Author: aal-e-qutub

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the Earth…” (Qur’an 24:35)
Scientific Signs of the Holy Qur’an
Quasars and the Gravitational Lens Effect

Quasars are extremely luminous and distant active galactic nuclei powered by supermassive black holes, appearing star-like while emitting enormous electromagnetic radiation, including radio waves (1,2). They are among the brightest known objects in the universe, with luminosities reaching up to ~10¹²–10¹⁴ times that of the Sun (3,4). Some quasars outshine entire galaxies such as the Milky Way by factors exceeding 100 (5). The Arabic word “noor” in the verse denotes light, radiance, and illumination, conceptually aligning with the extraordinary luminosity of quasars (6,7).

The phrase “like a brilliant star” (kawkabun durriyyun) reflects remarkable consistency with the stellar-like appearance of quasars, which early astronomers termed “quasi-stellar objects” due to their point-like optical signatures (8,9). The verse’s expression “its oil would almost glow even if untouched by fire” may metaphorically correspond to energy generation independent of combustion. In astrophysical terms, quasars radiate due to accretion processes and relativistic effects near black holes—not chemical burning (10,11). Nuclear fusion powers stars, but quasars derive energy primarily from gravitational accretion, where matter falling into a black hole releases immense energy (12,13).

The statement “light upon light” may be interpreted in connection with the gravitational lens effect, predicted by general relativity (14). According to Einstein’s theory, massive objects curve spacetime, bending light from background sources (15,16). This effect can produce multiple images of a single quasar, magnify brightness, and distort apparent positions (17,18). Observations confirm that gravitational lensing can create duplicate or multiple images of distant quasars (19).

The famous “Twin Quasar” (Q0957+561), discovered in 1979, was the first confirmed gravitational lens system, demonstrating two images of a single quasar caused by an intervening galaxy (20,21). This phenomenon aligns conceptually with the idea of layered or multiplied light (“light upon light”) (22).

The verse’s phrase “a niche within which is a lamp” can be metaphorically associated with the gravitational well or region surrounding a massive object such as a black hole, where energy emission is concentrated (23). Modern astrophysics identifies quasars as powered by supermassive black holes located at the centers of galaxies (24,25). Matter accreting into these black holes forms luminous accretion disks, producing intense radiation (26).

NASA and astrophysicists often compare gravitational lensing to optical lensing effects, such as light passing through glass, producing multiple images or distortions (27). As Timothy Ferris describes, light traveling from a quasar may be split into multiple paths due to warped spacetime, allowing observers to see more than one image of the same object (28).

The expression “neither of the east nor of the west” may reflect the isotropic and non-localized nature of cosmic light sources, especially in deep cosmological observations where directionality becomes relative (29,30). Quasars are distributed across the observable universe and are not confined to a directional frame from Earth’s perspective (31).

Quasars were first identified in 1963 through radio astronomy (32), long after the revelation of the Qur’an. Their nature as the luminous cores of galaxies powered by black holes represents one of the major discoveries of modern astrophysics (33,34). The compatibility between the symbolic language of the verse and contemporary cosmological concepts—light intensity, layered illumination, and lensing phenomena—has been noted in interpretive discussions (35,36).

From a scientific perspective, these parallels are interpretative rather than definitive; however, they demonstrate how classical metaphors can resonate with modern understandings of cosmic phenomena (37).

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How did a grandson of Genghis Khan stand against his own people… and become one of the reasons behind the decline of the Mongol legend?

One of history’s most remarkable ironies is that a man from the very heart of the Mongol imperial family — a descendant of Genghis Khan himself — became one of the indirect causes of Mongol defeat and the weakening of their power.

He was Berke Khan, one of the leaders of the Tatars and ruler of the Golden Horde, and a cousin of the famous Mongol commander Hulagu Khan, who invaded the Muslim world and caused the fall of Baghdad.

Born into a powerful Mongol dynasty, Berke Khan grew up immersed in warfare and conquest. However, he was different from many of his peers. He embraced Islam, and his conversion is often seen as a turning point in his life — changing his worldview completely.
When Hulagu committed massacres in Baghdad and killed hundreds of thousands of Muslims, bringing down the Abbasid Caliphate, Berke Khan did not remain silent. He became deeply angered and is reported to have said words expressing his resolve to seek justice for the Muslims.

This anger developed into direct conflict. Berke Khan entered into open war against his cousin Hulagu, marking one of the earliest internal civil wars within the Mongol Empire.

This conflict was not merely a family dispute — it had major strategic consequences. Hulagu was forced to withdraw part of his forces from the Levant to deal with the northern threat posed by Berke Khan, weakening his military presence in the region.

At this critical moment, Sultan Qutuz was preparing to confront the Mongols, which later led to the historic Battle of Ain Jalut, where the Mongols suffered a decisive defeat at the hands of the Mamluks.

Thus, Berke Khan is considered one of the indirect contributors to this historic Muslim victory, as his war against Hulagu helped divide Mongol forces and prevented them from concentrating their full strength in the Levant.
His struggle against the Mongols continued, and he inflicted further losses upon them, contributing to the erosion of their fearsome reputation that once dominated much of the known world.

This episode remains one of history’s most profound lessons: a man from the same bloodline and empire can turn against his own people when his beliefs and principles change.
Berke Khan was not merely a Mongol commander — he became a symbol of how faith can transform an individual… and even alter the course of history itself.

YOUR BRAIN IS BEING HIJACKED. AND 1,400 YEARS AGO, THE QURAN GAVE US THE “KILL SWITCH.” 🧠🔥

We live in the “Dopamine Era.”
Every scroll, every look, every “forbidden” image sends a massive spike of dopamine to your brain.

Most people think lust is just a feeling. It isn’t. It’s a biochemical loop.

Here is the trap:
Dopamine is not the molecule of “pleasure.” It is the molecule of “MORE.”
It never says, “That’s enough.” It always says, “One more time. One more click. Something more extreme.”

This is exactly what the Quran calls the Nafs-al-Ammara: the soul that relentlessly commands to evil.

The Quran didn’t just tell us it’s wrong; it told us how to fix the brain chemistry:
“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze…” (24:30)

Why? Because the “Gaze” is the trigger.
When you “lower the gaze,” you aren’t just being “pious”-you are cutting off the dopamine spike before it hijacks your logic. You are taking back control of your prefrontal cortex.

Islam knew about the “Dopamine Loop” before science had a name for it.

Stop being a slave to a chemical spike.
Stop letting your Nafs drive you into darkness.

I’ve broken down the science of how Lust destroys the brain and how the Sunnah heals it-in detail below. Read this if you want to break the cycle. 👇

1. WHAT ALLAH SAID (The Command)

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their chastity. That is purer for them. Surely Allah is All-Aware of what they do.”

& the very next ayah (24:31) says the same to women.

➡ This wasn’t just manners advice.
➡ This was brain protection 1,400 years before neuroscience existed.

➡ Because the eye is the gateway & every addiction starts with what you look at.

2. THE PROPHET ﷺ UNDERSTOOD WHAT SCIENCE LATER PROVED

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The eyes commit zina, and their zina is the (lustful) look.”
(Bukhari)

And he told Ali (radiAllahuTa’alaAnhu):
“Do not follow the first glance with a second.
The first is forgiven, but not the second.”
(Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud)

➡ Science today confirms this exactly.
➡ The first glance is involuntary – your brain hasn’t processed it yet.
➡ The second glance is a choice & that choice triggers a dopamine hit & dopamine always wants more.

3. THE NAFS: ISLAM’S MODEL OF THE HUMAN MIND

1,400 years ago the Quran described three stages of the inner self (nafs):

1. Nafs al-Ammara

The self that commands you toward sin.
“Indeed, the nafs is a persistent commander of evil.”
(Surah Yusuf 12:53)
Example: This is you when you open your phone at 1am.
This is your brain chasing the dopamine hit.

2. Nafs al-Lawwama

The self-reproaching conscience.
“And I swear by the self-reproaching soul.”
(Surah Al-Qiyamah 75:2)
Example: This is the guilt after. The voice that says you’re better than this.
That voice is a mercy from Allah. Don’t ignore it.

3. Nafs al-Mutma’inna

The tranquil, content soul.
“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing to Him.”
(Surah Al-Fajr 89:27–28)
This is the goal.

4. THE STORY OF PROPHET YUSUF (AS): THE GREATEST TEST

▪ Yusuf (AS) was arguably the most handsome human being who ever lived.
➡ The Prophet ﷺ said he was given half of all beauty.

▪ He was alone. He was a slave. He had no power.
➡ And the most powerful woman in the room came for him.
She locked the door. She said: “Come to me.”

And what did Yusuf (AS) say?
“My Lord, prison is more beloved to me than what they invite me to.”
(Surah Yusuf 12:33)

He chose prison over a single moment of haram.

▪ And Allah honoured him with a kingdom.

➡ The person who controls their desires Allah gives them something better. Every single time.

5. YOUR BRAIN ON LUST (Science)

When you view sexual content or sleep around casually, your brain releases:

▪ Dopamine ➡ the “want more” chemical
▪ Oxytocin ➡ the “bonding” chemical

❗ Here’s the problem:

➡ When oxytocin is triggered repeatedly with different people or through screens, your receptor sensitivity drops.
➡ You literally lose the ability to feel deep love one encounter at a time.

➡ Scientists call this supernormal stimulation.
➡ Your brain was never built to handle this level of artificial input.

➡ The prefrontal cortex (decision-making centre) physically weakens.
➡ The nucleus accumbens (reward centre) becomes desensitized.

This is not a metaphor. This is brain damage.

6. NEUROSCIENCE OF FORBIDDEN DESIRES

When you constantly chase desire, your brain releases floods of dopamine – the “want more” chemical.

Over time, your brain adapts and needs more to feel less.

The bonding chemical oxytocin – what makes you feel deep love – gets worn out through misuse.
You slowly lose the ability to feel genuine closeness.

Studies show unchecked desire physically erodes the prefrontal cortex – the part responsible for willpower and moral reasoning.

You don’t just become spiritually weak.
You become neurologically wired to keep falling.

(Love et al., NIH 2015; Jha & Banerjee, SAGE 2022)

7. ISLAM’S BALANCED VIEW

▪ Islam never said desire is bad.
▪ Allah created desire. He built it into you.
▪ The Quran doesn’t shame your desire.
▪ It channels it. Protects it. Gives it a home.

➡ That home is marriage, where oxytocin bonds you to ONE person,
where that connection deepens over years,
where the neurological capacity for love is preserved and intensified, not spent.

➡ Every rule in Islam around this topic is brain-protective.

▪ Lower your gaze ➡ stop the dopamine cycle before it starts.
▪ Guard your chastity ➡ protect your oxytocin bonding capacity.
▪ Fast ➡ train your nafs to say no to desire.
▪ Marry early ➡ give desire a healthy direction.

8. THE PRACTICAL FRAMEWORK (How to Actually Fight This)

1. Block the trigger, not just the action

The Prophet ﷺ said the first look is forgiven, not the second.
Install filters. Delete apps. Change your environment.
If your nafs is being fed, starve it.

2. Fasting

The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Young men, whoever among you can marry, let him marry…
and whoever cannot, let him fast for fasting is a shield.”
(Bukhari)

Fasting trains the nafs at its root – appetite control transfers to all other desires.

3. Remember the end game

Surah An-Nazi’at 40–41:
“And as for he who feared the position of his Lord and prevented the soul from unlawful inclination, then indeed, Paradise will be his refuge.”

4. Make tawbah (repentance) and mean it

The nafs al-lawwama (guilty conscience) is not your enemy.
It’s your signal.
When you feel it, don’t drown it in more sin.
Turn back.