“Our human compassion binds us, the one to the other—not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who have learned how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.”
– Nelson Mandela [1]

Scrolling through social media has become part of our daily lives, but lately, it feels less like a connection to the world and more like a window into growing cruelty. This was made painfully clear in the wake of the tragic murder of Brian Thompson, a prominent health insurance CEO [2]. While any loss of life should prompt solemn reflection, the response was instead marked by a disturbing celebration of the violence. Social media was flooded with posts praising the act as a justified rebellion against the perceived flaws in the healthcare system. This reaction not only stripped Thompson of his humanity but also reduced a complex societal issue to a single act of violence. Such responses are a symptom of a broader societal desensitization, where individuals are no longer seen as human beings but as symbols to be attacked or defended. The ability to empathize and mourn is increasingly replaced by a toxic culture of outrage and vindication, making cruelty the norm rather than the exception.

This disturbing reaction reflects a larger societal problem. From viral videos of street violence to indifference toward wars that displace millions, we are constantly exposed to images and narratives that normalize cruelty. The question looms: When did we become so desensitized? At what point did we stop seeing the humanity in one another? As a society, it feels like we are standing at a crossroads, forced to choose between clinging to our compassion or allowing ourselves to become increasingly hardened and cruel.

Our society today is often described as a VUCA world [3], a term first coined by the U.S. Army War College to describe the challenges of the post-Cold War environment. The acronym stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, and it reflects the unpredictable, fast-changing, and interconnected nature of modern life. These conditions don’t just create stress and anxiety on a personal level; they also lay the groundwork for societal cruelty, desensitization, and polarization.

For example, volatility in how quickly information spreads—often sensationalized or lacking context—creates an environment where people react impulsively, sometimes with cruelty or judgment, rather than empathy or understanding. Uncertainty, such as that surrounding systemic problems like healthcare or economic instability, leaves individuals feeling powerless, prompting them to channel their frustration outward, often toward scapegoats. Complexity arises from the interconnected systems in our digital age, where a single event can spark global outrage or dehumanization, as seen in the online response to the tragic murder of a CEO. Finally, ambiguity makes it difficult to discern facts from misinformation, enabling false narratives that justify or even celebrate acts of cruelty under the guise of righteousness.

These conditions create heightened stress and anxiety, often leading to defensive or reactionary behaviors. The constant bombardment of information and the pressure to adapt swiftly can diminish empathy and foster environments where cruelty and negativity thrive. Social media amplifies these effects by rewarding outrage and divisiveness. Inflammatory posts garner more engagement, creating feedback loops that normalize harshness. In such a chaotic environment, the tendency to externalize frustrations, often through unkind or harmful behaviors, becomes more pronounced. Recognizing the influence of this VUCA framework is crucial in understanding why society seems to be increasingly harsh and polarized.

Cruelty, though, often begins subtly, as an emotional defense mechanism or an outlet for frustration. Psychologists explain that it grows when individuals experience feelings of powerlessness or anger and direct these emotions outward, often targeting those perceived as less powerful or morally culpable. On social media, cruelty thrives because anonymity diminishes empathy. A study on the Social and Psychological Effects of Internet Use [4] revealed that people are far less likely to consider the emotional impact of their words in anonymous online settings.

Over time, cruelty becomes self-reinforcing. Negative interactions release adrenaline and dopamine, creating a temporary sense of power or satisfaction. This reward cycle can make cruelty addictive, as people seek repeated validation through likes, shares, or agreement from others. Left unchecked, cruelty becomes part of a broader culture, perpetuated through social modeling and collective desensitization.

The effects of negativity extend far beyond emotional harm; they have profound physical and neurological consequences. When exposed to negative content—whether through social media, news, or interpersonal interactions—our brains activate the amygdala, the region responsible for processing fear and stress. This initiates the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which are beneficial in short bursts but harmful when sustained. Prolonged negativity suppresses the immune system, impairs memory and focus, and increases the risk of anxiety and depression. A University at Buffalo study found that heavy social media users reported higher levels of chronic inflammation, as indicated by elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, which are linked to conditions like heart disease and diabetes [5]. Additionally, the brain becomes wired to seek negativity, creating a cycle of constant stress and reduced emotional resilience.

