# Messenger Audio 44 (4-Mar-1983) {% embed url="" %} (0:09) Today we have a topic, and I think that today is going to be about computers. (0:16) We're going to talk a little bit about the computer sphere, the third pipe we have, (0:20) and later the twin we'll see. (0:23) And it seems, actually, that everything today is being computerized. (0:28) We've certainly computerized here this master, (0:31) and probably the most computerized master in the world. (0:37) This, of course, is because of the work of Ishtar Suleiman, (0:42) and his discovery of the 19th code in the Qur'an to be a computer. (0:49) He continues to do new work with the computer, (0:52) and he's learning more things about the code in the Qur'an by means of the computer. (0:59) And we have some other people here in the master. (1:02) They're also starting to get involved with the computer. (1:05) There's Sister Iman, who's been doing an index of the English translation of the Qur'an. (1:14) She's been doing quite an undertaking herself in the last couple of years. (1:22) It's a very, very important task that she's doing. (1:27) Now, Gustav asked me to give this book, by the way, (1:32) because myself and Brother Rashid have been doing some work over at the University Computer Center (1:39) these last three or four months. (1:43) And what we've been doing is putting the Qur'an onto their computer, (1:47) onto the computer over there, (1:49) in order to reproduce the work that Dr. Craig has done. (1:56) And Brother Rashid, as many of you know, is a systems engineering student, (2:01) and he's very knowledgeable about the computers and what you can do with them. (2:06) And my role in the project is going to type the Arabic Qur'an onto the computer itself, (2:13) since I can read the Arabic text. (2:18) But Gustav's group wanted me to say a little bit about what we were doing and why. (2:22) And as Gustav and Dr. Mahul have repeated many times here, (2:30) the numeric code and what he's been revealed to us about it here in this lecture (2:36) is really on the tip of my spear. (2:41) And we've seen Dr. Craig come many times and show us some of the stuff that he's learned. (2:46) And also Dr. Mahul has additionally been able to show us (2:49) the connections between the code and the abject value, (2:53) the letter count value of many of the beautiful letters of God. (2:58) Now, when Brother Rashid and I started this project, (3:01) we had several ideas in mind, besides reproducing the work that Dr. Craig did. (3:08) But our first major project was just to get the entire Qur'an from the Arabic into the computer, (3:16) and system the computer to read. (3:20) And I expect that this may take us a couple of years. (3:24) And we certainly would appreciate any help from anybody else who can read the Arabic Qur'an (3:30) and participate to type in the Arabic Qur'an and get it out a little bit faster. (3:43) Because once we have an active file of the Qur'anic text on the computer, (3:48) in addition to reproducing the work of Dr. Craig, (3:52) which is very important in confirming anything scientifically, (3:56) it must be reproducible. (3:58) So this is an important value of doing this kind of work. (4:05) You'll also be able to use the file that's created in every text (4:10) to look through other literature or do statistical analysis (4:15) and the type of project that occurs with the kind of text that we have (4:19) and investigating some of the other possible relationships. (4:31) We hope perhaps one day that when this works is completed, (4:36) that this mosque here, in addition to having the Qur'an and the various books of Dr. Craig, (4:42) available for distribution, (4:43) we will also be able to have computer tapes or discs available (4:48) that other people can check out Dr. Khalifa's work (4:52) or do other investigations on their own or verify it against the original text (4:57) without having to go through all the painstaking and time-consuming work (5:01) of themselves printing and printing. (5:08) Now, Rashid has passed out here some printouts. (5:14) This is some of our initial work. (5:17) We've just really done only five surahs of the Qur'an. (5:23) These are printouts with the results from Surah 42 and Surah 50, (5:29) showing not only the count of the Ka, which is the important value of the Ka, (5:34) 42 has Haqq, meaning kindness and Ka. (5:38) That's my bonus information. (5:41) And 50 has Ka. (5:43) Surah 50 is the surah that has 57 Ka. (5:47) And Surah 42, which is twice as long, also has 57 Ka. (5:52) Now, this printout here will tell you the