Epigraph:
Allah: there is no god but Him, the Ever Living, the Ever Watchful. Neither slumber nor sleep overtakes Him. All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him. Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His leave? He knows what is before them and what is behind them, but they do not comprehend any of His knowledge except what He wills. His throne extends over the heavens and the earth; it does not weary Him to preserve them both. He is the Most High, the Tremendous. (Al Quran 2:255)
God is the Light of the heavens and earth. His Light is like this: there is a niche, and in it a lamp, the lamp inside a glass, a glass-like a glittering star, fueled from a blessed olive tree from neither east nor west, whose oil almost gives light even when no fire touches it––light upon light––God guides whoever He will to his Light; God draws such comparisons for people; God has full knowledge of everything. (Al Quran 24:35)
We sent it down on the Night of Glory. What will explain to you what that Night of Glory is? The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months; on that night the angels and the Spirit descend again and again with their Lord’s permission on every task; there is peace that night until the break of dawn. (Al Quran 97:1-5)
Written and collected by Zia H Shah MD, Chief Editor of the Muslim Times
The above 27-minute video, along with the other two parts, serves as a good commentary on the above verses quoted as epigraphs.
Light takes 8 minutes to get to earth from the sun. But, if you are sitting on a photon and traveling at the speed of light, distance traveled or the time traveled is always zero, regardless of anyone else’s experience or frame of reference. This is the miracle of light.
Fred Alan Wolf, an American theoretical physicist, has significantly contributed to the exploration of quantum physics and its intersections with consciousness and metaphysics. His work delves into the profound implications of quantum mechanics, offering insights that bridge the gap between science and spirituality.
Academic Background and Career
Wolf earned his Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1963. He has held academic positions at institutions such as San Diego State University, the University of Paris, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Birkbeck College, London. Throughout his career, Wolf has focused on the relationship between quantum physics and consciousness, aiming to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a broader audience.
Quantum Physics and Consciousness
Wolf’s research emphasizes the role of the observer in quantum mechanics, particularly how consciousness may influence physical reality. He explores the idea that the act of observation can collapse quantum wave functions, thereby affecting the outcome of quantum events. This perspective aligns with interpretations of quantum mechanics that suggest a fundamental connection between mind and matter.
Metaphysical Explorations
In his book The Spiritual Universe: One Physicist’s Vision of Spirit, Soul, Matter, and Self, Wolf examines concepts such as the soul, the nature of reality, and the interplay between spirituality and science. He proposes that quantum physics offers a framework for understanding spiritual experiences and the existence of non-material aspects of reality.
Public Engagements and Media Appearances
Wolf has been instrumental in popularizing science through various media. He appeared as the resident physicist on the Discovery Channel’s The Know Zone and participated in the PBS series Closer to Truth. Additionally, he featured in films such as What the Bleep Do We Know!? (2004) and The Secret (2006), where he discussed the implications of quantum physics on everyday life and consciousness.
Critiques and Reception
While Wolf’s work has garnered interest for its interdisciplinary approach, some critics argue that his theories venture into the realm of quantum mysticism, a term used to describe the application of quantum physics concepts to spiritual or metaphysical ideas without empirical support. Nonetheless, his contributions have sparked meaningful discussions about the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics.
Conclusion
Fred Alan Wolf’s work stands at the intersection of physics and metaphysics, challenging conventional boundaries and encouraging a holistic understanding of reality. By exploring the connections between quantum mechanics and consciousness, he invites both scientific and spiritual communities to consider the profound implications of the quantum world on our perception of existence.
The Glorious Quran and Science 
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