International Journal of Cardiology, a medical science journal by prestigious Elsevier group is in a process of publishing a very controversial paper entitled, “The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth“
(doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.05.011). This is probably the first time a scientific journal is going to attribute ‘holy’ religious text in it ignoring all the standard procedure of scientific enquiry. I sent a strong letter to the journal editor and informed the other fellow scientists known to me. My letter has been published in Talk Reason, a well-known site for rationalists and scientists. My letter can be seen here. Here is the summary of the letter for Mukto-Mona readers:
Letter to the International Journal of Cardiology
By Avijit Roy
The Editor of International Journal of Cardiology,
Sir,
I am an engineer by profession (having a PhD in biomedical engineering) and maintain a Bengali freethinker’s site named mukto-mona. I am also the author of several Bengali best -selling books on science and philosophy. I recently came across a very controversial paper named, The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth (authored by Marios Loukas, Yousuf Saad, R. Shane Tubbs and Mohamadali M. Shojawhich) claimed to be peer reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of your journal.
I am disappointed to see a reputed journal publishing, or even accepting a cleverly crafted religious propaganda. Careful study of Qur’an, Hadeeth and other Islamic resources for years, I know that like other ancient books, these scriptures also contain lot of errors and weird misconceptions in embryology, biology and medicine. For example, in one verse of Qur’an it clearly declares that sperm originates between the back and the ribs (sura At-Tariq 86:6-7) i.e, it comes from the kidneys! Note that, Greek physician Hippocrates theorized this wrong idea long before Muhammad that sperm passed through the kidneys into the penis. For centuries this was an accepted (and incorrect) belief of the origins of sperm. Aristotle though correctly described the function of the umbilical cord, also amusingly believed that sperm testicles functioned as weights to keep the seminal passages open during sexual intercourse. Not only this, Qur’an, as a whole, has a whole lot of ambiguity and meaningless statements. For example, occasionally it tells that we are created from earth (11:61), sometimes it claims from dry clay (15:26,28,33, 17:61, 32:7), sometimes “from nothing” (19:67), sometimes “NOT from nothing” (52:35), sometimes from wet earth (23:12), or from mire (38:71), sometimes from water (25:54, 21:30, 24:45), sometimes from dust ( 3:59, 30:20, 35:11) or even sometimes from dead (30:19, 39:6) etc.. So which one is true? Those contradictory ambiguous statements actually do not reveal any scientific facts regarding either how we created or what exactly we are made of. If we go forward we will see – according to Qur’an and Hadeeth, Allah’s Angels ‘take charge’ while sperm enters a woman’s womb (see Sahih Bukhari 1.6.315, 4.54.430, Sahih Bukhari, 8.73.17, 18, Sahih Muslim, 33.6392 etc.), Human limbs can ‘carry Islamic Sins’ (Sunaan Nasai, 1.149), or Human organs can even talk like a human being (41:20, 41:21, 36:65, 24:24 etc). These are becoming simply meaningless and entirely laughable if we consider the knowledge of today’s context.
Of course, the authors did not mention the above funny verses from Qur’an and Hadeeth while submitting their ‘scholarly’ paper. Nevertheless, they did not forget to mention that honey as the good medicine referred by Qur’an, or it mentions some ‘miraculous spiritual power’ (?) of Zam Zam water etc. Well, Honey is not at all any good medicine in today’s standard, however, was used by ancient people as medicine and food for tens of thousands of years. Physicians of Pharaoh King used to prescribe Honey for diseases. In pre-Islamic Arab, pagans used to use honey widely as medicine. In India, Ayurbedic medicine widely used honey as the ingredients of medicine thousands of years before the arrival of Qur’an. Honey was known as “Grandma’s Medicine” throughout the ancient world for thousands of years. What is so miracle or even important to mention in a cutting edge journal? Lest we speak about the ‘miraculous spiritual power’ of a simple well the better for us. There are many well documented technical details about the well are available even in the Internet.
Lastly, the paper was not written following standard method of proper scientific enquiry. The frequent attribution of “God” (e.g. ” The entire Qur’an is believed to be the direct word of God”, ” the Qur’an and Hadeeth recognize the pursuit of knowledge as being an act of worship to God”, “God created disease and God also created a treatment for every disease”, ” remedy is made apparent, the disease is cured by the permission of God”, “… as God removes “rage form their hearts”, ” scripture and remembrance of God is supposed to heal the hidden ailments of people”, ” Mohammad states that while praising God is half of faith”, “moustache are all acts that benefit the body and thus bring one closer to God”, “invoked the name of other than God”, “The relationship between God and man is illustrated” etc.), and the use of non-scientific words such ‘spiritual’ (e.g. ‘treatment can be found—spiritual healing and physical healing’ , ‘Although spiritual healing is most mentioned in the Qur’an ‘, ‘heart that are described are the extensively described spiritual heart ‘ etc.) or ‘miracle’ shows the authors were trying to express a specific brand of belief, not doing proper scientific investigation or research. Our scientific knowledge has moved beyond childhood. A scientific journal should not depend on imaginary fairy-tales or a ‘God in gaps’ to provide for our explanations or needs. Science proposes explanations about the natural world and then puts those hypothesis for repeated testing using experiments, observations and a creative and diverse array of other methods and strategies. The paper like ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’ , on the other hand, discourage skepticism or critical examination of cherished precepts.
It is simply laughable that a reputable science journal of twentieth century would publish such a poorly argued paper – ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’! I sincerely believe, if you publish the article in your journal, you will loose all the credibility. I hope that your consciousness will return and your editorial board will realize that this paper is not worthy at all for publication.
Dr. Avijit Roy
email: [email protected]
The renowned scientists of the world came to know about my letter and they have started showing their concern and anger. Renowned scientist and writer Dr. Matt Young, Senior Lecturer Department of Physics Colorado School of Mines Golden, published my letter in Panda’s Thumb, a very popular weblog (Nature listed it as one of the top five science blogs) among mainstream scientists mentioned and analyzed my letter. He wrote:
…Roy, an engineer, details a number of misconceptions in the Koran (the preferred spelling, according to Merriam-Webster) and argues that the paper should never have been published in a scientific journal. According to a cc of an e-mail I received from a third party, Roy complained to the editor of IJC and was told that he could submit his own rebuttal for peer review. I read the article, though not carefully, and I could certainly see Roy’s point. … (complete post of Matt can be read from here)
Some other scientists also took onus to publicize the news in web. Such as, I found Dr. Taner Edis of Truman State University published the news in his blog – Cardiologists losing it. Breakingspells.net has published – International Journal of Cardiology Hosts Islamic Superstition?. Becausenooneasked.com published – The Koran is NOT a medical text. Frontpage Magazine also published – International Journal of Cardiology publishes Islamic apologetic tract etc. Many of my scientist friends personally emailed me showing their immense concern. Here are some samples:
Avijit,
[‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’ is a ] Crackpot stuff. Shame on the journal that published it. They have sullied their reputation.
What you’ve sent is just the tip of the iceberg.
For 30 years I’ve been challenging these dodos to come up with at least one new useful invention or testable prediction based on the Quran.
Am still waiting.
———
Pervez Hoodbhoy
Professor of Physics
Quaid-e-Azam University
Islamabad, Pakistan
And the author of Islam and Science: Religious Orthodoxy and the Battle for Rationality and Education and the State Fifty Years of Pakistan
Dear Avijit,
Very interesting. Thanks for bringing these to my attention.
For now, I’m not going to write the journal; I’m a physicist, and they should be hearing from physicians or others with biomedical background such as yourself. But occasionally like this are annoying enough that they need to be publicized:
http://secularoutpost.infidels.org/2010/02/cardiologists-losing-it.html
Thanks again!
Dr. Taner Edis
Department of Physics
Truman State University
5 Woodland Lane Kirksville, MO 63501
http://www2.truman.edu/~edis/And the Author of An Illusion of Harmony: Science And Religion in Islam and Science and Nonbelief
Dear Avijit:
It is nice to hear from you again. I’ll try to post your letter on the Panda’s Thumb (as a a guest contribution) unless you tell me not to do so. PT has a wide audience and it maybe useful for supporting your suggestion to send letters to editors of the journal regarding that laughable paper about Quran’s alleged medical significance.
Best wishes,
yours
Prof. Mark Perakh
Professor emeritus of Mathematics and statistical mechanics at California State University, Fullerton in Fullerton, California.
And the author of Unintelligent Design
This is surprising. The Islamic view of medicine is however better than the early basic Christian knowledge, which in the middle ages was utterly abysmal. The Quran is largely a book of theological poetry, and these ideas about physiology are, should we say poetic. This article might be better suited for a journal concerned with the history of medicine. Some of this article’s claims are still preposterous.
Lawrence B. Crowell
The author of Can Star Systems Be Explored?: The Physics of Probes
I’ve noticed a similar phenomenon with some New Age believers, but their focus is more on technology. Some argue that the lost island of Atlantis had technology more advanced than ours, and some say similar things about ancient Egypt. Often it’s extra-terrestrials who are given credit for giving these ancient civilizations their advanced technologies. There’s a kind of Golden Age mythology that seems to run through these notions.
Charles A. Sullivan
writer, philosopher and philosophy instructor
Dear Editor;
I just read an essay The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth written by Marios Loukas, Yousuf Saad, R. Shane Tubbs and Mohamadali M. Shojawhich.
Your decision to publish such a “voodoo Science” is bound to affect your reputation. My conjecture is very soon, the Christians, the Jews, the Hindus and the Voodoo practitioners in Africa and the charm and amulet dealers in all parts of the world may submit their claims of modern medical science in their trades.
The author of the above essay has cited a few verses from the Qur’an and ahadith to demonstrate scientific materials related to human heart in those verses. I will say this simply is not true. Anyone who reads these verses will have no doubt that the verses almost invariably refer to the stubbornness of the infidels who do not to open their hearts to Islam or to demonstrate the peace and tranquillity that descends when a person embraces Islam. I urge you to read the referred verses to judge for yourself the veracity of my statement.
Now, here are a few examples from the Qur’an:
Allah sealed the hearts of the non‑believers, and put veils on their eyes; there is a great penalty for the non‑believers. (Qur’an 2:7).
One of the most eminent scholars of the Qur’an, ibn Kathir writes that the seal is placed on the heart and the hearing; Allah has sealed their hearts because of their unbelief. Another eminent scholar of the Qur’an, ibn Abbas says: This refers in particular to the Jews Ka’b Ibn al‑Ashraf, Huyayy Ibn Akhtab and Judayy Ibn Akhtab.
The hypocrites have disease in their hearts, Allah has increased the disease, and there is a grievous punishment for them. (Qur’an 2:10). Ibn Kathir writes disease means doubt. Ibn Abbas says: the reference is to the hypocrites: Abdullah ibn Ubayy, Jadd Ibn Qays and Mu’attib Ibn Qushay.
The Muslims should muster all their power and might, including steeds of war (tanks, planes, missiles…etc.) to strike terror in the hearts of the unbelievers (Qur’an 8:6). Ibn Abbas says this means killing them.
Where is the modern medical condition of the heart in these verses? Mind you, I just cited only three verses from the Qur’an to demonstrate the utter untruthfulness of the author of the essay. The Qur’an is littered with hundreds of such hateful verses. How can we relate these hateful verses to modern medical science?
Many such similar passages are found in the Ahadith as well. For example, in a hadith we note that Muhammad had used “camel’s urine” as a medicine. Do you think we should now resort to drinking camels’ urine just because Islamic texts recommend it? Will you allow an essay extolling the virtues of drinking camels’ urine in your journal?
Your decision to publish such a misleading and completely unscientific essay is utterly imprudent and highly regrettable. It will simply embolden religious bigotry and encourage the Islamist terrorists.
Abul Kasem
Lecturer in Civil Engineering
Sydney, Australia
Email: [email protected]
Dear Sir,
I am a Ph.D. in biological science and worked many years in the U.S. with research animals and I am quite familiar with the anatomy, physiology and pathology of humans and most research animals. I have recently came across an amazingly controversial paper: ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’ (Marios Loukas, Yousuf Saad, R. Shane Tubbs and Mohamadali M. Shojawhich) and surprisingly this fraudulently crafted article claimed to be peer reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of your well reputed journal.
I am surprised as well as appalled to see how a reputed journal like yours is going to publishing or even accepting a deceitfully crafted article which has been written based on 100% false claims of science in Quran or Hadiths. This article is an absolutely illusionary dream by some cunning Islamists only to fool westerners. I can bet million dollars that nothing can be proven true about their claims by an impartial scrutiny of Quran and hadiths, if you desire to conduct any such independent investigation.
I have thoroughly read Islamic religious book of Quran and also Islamic tradition called Hadiths for the last 20 years. I have found this Quran and Hadiths are really silly books loaded with plenty of mumbo-jumbos of utterly superstitious crap. I have found Quran and hadiths are full of contradictions and errors in scientific, historical, ethical, moral, and political matters. These books are also full with utter hateful scriptural verses against all non-muslims. I have written many full size articles with Quran and hadiths depicting monumental errors and contradictions in the Quran. You can read one such article here:
http://enblog.mukto-mona.com/?p=54
I am quite positive that the peer-reviewers of your journal either never read and checked the authenticity of any Quranic verse that authors claimed, or they have simply believed by the utter deceptively and fraudulently distortions of Quranic verses or hadith by their (authors) wishful manipulations.
