Introduction: The Paradox of Reality
We live in a time when the very nature of reality is being questioned. Modern physics presents a universe that defies common sense—quantum particles exist in superposition, spacetime bends under gravity, and some theories even suggest that our entire cosmos might be a kind of holographic projection.
If the very fabric of existence is this elusive, what does that say about our place in the universe?
And yet, amid all this uncertainty, one truth remains undeniable: our consciousness. The human ability to wonder, to seek beauty, to distinguish right from wrong, and to yearn for meaning is itself a sign, perhaps the most important one. It suggests that beneath the layers of illusion and complexity lies a deeper order, an order that science alone cannot fully explain, and that revelation invites us to explore.
This essay is a journey through biology, philosophy, and divine revelation. Its goal is to demonstrate that human life is not the result of random chaos, but a multi-staged unfolding of purpose, one that leads toward truth, responsibility, and ultimately, transcendence.
Human Chromosome 2: A Signature of Design?
One of the most distinctive features separating human beings from our closest primate relatives lies in our DNA: human chromosome 2. Unlike chimpanzees, gorillas, and other great apes who possess 24 pairs of chromosomes, humans have 23. Why?
Genetic research shows that two ancestral chromosomes fused end-to-end to form what is now human chromosome 2. Evidence includes:
Vestigial Telomeres, remnants of chromosome end-caps embedded in the middle of chromosome 2.
An Inactive Centromere, a now-defunct central marker, suggesting a prior separate chromosome.
From a strictly evolutionary standpoint, this event might be considered a fluke. But this fusion is not only rare, but it was also uniquely beneficial, paving the way for advanced cognitive abilities, complex language, and moral reasoning. Could this be more than a coincidence?
In light of our extraordinary intellectual and spiritual capacities, this fusion may be seen as a biological threshold, a deliberate turning point in the unfolding of humanity.
“Created You in Stages”: A Qur’anic Perspective
The Qur’an affirms the idea of gradual, purposeful creation:
“And He created you in stages.”
(Qur’an 71:14)
This short verse unfolds across several layers of meaning:
Biological Stages: Human life begins as a zygote and passes through intricate stages—embryo, fetus, child, adult—exactly as described in Qur’anic verses such as 23:12–14.
Historical Stages: Human civilization evolved across millennia, advancing intellectually, spiritually, and morally.
Personal Stages: Each individual moves through cycles of self-discovery, moral development, and spiritual awakening.
This is not creation as a singular, frozen event in the distant past. It is a continuous and meaningful process, tailored for the development of consciousness capable of recognizing its Creator.
The Fine-Tuned Universe: Coincidence or Calibration?
Modern cosmology has revealed a fascinating truth: the universe is finely tuned for life. The physical constants that govern the cosmos—such as the strength of gravity, the mass of the electron, and the rate of cosmic expansion—appear to be set with extraordinary precision. Even the slightest deviation in these values would render life impossible.
This astonishing fact has led many scientists to speak of “the fine-tuning of the universe.” Stephen Hawking once noted:
“The laws of science, as we know them, contain many fundamental numbers… The remarkable fact is that the values of these numbers seem to have been very finely adjusted to make possible the development of life.”
Is this simply chance? Or is it a cosmic signature of intention?
“It is Allah who created the heavens and the earth and everything between them with purpose…”
(Qur’an 30:8)
Fine-tuning may not prove God’s existence, but it powerfully supports the Qur’anic vision: that the universe was created not blindly, but with deliberate care and coherence, making space for beings capable of wonder, gratitude, and responsibility.
Consciousness: The Irreducible Mystery
Quantum physics shows us a strange world, one where particles exist in multiple states until observed. But beyond quantum mechanics lies an even greater mystery: consciousness itself.
No scientific theory has fully explained how subjective experience, the feeling of being, emerges from physical matter. One of the most promising theories, Integrated Information Theory (IIT), proposes that consciousness is not reducible to smaller parts, but is instead an irreducible, unified whole. According to IIT, consciousness may be a fundamental property of the universe, just like gravity or time.
This aligns with Qur’anic insight:
“And in yourselves, will you not then see?”
(Qur’an 51:21)
While science probes the mechanics of the brain, the Qur’an affirms the mystery and meaning of the soul. Consciousness isn’t just an accident of biology, it may be the very center of reality, the stage upon which divine signs are perceived.
The Anthropic Principle: The Universe as Witness
The Anthropic Principle suggests that the universe appears fine-tuned because it allows for beings, like us, to observe it. In other words, if the universe had been any different, we wouldn’t be here to ask why.
This idea hints at a deeper truth: we are not external to the cosmos, we are part of its story. Our ability to ask questions, to seek truth, and to explore meaning is not incidental, it is integral to the structure of creation.
“It is He who made everything on the earth for you…”
(Qur’an 2:29)
The Qur’an calls this ni‘mah—a divine gift, but also a test. To live in a world that accommodates consciousness is not just a privilege, but a responsibility. The signs of God are written into the cosmos, but it is up to the human heart to read them.
Ahad: Divine Unity in a Fragmented World
At the root of Islamic belief is “tawḥīd”, the affirmation that God is One:
“Say: He is Allah, [who is] Uniquely Singular (Ahad).”
(Qur’an 112:1)
This idea finds resonance in other Abrahamic traditions:
Judaism: “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” (Deuteronomy 6:4)
Christianity: “The Lord our God is one Lord.” (Mark 12:29–30)
This oneness is not numerical, it is ontological. It is the unity from which all multiplicity springs. In a fragmented world, recognizing this divine unity is the path to coherence, within the universe, within society, and within the self.
The Qur’an: A Healing in an Age of Disillusionment
Despite scientific and technological progress, our modern age is marked by profound existential confusion. Depression, anxiety, and meaninglessness are on the rise.
The Qur’an speaks directly to this malaise:
“We send down the Qur’an as a healing and mercy for the believers.”
(Qur’an 17:82)
The Qur’an doesn’t offer escapism, it offers clarity:
Metaphysical clarity: A vision of the cosmos that includes purpose and intentionality.
Moral direction: Timeless principles for justice, compassion, and dignity.
Existential reassurance: The affirmation that life is not an accident but a meaningful journey.
Conclusion: You Were Made for Meaning
Science explains how we exist. Revelation explains why.
Your consciousness, your yearning, your moral instinct, these are not illusions. They are signposts pointing toward the Source.
You were created in stages, biologically, historically, and spiritually. You are not a random collection of particles. You are a soul clothed in flesh, designed to witness, to love, and to remember.
In a world of illusion, you are called to depth. In an age of confusion, you are offered light.
Final Reflection: What Should We Expect Next?
At 81, I’ve lived through the rise and fall of many scientific certainties. I may now be wondering: If even proven science changes, what can I trust going forward?
Here is the truth: science is not failing me. It is maturing. It is discovering its limits, and in doing so, it is returning, slowly, to wonder.
What can we expect in the next few years, is probably the following:
More discoveries that blur the lines between science and metaphysics.
A renewed sense that consciousness, purpose, and beauty are not illusions, they are the heart of reality.
A growing harmony between what the universe reveals through reason and what the Qur’an reveals through divine speech.
None of us need absolute certainty to find peace. What we need is clarity of direction, depth of vision, and the humility to see life itself as a sign.
I spent a lifetime learning how the universe works. Now, I’m arriving at why it was created in the first place.
If the universe is a question,
Then consciousness is the answer,
And revelation is the translation.