These effects are not limited to individuals. They ripple through families, workplaces, and communities, contributing to a culture of heightened stress and reduced emotional well-being. Yet the human brain is remarkably adaptable. Just as it can be conditioned to negativity, it can also be retrained for compassion and positivity—a concept first recognized centuries ago. Zayd Al-Balkhi, a 9th-century scholar and early pioneer in mental health, emphasized the interconnectedness of spiritual, emotional, and physical health. He believed that cultivating positive habits could rejuvenate the soul, counteract emotional decay, and foster resilience long before modern neuroscience confirmed the brain’s adaptability [6].

Al-Balkhi recommended practices such as surrounding oneself with uplifting environments, avoiding exposure to negativity, and engaging in regular gratitude reflection. For example, taking time each day to reflect on blessings fosters a sense of joy and contentment, while balancing work and rest helps maintain mental clarity. Modern research aligns with these teachings. At Duke University, researchers found that reflecting on three positive experiences daily significantly improved mood, reduced stress, and enhanced sleep over time [7]. Similarly, a study revealed that even a week of exposure to positive content could increase optimism and reduce stress levels. These findings underscore the transformative power of intentional positivity [8].

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a leading researcher in positive psychology, has shown through her “broaden-and-build” theory that positive emotions can expand an individual’s mindset, fostering greater resilience, creativity, and empathy [9]. When individuals practice gratitude, optimism, and mindfulness, they are better equipped to approach others with understanding and kindness. This ripple effect extends beyond personal well-being, influencing how communities interact and respond to challenges. By intentionally creating uplifting environments and modeling compassion, individuals can counteract the culture of negativity and cruelty that permeates modern society. In a world where harshness often dominates, small acts of positivity, informed by both ancient wisdom and modern science, can collectively rebuild societal compassion and encourage a shift toward kindness in both personal and public spaces.

As adults, we hold a profound responsibility to model compassion and empathy for younger generations. Children and teens learn not just from what we say but from how we act. When we engage in online cruelty, speak harshly to others, or fail to demonstrate kindness in our interactions, we normalize these behaviors for them, sending the message that such actions are acceptable. Conversely, when we model patience, understanding, and generosity, we show them that kindness is not a weakness but a strength that builds meaningful relationships and contributes to a better world.

Parenting and education play critical roles in fostering empathy. Teaching emotional intelligence, such as helping children recognize and manage their emotions, can lay the foundation for healthy interpersonal relationships. Schools can incorporate programs that encourage respectful discussions, teach active listening skills, and provide opportunities for collaborative problem-solving. Modeling forgiveness—both in personal relationships and in public disputes—demonstrates that reconciliation is not only possible but essential for emotional and societal well-being.

On a societal level, leaders, influencers, and institutions must champion empathy and create spaces that prioritize understanding over divisiveness. For example, initiatives that bring together individuals from different cultural or socioeconomic backgrounds can help bridge divides and foster mutual respect. Public figures, especially those with significant platforms, have a unique opportunity to set the tone by promoting messages of kindness and demonstrating accountability when mistakes are made. Institutions, from workplaces to community organizations, can implement policies that reward collaboration and inclusivity, fostering environments where empathy thrives.

Furthermore, media and technology companies bear a significant responsibility in shaping the cultural narrative. Algorithms that prioritize outrage and divisiveness could instead be adjusted to amplify positive interactions and constructive dialogue. Campaigns highlighting stories of compassion, resilience, and unity can inspire individuals and communities to choose empathy over hostility. Research from the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley shows that exposure to uplifting stories and acts of kindness increases the likelihood of individuals engaging in prosocial behaviors themselves, creating a ripple effect of positivity [10].

Ultimately, the responsibility to nurture compassion extends to every facet of society. Whether as parents, educators, leaders, or individuals, we must recognize the power of our actions to shape the world that younger generations inherit. By consciously choosing to model empathy and understanding, we can inspire the next generation to build a kinder, more connected, and more compassionate society.

The Quran beautifully reminds us: “And do good as God has done good to you” (Surah Al-Qasas, 28:77). This verse calls us to reflect divine mercy and kindness in our own actions. By embodying these values, we can foster a culture where empathy is not just an ideal but a daily practice.

