| Topic title | Page number |
|---|---|
| Introduction: Symphony of the Conscious Universe | 5 |
| Part I: Consciousness at the atomic level: Quantum entanglement | 6 |
| Section II: Consciousness at the cellular level: The Miracle of Life and Praise | 20 |
| III: Consciousness at the Cosmic Level: The Miracle of Order and Praise | 30 |
| The Unified Consciousness: From the Atom to the Galaxy in a Universe Praising God | 35 |
| Section V: Reflective Insights and Future Prospects | 38 |
| Chapter Six: Spiritual and Existential Reflections on a Universe Praising God | 42 |
| A summary of the journey from the atom to the galaxy | 43 |
In the vastness of the universe, life breathes in every atom and the beats of existence flow through every star and galaxy. From the smallest subatomic particle to the greatest galaxies, we witness an integrated cosmic symphony that plays to the rhythm of the eternal praise of the Great Creator.
It is not just a random coincidence, but carries within it the most profound signs of creativity and the ingenuity of divine design, which testifies to a comprehensive cosmic consciousness, represented by the submission of all components of existence to their Creator, and their silent praise to Him Almighty.
Since the dawn of time, humans have wondered about the mystery and nature of the universe. Is it just inanimate matter governed by blind laws, as the materialists claim, or is it a living organism that pulsates with consciousness? In this chapter, we will embark on a voyage of discovery from the depths of the atom to the horizons of distant galaxies, exploring the secrets of consciousness manifested in all levels of existence.
We will contemplate the astonishing precision of the atom's design, the extraordinary intelligence of the cell, and the marvelous order that governs the movement of galaxies and stars.
We will see how all these levels of existence share one essential characteristic: They praise God and submit to His command, expressing a universal cosmic consciousness that flows like a flowing river, permeating all of creation.
In the light of the latest scientific discoveries in the field of quantum physics and theories of quantum consciousness, we will see how contemporary science has begun to approach - albeit slowly - the understanding of the reality of cosmic consciousness that the Holy Quran referred to more than fourteen centuries ago. How the concept of quantum entanglement offers us a fascinating scientific explanation of how consciousness is interconnected across different levels of existence, from the atom to the galaxy.
This journey is not just a review of cold scientific facts, but an invitation to deep contemplation of the magnificent creation of the Creator, and to realize that the entire universe - with all its components - testifies to the oneness and greatness of God, through its elaborate laws and magnificent order. It is an invitation for us to participate in this great cosmic praise, and to realize that we are only a small part of this amazing cosmic symphony, which plays the melody of "Subhanallah and Praise be to Him" from the smallest atom to the largest galaxy.
In the depths of existence, where particles of matter glow and electrons dance in their orbits with wondrous lightness, a timeless question has haunted scientists and philosophers alike: Could it be that consciousness, that deep sense of being, is embedded in the very core of the atomic and quantum world?
Classical science has long explained consciousness as the result of complex interactions between brain neurons. But delving into the quantum world, with its paradoxes and oddities, has revealed phenomena that shake our certainties: Particles that exist in more than one place at once, and atoms that communicate instantaneously across vast distances [Fundamental Principles of Quantum Mechanics, American Institute of Physics].
That inner feeling that characterizes every human being - the ability to feel, perceive, and reflect on oneself - seems to be beyond any purely materialistic explanation. How can rigid physical structures, atoms and molecules, produce subjective experience? This is exactly where what is known in contemporary philosophy as the "hard problem of consciousness" arises.
In 1995, Australian philosopher David Chalmers coined the term in his famous article "Facing Up to the Problem of Consciousness" published in the Journal of Consciousness Studies, where he distinguished between the "easy" (describing brain functions) and the "hard" (explaining how subjective experience arises).
With the development of quantum physics - the branch that studies the behavior of tiny, invisible particles - new hypotheses are emerging that suggest that "consciousness may not be a classical product of the brain, but an intrinsically quantum phenomenon".
