled by a broad interpretation of ‘data’ • Transdisciplinary research is transformative. Communicate this to your examiner. Impact on Society: As more complex and ‘wicked’ problems in the world are increasingly addressed through transdisciplinary research, it is important that doctoral research in this area be encouraged, which continues to develop transdisciplinary theoretical frameworks, methodologies and applications. The strategies proposed in this paper will help to ensure the development of high quality transdisciplinary researchers and a greater understanding of the value of transdisciplinary research in the wider research community. It also draws attention to the potential benefits of similar strategies in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research. Future Research: Further exploration is needed of how researchers across disciplines can ‘talk’ to one another to resolve complex problems, and how the solitary transdisciplinary scholar, such as the doctoral student, can effectively communicate their research contribution to others. These issues could also be explored for multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research teams.

The Reflection and Effects of the Qiraats on the Commentaries of Ahkam (Rulings)rnThe discipline of Qiraat, in its most basic definition, pertains to the branch of scholarship that scrutinizes the articulation nuances of Quranic words concerning both pronunciation and rendition. Certain alterations in the words, stemming from the phonetic structure of the language utilized, not only manifest in vocalization but also extend to semantic connotations. Consequently, Qiraat has been the focal point of various fields of study such as exegesis (tafsir) and Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh). Within exegesis, the nexus between qiraat and the elucidation of legal injunctions (ahkam) has been subject to considerable scrutiny. This is because qiraat have played a pivotal role in deducing legal rulings (ahkams) from Quranic verses. The existence of multiple recitations of a verse has resulted in the derivation of distinct meanings and legal verdicts from it. Evolution over time and historical events have engendered shifts in the correlation between qira’ah and jurisprudence. The potential for multiple ahkams to be derived from a single verse has given rise to scholarly divergence, with the discrepancies in legal rulings (ahkams) among sectarian scholars, particularly influenced by qiraat, being particularly significant. This study endeavors to elucidate the impact of qiraat on the interpretation of legal verses (ahkam). It examines the extent to which commentators leverage qiraat in deducing legal rulings (ahkams) and the methodologies they employ in doing so. The prominent qiraat variants are identified from qiraat sources, and their implications on the meanings and ethical dimensions of verses, as perceived by commentators, are analyzed. Within this framework, the study draws upon works such as al-Jassas’ (d. 370/981), al-Harrāsī’s (d. 504/1110), and Ibn al-‘Arabī’s (d. 543/1148) “Ahkām al-Qur’an,” alongside al-Suyūrī’s (d. 826/1423) “Fiqh al-Qur’an.” A comparative analysis of how qiraat are treated in the legal exegeses (tafsirs) of four distinct schools of thought holds significance in terms of the research’s originality. Throughout the study, data collection, analysis, deductive, and inductive methodologies are employed. The research findings indicate that certain qiraats directly alter the legal implications of verses, while others may not affect the legal rulings (ahkams) but contribute to the depth and breadth of verse meanings.rnKeywords: Qur’an; Tafsir; Qiraat, Rulings; Jessās; Herrāsī; Ibn al-‘Arabī; Suyūrī

Editor's evaluation: TMS-evoked responses are driven by recurrent large-scale network dynamics

Decision letter: TMS-evoked responses are driven by recurrent large-scale network dynamics

The Holy Quran is a cyclopedia document that contains a huge volume of knowledge. Many modern scientific discoveries are much similar to some verses of the Quran, which the Islamic scientists call a scientific miracle in the Holy Quran. However, representing knowledge of scientific miracles in the Holy Quran on the semantic web in a such way that enables sharing and reusing is still a research issue. This research suggests a general structure for these scientific facts mentioned in the Holy Quran and then represents this structure by creating Scientific Miracle Ontology (SMO) using METHONTOLOGY methodology. The results of SMO have been evaluated by competency questions and translated these competency questions into SPARQL queries and the results obtained emphasized that SMO was effective in retrieval relevant concepts and verses of scientific miracles in the Holy Quran.

This article examines the integration and relationalization between the facts of revelation and scientific facts, focusing on the miracles of the Qur'an. The Qur'an, as the holy book of Islam, is often cited as containing verses with scientific knowledge that has only been revealed by modern science. This research aims to understand how verses of the Qur'an that are considered to contain scientific miracles can be explained and understood in the context of contemporary science. Through literature review and comparative analysis methods, this study finds that there are many verses in the Qur'an that implicitly and explicitly align with modern scientific discoveries in fields such as astronomy, embryology, and geology. The results show that the integration and relationalization between the facts of revelation and scientific facts not only strengthen spiritual beliefs but also enrich scientific understanding and open constructive dialogue between religion and science.