numerical value of every letter in each of those surahs. (5:59) In addition to any other letters that are visible by note to you, (6:05) there's a code up there at the top so you can interpret what the errors are like. (6:16) So this is an initial example of being able to read these things. (6:27) So I've got most of the cookbook today. (6:34) I want to talk more generally. (6:36) We don't want to have any new results. (6:40) More of the experience that we've had and some of the basis for this kind of thing. (6:45) The basis for the importance of the computer in relation to the Qur'an itself. (6:54) Now, as many of you know, at any time at all, with any kind of computer, even a pocket calculator, (7:02) working with the computer changes our habits of thinking. (7:07) The way we perceive the world around us, particularly mathematically, (7:11) and in terms of the logics that are used. (7:16) The effect of computers in every aspect of our lives seems to have become even more overwhelming in the last few years. (7:25) Well, we've got to stop and remember that God knew all about computers (7:29) even before the beginning of the world, (7:33) though he only released his knowledge to us living in the last part of the 20th century. (7:40) And the potential benefits we may get using computers also makes us vulnerable to potential misuse of them. (7:49) Indeed, God's gift to the humans of the computer places a heavy burden of responsibility on us (7:56) to use it for benefit and not for harm. (8:00) And what we witness today is a majority of people are overwhelmed and impressed by the powers of computers. (8:06) And many people are afraid of computers. (8:09) Many people seem to think they're almost God-like. (8:15) We must always remember that the computer is really no more than a piece of iron. (8:22) And we can look to Surah 57, Al-Hadid, which means iron. (8:27) In the famous verse there, verse 25, it tells us, (8:31) We have sent our messengers with clear revelations, and we have sent them the scripture in law, (8:37) to spread justice among the people. (8:40) We also sent down iron, wherein there is great force and power, as well as benefits for the people. (8:47) This, that God may distinguish those who support him and his messengers in good faith. (8:54) God is most powerful, almighty. (8:56) Now, we can take iron and this sword to refer not just to the smelting of a particular metal, (9:03) but to all kinds of technology. (9:05) And certainly, it fits the potentials of the computer, both for benefit and for harm. (9:14) Indeed, computers are one of God's supremely given blessings to the human being, (9:22) to be used or misused according to what is in the hearts of the people. (9:28) Now, God ordained that the computer would be the final scripture he would give us. (9:35) And because his plan was that 14 centuries later, (9:39) he was going to allow the people to discover how to make and use computers. (9:45) The computer would open up increasing knowledge of the marvels of God's creation, (9:52) let the people see and talk to each other all over the planet via the satellite, (9:58) or go to the moon, or learn more about the inner mysteries of the genes and the atoms. (10:04) All of these are only possible for us to do because of the computer. (10:08) The computer also allows us to wage nuclear war. (10:14) Now, we know all this new knowledge would overwhelm the people. (10:19) God knew that all this new knowledge would overwhelm the people (10:23) and even make people suppose that they had discovered the computer independently of God's will (10:29) and even forget God entirely. (10:32) God wanted to reassure the believers who would be living in such a fantastically new world (10:40) as opened by the computer and as we're seeing unveiled to us all around every day. (10:48) God wanted to let us know, us people who are living in the age of computers, (10:53) to clearly know that he fully controls the computers along with the rest of his creation. (10:59) Alhamdulillah. (11:03) Verse 6, surah 6, verse 101 tells us, (11:09) God is the designer of the heavens and earth and he created all things and he is fully aware of all things. (11:16) In surah 18, verse 7, he created everything on earth. (11:20) As a dormant, he ordered to test them, therewith, and distinguish the good doers. (11:26) This is exactly what surah 57 told us about the purpose of iron and technology. (11:34) And God put a coded message in the Koran, his final scripture, (11:39) that could be found and appreciated only after the computer was invented. (11:44) In this way, God not only proves to us that he has preserved the written integrity of the Koran, (11:49) every word, every letter. (11:52) As has been discussed here many times, (11:54) he proves to us that he controls the computer, which was needed to make this discovery. (12:01) Now we should appreciate the exact timing by which the computer message was delivered. (12:09) Now if we look back at just the recent history of the computer itself, (12:13) in the 1940s and 1950s, the modern computer was just being developed. (12:19) And it was going from having some mechanical gears to all electronics. (12:25) First using the big old vacuum tubes and finally transistors. (12:31) Now these were called first and second generation computers (12:34) and only a few hundred or a few thousand could be made. (12:39) They were very expensive and they needed a room the size of a gymnasium to house them. (12:45) Then in the mid-1950s and early 60s, miniature circuits and microchips began to be developed. (12:54) These became the third generation computers. (12:57) Now these are the large ones that are used by universities and businesses. (13:01) And they process information thousands of times faster than the original computers. (13:07) This is the kind of computer that Ustadz Kalitza was using (13:11) when he first discovered the miracle in the Quran. (13:15) This is the kind of computer they have over here at the University Computer Center. (13:20) But the little computers, the ones you see back in the office, (13:24) the ones you see advertised on TV and in the magazines, (13:30) the computer scientists call these fourth generation computers. (13:33) And they represent the real computer revolution. (13:38) They've only been commercially available the last three or four years (13:44) and only in the last year or so at prices that very many people could afford. (13:50) Some now are only a hundred to three or four hundred dollars (13:53) and you just hook them up to a TV set. (13:57) Now we can notice that this timing coincides with the publication of Ustadz's translation of the Quran (14:05) and the proliferation of the information about the 19 codes in the Quran itself. (14:15) His book, The Computer Speaks, and his other books. (14:19) Now the mathematical miracle of the Quran, of course, (14:23) isn't only to be studied and appreciated by people who have access to big computers (14:29) in universities or IBM or such places. (14:33) It's to be appreciated by everyone. (14:41) And though we don't need a computer to appreciate the miracle of the Quran itself, (14:48) with or without knowledge of the codes, (14:51) the fact is that the computer is affecting so many people's lives. (14:58) And so the appreciation of the code through the computer is very important, I think. (15:07) Since God exactly timed the release of the computer miracle in the Quran, (15:12) he also planned the exact timing of the release of these many computers (15:17) and the availability to everyone. (15:20) He planned that beginning in the 1980s the computer was going to start becoming (15:24) as common as TVs and radios and cars. (15:28) I was hearing on the radio the other day about how some illegal manufacturers (15:34) over in Hong Kong and Singapore were illegally making mini computers (15:40) and putting famous names on them for black market sales (15:44) in Asia and Africa and the Middle East (15:48) at one-half to one-third the price of the real thing. (15:53) You know, we can't approve of such practices, (15:57) but it is a good illustration of just how proliferated the mini computers are becoming. (16:06) And it shows that mini computers are not just in big demand, (16:10) not just in the U.S. and Japan and Europe, (16:13) but all over the world, even the poorest countries. (16:17) So we can take it as a sign to appreciate even more how major a change (16:21) the computer is making in the lives of all the people in the world, (16:26) not just us in what we call the developed world. (16:30) And we can further recognize how God controls the computer (16:33) and why it was so important to put a computerized message in the Quran (16:38) when he put it in Muhammad's heart 1400 years ago. (16:43) Verse 102 of Surah 6 says, (16:46) Such is God your Lord. (16:48) There is no God except He, the Creator of all things. (16:52) Therefore you shall worship Him alone. (16:55) He is in full control of all things. (16:58) Therefore let us turn to God and ask Him for guidance and forgiveness. (17:20) Alhamdulillah. (17:27) In the second part of my Qibla today, (17:32) I want to