These wishful Islamists (authors) have deceived you by selective (pick & choose) verses, taking part of the verse, sometimes by changing the actual words, adding non-existing words etc, they intentionally twist or manipulate the commonly accepted meanings of verses—to prove science in Quran. Who has ever heard about scientific theory in any religious book? Is any religion really compatible with the modern science? I thought, religion and science are like oil and water which never mix together! Please read this article here: http://www.islam-watch.org/SyedKamranMirza/Nostalgia-of-Islamic-Golden-Age.htm only to learn that, ancient luminaries of Islamic kingdom did not get their scientific ideas from Koran or Hadiths at all; instead they all got it from the ancient Indian, Greek and Chinese sources.
Their claims about Quranic embryology is a pure joke and full of superstitious craps. Please read this article about Quranic embryology here:
http://www.islam-watch.org/SyedKamranMirza/Quran-Human-Embryology.htm
I urge you to investigate the real source the so called Holy Quran and hadiths for accuracies of their claims. I wonder why your “cutting age” journal could accept such fraudulently written article without any proper investigation of the source. While I understand that accepting or publishing any article in your reputed journal is purely your prerogative but I fervently request you to do your peer-review investigation one more time. Please ask them to submit all the Quranic verses and hadiths ( in original) and make an independent investigations by non-muslim scientists (not by Mullahs) and find the truth about this article.
Quran is replete with hateful harsh and unethical cruel verses against non-muslims. You can read some samples here:
http://www.islam-watch.org/SyedKamranMirza/TerrorManual.htmThis utterly fraudulent article if you publish will surely give a giant leap of propaganda tool in the hands of cunning Islamists. Also please consider that—by publishing such fraudulent article in your reputed journal will only embolden the religious zeal of Islamic terrorists further to destroy our civilization. And of course, your journal will surely lose its prestige in the international scientific community. Thanks for your understanding.
Sincerely yours,
Syed Kamran Mirza, Ph.D.
[email protected](Full letter of Syed Kamran Mirza was sent to journal, only partial has been pasted above)
Publishing such a tale-tell has definitely raised the question of the quality (reliability & validity) of this journal. Trying to save face of the diminishing respect of Islam and Muslims to the present-day world of reasons has simply added more mockery to it. The article contradicts how the science is done. The very statement ‘revelation’ is a misrepresentation of the fact that Islam is one of the three religions that came into being from the same feudal family to compete each other. Also the practices and so called science of the prophet Muhammad described in this article can be transparently considered as plagiarism for it has been described in many early texts for example, ‘Manisanghita’ about 5 thousand years ago practiced by Aryan monks before the doctrine of Islam came to Middle East. Nevertheless, the authors desecrated the holy books by aligning them with science. Science is the claim from evidence and so a rational domain of human being. I would respect Al-Brunni as the then front line member of scientists from Middle East. Advising with no observations and facts garnered is not a science itself rather than authoritarian views. Science never spews hatred against the nature but just read the comments of a real devout Muslim professor from Australia who has simply cited a few verses to support the terrorism against non-believers. How the authors claim the Quoran and Hadith as per with science? Science is not an absolute but dynamic and skeptical that changes with new findings. Do ‘Quoran’ and ‘Hadith’ mandate this nature of science? Dreaded it might be if that is so as we have seen in many incidents that almost knocked the very world peace. take for man example, Taslima Nasreen — a female medical doctor and rational scientist herself is facing the Islamic sword on her neck because she asked for change of ‘Quoran’ & Islamic practices in view of the present day needs. How then these authors mischievously try to describe the statements from an authoritarian scriptures as science. To me they themselves are complete ignorant of what it is that is called science.
My advice with these authors would be to avoid this pseudo-science and rather stand strongly against the heinous terrorists to wash the smeared hands of Islam with dignity.
Dr. Ankut
Professor of Science & Education, USA.
TO:
Dr. A.J.S. Coats
Editor-in-Chief
The International Journal of Cardiology
University of Sydney
NSW 2006, AustraliaCOPY TO:
Dr. Graham Brumfield
Elsevier
Radarweg 29
1043 NX Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Dear Dr. Coats,
The articles “Islamic legacy of cardiology: Inspirations from the holy sources” (doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.09.470) and “The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth” (doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.05.011) appearing online in the International Journal of Cardiology , published by Elsevier, caught my attention. I request that you retract these two papers from both online and print versions of your prestigious journal.I am a biomedical scientist with a PhD working in a prestigious research institute, and having had published over 80 scientific papers, mostly in peer reviewed, international scientific journals. These journals include such reputable ones as the Journal of Biological Chemistry, PLoS Pathogens, Biochemistry, and the Journal of Molecular Biology. My most recent paper appeared in the Elsevier journal, Analytical Biochemistry.
As the name International Journal of Cardiology suggests, I found all the articles, as can be found in the current ‘free sample copy’, deal with scientific research related to the heart, except the two articles cited above. These two articles address neither science nor scientific investigation, but quotes religious scriptures and practices to glorify the religion. Being born to the faith, I am pretty well educated in both Quran and Hadeeth, and find no science in them except self-contradictions, but will refrain to elaborate since that is not my field of research. The two articles may be more suited for one of many other journals including Religion and History of European Ideas both published by Elsevier. I found no theology experts in the list of your editorial staff nor did I find a scope of religious discussion in this prestigious journal. Unless you expanded the stated scope, “both basic research and clinical papers”, of the journal to include non-scientific literature, I am surprised that these two papers passed the peer review process.
As in the middle and dark ages, religion has always been an impediment to scientific progress. Even in today’s world of religious ‘tolerance’, clergies are found to deliver hateful sermons against those engaged in scientific research, and being publicized in the electronic media. The problem is so acute, that I do not wish to expose my identity in writing this comment because of fear of my life! I believe publishing these two articles in your journal will do a great disservice to the scientific community and science. Must the above religious articles appear in your journal, I will reconsider submitting any of my scientific papers in any of the Elsevier journals. I am sure many of my colleagues in my renowned biomedical research institute of 700-plus strength and my peers elsewhere, will follow me.I therefore respectfully request that you reconsider publishing these papers in your journal. I also request that you do not make my email address public.
Very respectfully,Ahmed
A scientist opposed to ‘religious science’Here is the updated list of the scientists who have already protested and informed us.
Hope this post will inspire you to make similar protest, if you have not done so:
Please write your protest note here. Please click on the following link:
Contact the Editor of the International Journal of Cardiology
Kindly fill up the first name, last name, email address, and subject. In the subject box, you may copy paste: Opinion on the paper – ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’. Then paste your message to the editor of the journal and press submit button
Regards
Dr. Avijit Roy
[email protected]
P.S. Please inform me if you have sent your protest!
