Epigraph:

سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ

We shall show them Our signs upon the horizons and within themselves till it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. Does it not suffice that your Lord is Witness over all things? (Al Quran 41:53)

Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times

Dr. Maurice Bucaille’s seminal work, The Bible, The Qur’an and Science, has inspired numerous scholars and authors to explore and defend the Quran through the lens of modern science. Following in his footsteps, several individuals have contributed to this discourse.

Bucaille born in France was a specialist in the field of gastroenterology. In 1973, he was appointed as the family physician of King Faisal of Saudi Arabia. His patients included the members of the family of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat.

In 1976, Bucaille published his book, The Bible, The Qur’an and Science, following his study of the mummy of the Egyptian pharaoh Ramesses II. The book contained multiple references to the Quran, relating science and Quran in which Bucaille concluded that the Quran is a divine revelation and that it was not written by any man. The book gave rise to a movement called Bucailleism, which tries to relate modern science with religion, especially Islam. Since the publishing of The Bible, the Quran and Science, Bucaillists have promoted the idea that the Quran is of divine origin, arguing that it contains scientifically and historically correct facts. His book was originally written in French and has been translated in numerous languages and is best-selling in many Muslim countries. Its English translation is available online and is also added in the end of this post.

Of course, his scholarship and of those who have followed is not flawless; only the Divine Book is. Since the earliest commentaries, all commentaries on the Quran have pros and cons. There was a time when commentary was not allowed in Muslim society because of the fear of mistakes. Obviously, that prohibition did not hold, and today, almost everyone who wants to be a voice in Islam has a commentary.

Dr. Maurice Bucaille and all those who have followed him should be considered as commentators and what they write is not the final word to understand the holy scripture, merely a journey. As science or scholarship changes so do the understanding.

I will learn and borrow from these authors and God willing improve to some degree in my upcoming book: The Qur’an, the Bible and Science: Comparing, contrasting and understanding scriptures in the light of modern science.

Now, I list six notable authors who have followed in the footsteps of Dr. Maurice Bucaille, and it is certainly not an exhaustive list:

1. Maulana Wahiddudin Khan

Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (1925–2021) was a distinguished Indian Islamic scholar, spiritual leader, and peace activist. Born in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, he received his early education in traditional Islamic seminaries. Throughout his life, Maulana Khan was a fervent advocate for non-violence and interfaith dialogue, emphasizing the importance of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding among diverse communities. He founded the Centre for Peace and Spirituality in 2001, aiming to present Islam as a religion rooted in peace and spirituality. A prolific author, he penned over 200 books addressing various aspects of Islam, spirituality, and modern challenges. His notable works include God Arises and The Ideology of Peace. In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with several awards, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, two of India’s highest civilian honors. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan’s legacy continues to inspire individuals worldwide to pursue paths of peace, spirituality, and understanding. cpsglobal.org

His book on the theme of arguing for the Quran through science is available in the end of this post in PDF form.

2. Dr. Muzaffar Iqbal

As the President of the Center for Islamic Sciences in Canada, Dr. Muzaffar Iqbal has extensively written on the interplay between Islam and science. His works often emphasize the Quran’s insights into scientific phenomena, continuing the tradition of harmonizing religious texts with modern scientific understanding. en.wikipedia.org

In my opinion, his best article is included at the end of a multi-author contemporary commentary, The Study Quran, which is also available online.

3. Dr. Mir Aneesuddin

A geologist by profession, Dr. Mir Aneesuddin was among the pioneers in researching the relationship between the Quran and science. His articles, published during the mid-1960s, delved into scientific topics in the Quran. He also authored A Simple Translation of The Holy Quran (with notes on Topics of Science), aiming to make the Quran accessible to younger readers and highlight its scientific aspects. en.wikipedia.org

4. Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik

Dr. Zakir Abdul Karim Naik, born on October 18, 1965, in Mumbai, India, is a prominent Islamic preacher and comparative religion scholar. Initially trained as a medical doctor, obtaining his MBBS from the University of Mumbai, he transitioned to Islamic evangelism in 1991. Dr. Naik is the founder and president of the Islamic Research Foundation (IRF) and the Peace TV Network, which is recognized as one of the largest religious satellite channel networks globally. He is renowned for his dynamic public speaking and debates, focusing on clarifying Islamic viewpoints and addressing misconceptions about Islam. In recognition of his efforts in Islamic outreach, he was awarded the King Faisal International Prize in 2015.

His book is added in the end of this post.

5. Farouk Abdul-Aziz

A filmmaker and author, Farouk Abdul-Aziz has produced documentaries and written books exploring scientific references in the Quran. His works, such as Who is Moses’ Pharaoh and Maurice and the Qur’an: From Pharaoh to the Big Bang, build upon Bucaille’s methodologies, examining the Quran’s alignment with scientific discoveries. en.wikipedia.org

6. Gamal Abdel-Nasser al-Ganainy

A chemist by training, Gamal Abdel-Nasser al-Ganainy runs the website “Quran and Science,” which has been significantly influenced by Bucaille’s work. The platform seeks to demonstrate the Quran’s divine origin by highlighting its congruence with modern scientific knowledge. zygonjournal.org

These authors, among others, have continued Dr. Bucaille’s legacy by exploring and defending the Quran through scientific perspectives, contributing to the ongoing dialogue between faith and reason.

My book is coming out in Amazon Kindle in the next few months.

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