C. Criticism of physicists
Despite the philosophical and scientific appeal of these theories, most of the physics community is "highly skeptical". In his 2000 article "The Myth of Quantum Consciousness" published in The Humanist, physicist Victor Stenger described quantum consciousness as a scientific myth that is not based on experimentation or proof.
Christoph Koch, director of the Allen Institute for Brain Research, in his book The Quest for Consciousness: A Neurobiological Approach (2004) also expressed skepticism: "The brain is a very humid and warm environment, making it unlikely that subtle quantum phenomena can persist there without being collapsed by heat and biological noise."
While scientists and philosophers are divided on the quantum basis of consciousness, there seems to be a tacit consensus that our consciousness is the most complex in existence. Whether it is the result of complex molecular interactions, or a cosmic entanglement that transcends time and space, it remains the most intractable mystery of 21st century science.
Perhaps these complexities do not mean a clash between quantum and consciousness, but rather that quantum opens a new window to understand the self, not just as a neural machine, but as a being that interacts with the universe on a deeper, more subtle, and perhaps more "spiritual" level than we thought.
To understand the possible relationship between consciousness and the quantum world, it is necessary to look at one of the strangest and most important experiments in the history of physics: The double-slit experiment. This experiment reveals that what we know about reality can change just by observing it.
Imagine that we shoot electrons - tiny particles that are part of an atom - toward a barrier with two small slits. Behind the barrier is a screen that records where the electrons arrive.
When we don't watch the electrons pass through the slits, the screen shows an interference pattern, similar to what happens when a wave of water passes through two holes and interferes. This means that the electron is behaving like a wave, and it looks like it's passing through both slits at the same time!
However, when we measure or observe the path the electron takes, the interference pattern suddenly disappears, and instead a pattern that resembles the behavior of ordinary particles appears - as if the electron has chosen to pass through only one slit.
This puzzling phenomenon raises a big question: Does our mere observation change what is happening? Does human consciousness play a role in shaping reality?
Copenhagen Interpretation: No need for consciousness
The traditional explanation for this phenomenon is known as the Copenhagen Interpretation, put forward in the early 20th century by scientists such as Niels Bohr and Heisenberg. According to this interpretation:
Observer consciousness: Does it play a role?
Some scientists have questioned the adequacy of this explanation. Nobel Prize-winning physicist Eugene Wigner asked in his famous paper "Remarks on the Mind-Body Question" (1961): Could it be that the consciousness of the observer himself - not just the apparatus - is the decisive factor that makes one of the possibilities a reality?
To provoke discussion, imagine a hypothetical experiment known as Wegener's Friend: What if there is one person inside a room conducting the experiment, and another outside who does not yet know the result? Does reality collapse for the inside observer before the outside? Does the electron remain in a state of "possibility" until one of them informs the other? These questions continue to spark philosophical and scientific debate to this day.
From Quantum Physics to the Depths of the Self
The double-slit experiment shows that observation changes the physical behavior of tiny particles. The traditional explanation is that physical interaction is enough to explain this, with no need to introduce consciousness. But some argue that consciousness may be more than a bystander - it may be an active element in "choosing reality". This experiment doesn't just tell us about electrons... It opens the door to major existential questions: Is the universe waiting for us to notice it until it manifests? Is our consciousness connected to the deepest layers of reality?
Among the most complex phenomena of modern physics, quantum entanglement stands out as one of the most surprising and philosophical questions. According to this phenomenon, two entangled particles remain strangely connected: As soon as we measure the state of one, the state of the other is immediately determined, regardless of the distance between them. This is what Albert Einstein sarcastically described as "spooky action at a distance" in his critique of the interpretation of quantum mechanics.
This phenomenon was demonstrated in the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) experiment in 1935, which aimed to highlight what Einstein considered to be the "shortcomings of quantum mechanics" in that it did not provide a complete description of physical reality.
Quantum Entanglement is a physical phenomenon that occurs when subatomic particles (such as photons or electrons) interact in such a way that the state of each particle is correlated with the other, regardless of the distance between them. In other words, when we measure a certain property of the first particle (such as spin), we immediately know the corresponding property of the second particle, even if it is at the other end of the universe.