The link in the article is dead. The full cardiology journal article can still be found here: http://instruct.uwo.ca/biology/9211a/PDFs/Cardiovascular%20system.pdf
It’s truly a great and useful piece of information. I am satisfied that you
shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed
like this. Thank you for sharing.
Did Elsevier answer at all?
Hello,
I just wondered if all those protests did provide some replies from the Elsevier side.
Did Elsevier apologize in some way?
The most fearful thing is to see the new generation seeking science in the Quran and the Hadith being inspired by so-called, self-proclaimed, religious scientists (pseudo!).
I might be beating a dead horse, but thank you for potisng this!
@Taufique Elahi,
this is one of those usual poor self-justifications.
Mohamad-Stuff is religion and Science is Science, both have nothing in common, so we should keep it as it is, different and divided!
By the way my qualifications are higher but actually not necessary to mention here as logic itself gives all reason!
[…] ইংরেজী আর বাংলা দু-ভার্সানেই Internation Journal of Cardiology কে […]
@Nripen Sarker:
Science, you mean like:
And hath made the moon a light therein, and made the sun a lamp.
or Humans are formed from “a gushing fluid” that issues “from between the loins and the ribs.”
or Humans created from a single man
or Joseph saw in a dream eleven planets.
or Then He ordained them seven heavens in two Days and inspired in each heaven its mandate; and We decked the nether heaven with lamps, and rendered it inviolable. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knower.
That science? It’s a fraking book of mythology. Nothing more, nothing less.
[…] Here are some negative reactions by scientists and a letter of protest to the journal’s […]
I couldn’t refrain myself from sending a prank response to the fruit loop that must be the editor of the cardiology journal. Here’s what I sent.
__________
Hello there!
Please accept my heartiest congratulations for accepting “The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth” in your renowned journal. Quran has some true science and the infidel scientists will never believe that unless they are beaten seriously or papers of high quality like these are published in reputable magazines like yours. At the same time, your reputation will skyrocket among pious Muslims because of the same. In the long run that means more TRUE science coming out of Quran and maybe a Nobel or two for us – effectively doubling our Nobel count. Jews get so many Nobel prize, we think the Nobel committee is practicing pseudoscience – but that is another story.
I would request you once again to publish factual stories like these, as quickly peer-reviewed as possible, like the one posted. My heart swells with pride with some possible upcoming REAL science:
1. “Sexual Intercourse with 9-year olds in light of Quran and Hadeeth” – It will have detailed charts about vaginal and penile diameter disparity versus mental damage… and whatnot.
2. “Positive relationship of circumcision with IQ” – it will invalidate the anecdotes that we are stpid and intolerant. How can we be, if our heads are always exposed to explore new things? Those infidel swines should be slaughtered like the pigs they are.
3. “Wife-beating and Cardiac Health” – it will argue that irregular heartbeat patterns can be corrected with regular wifebeating as mild exercise.
I honestly thank you so much. May Allah keep you in peace. Thanks for supporting our cause. I will personally recommend some virgins for you once I die. Although technically you might be a Christian or a Jew Pig, maybe even a woman (Allah forbid) – in which case I’ll try to decrease your punishment by praying to Allah.
Allahu Akbar,
A friend of yours
*p.s. I have recently found a flaw in the current model of heart. I think we do not have ventricles because they are not mentioned in the Quran. Quran must be true because it predicted ALL scientific discoveries correctly so far – and if Quran is true then Quran’s statements (or lack thereof) about scientific things must be true too. How can I write a paper on this? It will be really groundbreaking, no? Please reply. May Allah bless you.
It does not bother me for any worthless item getting published in a scientific journal. The fact is, the journal loses its credibility and the scripture gets exposed.
I have been campaigning since 1992. Read Koran and ask others to read it.
If you do not have time to read the whole book, read 10% of the book. You know 90% of the content. (10%-90% rule) Find science first hand.
2-21-10
@ Taufiq Elahi
Dear Dr. Elahi,
Please read this article which will answer all your questions about bogus science of that fruad Maurice Bucalle and also that hypocrite Keith moore! Please read it.
Religion, science and Maurice Bucaille
http://mukto-mona.com/Articles/skm/Religion_Science_Bucaille.htm
You said: Science is changing with time and research. Yes, we also agree that, but science never changes in fundamentals. Such as Earth was flat for thousands of years until those kaffirs (Copernicus, Galileo gong) changed it to round. Now, do you think, just because science is changing, so earth will be flat again, someday? Or, heart pumps bloods to various parts of the body will change that actually Liver is the organ which pump the bloods (perhaps found by some Islamic scientists like you) because of your theory of changing science? Or, someday, scientists will find that—actually only male gushing fluid (as Koran rightly said) alone is forming the embryo which give rise the human baby? And, female egg has no role to form the embryo? Because science is changing!
You as the greatest of all Doctors in the US also leaned your medical science from the Koran? Could you name that Sura of Koran loaded with science from which you have learned your medical science? Please answer these questions for which I will eagerly wait!
SKM
@ Taufiq Elahi:
Dear Dr. Elahi, please read this article which will answer all your questions about bogus science of that fruad Maurice Bucalle and also that hypocrite Keith moore! Please read it.
Religion, science and Maurice Bucaille
http://mukto-mona.com/Articles/skm/Religion_Science_Bucaille.htm
SKM
This blog is becomming lengthy. In the meantime, more reaction came from the reputed scientists on this issue, and I have been updating here:
Publication of Islamic Pseudoscience in the International Journal of Cardiology : Scientists’ Protest (Updated)
@Taufique Elahi,
This is a repeated lie. We have posted all of your responses including this one. I had mentioned you that our system once were virus-affected, so many of our members’ comments could not get posted. When we were able to put our system up again, we even posted and discussed your accusation in Shodalap. Abul Kasem posted it here and Adil Mahmood also responded. There is no way to believe that we will reject your one response and allow another person to repost it! What is the benefit we will get by the way. This message also shows that we are honest about our policy. We did not reject your response.
Good to know. We are quite happy about your qualification. This has nothing to do with right or wrong of a particular holy book though.
I am a defender of science too. I intended to write on this particular occasion to differentiate science from pseudoscience. Pseudoscience is a defective science which masquerades as science in an attempt to claim a legitimacy which it would not otherwise be able to achieve on its own terms.
In my opinion the editor did some gross mistakes. If you are familiar with the publication of Journal paper you should know that it is indeed a long term process. It takes 5/6 months to a year, whereas this mysterious paper is was submitted to the journal on May 7, 2009 and accepted within five days on May 12. It is quite surprising to me. I myself wrote journal papers during my academic years. I know the process f publishing paper in a peer reviewed journal. Also, many of the claims of the paper sounds unscientific too me, such as – God created man from a quintessence of clay or referring heart as spiritual, emotional or intellectual organ is not only unscientific but deadly wrong as per modern view of medicine and embryology. I guess we have the rights to point out the facts.
So what is the qualification to comment on Holy Quran? Just believe it as a holy book or word of God and spread some good words? If this is the criteria to comment on holy Quran, then you may say that I am not qualified. But as a rationalist I see it completely different perspective. Think – if your statement is true no body can oppose Astrology and other pseudoscience too. Because, if you oppose, an astrologer may also claim – Your education does not qualify you to comment on Astrology either, because you are no astrologist. What about opposing ghost, miracle, unicorn or flying spaghetti monster? Do we really be “qualified” or “specialist” to oppose lies and pseudoscience? We do not think so.
I have read Quran, Hadeeth and other holy responses with a skeptic mind and I learned science and philosophy, and also engaged in detailed discussion and debate on these topic. If you think I am not qualified, then I have nothing more to say.
That’s what I am dong. Debating an Islamic Scholar like you. You can invite other scholars too if they wish to come here to debate.
Quite funny. Fear of hellfire! But what’s the relevance of the topic under discussion, hello!
Now I see from where you came. Yes, you can claim Quran is the Truth, just as a Hindu can claim Veda is truth or a Christian can claim Bible is the truth. But compared with so many contradictory truths, Science does not have any ‘ultimate truth’ All facts in science are provisional and may subject to challenge, and therefore skepticism is a method leading to provisional conclusions dealing science. That’s why science is not a DOGMA, because it never claims to find ‘timeless miracle’ or “ultimate truth” like you claimed.
As I explained earlier, science is not a dogma, that’s why it is may subject to challenge or change, this is the beauty of science. If The Holy Quran is the timeless miracle, then it defies the definition of science. There is no ‘timeless miracle’ in science. So you should not be offended by our effort to separate religion from science. Thats why we used one of my favourite quote of Andre Gide in our site-
Believe those who are seeking the truth; doubt those who find it.
It also a matter of wonder if you have a readymade ‘timeless miracle’ in your hand why Muslim people are so behind in science and technology? Even Israel has more scientists than all the Muslim countries have nowadays. Surely just searching Big Bang in Quran does not make one a scientist. That’s why Pervez Hoodbhoy, the leading Physicist of Pakistan wrote –
The problem with such claims to ownership is that they lack an explanation for why quantum mechanics, molecular genetics, etc., had to await discovery elsewhere. Nor is any kind of testable prediction ever made. No reason is offered as to why antibiotics, aspirin, steam engines, electricity, aircraft, or computers were not first invented by Muslims. But even to ask such questions is considered offensive.
The truth is None of these scientific discoveries were inspired from, dependent on any of the religious revelations. If religious revelations could not and did not lead to any of the discovery of these scientific truths in a stand alone way then by any criterion and logic they cannot be used to be part of science.
Sure. Again Keith L Moore, the the only embryologist you can quote to defend your claim. Yet he himself has admitted that the embryology in the holy Quran is a repetition of Greek and Indian medicine as is evident in his recent books, such as: The Developing Human: Clinically Oriented Embryology by Keith L. Moore (Author), T. V. N. Persaud (Author), 7th edition, – the book shows without doubt that the Quran generally repeats the Greeks and the Hindus. In my letter to the journal editor I mentioned that Greek physician Hippocrates theorized this wrong idea long before Muhammad that sperm passed through the kidneys into the penis. We see the same mistake in Quran.
BTW, you may not know that 1983 edition of his textbook, “The Developing Human,” has Osama Bin Laden’s name in it. Laden was one of his financial helper. You do not believe? Collect the first edition or you can also read the Wallstreet Journal Article –
Western scholars find selves touting science of Quran.
Read the section in particular- A FRIEND OF OSAMA.
Don’t be always confined with SKM or Abul Kasem. Many reputed scientists protested (and many of them have been protesting in various sites) you may find some their names in this post.
Regards
Avijit
@Taufique Elahi,
It is good to see Mr Elahi back, after having apologised to Professor Poonwala for your insufficient knowledge in Islamic scriptures.
Remember? You challenged me to prove the veracity of Prof. Poonwala’s translation of Tabari’s work? You wrote to prof. Poonwala. The Professor duly acknowledged that what I had written was true, and he also sought an apology from you.
Now, you are again drumming your qualifications, although you never mention the names of those prestigious institutions.
Mr. Elahi you should know that money talks loud. To see how petro-dollar shouts so loud, and how dumbo Dr Maurice Bucaille’s understanding of the Qur’an and ahadith is read this old essay:
http://www.islam-watch.org/AbulKasem/westerners_find_science_in_the_quran.htm
You wrote:
O.K. Mr Elahi, please tell us what those traditional sources are. Once you have done that, I shall come back to you and invite you for a debate with me on any topic related to the science or any discipline as found in the Qur’an.
Abul Kasem
@Taufique Elahi,
Dear Sir,
I reckon you have a great tendency to boast of your academic achievements. However, you surprisingly did not mention the name of your ‘prestigious’ department and institution! Though I guess you are a surgeon from the degrees you’ve mentioned.
I know about what Keith L. Moore mentioned in his book. But do you know that Professor Moore has recently denied to comment on Quran? What he did was nothing but doctoring of words in various clarifications.He was just following the foot-steps of Maurice Bukile. A good bit of Saudi-money was involved behind these pseudo-scientific propaganda.
Don’t you see how unscientific quran was to attribute emotions and psychological phenomenons to heart in stead of brain? How could you explain this?
Nobody can become a physician by reading the original textbooks also. To be a physician one has to go through certain programmes and trainings. If one successfully completes all programmes and trainings,he/she can become a physician irrespective of the language of the textbook.
Hi Avijit Roy,
I am not sure whether you will post my comment on your web. Because in the past I wrote but you never posted them in your forum. I see all of you are mentioning your qualifications in the post. I am also mentioning mine over here. By the grace of Allah SWT, I am an M.D. from USA and probably I am one of the few physicians in the USA who has three board certifications. I am the director of a department in a very prestigious hospital in USA.
I have read your friends and your appeal to the editor. How could you claim to be a humanist, equal rights activist and freethinker? An editor has chosen to publish an article and you guys are crying to stop that. What does it tells to the public? You are not letting the editor to think freely. What is wrong with you people? Most of you who are requesting to editor are unknown to the public. Your education does not qualify you to comment on The Holy Quran. If you think you can disprove The Holy Quran, you and your friends should come out and debate Islamic scholars openly. You are always welcome to debate Islamic scholars in public.
Do you and your friends SKM and Abul Kasem know why The Holy Quran says those people who will go to hellfire and burnt there, they will be given new skin after burning each time?
The Holy Quran is the Truth whether you believe it or not today. Scientific theory and invention will be changed with time. Science some time will correlate with The Holy Quran and sometime will not. But that doesn’t mean The Holy Quran is wrong. You will see in future some other scientists will come and discover the mystery. That’s why The Holy Quran is the timeless miracle to the humanity.
I told you before if you want to comment on The Holy Quran, you have to go to the traditional Quranic teaching. Otherwise you will not understand The Holy Quran. The way SKM will not be able to be a physician just by reading translation of medical textbooks.
You have mentioned in you letter to the editor that you found weird misconceptions in embryology, biology and medicine. But world famous scientists are saying something different. I am just quoting one name Keith Moore who is known to all the medical students and physicians in the world. Do you think you and your friends SKM, Abul Kasem and others know more embryology than Dr. Moore? Here is what he wrote about The Holy Quran and Embryology.
Sincerely,
Taufique Elahi, M.D., F.R.C.S.(US)
Medical Director
A Scientist’s Interpretation of References to Embryology in the Qur’an
Keith L. Moore, Ph.D., F.I.A.C.
The Department of Anatomy, University of Toronto, Canada.
Address all correspondence to:
Keith L. Moore, Ph.D, F.I.A.C., Professor of Anatomy and Associate Dean Basic Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M55 IAB, Canada
Statements referring to human reproduction and development are scattered throughout the Qur’an. It is only recently that the scientific meaning of some of these verses has been appreciated fully. The long delay in interpreting these verses correctly resulted mainly from inaccurate translations and commentaries and from a lack of awareness of scientific knowledge.
Interest in explanations of the verses of the Qur’an is not new. People used to ask the prophet Muhammad all sorts of questions about the meaning of verses referring to human reproduction. The Apostle’s answers form the basis of the Hadith literature.
The translations(*) of the verses from the Qur’an which are interpreted in this paper were provided by Sheik Abdul Majid Zendani, a Professor of Islamic Studies in King Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“He makes you in the wombs of your mothers in stages, one after another, in three veils of darkness.”
This statement is from Sura 39:6. We do not know when it was realized that human beings underwent development in the uterus (womb), but the first known illustration of a fetus in the uterus was drawn by Leonardo da Vinci in the 15th century. In the 2nd century A.D., Galen described the placenta and fetal membranes in his book “On The Formation of the Foetus.” Consequently, doctors in the 7th century A.D. likely knew that the human embryo developed in the uterus. It is unlikely that they knew that it developed in stages, even though Aristotle had described the stages of development of the chick embryo in the 4th century B.C. The realization that the human embryo develops in stages was not discussed and illustrated until the 15th century.
After the microscope was discovered in the 17th century by Leeuwenhoek descriptions were made of the early stages of the chick embryo. The staging of human embryos was not described until the 20th century. Streeter (1941) developed the first system of staging which has now been replaced by a more accurate system proposed by O’Rahilly (1972).
“The three veils of darkness” may refer to: (l) the anterior abdominal wall; (2) the uterine wall; and (3) the amniochorionic membrane (Fig. 1). Although there are other interpretations of this statement, the one presented here seems the most logical from an embryological point of view.
Figure 1. Drawing of a sagittal section of a female’s abdomen and pelvis showing a fetus in utero. The “veils of darkness” are: (1) the anterior abdominal wall; (2) the uterine wall, and (3) the amniochorionic membrane.
“Then We placed him as a drop in a place of rest.”
This statement is from Sura 23:13. The drop or nutfah has been interpreted as the sperm or spermatozoon, but a more meaningful interpretation would be the zygote which divides to form a blastocyst which is implanted in the uterus (“a place of rest”). This interpretation is supported by another verse in the Qur’an which states that “a human being is created from a mixed drop.” The zygote forms by the union of a mixture of the sperm and the ovum (“The mixed drop”).
“Then We made the drop into a leech-like structure.”
This statement is from Sura 23:14. The word “alaqah” refers to a leech or bloodsucker. This is an appropriate description of the human embryo from days 7-24 when it clings to the endometrium of the uterus, in the same way that a leech clings to the skin. Just as the leech derives blood from the host, the human embryo derives blood from the decidua or pregnant endometrium. It is remarkable how much the embryo of 23-24 days resembles a leech (Fig. 2). As there were no microscopes or lenses available in the 7th century, doctors would not have known that the human embryo had this leech-like appearance. In the early part of the fourth week, the embryo is just visible to the unaided eye because it is smaller than a kernel of wheat.
Figure 2. Top, a drawing of a leech or bloodsucker.
Below, a drawing of a 24 day-old human embryo. Note the leech-like appearance of the human embryo at this stage.
Figure 3. Left, a plasticine model of the human embryo which has the appearance of chewed flesh.
Right, a drawing of a 28 day-old human embryo showing several bead-like somites which resemble the teeth marks in the model shown to the left.
“Then of that leech-like structure, We made a chewed lump.”
This statement is also from Sura 23:14. The Arabic word “mudghah” means “chewed substance or chewed lump.” Toward the end of the fourth week, the human embryo looks somewhat like a chewed lump of flesh (Fig. 3). The chewed appearance results from the somites which resemble teeth marks. The somites represent the beginnings or primordia of the vertebrae.
“Then We made out of the chewed lump, bones, and clothed the bones in flesh.”
This continuation of Sura 23:14 indicates that out of the chewed lump stage, bones and muscles form. This is in accordance with embryological development. First the bones form as cartilage models and then the muscles (flesh) develop around them from the somatic mesoderm.
“Then We developed out of it another creature.”
This next part of Sura 23:14 implies that the bones and muscles result in the formation of another creature. This may refer to the human-like embryo that forms by the end of the eighth week. At this stage it has distinctive human characteristics and possesses the primordia of all the internal and external organs and parts. After the eighth week, the human embryo is called a fetus. This may be the new creature to which the verse refers.
“And He gave you hearing and sight and feeling and understanding.”
This part of Sura 32:9 indicates that the special senses of hearing, seeing, and feeling develop in this order, which is true. The primordia of the internal ears appear before the beginning of the eyes, and the brain (the site of understanding) differentiates last.
“Then out of a piece of chewed flesh, partly formed and partly unformed.”
This part of Sura 22:5 seems to indicate that the embryo is composed of both differentiated and undifferentiated tissues. For example, when the cartilage bones are differentiated, the embryonic connective tissue or mesenchyme around them is undifferentiated. It later differentiates into the muscles and ligaments attached to the bones.
“And We cause whom We will to rest in the wombs for an appointed term.”
This next part of Sura 22:5 seems to imply that God determines which embryos will remain in the uterus until full term. It is well known that many embryos abort during the first month of development, and that only about 30% of zygotes that form, develop into fetuses that survive until birth. This verse has also been interpreted to mean that God determines whether the embryo will develop into a boy or girl.