We are indeed at a crossroads. On one side lies the path of desensitization, where cruelty becomes second nature, and negativity dominates our minds and bodies. On the other side lies the path of humanity—a path of compassion, understanding, and intentional positivity.

The choice we make today will shape not only our lives but also the lives of future generations. In a time increasingly defined by rapid change and uncertainty, our collective actions hold the power to determine whether cruelty or compassion becomes the dominant cultural norm. Every act of kindness, no matter how small, reinforces the value of empathy in our shared human experience. A thoughtful pause before reacting—whether in a heated online discussion or a face-to-face conflict—demonstrates the strength it takes to prioritize understanding over anger. Every decision to amplify positivity over negativity, such as sharing uplifting stories or offering words of encouragement, becomes a ripple in the larger fabric of societal behavior.

When these individual choices are repeated and modeled consistently, they transcend isolated acts and become habits. Together, these habits build a culture where compassion is not just an occasional choice but an ingrained part of daily life. Such a culture fosters resilience, unity, and hope, qualities that are urgently needed in a world fraught with division and despair. By choosing compassion today, we lay the groundwork for a future where kindness is not seen as an exception but as the expectation; a future where generations to come will look back at this moment as the turning point toward a more empathetic and humane society.

Notes

1. http://www.mandela.gov.za/mandela_speeches/2000/001206_healing.htm
2. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/12/astonishing-level-dehumanization/681189/
3. https://www.vuca-world.org/where-does-the-term-vuca-come-from/
4. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4789623/
5. https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2022/01/022.html
6. https://iamphome.org/abu-zayd-al-balkhis-sustenance-of-the-soul-the-cognitive-behavior-therapy-of-a-ninth-century-physician/
7. https://dhwblog.dukehealth.org/reflect-on-three-good-things/
8. https://fountainmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL-485.pdf
9. https://positivepsychology.com/broaden-build-theory/#:~:text=What%20is%20Fredrickson’s%20Broaden%2Dand,their%20personal%20resources%20over%20time.
10. https://fountainmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL-485.pdf

Dreams keep brain refreshed

Tsai et al. Cerebral capillary blood flow upsurge during REM sleep is mediated by A2a receptors. Cell Reports, August 2021

New research has provided some fresh insights into why dreams are biologically so important. Scientists showed that capillary blood flow within the brain increases significantly while dreaming, which enhances neural waste removal and delivers more oxygen and nutrients.

The purpose of dreaming has always been very controversial. Dreams are typically composed of illogical scenarios, and they can be scary, cathartic, and sometimes even funny. Modern medicine has provided a great deal of evidence that sleeping helps the brain to reset, recharge, and process newly formed memories. But what about dreams? Dreams predominantly occur during the Rapid Eye Movement (REM) phase of sleep. To explore the specific biological processes during REM sleep, researchers in this study used a groundbreaking new technique that allowed them to watch in real-time the flow of blood throughout the brains of mice as they passed through the various stages of sleep. They specifically used a dye to make blood vessels in the brain visible under fluorescent light and imaged them live through a technique called “two-photon microscopy.” Using this approach they were able to directly observe red blood cells in capillaries of the cortex in non-anesthetized mice. Long hours of imaging sessions revealed the massive flow of red blood cells through brain capillaries, specifically during REM sleep, but not during other sleep states. Interestingly, when researchers woke up the mice during REM a stronger rebound REM with increased blood flow was followed as soon as mice fell back asleep. This suggests that the brain makes up for the lost time by increasing blood flow to facilitate brain refreshment. Reductions in neurovascular blood flow and lack of REM sleep are associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s onset. Further evidence suggests that dementia is linked with the buildup of neural waste and toxic proteins in the brain. These findings imply that high quality REM sleep and dreams are likely the key for keeping the mind sharp well into old ages.

The mathematics behind the geometry of an egg

Narushin et al. Egg and math: introducing a universal formula for egg shape. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, August 2021.

