المعنى الاصطلاحي

The communication of a scientific fact or cosmic phenomenon by the Qur’an or the Sunnah before the advent of the contemporary empirical science at a time in which people could not reach such facts through other than the Qur’an.

الشرح المختصر

"I‘jāz al-‘ilmi" (scientific inimitability) is a type of the miraculousness of the noble Qur’an that appeared in modern times. It shows that the Qur’an and Sunnah affirm scientific facts and cosmic phenomena that were unknown to mankind before the advent of empirical sciences such as physics, chemistry, etc. Due to the seriousness of this science, scholars have developed some standards to approach it: 1. Excellent understanding of the texts of the Qur’an in light of the rules and meanings of the Arabic language. 2. Knowing the rules of Qur’anic exegesis, including the issue of abrogation, occasions of revelation, modes of the recitation, etc. 3. Avoiding pretentious interpretation of the verses to agree with cosmic facts. The Qur’an comes first, and science comes next, not the other way around. 4. Relying on scientific facts that are proven with certainty, and avoiding probabilities and doubtful matters. 5. Not to discuss issues of the unseen, such as the divine essence, the soul, etc. 6. Attributing errors in scientific inimitability to humans without violating the sanctity of the noble Qur’an. 7. If a proven scientific fact and a verse of the Qur’an conflict, then the scientific fact is either doubted or incorrect, for the One Who revealed the Qur’an is the One Who created the universe. Examples of "i‘jāz ‘ilmi": 1. The Qur’an says that the fetus develops in three darknesses in the mother's womb. Modern science has proven that there are three membranes surrounding the fetus. 2. The Qur’an says that Allah sends fertilizing winds. Modern science has proven that among the benefits of winds is their carrying of pollen seeds to fertilize flowers, which will develop into fruits.