Aim/Purpose: There is ample evidence that team processes matter more than the characteristics of individual team members; unfortunately, very few empirical studies have examined communication process variables closely or tied them to team outcomes. Background: The University of Miami Laboratory for Integrated Knowledge (U-LINK) is a pilot funding mechanism that was developed and implemented based on empirically-established best practices established in the literature on the Science of Team Science (SciTS). In addition to addressing grand societal challenges, teams engaged in processes designed to enhance the process of “teaming”. This study uses the Inputs-Mediator-Outputs-Inputs (IMOI) model as a blueprint for an investigation into how team communication processes (shared communication, shared leadership, formal meetings, informal meetings) influence intermediary team processes (goal clarity, role ambiguity, process clarity, trust) and team outcomes (team satisfaction, team productivity). Methodology: Monte Carlo methodologies were used to explore both longitudinal self-report (survey of communication and team outcome variables) data and objective data on scholarly productivity, collected from seventy-eight members of eleven real-world intact interdisciplinary teams to explore how team communication processes affect team outcomes. Contribution: This study is among the few that centers communication practice and processes in the operationalization and measurement of its constructs and which provides a test of hypotheses centered on key questions identified in the literature. Findings: Communication practices are important to team processes and outcomes. Shared communication and informal meetings were associated with increased team satisfaction and increased research productivity. Shared leadership was associated with increased research productivity, as well as improved process and goal clarity. Formal meetings were associated with increased goal clarity and decreased role ambiguity. Recommendation for Researchers: Studying intact interdisciplinary research teams requires innovative methods and clear specification of variables. Challenges associated with access to limited numbers of teams should not preclude engaging in research as each study contributes to our larger body of knowledge of the factors that influence the success of interdisciplinary research teams. Future Research: Future research should examine different team formation and funding mechanisms and extend observation and data collection for longer periods of time.

This study examines the impact of geographical interpretation on the differing opinions among Quranic commentators, specifically in the context of the Battles of Uhud and Al-Ahzab. The Holy Quran, rich in multi-faceted meanings, often leads to varying interpretations among scholars, especially concerning verses with geographical implications. This research focuses on how geographical context influences the understanding and preference for specific interpretations over others in these two significant battles. By analyzing the geographical elements mentioned in the Quranic verses, the study aims to provide a more precise understanding of the locations and events described, thereby resolving discrepancies in interpretations. The research is unique in its approach to incorporating modern geographical tools and digital mapping technologies to enhance the study of Quranic exegesis. Through detailed examination of the relevant verses, the study identifies the role of geographical context in shaping the historical and theological narratives of the Battles of Uhud and Al-Ahzab. The findings suggest that a deeper geographical awareness can significantly contribute to resolving interpretative conflicts and advancing the scholarly understanding of these events. This work not only underscores the importance of geographical considerations in Quranic exegesis but also opens new avenues for research that integrates traditional Islamic scholarship with contemporary geographical analysis. The study concludes with recommendations for further research in the integration of geographical data into the interpretation of other Quranic verses with similar implications.

The history of modernity is a story about humans emancipating themselves from prejudice and superstition through reason and science. Scientific research has been a major driving force of progress for human civilization since the industrial revolution in the mid‐18th century. During the past 250 years, humans have rapidly increased their use of science, as a tool not only to understand and shape their environment, but also to improve themselves with better health care and longer, more comfortable lives. Unfortunately, the application of science has not always been appropriate: Darwin's theory of natural selection was applied to social policies in the form of eugenics from the early 19th century until the second half of the 20th century. In this period, eugenics remained a popular ideology and, as a consequence, genetics was a popular science. It was also a period of significant human migration that increased racial diversity in Western nations, with resulting concerns about racial purity. Naturalism and social Darwinism were very popular throughout, while industrialization led to massive urbanization and increasing pauperism. Politically, it was a time of interventionist policies, such as the so‐called Progressive Era in the USA that led to drastic social and political change. > No more divine designer, no more life force is needed; life is determined by a genetic program and evolves as a result of chance—or human choice—and selection Eugenics gained scientific legitimacy in the early 20th century owing to Mendelian genetics, which offered a rational, scientific theory to understand, predict, and control heredity and thereby the characteristics of future generations. As pauperism, criminality, and “feeblemindedness” were thought to be genetically determined, eugenics offered a tool to eliminate these undesirable traits from the human population. Of course, the idea of a single and universal definition of “the gene” is currently disappearing together …