Eggs have always been considered a major food source in human history. They also have one of the most distinguished shapes in nature that can adapt to the most diverse environmental conditions including extreme heat, humidity, incubation with or without body heat, in or out of nests, and from very clean to highly infectious environments. Moreover, an egg has a remarkable shape that is large enough to grow an animal embryo inside, small enough to exit the body of 10,500 living bird species, not roll away once laid, and be structurally resilient enough to carry disproportional weight. Despite many efforts, a universal mathematical formula that define the shape of an egg with an equation has not been found until now. The shape of an egg is comprised of four geometric figures: sphere, ellipsoid, ovoid, and pyriform (also known as pear-shaped). The first three are clearly defined in mathematics but a formula for the pyriform profile had not been developed until now. To resolve this major problem researchers first developed a formula describing only the shape of a pear and then combined it with the current formula. The new universal formula for egg shape is now based on four parameters: egg length, maximum breadth, shift of the vertical axis, and the diameter at one quarter of the egg length. The generation of this new formula allows scientists to better understand not only what the egg itself looks like, but also how and why it was formed. Discovering the universal equation for such a sturdy, aerodynamic, and ultra-efficiently designed bio-structure is not only important to biology, but also to many other different fields ranging from the food industry to architectural engineering, agriculture, aeronautics, and even art.

Blue Foods: The key ingredient for ending world hunger in a sustainable future

Gephart et al. Environmental performance of blue foods. Nature, September 2021.
Short et al. Harnessing the diversity of small-scale actors is key to the future of aquatic food systems. Nature Food, September 2021.
Tigchelaar et al. Compound climate risks threaten aquatic food system benefits. Nature Food, September 2021.

A comprehensive evaluation of the aquatic foods sector by multiple studies has uncovered how fisheries and aquaculture can provide a healthy and sustainable diet with fair and resilient food systems around the world. Our current food systems are extremely fragile and even worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They have been constantly weakened by outdated supply chains and become vulnerable to climate change. How can we protect the planet while producing sufficient and healthy food to nourish our growing population in these aggravating conditions? Searching for solutions, researchers decided to analyze data from hundreds of studies on a wide range of seafood (also named as blue food) species. Their findings demonstrate that blue foods rank higher than land animal source foods in terms of their nutritional benefits and potential for sustainability advantages. For example, compared to chickens, trouts have approximately 19 times more omega-3 fatty acids; oysters and mussels have 76 times more vitamin B-12 and five times more iron; and carps have nine times more calcium. But how can we increase the production and consumption of blue foods? The projected global demand for blue food will double by 2050. The existing gap could be primarily filled by increased aquaculture rather than by capture fisheries. Investing in innovation and improving aquacultures can potentially make blue foods cheaper to the consumer and generate a shift away from land-based foods like chicken, beef, and diary. Moreover, the major blue food species produced commercially in aquaculture, such as tilapia, salmon, catfish and carp, have environmental footprints comparable to chicken, the lowest-impact land animal meat. Blue food systems seem to be our best option to combat malnutrition, lower the environmental footprint of the food system, and provide livelihoods. Aquatic foods have been typically neglected by researchers and policymakers. Maybe it’s time to recognize and prioritize them.

Is hair graying reversible?

Rosenberg et al. Quantitative mapping of human hair greying and reversal in relation to life stress. eLife, June 2021.

A new study has found that the old rumor about why our hair turns gray is proven to have a scientific basis. Humans tend to lose hair color the older they get as the cells in our hair follicles stop producing the pigment melanin. But there have been many stories of even younger people’s hair losing color almost immediately after a stressful event. While some of these stories are just old fables some cases have also been documented by doctors. In a recent study, scientists collected 400 hair samples from 14 participants from age 9 to 39 with either “some grey hairs” or “two-colored hairs.” By using a newly developed high-resolution imaging technique, scientists were able to collect and compare tiny slices of single hair strands from volunteers. These slices of hair were later analyzed like the rings inside a tree, indirectly showing the health of the follicle as it formed the strand over time including the status of pigmentation. They then analyzed the color of each strand and compared it to the timing of their hair growth. Participants whose hair changed to gray reported experiencing a stressful period in their lives. On the other hand, participants whose gray hairs reversed back to having color reported feeling more relaxed at the time their hair sample was analyzed thus suggesting a link between stress and the graying process. It was found with one of the participants who went on vacation that five of his hairs reverted back to their original color during the vacation. While the color reversal process is intriguing it can only be possible if it is caught early enough in younger ages. There seems to be a window of opportunity during which graying is probably much more reversible than had been considered before. Reducing stress levels in a 70-year-old will likely not darken their hair, or increasing stress in a 10-year-old will be enough to tip their hair over the gray threshold. Although these findings are based on a relatively small sample size they still provided some important insights into the reversible dynamics of hair graying in humans.

Doomscrolling: Obsession with pain

Jezzini et al. A prefrontal network integrates preferences for advance information about uncertain rewards and punishments. Neuron, June 2021.

“Doomscrolling” or “Doomsurfing” describes the act of endlessly scrolling through predominantly negative news on social media. Unfortunately, this bad habit has become widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is still unclear why some people seek out potentially bad news by doomscrolling through horrifying headlines while others try to stay away from negative information. In a recent study, researchers have explored

the underlying biology of a similar curiosity and dread behavior using monkeys. Researchers first used symbols to train monkeys to anticipate a potentially unpleasant event – a puff of air to the face. The first set of symbols alerted the monkeys that a puff of air was a possibility but with a highly variable degree of certainty. A second set of symbols eliminated the doubt, communicating that either a puff of air to the face was certain or nothing happened. Behavior analyses revealed that some monkeys trained their eyes on the second set of symbols while others averted their look in order to avoid the potentially bad news. A simultaneous monitoring of neural activity in the brains of the monkey models showed that the anterior cingulate cortex separately processes information about both good and bad possibilities. Meanwhile, a second area, the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, dictates the monkeys’ overall attitudes. Understanding the specific brain regions and circuits underlying uncertainty is a critical step for helping people with psychiatric conditions such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, which typically manifest an inability to tolerate uncertainty. Moreover, these findings could bring new insights into how to cope with the flood of information in our modern times.

COVID-19 vaccines promise years of immunity

Turner et al. SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccines induce persistent germinal centre responses in humans. Nature. June 2021.

The first two COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, performed very well in clinical trials. But there were still concerns for how long immunity induced by these vaccines would last. A new study found evidence that the immune response to vaccines is both strong and potentially long-lasting. After vaccinations, a specialized structure called the germinal center forms in lymph nodes where broader ranges of B-cells are produced to fight against infections. These centers are immune cell training areas to better recognize the enemy. A better germinal center response is typically accepted as a better vaccine. Researchers found that people who received the Pfizer vaccine still had active germinal cells generating new fighter B-cells even after 4 months of the first injection. In a more longitudinal analysis, 8 out of 10 people still had detectable germinal centers containing B cells after 15 weeks of the first dose. Moreover, Pfizer vaccination generated high levels of neutralizing antibodies effective against at least 3 different major variants. Finally, they found that people who were infected and later vaccinated showed an even more robust immune response. The vaccine clearly adds extra benefit, even in the context of prior infection. The results suggest that a vast majority of vaccinated people will be protected over the long term, possibly a lifetime. One exception to this argument could be elderly people with weak immune systems. They may need additional boosters.

Eternia is the land of eternity, the land where there is no end to anything. I learned it from an animated cartoon named He-man. At that young age, I did not really feel what it meant to be eternal, because I was not in search of it. For me, what mattered was the excitement I felt in catching the cartoon on time every week. Once the episode was over, the unknown and unexpected adventures of the next episode used to keep my excitement active until then. Today, as I age into maturity, the unknown outcomes of the events in my life and the uncertainties about the possible realizations of my dreams keep me in a state similar to that which I experienced in my childhood. But this time, I am the hero, and the world around me replaces Eternia. I am the one who is going through troubles to gain inexhaustible satisfaction and joy. If you follow me, I will tell you the “sesame” f o r m u l a that opens the doors of Eternia. “It was the fall of 1977. The corridors of the hospital reverberated with the cries of a newborn. His delayed birth was taking place at a later time of the day, due to his mother’s reluctance and fear to deliver him.” Given this very same start, a thousand people could come up with a thousand different stories. You can go further and specify an end to this story, such as “As the sun fell below the horizon, he permanently closed his eyes with tears and a deep smile on his lips.” Still, there will be an infinite number of possible ways of moving from the given start to the given end.

