QUR’ANIC PICTURES OF THE UNIVERSE: The Scriptural Foundation of Islamic Cosmology

This book presents a new study of one of the major themes of the Qur’an. The theme of Qur’anic pictures of the universe treated here pertains to as yet a little explored facet of Islamic cosmology. Through this particular thematic study of the Qur’an the author has made a significant contribution to the contemporary understanding of the scriptural foundation of Islamic cosmology and the present discourse on epistemology of scientific exegesis (tafsīr ‘ilmy) of the Qur’an. The book offers many new insights that will prove particularly helpful to those interested in deepening their understanding of Qur’anic perspectives on cosmology, the natural sciences, and religion and science. Osman Bakar, who earned a doctorate in Islamic philosophy from Temple University, Philadelphia, is currently Distinguished Professor and Director of Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Centre for Islamic Studies (SOASCIS) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam. He was formerly Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & Research) of University of Malaya, Malaysia Chair of Southeast Asian Islam at the Prince Talal al-Waleed Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, Washington DC, and Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO), International Institute of Advanced Islamic Studies, Malaysia (IAIS). An Emeritus Professor of Philosophy of Science at the Department of Science and Technology Studies, University of Malaya, he was also the founder of the university’s Center for Civilizational Dialogue (1996). Dr Bakar is an author of 20 books and more than 300 articles on various aspects of Islamic thought and civilization, particularly Islamic science and philosophy and Islam in Southeast Asia. He was a member of the Council of 100 Leaders of the West-Islamic World Initiative for Dialogue founded by the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland. He has been named several times among the 500 most influential Muslims in the world (including the latest 2016 edition). In 1994 he was made a Dato’ by HH the Sultan of Pahang and in 2000 a Datuk by the Malaysian