Jurgen Moltmann reflects on the creation by seeking a new theological reading to confront the findings of modern science and the evolutionary theory. In order to hold a dialogue with science, which discovers a continually-evolving world throughout history, the theologian re-assesses the traditional theory of creation where the world was seen as fixed, complete and perfect from its origin, to conceive it as a perfectible creation, an open system directed to re-creation at the end of times. Creation continues all through history. This way, science, religion, creation and evolution can achieve a dialogue. Moltmann also reflects on another perspective of the scientific action in the world. The ecological crisis makes us think about the technoscientific domination of modernity which has used the resources made available by creation. With hope in God‘s re-creation, the human being has the responsibility of looking after and taking care of nature with a new attitude in front of the world.

For the success of their individual activities, everyone (especially – a doctor) should be able to receive the latest professional information correlate its important elements of their own practical experience, ultimately, at least, to take effective additional training in special circumstances. This requires a rich and modern information field of state. The older generation of doctors is formed in the conditions that existed in the Soviet Union and the Soviet Ukraine. Then there were no unscientific or outright false materials. Unfortunately, in modern Ukraine practically disappeared restrictive barriers anti-sciences to esoteric and the other discipline, which dramatically reduced the quality of our national information field and considerably complicated the activities of all medical areas and relevant sector of higher education. The information revolution has changed everything. IBM has invited 600 scientists to input a large amount of information from hundreds of modern science in an unknown volume database. Complex supercomputer and the database named "Watson". This is the first ever active integrator scientific knowledge. Watson won the race with a medical diagnosis in two groups of experts. We are confident of good prospects for scientific integrators and personalized medicine of the XXIst century. In the article the negative phenomenon widening gap between the practice of medicine and scientific discoveries is considered. It is increased the time interval between the formulation of ideas of new drugs before they spread to the network of pharmacies and hospitals. Once it had been weeks or months, now – 12-17 or more years. Earlier drugs in the form of simple chemical compounds or combination of substances from the environment (most famous source – medicinal plants) were produced and used by the doctor. Nowadays everything is much more complicated that article demonstrated appeal to the information made available on the Internet for several days in mid-May 2016. It is noted that market competition in medicine and morality contradict the culture of the Ukrainian people. Therefore, the national medical education should develop the foundations of the Hippocratic Oath, traditions and use discoveries of modern science

Chapter 15 - Water in Islam

Arnhart's “Aristotle's Biopolitics: A Defense of Biological Teleology against Biological Nihilism” is both a valuable and yet at the same time a problematic study. Its value for political science lies in Arnhart's reminder that for many of the most important thinkers in the history of Western political thought their efforts to discover and articulate the principles of a political order necessarily presupposed a specific understanding of the order of nature itself. Given this, the fundamental political challenge of the modern scientific and industrial revolutions not only includes the new instruments and techniques of organization and manipulation made possible by the discoveries of modern science, but also those cultural and intellectual assumptions which create that very environment within which such instruments and techniques first became possible. In illustrating this intimate relationship between modern natural science and modern political science, Grant (1976:124) has written: “What calls out for recognition here is that the same apprehension of what it is to be ‘reasonable’ leads men to build computers and to conceive the universal and homogenous society as the highest political goal. The ways such machines can be used must be at one with certain conceptions of political purposes because the same kind of ‘reasoning’ made the machines and formulated the purposes. To put the matter extremely simply, the modern physical sciences and the modern political sciences have developed in mutual interpenetration, and we can only begin to understand that interpenetration in terms of some common source from which both forms of science found their sustenance.”

This article suggests that the current difficulty in conceiving an intelligible defense of liberal education derives from its no longer intelligible roots in classical philosophy or cosmology. The article suggests a look back to those other Western roots, found preeminently in the Hebrew Scriptures, which present a cosmology strikingly not at logical odds with the discoveries of modern science, much more fully in harmony with the modern reverence for freedom, and supporting a sharp critique of the contemporary confusion concerning the prime locus of education, i.e. the family.