The existence of infinite possible ways of life results in our inability to accurately predict the future. Here are some actual examples to further our thoughts. Lincoln, who finally had great political success, lost so many times in his past enterprises. Without seeing the final point, it is impossible to tell if he was an idealist destined to success, or a loser with an obsession. Similarly, in the case of Einstein, it was impossible to tell at first whether he would be a famous and successful scientist despite his awful start in education, or a dropout student due to his non-conformity and academic inadequacy.

These examples show that we are not only unable to penetrate into the future but also ignorant of the true nature of events. The reason for our both shortcomings is the uncertainty inherent between two points in the time line. Exactly the same thing can be seen in geometry. There are infinite number of curves that pass through a given pair of points, which means there are infinite number of equations that can describe the distribution of a pair of points. The concept of infinite number of curves is enabled by the uncertainty about the path connecting the two points. Are there other instances linking uncertainty to infinity?

What is the size of the universe anyway? Many people have been dazzled by this question throughout history. Studies were done to see if the universe had limits, and if so, to determine its size. Still, we do not have an established answer to this question. Simply, we say the universe is infinite. The reason behind this unproven conclusion is the uncertainty about the limits of the universe. In effect, our ignorance of them translates into the conclusion of an infinite universe. Once more, we see the strong relationship between uncertainty and infinity.

Why is a prison a prison? Is it because you cannot get out of an area whose borders are visible? Or, is it because you are only allowed to certain number of actions there? Both can be part of the answer. Now, help the inmates and make the area of the prison larger so that they cannot see the borders anymore. Let us make their building larger as well. Does it not sound like our situation within the borders of a country? What is happening is that you are introducing a significant amount of uncertainty into the limits of the prison area, which induces a feeling of infinite land for the inmates.

Although we like uncertainty when it gives a flavor of infinity to pleasures, we usually do not like it when it is present in fears and losses. The fear of losing1 and not knowing the limits of the loss are two killers of all pleasures. Uncertainty induces a fear of infinite loss. Try to remember a rendezvous with a friend for which he/she was late. Until the time your friend showed up, the uncertainty of the time of arrival triggered a feeling of infinite waiting time, which made you impatient. When you are sick, not knowing the time you will recover also puts a lot of burden on your soul.2

Another example is found in male-female relations, especially in the western world. By not marrying each other and continuing with dating, individuals introduce uncertainty into their relationship, which gives them a sense of infinite freedom of action in their couple life. The comfort of infinite freedom of action due to uncertainty transforms into selfish moves in the long run. Then, insincere attitudes fostered by infinite freedom trigger an ever-growing mistrust within the couple due to the uncertainty about the individuals’ fidelity to each other, and the pair disintegrates.

Similarly, the uncertainty of the moment of death triggers a feeling of infinite life.3 Our lack of vision of God and the angels induces an infinite level of freedom of action. Human beings, especially youth, are challenged by this hypothetical infinity of life and their supposed freedom of action. However, the actual coming of death permanently removes the uncertainty about the angels and God. Thus, uncertainty serves as a means of eliminating the permanent residents of paradise from the permanent residents of hell.4

To conclude, this world is a land of uncertainties except for two things: birth and death. Although their qualities and actions are uncertain, whoever comes to this land definitely leaves it one day. By exercising our free will here, we weave our deeds, as everyone else does, between the same start and end, i.e. birth and death. However, the uncertain nature of this world tempts us with a hypothetical infinity embedded in its pleasures and burdens. Maybe this supposed infinity is a manifestation of two eternal lands, i.e. paradise and hell, whose existence is uncertain for us. Then, we, as humans, need a Helper to survive under the uncertainties of this world, a merciful Omnipotent Being who can convert these uncertainties into the infinite bliss of the actual Eternia-paradise in the company of our Creator.

Notes

1. Hadith: “Remember death very frequently, the spoiler of pleasures.”
2. Nursi, S., The Flashes, 25th Flash, 11th Remedy.
3. Nursi, S., The Flashes, 21st Flash, 1st Means of Attaining Sincerity.
4. He Who has created death and life, so that He may try you (and demonstrate to yourselves) which of you is better in deeds… (Mulk 67:2)

These “interpretations” attempt to show that there is no such thing as a miracle and that everything in the world obeys the immutable laws of nature. According to such a view, all miracles narrated by the Holy books either must be reinterpreted, or if this is not possible-rejected.

The use of science as an argument against the possibility of the extraordinary acts of God is conceptually incorrect; today’s science starts from the assumption of the impossibility of miracles. In other words, scientists believe that miracles are impossible. Yet, a belief in the opposite is no less a legitimate position to adopt. Therefore, science’s statement that miracles are impossible is based on the assumption that they are impossible; this is not a logically acceptable argument.

There is a need to prepare the ground for such arguments by considering the definitions of science and its method. We have to realize the limits of the scientific method that is based on observations and experiments. The reliability of the human mind and its perception and the relativity of time are some of other issues that need to be considered.

Whatever happens around us is normally bound to a time scale. Billions of living creatures are born every day; some by cell division, others through the long process of pregnancy. Since these events abound in nature we consider them to be normal, nothing extraordinary. On the contrary, if we were to witness a child being conceived and born in one minute, as if someone had pressed the fast forward button, we would be amazed. In this case, a miracle would have occurred, not by the violation of the cause and effect principle, but rather from a change in time scale. Thus, our familiarity with phenomena is very important in distinguishing between a miracle and a non-miracle.

Science is based on what we can observe and what is understood from these observations by making generalizations. First of all, we cannot observe every moment and every place in the universe. Our experiments are limited in space and time. For example, if all experiments done by us confirmed Newton’s second law, F=ma, we still would not be able to rigorously prove that this law still holds true in some distant galaxy. We could not even prove that it were true for Earth throughout all of its history; it is not possible to say that that things happened in such and such way simply because they happen in that way today! However, at this point the scientific method with all its pros and cons comes into play to assert that this law is true for all of the Universe, for all of its past and future. This fact alone is enough to demonstrate that science has its limits.

Many miracles of Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, happened in the presence of many of his followers or enemies. The splitting of the Moon, walking trees, and talking stones were just a few. One could try to explain these by saying that the people who witnessed them had undergone hypnosis or were having dreams; however there are miracles that resulted in people being able to drink water from his fingers or plenty of food emerging from a small amount. It is impossible to deceive one’s friends with a small lie even for a short time (the cold fusion scandal of 1989 should be a good example!); how could somebody possibly deceive thousands of enemies for fourteen hundred years? Thus, it is impossible to deny the authenticity of the miracles of Prophet Muhammad.

Before the advent of positivism, miracles were used as a powerful means to convince people in the truth of religions. Prophet Jesus was born without a father, Prophet Moses parted the sea and crossed it without drowning, Prophet Abraham emerged unharmed from the fire and Prophet Muhammad split the Moon and ascended to the Heavens; these are among the most prominent examples of miracles.

However, nowadays because of scientific “terror” people are afraid even to mention miracles. People have been so affected by scientific dogma that everything unusual is categorized as being nothing more than a “fairy tale.” The reason for this historical error is the inability of science to draw a demarcating line between observations and interpretations to date.

Positivism has its roots in the 16th century and thus all religions were affected by its destructive dogma. Before that time, people made explanations for natural phenomena, saying “a seed starts to evolve to produce a tree, it rains because the tree needs water, and the tree produces fruit because people need to eat,” or other simplistic explanations.

The realization of the fact that the same phenomenon can be interpreted in several ways brought up the question of what the mechanism was that lay behind the process. This in turn lead people to discover the cause and effect relationship inherent in nature. As a result, ordinary events were interpreted as happening without any interference from God, leaving the concept of God to be found only in the realm of miracles. However, the next century was to come with even more destructive dogmas, presented under the guise of science.

The modern usage of the term “laws of nature” was first coined in the 17th century. Scientists of the time believed that physical and biological systems were self-regulating and God was only “the first cause” capable of changing the laws of nature. However, Locke and Hume argued on the basis of Newton’s physics that the natural laws were unchangeable and hence miracles were impossible. In the 17th century, with its notion of an impotent God, the foundation of religious beliefs was shattered, but not to the same extent as happened in the 19th century.

In the 19th century, developments in quantum physics brought about new points of view. The already existing notion of an impotent God made people suppose that Divine Power was limited to conducting probabilities. When it was discovered that particle motion and interactions were based on probability, they began to think that God’s power was limited at the micro level, as well as believing that He was unable to change physical laws or work miracles.

Nowadays, the biologic uncertainty that was produced by molecular biology and “the exploratory journeys” into the depths of the cell has caused a significant debate, particularly in the discipline of sociobiology. In biology, you can arrive at a decision based on statistics. However, it is impossible to reach a result that is as precise and universally accepted as a formula in physics; this is because living systems maintain their lives in a continuously changing, but stable dynamic equilibrium. For example, we cannot say that there are 763 pores on the leaf of an apple tree, or that there are 5,891,633 erythrocytes in a cubic millimeter of blood, but we can express some relations based on some approximations and averages.

Having said this, we cannot tie the situation of miracles to the principle of uncertainty; in an inorganic physical world there is a much stronger determinacy than there is in biology. For instance, an apple that is separated from the tree falls to the ground because of gravity. However, we encounter large uncertainty when we get to the level of subatomic particles. Heisenberg’s Principle of Uncertainty states this very clearly. Therefore, if we were to descend to the subatomic level for miracles like the splitting of the Red Sea or the division of the Moon that were witnessed in the inorganic world, we come across an indeterminacy of physical laws rather than a determinacy. In fact, it may not be correct to call this uncertainty, because although it may be uncertain for us, it is not uncertain for the Creator; therefore, it may be better to call this determinacy based on the knowledge, will, power, and free choice of the Creator.

In order to form a common ground or argument against miracles, it would be necessary to say that all rumors are incorrect and to refuse to believe all the people who claimed that they had witnessed these miracles. However, scientists have concluded that the rumors are false only because they think that miracles are impossible; namely, they remain in the same vicious circle. Yet, according to the main principle of logic, just one confirmation against thousands of denials is enough to be a proof. For example, if one person were to find a black swan, even if one million people claim that there is no such thing as a black swan and even if they say that they have searched the entire world, all these claims about the nonexistence of the black swan will be refuted. The miracles of the prophets took place for the most part in front of large crowds and have been transmitted to us as centuries as real events, not just rumors that can be disproved.

Hume’s point of view attacking miracles has been shown to be lacking valid support as well. According to Hume, every event has a unique cause and the event can be explained if this unique cause is known. Logically this is an erroneous view. One event may have multiple causes; in particular, causes that influence the events that occur in the dimension belonging to the different layers of living beings do not have to be confined to material events. Causes that are of a different nature that affect the same object may produce different outcomes; the same causes, on the other hand, may generate different outcomes because of a hidden characteristic of the object that is beyond the range of our knowledge. These elements are not controversial; on the contrary, they complement each other. By the same reasoning, it does not go against being “scientific” to explain miracles as being a product of Divine Power rather than a result of an incorrect observation or an unknown cause. Moreover, such an interpretation does not need a cause and effect relationship that will continue as a chain.

Medawar points out precisely that scientific understanding has limits “. . . The last questions of Karl Popper are even now being asked by children. How did everything begin? Why are we here? What is the purpose of life? Rigid and fanatical positivism did not consider these questions as real questions or neglected them. According to positivism these questions are only asked by the stupid, and only charlatans dare to answer them. However, the avoidance of these questions does not satisfy people because they are meaningful both for the people asking them and for the ones trying to answer them. It is a universally accepted fact that it is not in the realm of science to provide answers to such questions. As a matter of fact, the scientific approach has some definite limits.”

When we consider miracles, we can apply this approach as follows: it is impossible to verify or refute the miracles based on scientific measures. Moreover, the fact that we understand the mechanism behind a miracle does not prevent it from being a miracle.

In conclusion, it is easy to deny the possibility of miracles by finding scientific interpretations for them. However, to go down the opposite road is more profitable. Realizing that the refutation of miracles is no more scientific than the acceptance of them and that there is considerable evidence in their support will urge us to understand the limits of science and its methods.