talk a little bit about my personal experience (17:35) while I was working on the computer typing in the Surahs. (17:40) Not only did it make me appreciate the enormity of the task that Dr. Khalifa did (17:45) over the years that he worked on the computer miracles, (17:52) and especially since when he started out he had no idea what he was looking for. (17:58) It also makes me really appreciate (18:03) how impossible it would be for someone (18:08) to deliberately put this 19th code in the Quran (18:13) to human design. (18:15) Especially people who didn't even have computers to keep track (18:19) of all their words and letters and where they placed everything. (18:24) Now I had an Arabic class over at the university (18:27) and one year it taught me how to read the alphabet. (18:31) It taught me a little vocabulary and some basic grammar. (18:35) But unlike Dr. Khalifa, (18:38) I don't really understand the Arabic. (18:40) So when I'm typing it, (18:42) basically all I'm doing is typing in letters. (18:48) Sometimes I'm not even sure where a word begins. (18:53) But as I've been typing it, (18:56) I do read the Arabic text. (19:00) And I get used to words and patterns (19:03) and I compare it with the English text (19:05) which is there in my Quran beside it. (19:07) So I am learning more vocabulary as I go along. (19:15) Even with only partly understanding the Arabic, (19:18) sometimes I really get choked up (19:20) just in the sense of it's totally different than reading the translation. (19:26) Sometimes I'll be typing along (19:28) and just typing in letters (19:29) and just reading words without thinking about it. (19:32) And it's something that will kind of jump at me. (19:34) And I'll start wondering what's being said here (19:37) and then I'll go and look at the English text. (19:40) And it's kind of a strange experience. (19:47) Even without understanding the actual meanings of many of the words, (19:52) I became to recognize many of them (19:54) just because they are repeated over and over. (19:57) And as I type, I was constantly struck by the odd sensation (20:01) of patterns and things going on that I really can't articulate. (20:07) It seemed to me not only are there rhythms (20:10) when we hear the Quran in sight, (20:14) but there are patterns in the letters themselves. (20:19) And because of this experience, (20:22) I am more convinced not only that the choices of words (20:26) and spelling in the Quran are designed to accommodate the 19 code, (20:30) but every word and every letter is chosen and placed (20:35) exactly for a specific purpose. (20:39) Now, when I read the Quran, (20:42) I'm reminded of patterns and rules of logic (20:46) which I learned in computer programming. (20:49) Well, I can't offer you any specific evidence for this statement. (20:56) I will only offer you some of the thoughts that I've had. (21:00) That leads me to make this kind of statement. (21:05) We're all aware that the Quran is written in an unusual style, (21:11) unlike any other book. (21:14) It's almost the first thing that everyone notices (21:16) when they're reading the Quran for the first time. (21:19) We find a few verses talking about one subject, (21:22) and then suddenly the next verse seems to be talking about (21:25) some entirely different subject. (21:26) We find ourselves jumping to verses in other sources (21:30) scattered all over the Quran to continue learning (21:32) additional information on a specific subject. (21:37) This is not the style of an ordinary book (21:39) of literature, philosophy, or poetry, (21:42) where the writer keeps the subject's development (21:44) following a linear sequence of logic. (21:48) It is very much the style of a complex computer program. (21:56) Which sends the computer jumping around (21:59) to different sets of instructions (22:00) and other parts of the program from back and forth. (22:04) In order for the computer to keep track (22:06) of where it should go for the next step, (22:08) the program uses numbers and specific names as addresses (22:12) so the computer will not get lost. (22:15) Now, when we're reading the Quran, (22:17) we sometimes find the same verse numbers (22:20) in different suras are talking about the same subject. (22:23) And it reminds me of this aspect of the computer program. (22:28) But I must remind you that this is only a speculation, (22:31) and I have no consistent rule to offer you. (22:36) So I only submit it to you as a further area (22:39) for possible investigation. (22:42) Now, another character of the Arabic Quran (22:46) that strikes me, comparing it with the rules (22:49) of the computer program, (22:51) is the very specific use of words. (22:55) In our Quranic studies, (22:57) Istaiz Khalifa and Dr. Mahmoud (22:59) have often drawn our attention (23:04) to the precise use of words in verses (23:06) when we're discussing and comparing them (23:09) to the same usages and restatements of points (23:13) in verses elsewhere in the Quran. (23:16) Now, in computer programming, (23:17) when we want to communicate to the computer (23:20) a specific instruction or piece of information, (23:24) it is absolutely essential that we use precise words. (23:29) Anytime that same instruction or piece of data is repeated, (23:33) we must use the same precise words. (23:36) It's called the address. (23:39) If we don't, the computer doesn't know (23:41) what we're talking about. (23:43) For example, the electric company (23:45) might use a computer card (23:48) with a bunch of holes in it (23:49) to process our electric bill. (23:52) Now, one set of holes in that computer card (23:57) tells the computer the customer number. (23:59) Now, every customer has a different number. (24:02) So the program has to tell the computer (24:05) that we're still talking about the same thing. (24:09) And it calls that set of holes (24:10) wherever the number is (24:13) as a customer number. (24:16) When we find something similar in the Quran, (24:20) when we take the word, for example, ayat, (24:23) which can be translated as sign, miracle, (24:26) marvel, verse, and revelation, (24:30) and the various other translations that we see (24:33) in the Biblical translations too, (24:38) it's translated by these various words (24:41) depending on the context in which it is used. (24:46) And even though there are other possible words (24:49) in the Arabic that could be used, (24:51) the Quran always sticks with the word ayat (24:53) for uses consistent. (24:56) Whether the ayat we're talking about (24:58) is the parting of the sea from Moses, (25:00) or the creation, (25:04) the pattern of the sun and the moon (25:07) around each other, (25:10) the signs that Moses showed to Pharaoh, (25:17) the letters in the suras are called ayat, (25:21) the verses that were sent down were called ayat, (25:25) the sending of the rain to go to the crops (25:28) was called ayat. (25:32) Now, there's many, many examples. (25:38) Now, they're all named ayat (25:41) so that we can understand that all these different signs (25:44) and miracles are for one purpose. (25:47) They're proof of God's power over everything. (25:50) Surah 6, verse 105, (25:53) Thus do we bury the signs, the ayat, (25:56) to let them realize you have learned, (25:59) and we explain the signs to the people who have knowledge. (26:06) Well, I hope I haven't been too long and confusing in this. (26:11) Certainly my own experience of working on the computer (26:14) makes me appreciate even more the miracles (26:18) that have been told in the Quran (26:19) and how complex and difficult Dr. Kaliqa's own work was. (26:25) And really, you couldn't have discovered it by intention, I don't think. (26:31) And it makes me appreciate even more (26:34) just how extraordinary and inexhaustible the Quran itself is. (26:39) It becomes really attempting to go far afield (26:42) in exploring the technical structure of the Quran, (26:46) how many letters and words there are, (26:48) and the choice of words, the arrangement of verses, (26:51) and suras, and much, much more. (26:54) But really, the important thing in the end (26:57) is what was important in the first place, (26:59) is to believe and worship God. (27:02) And we should strive to understand (27:04) what the words of the Quran say, (27:07) telling us how to worship God (27:10) and how the believer should treat one another. (27:14) All this elaboration and mathematical detail (27:17) may occupy our minds like a great puzzle, (27:20) but if this is the nature of our minds, (27:22) it's the way God designed them. (27:24) Still, in the end, what we are learning (27:27) is nothing more than we bore witness to (27:31) at a creation. (27:34) There is no God but God, (27:36) so let us worship God alone and work righteousness. (29:19) Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (29:22) Alhamdulillah (29:43) Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim (30:00) Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://rashad-khalifa-audios-and-videos.gitbook.io/rashad-khalifa-audios-and-videos/messenger-audios/messenger-audio-44-4-mar-1983.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.