Quantum entanglement experiments provide scientific evidence of a phenomenon that challenges our traditional understanding of reality and opens the door to new insights into the nature of consciousness and existence.
In his book Mindful Universe: Quantum Mechanics and the Common Observer, Henry Stapp discusses how quantum mechanics, especially the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, suggests that the universe is not just an assembly of separate parts, but an interconnected system where events in one part affect other parts, regardless of the distance between them. "The quantum universe is an interconnected whole, where measurements in one place lead to instantaneous changes in the quantum state on a large scale," Stapp explains.
These scientific discoveries converge dramatically with the Qur'anic vision of a praising universe, where every atom in existence praises its Creator and is connected to everything else in an integrated cosmic fabric, and give us a new scientific horizon to understand the words of the Almighty:
While quantum mechanics confirms these phenomena at the subatomic level, some scientists are beginning to ask a bold question: Could similar entanglement occur within the human brain? Could this explain some features of consciousness such as unity of perception or even "telepathy"?
In the Journal of Neuroscience, Tononi and Edelman (1998) wondered how the brain produces a unified experience of consciousness, even though it consists of billions of neurons. They suggested that the unity of consciousness may be the product of deeply interconnected mechanisms, perhaps not limited to electrical connections alone.
New hypotheses: Entanglement in our neurons?
In their study, titled "Generation of Entangled Biphoton Pairs in the Myelin Shell", the lipid shell called myelin, which envelops the axons of neurons, may provide a suitable environment for the generation of quantum entangled photon pairs via the interaction of carbon and hydrogen atoms.
This hypothesis - though in need of stronger experimental support - is gaining some traction as biological research has uncovered quantum mechanisms demonstrated in living organisms:
Between consciousness and entanglement: Hypothesis or discovery?
Could it be that there is an entanglement between human minds or even between the human mind and the universe? Although these questions have yet to be definitively answered, quantum physics is paving the way for a new phase of scientific thinking - where matter and consciousness are no longer two separate entities, but a single network that interacts across levels we do not yet recognize.
How does quantum entanglement happen?
Although experiments have succeeded in proving the existence of quantum entanglement, how it occurs is still the subject of deep philosophical and scientific debate. There are several explanations:
The idea that atoms - inanimate entities - have some kind of "consciousness" or "intentionality" may seem strange at first glance. But when we study their behavior more closely, we find patterns that go beyond what can be explained by pure chance:
Self-organization of atoms
The ability of atoms to organize themselves into complex structures and exhibit entirely new properties at higher levels cannot be explained by simple physical laws. Take the transformation of hydrogen and oxygen atoms into the water molecule - water exhibits unique properties that are quite different from its constituent elements. This amazing ability to self-organize and produce new emergent properties suggests a kind of "latent intelligence" in matter, as if it were following a pre-established plan.
Harmonious interaction between atoms
Atoms interact with each other in harmonious and precise ways, like a harmonious musical orchestra. Without this harmony, complex organic compounds such as proteins and DNA would not exist, and life would not be possible. Scientist Albert Szent-Györgyi (the discoverer of vitamin C) observed that this system is too complex to be mere chance, describing it as "an organization beyond the simple understanding of ordinary chemistry."
The astonishing precision in the construction of life's molecules
Atoms in nature operate according to precise laws that determine how they combine to form complex molecules. These laws are not random, but follow consistent mathematical patterns.
For approximation: If an atom were the size of a football field, its nucleus would be the size of a small pea at its center. As small as it is, that nucleus contains more than 99.9% of the atom's mass. Electrons orbit around it in near-empty space. This enormous percentage of "vacuum" within the atom is what makes matter compressible, and explains how, at the microscopic level, most of the universe is an "organized vacuum".
But the real miracle lies in the delicate balance of forces within the atom: The strong nuclear force that holds protons and neutrons together inside the nucleus must be very carefully tuned. If this force were even a tiny bit stronger, heavy atoms would quickly collapse. If it were weaker, nuclei would not form at all. This is what is known as the "fine-tuning" of the universe.
The atom: Between science and faith
This marvelous consistency in the simplest components of existence is not a mere coincidence for the believer; it is proof that this universe is governed by precise fixed laws, and that behind these laws is an omniscient and almighty Creator.
The miracle of the formation of the element carbon
Consider with me the element carbon, the basis of life on earth. This vital element is formed in the centers of stars through a strange reaction that seems to be specially designed for this purpose. First, two helium atoms combine to form beryllium, an extremely unstable element that decomposes in 0.000000000000001 seconds! And therein lies the miracle - for carbon to form, a third helium atom must collide with beryllium before it decays, and the energy level must be exactly at the right "resonant level".
If we look at the atom from the perspective of modern scientific discoveries and the vision of the Holy Qur'an, we can see its praise to God through:
The cell: An integrated city in a microscopic entity. The cell, a microscopic entity that is often only one hundredth of a millimeter in size, is a miracle in itself. It is not just a random collection of molecules, but a complex system that works with precision and perfection that surpasses the most sophisticated factories in the world.
Dr. Bruce Lipton, in his book The Biology of Belief (2005), mentions the innate intelligence of cells and their ability to interact and make decisions. "Every cell is a living, breathing entity that processes information, communicates with other cells, and makes decisions. In fact, cells are smarter than we admit-they can learn, remember, and adapt to changes in their environment."
On a quiet night, as I contemplated images of mitochondria under an electron microscope, I was struck by an astonishment that I remember to this day. How could these microscopic structures produce so much energy more efficiently than our most complex factories?
ATP synthase: The Amazing Molecular Machine
In 1997, Professor Paul Boyer, Nobel Laureate in Chemistry, devoted an entire paper to this enzyme, and gave it a telling title: "ATP synthase - a marvelous molecular machine". The enzyme acts like a nanoscale rotary engine, spinning at up to 150 revolutions per second, producing three ATP molecules with each full revolution! Imagine a car engine the size of your thumb that runs at over 90% efficiency.
The cell regulates traffic within the cell
Inside the cell, there is a transportation system more complex than an entire city's transportation network. Scientists from the 2013 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology discovered the mechanisms that regulate the movement of vesicles within the cell. "The cell possesses an elaborate internal transportation system... This mechanism operates with a precision and timeliness that surpasses the most sophisticated traffic systems in the world."
Cells that commit suicide so as not to harm the body
One of the most surprising phenomena in the world of cells is called apoptosis, where a cell - when it becomes diseased or harmful to the body - activates a self-suicide mechanism! When a cell is damaged or infected, it triggers a complex internal mechanism that leads to its own self-destruction. It's like saying "my life for the safety of the whole body"!
Microtubules: Channels of Quantum Consciousness. Science today is taking bold steps towards redefining consciousness from a quantum perspective. Developed by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Sir Roger Penrose in collaboration with anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff and known as Orchestrated Objective Reduction, the exciting theory proposes that consciousness is not just a chemical product, but a quantum phenomenon that occurs in intracellular structures called microtubules.
In 2022, a team of researchers published an important study in the Journal of Physics Communications showing that microtubules can maintain quantum coherence for longer periods than previously thought.
When I contemplate this amazing order at the cellular level, it is hard not to see it as a reflection of a larger cosmic order. Cells work in precise order and dazzling harmony, as if they are responding to laws that are programmed into them.
There are three main aspects of cell behavior that make me see it as a silent praise to the Creator:
According to the James Webb Space Telescope's latest estimate in 2024, there may be between 200 billion and 2 trillion galaxies in the observable universe. Imagine that enormous number: Each galaxy has hundreds of billions of stars, and each star could be the center of a unique solar system!
The amazing order in the universe
According to a study published in Nature Astronomy in March 2023, astronomers have discovered that our Milky Way galaxy rotates in precise harmony with a phenomenon called "passing density waves," stable patterns in the distribution of matter that help keep the galaxy stable over billions of years.
But the biggest miracle lies in the fundamental physical constants that govern the universe. There are more than 30 physical constants, such as the gravitational constant, Planck's constant, and the electromagnetic constant, all of which are finely tuned.
