Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge & Truth — Page 486
NATURAL SELECTION AND SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST particular note is the expression and what is carried above it () (2:27). It can be translated to indicate the creation of similar living things beyond mosquitoes, but the evident literal meaning of Fauq which has eluded translators in the past, is: and what it the mosquito carries. When the Quran speaks of the Earth and all that it bears, it uses the same word Fauq ( 3 ). Wa Mā fauq-alArd means whatever is upon the earth. . Now when one re-translates the verse in question literally, it will read as follows: 'God does not feel shy of quoting the example of a mosquito and whatever is on it or whatever it carries. ". Now we know better why the previous generation of scholars failed to grasp its evident meaning. They had no idea that mosquitoes do carry viruses invisible to the naked eye. . Why God is not embarrassed of creating a disease carrier of such high magnitude is because it was intended and purposefully done to create balances in the grand scheme of life. Also it may be so because the very construction of this fantastic flying machine is in itself a grand tribute to its Creator. We also propose that mosquitoes must have played a most vital role in promoting the immune system in life. One example of this function we already know relates to the sickle-cell anaemia, which largely prevails among the Gambians. The presence of this anaemia creates resistance against even the most deadly forms of malaria. It is not at all unlikely therefore, that apart from some as yet unknown purposes which mosquito related diseases serve in the scheme of life, they may also have served the purpose of promoting and evolving the immune system. That may or may not be so, but the general declaration of the Quran is undeniable that the factors 465