The interpretation of the verses in the Qur’an referring to human development would not have been possible in the 7th century A.D., or even a hundred years ago. We can interpret them now because the science of modern Embryology affords us new understanding. Undoubtedly there are other verses in the Qur’an related to human development that will be understood in the future as our knowledge increases.
(*) Even though the translations of the verses of the Qur’an in the above paper were provided by Sheik Abdul Majid Zendani, the links to the translations in this page are from Yusuf Ali Qur’an Translation (http://qibla.msa.upenn.edu/alim_online/yali_trans/yasurahl.htm) presented by the Alim Online since Sheik Zendani’s translation is not available on the internet. (MSA-UTK)
Keith L. Moore
Professor Emeritus, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Toronto. Distinguished embryologist and the author of several medical textbooks, including Clinically Oriented Anatomy (3rd Edition) and The Developing Human (5th Edition, with T.V.N. Persaud).
Investigations in to the ‘alaqa or leech-like stage.
Dr. Moore was a former President of the Canadian Association of Anatomists, and of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists. He was honoured by the Canadian Association of Anatomists with the prestigious J.C.B. Grant Award and in 1994 he received the Honoured Member Award of the American Association of Clinical Anatomists “for outstanding contributions to the field of clinical anatomy.”
“For the past three years, I have worked with the Embryology Committee of King cAbdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, helping them to interpret the many statements in the Qur’an and Sunnah referring to human reproduction and prenatal development. At first I was astonished by the accuracy of the statements that were recorded in the 7th century AD, before the science of embryology was established. Although I was aware of the glorious history of Muslim scientists in the 10th century AD, and some of their contributions to Medicine, I knew nothing about the religious facts and beliefs contained in the Qur’an and Sunnah.”[2]
At a conference in Cairo he presented a research paper and stated:
“It has been a great pleasure for me to help clarify statements in the Qur’an about human development. It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, or Allah, because most of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later. This proves to me that Muhammad must have been a messenger of God, or Allah.” [1]
Professor Moore also stated that:
“…Because the staging of human embryos is complex, owing to the continuous process of change during development, it is proposed that a new system of classification could be developed using the terms mentioned in the Qur’an and Sunnah. The proposed system is simple, comprehensive, and conforms with present embryological knowledge.
“The intensive studies of the Qur’an and Hadith in the last four years have revealed a system of classifying human embryos that is amazing since it was recorded in the seventh century A.D… the descriptions in the Qur’an cannot be based on scientific knowledge in the seventh century…”[1]
@avijit,
Yes, I have received my account information. Now i can successfully log in to my account… :-)
[…] Scientists’ Protest on the Publication of Islamic Pseudoscience in the International Journal of Ca… […]
To say that I’m appalled is a gross understatement. If a reputed science journal succumbs to such dissimulation, no wonder common people such as ourselves are still miring in delusions and will continue to do so in the future. I really hope journals like Scientific American, Nature, Science etc. will not lose their integrity to those ever seductive petro-dollars. One Maurice Buccaille is enough to hold back a cult of billions from basking in the light of science.
Its a review article. It is not a research article. It does not have any experimental result, and it has no value.
@mithoon,
Thanks for your response.
Your accont information has been sent to your email now. Kindly check and let us know whether you can login now.
Thanks a lot. You can give a copy of your letter here, if you want.
Yes, will do shortly. Having difficulties in managing time right now :) But wil do for sure….
Dear Editor in Chief,
International Journal of Cardiology
I really became astonished after read the article, The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth written by Marios Loukas, Yousuf Saad, R. Shane Tubbs and Mohamadali M. Shojawhich, published in your scientific journal! As far I know it was a scientific journal, but now I have some doubt about that so called journal and the persons behind it! How is it possible for a scientist to think in this way? Really it is a shameful action for a scientist! I guaranteed the fall of its impact number and values into the scientific communities only for your Hippocratic decision. I just like to urge you to read the referred verses to judge for yourself, your intellectuality, scientific manner and mentality. I do not like to give any example or what are the wrong concepts and miss-pointed arguments because everybody more or less pointed those childish things instantly without any hesitations and search! How funny as a scientist you are citing the so called Quarinc Verses in a scientific journal! Where is the data base? Where is the experiment and result? Opps! You are the Great Editor of a journal of twenty-first century! I think, the journal already lost its all reputations with this unscientific article. I really really hate this activity and have no idea to express my feelings as a very simple research worker.
My point is very simple, whatever there in the Quran, but how that Quran and its verses are printed in a scientific journal without any basis! This utterly fraudulent article if you publish will surely give an elongated hand of propaganda in the community of cunning religious persons. Although, I have found a bad smell in this activity what was done by the editorial board. Ultimately it will be a big disaster in the scientific community no doubt.
Anyway, it is impossible for me to express thanks for your intellectuality and judgment.
Sincerely Yours
Dr. Keshab K. Adhikary
Visiting Faculty Member
Inha University, Korea
Dear Avijit Da,
Is my account is only valid for bangla blog? i was failed to log in english blog with my bangla blog login information.
I am extremely appalled hearing such a horrifying news. i simply cant understand how could it be possible? Didnt the editor examine it carefully before publishing!! i cant think. i already sent a messege protesting the publication.
one more thing, as maximum member of mukto mona are habituated to visit only bangla blog please post an article in bangla on bangla blog sothat more numbers of people will be able to come to know about the matter.
Thanks
Dear Avijit,
I wrote the following to the Journal Editor today. I think the journal should be renamed, International Journal of Faijlami :-D
Irtishad
Dear Editor,
International Journal of Cardiology,
I am extremely disappointed that a trash entitled, “The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth” (doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2009.05.011). was published in your journal. It only contributed to degradation of your journal, it did not enrich existing knowledge on the subject matter. Only idiotic people blinded by faith can produce such trash full of utter nonsense.
I am not sure if this article has undergone any peer review. The lightning speed at which this article was accepted after submission suggests that it did not. I wish this particular ‘paper’ was reviewed by embryologists and cardiologists. I am sure no embryologist would have accepted the following quote from Koran as an accurate description of how an embryo is formed,
“We [God] created man from a quintessence of clay.We then placed
himas a nutfah (drop) in a place of settlement, firmly fixed, thenWe
made the drop into an ‘alaqah (leech-like structure), and then We
changed the ’alaqah into a mudhah (chewed-like substance, somite
stage), then We clothed the bones with lahm (muscles, flesh), then
We caused himto growand comeinto being and attain the definitive
(human) form. So, blessed be God, the best to create” [40].
And, no cardiologist should accept that heart is the source of spirit, emotion and intelligence.
Please withdraw this article immediately.
Irtishad Ahmad
Professor and Chairperson
Construction Management
Florida International University
Former Editor, Journal of Management in Engineering, ASCE.