If the gravitational constant changed by, say, 1/10^40 (that's 1 followed by 40 zeros), the universe would collapse or stars would not exist. If the strength of a weak nuclear reaction varied by just 1%, the precise equation that allows helium to be produced in stars would not exist, and the cycle of life would collapse.
The delicate balance of fundamental forces
The four fundamental forces in nature - the strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force - are balanced with astonishing precision. British physicist John Polkinghorne says: "The precision of the balance between the fundamental forces is like walking a rope that is one-tenth the width of 10^60... This is not just 'good luck'... It's perfect design."
On a contemplative journey through the universe, we can sense that the regularity and harmony in the movement of celestial bodies is a kind of silent praise.
The Qur'an refers to this cosmic praise:
A new study from the University of Oxford (2024) has suggested that levels of "primordial consciousness" may exist at different levels in the universe, from the smallest particles to the largest stars and galaxies.
The journey from consciousness at the atomic level to consciousness at the cellular level is not a leap, but a natural progression. A cell, at its core, is an organized arrangement of atoms and molecules, working together in an integrated system.
According to the latest estimates published by the Annals of Human Biology in 2023, the adult human body contains about 30 trillion cells, and each cell contains about 10 trillion atoms. How can so many cells work in perfect harmony to produce a single integrated entity with a unified consciousness?
The theory of Quantum Brain Biology proposes that cells in an organism may be quantumly interconnected, allowing a unified consciousness to emerge at the level of the organism as a whole.
Could this quantum interconnectedness extend beyond the organism to the entire universe? Some physicists and philosophers think so. The "cosmic mind" theory suggests that the universe as a whole may have a kind of universal "consciousness" from which all other forms of consciousness emanate.
What I see today is an exciting convergence of science, philosophy, and spirituality in understanding consciousness. The Science of Consciousness Conference (TSC) in 2023 brought together experts from various fields. The exciting conclusion is that we may be on the cusp of a new paradigm of consciousness - one that sees consciousness as a fundamental property of the universe.
As physicist Sir James Jeans said in his book The Mysterious Universe: "The universe looks more like a great idea than a great machine."
Reflections on the limitations of human knowledge in the face of the mysteries of the universe
As science advances, new vistas of the unknown open up. Isaac Newton said, "I seem to have been like a boy playing on the seashore... while the great ocean of truth lay before me undiscovered."
The harmony between the Qur'an and modern science in understanding cosmic consciousness
It is truly astonishing to find a profound correspondence between what the Qur'an referred to more than fourteen centuries ago and what modern science has begun to explore about cosmic consciousness and the deep interconnectedness of the components of existence.
Future Research Prospects in the Field of Quantum Consciousness and Cosmic Interconnectedness
We are on the brink of a revolution that blends science and philosophy. When I delved deeper into Penrose and Hameroff's "coordinated objective collapse" theory, I found it to be a real glimmer of hope for moving beyond a simplistic, mechanistic view of consciousness. Could the microtubules in our neurons really be the stage for the cosmic dances that produce our consciousness?
When we contemplate the reality of the swimming universe, deep spiritual and existential horizons open up before us, beyond the limits of abstract scientific knowledge to the realm of heartfelt and spiritual knowledge. The idea that every atom in this universe praises God and testifies to His oneness carries with it a profound message about the unity of existence in purpose and meaning.
Human means of sharing a symphony of praise with the universe
In our scientific and contemplative journey from the atom to the galaxy, we witnessed amazing manifestations of consciousness and praise at all levels of existence:
The Integration of Science and Faith
Our journey confirms that true science does not conflict with true faith, but rather enhances and supports it. The deeper we understand the universe and its secrets, the more we believe in the greatness and wisdom of the Creator.
From the infinitesimal atom to the sprawling galaxy, the universe plays a harmonious symphony of praise and reverence for the Almighty. Perhaps the greatest lesson we learn from this journey is to join - consciously and willingly - in this renewed cosmic symphony, and to make our whole life a praise to God.
And Allah knows best and is the wisest.