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The Helix Nebula

// August 22nd, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Blog

Click to enlarge

The Helix Nebula, also known as The helix or NGC 7293, is a large planetary nebula (PN) in the sky and is placed the zodiac constellation of Aquarius. Discovered by Karl Ludwig Harding, probably before 1824, this notably object is one of the closest of all the bright planetary nebulae to the Earth. The estimated distance is about 215 parsec[s] or 700 light-years from us… The Helix has often been referred to as the Eye of God on the Internet, since about 2003. [Source: Wikipedia]

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وَلِلَّهِ مُلْكُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

To Allāh belongeth the dominion of the heavens and the earth; and Allāh hath power over all things.

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

Behold! in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day,- there are indeed Signs for men of understanding,-

الَّذِينَ يَذْكُرُونَ اللَّهَ قِيَامًا وَقُعُودًا وَعَلَىٰ جُنُوبِهِمْ وَيَتَفَكَّرُونَ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ رَبَّنَا مَا خَلَقْتَ هَـٰذَا بَاطِلًا سُبْحَانَكَ فَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

Men who celebrate the praises of Allāh, standing, sitting, and lying down on their sides, and contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heavens and the earth, (With the thought): “Our Lord! not for naught Hast Thou created (all) this! Glory to Thee! Give us salvation from the penalty of the Fire.”

Holy Qur'an [3:189-191], Translation of meaning by Yusuf Ali

Apparently, I have an ‘Ijaza’ in Biology!

// July 14th, 2008 // 9 Comments » // Blog

That is according to a wikipedia article that I looked up to establish the significance of the title, “Doctor of Philiosophy” (i.e., Ph.D):

History of the Ph.D.

The origins of the doctorate dates back to the ijazat attadris wa 'l-ifttd (“license to teach and issue legal opinions”) in the medieval Madrasahs from the 9th century, though it was limited to Islamic law at the time, as in a Doctor of Laws degree.[4] The doctorate was later extended to philosophy in the European universities in the Middle Ages which generally placed all academic disciplines outside the professional fields of theology, medicine and law under the broad heading of “philosophy” (or “natural philosophy” when referring to science). The degree of Doctor of Philosophy was a doctorate, generally granted as honorary degrees to select and well-established scholars.[citation needed]

[4] Makdisi, George (April-June 1989), “Scholasticism and Humanism in Classical Islam and the Christian West”, Journal of the American Oriental Society 109 (2): 175–182 [175–77]

How cool is that?

Warning: Thought Explosion Imminent

// July 8th, 2008 // 4 Comments » // Blog

Alhamdulillah, lots to talk about; even more to think about. It has been an eventful evening.

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Random Thought: Nations & Tribes

// July 3rd, 2008 // 11 Comments » // Blog

Hearing the news that one could cut the risk of cancer by 12%, just by adopting a couple of elements of the Mediterranean diet, immediately brought to mind a Qur'anic verse that many Muslims are familiar with, in which God promotes the benefits of human diversity:

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise (each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allāh is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And Allāh has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). [Quran Al-Hujraat, Chapter #49, Verse #13]

The comparison of different cultures and environments is a key part of clinical study into the cause of disease – it's not all about the genes y'know. Imagine, if we didn't have Greeks, Japanese, and Scots, we wouldn't know that olive oil consumption may reduce your risk of cancer, eating small, light meals may increase your longevity, and devouring deep-fried Mars bars (as well as consuming copious amounts of alcohol and smoking your weight in cigarettes) contributes to heart disease and the general break down of your vital organs.

Truly, there is hikmah (wisdom) in all of God's creation.

Killer Scarves: A Scientific Investigation into the Effects of Kaffiyeh Adornment

// June 6th, 2008 // 15 Comments » // Blog

Abstract: Contrary to previous findings, diligent scientific experimentation conducted by Dr iMuslim (PhD pending) of the London College of Fashion Accessories, has proven that the draping of a kaffiyeh onto one's person does not in fact induce any tendency towards engaging in terrorist activity.

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PhD Q&A

// March 20th, 2008 // 5 Comments » // Blog

I started writing this in response to a question that I was asked on another thread. I thought it might be useful to other peeps looking to do a PhD, so I'm posting it as an entry (plus it was breaking the record for “longest comment ever”).

Q. As someone who is inshā’Allāh going to start PhD studies soon in chemistry, can you offer a few words of advice on what I should expect? Also, can you offer some advice on how to maintain and enrich an islamic identity through the process?

A. Jazakallah Qas, for your questions; I am honoured that you asked me for advice. I pray that I can be of service.

What to expect? Well, forgive me for my brutal honesty, but I think you deserve to know the truth…

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You Don’t Have to See It, to Believe It

// February 12th, 2008 // 15 Comments » // Blog

This MuslimMatters entry describing a recent exorcism got me thinking about the stigma attached to believing in the concept of evil spirits. Myths and legends about such beings are to be found in the folklore of communities all around the world; similarly, scepticism about their existence is also to be found globally, and perhaps more so in the technologically advanced societies of the West. Such scepticism is perhaps understandable for the atheists amongst us, but is a little worrying when it comes from Muslims, who by definition, should believe in the Qur'an completely, which makes many mention of the species of creation known as “jinn“.

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Dreams Can Come True

// November 29th, 2007 // 9 Comments » // Blog

I dreamt that one of my former colleagues, a French postdoc, invented a device that could convert ATP into electricity – a form of biofuel, i suppose.

Now I can't get the dream out of my head! Am i supposed to act on this?!

It was quite a funky little machine: lots of coloured bulbs and diodes; like something out of a science fiction B-movie.

I'm going to e-mail her and ask if she had the same dream!

Craig Venter: Playing God?

// October 29th, 2007 // 6 Comments » // Blog

Please check out my first entry for Muslimmatters.org, titled: Craig Venter: Playing God?

I welcome your feedback on the style and content. I've never written a scientific article for the general public before, and i fear i made it too technical. It's hard to avoid jargon sometimes, and when you're only used to talking to other biologists on the subject, you don't even realize you're doing it! So please let me know if that's the case, so next time i'll make sure to explain the matter better, inshā’Allāh.

Oh, btw, for those who don't know… this blog was one years old on the 26th! I didn't post a special entry, as i wasn't sure what to say. Anyway, the blog has been through a lot in the past year, and i have been through even more because of it (more than most of you even know, and more than i am fully prepared to share!). I'm not sure what the next year will bring for the blog, iMuslim, especially as my attention is so diverted at present, but i pray that there are many good things to come for the blogger, iMuslim, inshā’Allāh!

Four Years

// October 3rd, 2007 // 15 Comments » // Blog

Ever wondered what four years looks like?

Now you know.

Jazakallah to all those who made dua for me. Now i ask you keep me there until my viva (not sure when it is though!). {grin}