Editor-in Chief
International Journal of Cardiology,
Subject:
Ref. 1: A letter titled ” Scientists’ Protest on the Publication of Islamic Pseudoscience in the International Journal of Cardiology” written by Dr. Avijit Roy
Ref.: 2 ” The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth by Marios Loukas, Yousuf Saad, R. Shane Tubbs and Mohamadali M. Shojawhich
Hi
We know that your journal is being read hundreds of thousands of medical students, engineering students, heart specialists all over the world. You had placed yourself in a very high peak of popularity among the readers but after going through your published article Ref. 2, I am surprised that how an internationally renowned journal like yours can publish unscientific article which is without any hard core scientific analysis. It seems that, ” The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth “, was written by some Madrasa teachers. It describes poorly about heart, blood system, etc. but preaches Koran, Hadeeth and Mohammad(PBUH). It seems to be a more religious article rather than a medical article.
So you have started publishing religious article in your medical journal where we expect articles based on experiment, research and with innovative thoughts.
###The heart is mentioned numerous times in both the Qur’an and
Hadeeth and is used in many different contexts, such as “in the
heart” or “from the heart.” The repetitive use of the concept of the
heart illustrates its centrality to the core of every individual. Firstly,
the importance of the heart is demonstrated in the fact that we find
different states of the heart in the three groups of people that the
Qur’an describes; the mu’minun (Believers) have hearts that are
alive, the kafirun (the rejecters of faith) have hearts that are dead, and
the munafiqun (the hypocrites) have hearts that are diseased. The two
general types of heart that are described are the extensively described
spiritual heart and the physical heart###
Did you read the above before publishing ?
Best Regards.
S.Tikadar
Technip
Department of Mechanical Engineering (Rotating Equipment)
Jl.Prof.Dr.Satrio Block E4 No.6
Mega Kulingan, Jakarta 12950
CC: Mukto-Mona
TO:
Editor-in-Chief
The International Journal of Cardiology
Dear Sir, Greetings
I hold a PhD degree in Psychometrics/Statistics and work at a major university in the US.
The “subject” heading of my email is a title for an article that your journal is publishing. I had just started writing a submission to respond to this fallacious article that your journal published. This article will give credibility to voodo science and lies a la Qur’anic style. I stopped writing my article because other researchers did enough on the aforementioned article to show how erroneous that article is (Syed Kamran Mirza and M. A. Khan did enough, not to mention Abul Kasem). I would like to draw your attention that those authors are researchers on Islam for many many years.
I am writing to you for two reaons:
1. For the sake of scientific and academic integrity, if your Journal is going to keep that fallacious article in the Journal, then it is a moral imperative that you publish the responses to this article that you received from Abul Kasem, Dr. Syed kamran Mirza, and M. A. Khan.
2. I have published many articles. Some in refereed Journals. Two of them are in top tier Journals. The usual process is that you do the research and write the article and submit it. The article is then sent by the journal to three or more reviewers. In about 3 to 6 months, the Journal hears from the reviewers and their comments. The comments and requests of changes are sent to the researcher(s) to fix his/her article. This process takes another 3 to 6 months (and may be repeated for a second round if needed). The article is sent to the reviewers again to make sure that the authors have satisfied their requirements. Finally, the article is accepted for publication (in 6 to 12 months as a minimum)
Now, my question is this: How in the world you receive an article and get it accepted in five days? Can you see what is wrong here.
In any case, you are free to do with your journal as you please. The moral obligation on your Journal is either to withdraw that “voodo” article from your accepted articles. Or publish it along with the responses from Abul Kasem, Mirza, and Khan. In this manner, the article is discredited right away. My own view is that if you want to keep your journal at a scientifically reputed level, take out that fallacious article and never look back.
Respectfully yours
Ibn Kammuna
OMG! This is outrageous. The whole article in the journal is just a holy crap.
The statements like – “heart that are described are the extensively described spiritual heart” or “The heart is extensively described as both an organ of psyche, intelligence, and emotion” is just a bullshit. The ancient Arabs did not know that it is THE BRAIN which controls intelligence, emotion or even so called religious ‘spiritualism’, it is NOT THE HEART. And this holy crap is being published in the scientific journal? Give me a break. These journal editors are turning the wheel into backward direction.
Then what’s next? Miraculous healing power of Camel Urine, since our prophet used it (see Hadith)?
@Jiten Roy,
You are right. But Kindly protest to the journal editor too. Go to the following link:
http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journalcontacteditor.cws_home/506041/journalcontacteditor
fill up the first name, last name, email address, and subject. Then paste your message to the editor of the journal and press submit button. They should get reaction from a people in academia like you. After that you can inform us. I’ll update the post accordingly.
Those authors did not do any favor to Qur’an by stretching it this far. Publishing a paper in 5 days after submission requires God’s hand or Petrodollar. I do not know which one has played a role in this mysterious paper.
Jiten Roy
There are many theories why a prestigious journal, The International Journal of Cardiology, by Elsevier group suddenly became so eager to publish such a pseudoscientific trash in their journal. Please note that the paper was submitted to the journal on May 7, 2009 and accepted within five days on May 12. IT is quite surprising to me. I myself wrote journal papers during my academic years; and I know that acceptance of a paper in reputed biomedical science journals takes at least three/four months. Why the International Journal of Cardiology was so eager to accept for final publication such useless paper within five days? Is huge flow of petrodollar involved by any chance? Recent news shows that The global B2B giant Reed Elsevier’s CEO Ian Smith is leaving after just eight months in the position, and will be replaced by Erik Engstrom (pictured), currently CEO of Elsevier. No specific reason was given for Smith’s departure, though the company itself has been reeling from the global recession. So, Elsevier group is not doing great. They need money, they need huge amount. This is where probably ‘The heart and cardiovascular system in the Qur’an and Hadeeth’ type paper plays a vital role.
Previously Elsevier was accused to take money from Merck, big pharmaceutical company, to set up a fake medical journal, the “Australasian Journal of Bone and Joint Medicine”. They’ve used it to publish dodgy and made-up data under the guise of “science” to please the pet company. To make the fake journal look real they paid off Elsevier, one of the major scientific publishing houses, to set up the journal under their name. You can find the news here:
http://blog.bioethics.net/2009/05/merck-makes-phony-peerreview-journal/
and,
http://janneinosaka.blogspot.com/2009/05/elsevier-and-merck-fakes-medical.html
More about it here and here and here.
Whatever the reason behind (and I don’t really care), it’s really a shame that journals are publishing pseudoscience, which is against ethical and intellectual stand of scientific research. This paper not only tarnishes the journals reputation, it also shows the dishonesty of the Islamist authors, editors and others who are associated with the journal.
Kindly Protest. as mentioned in the main post.