Reading the Glorious Quran with Sir David Attenborough

Epigraph: Have they not looked at the earth, how many of every noble species have We caused to grow therein, in pairs? (Al Quran 26:7) Presented by Zia H Shah MD Below is a collection of articles that explore the Glorious Quran through the lens of Sir David Attenborough’s life’s work, encompassing both animal and…

August 23, 2022

3–5 minutes

biology, plants

Epigraph:

Have they not looked at the earth, how many of every noble species have We caused to grow therein, in pairs? (Al Quran 26:7)

The Muslim Times has the best collection for religion and science

Presented by Zia H Shah MD

Below is a collection of articles that explore the Glorious Quran through the lens of Sir David Attenborough’s life’s work, encompassing both animal and plant life, as well as delve into the broader question of suffering and the intersection of the Quran and science.

Likewise, one can reverse the perspective and look at all his work through the lens of the different Quranic verses on the theme of biological significance.

Who is Sir David Attenborough?

Sir David Frederick Attenborough (born May 8, 1926, in London) is one of the world’s most celebrated naturalists, broadcasters, and environmental educators.

🎤 Early life & career beginnings

Developed a love for fossils and wildlife as a child while growing up in the University of Leicester campus, where his father was principal pinterest.com+14discoverwildlife.com+14britannica.com+14.
Studied natural sciences at Clare College, Cambridge (MA, 1947), then trained as a television producer at the BBC in 1952 britannica.com+4britannica.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4.

📺 Breakthrough at the BBC

Introduced Zoo Quest in 1954, pioneering wildlife documentaries by filming live animals in the wild—bringing nature into homes worldwide wired.com+4britannica.com+4history.co.uk+4.
Became Controller of BBC 2 in 1965 and later Director of Programming, commissioning landmark series (e.g., Civilisation, Ascent of Man, Monty Python) before returning fully to documentary-making in the 1970s thetimes.co.uk+5britannica.com+5amazon.com+5.

🌍 Landmark ‘Life’ series & global impact

Authored and narrated the iconic “Life” series: Life on Earth (1979), The Living Planet, The Trials of Life, Life of Mammals, Life in Cold Blood, among others en.wikipedia.org+4britannica.com+4amazon.com+4.
Presented visually stunning series like Planet Earth, Blue Planet, The Green Planet, and Dynasties, all known for scientific rigor and environmental messaging en.wikipedia.org+4wired.com+4thesun.co.uk+4.

🎙️ Enduring voice & conservation advocacy

Known for his distinctive, gentle but urgent narration style—encouraging public appreciation for the planet’s biodiversity wired.com+7discoverwildlife.com+7brightside.me+7.
In later years, he took a more explicit stance on climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainability—as seen in works like State of the Planet, A Life on Our Planet, and Ocean en.wikipedia.org+1impakter.com+1.

🏆 Honors & legacy

Knighted in 1985 (KBE) and later appointed to the Order of Merit in 2022 amazon.com+2britannica.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2.
Recipient of multiple Emmy and BAFTA awards and dozens of honorary degrees people.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4britannica.com+4.
In 2025, at age 99, he released Ocean and continues to collaborate with conservation initiatives and global leaders like Prince William britannica.com+2people.com+2thesun.co.uk+2.

🌱 Why he matters

Sir David has not only documented Earth’s wonders for nearly seven decades but also inspired global environmental consciousness. Revered as a “national treasure” and “cultural icon,” his work has shaped how we understand and protect our planet history.co.uk+1thesun.co.uk+1.

Whether you’re just discovering his voice or revisiting his landmark series, Sir David Attenborough’s guidance remains invaluable.

Now, without further adoo a few of my articles: