Those of you have read my book God Arises would know that in it I have written about an incident. This is an incident from 1909. There was a person called Inayatullah Mashriqi. He had studied at Oxford University. At that time, Sir James Jeans was professor of astronomy at Oxford and teacher of Inyatullah Mashriqi. While he was studying there in 1909, one day he went out of his house and suddenly saw Sir James Jeans, who was holding the Bible and going towards the Church. He greeted him 'good morning' and then said: May I ask you a question? Sir James Jeans was going to the Church, so he asked Inyatullah Mashriqi to come to his home later to converse over tea. In the evening, Inyatullah Mashriqi went to his house. Inyatullah Mashriqi had asked him: Why a big scientist such as yourself is going to the Church?

When he reached Sir James Jeans' house, without any prelude, he began to speak about astronomy: There are many stars in space, innumerable galaxies, all moving in their orbit. In space, we witness an unthinkable scene. While telling about all this, Sir James Jeans had goosebumps. After saying this, he explained that his study had made him reach the conclusion that God is great. 

Inyatullah Mashriqi asked respectfully: Can I recite a verse of the Quran before you? Sir James Jeans said his study had made him discover God's greatness. Inyatullah Mashriqi read this verse: وَمِنَ الْجِبَالِ جُدَدٌ بِيضٌ وَحُمْرٌ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهَا وَغَرَابِيبُ سُودٌ  وَمِنَ النَّاسِ وَالدَّوَابِّ وَالْأَنْعَامِ مُخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ كَذَلِكَ إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ (35:27-28) This verse gives reference of mountains. The mountains are a unique sight. The more knowledge you gain about the mountains, the more you will develop closeness to God:  إِنَّمَا يَخْشَى اللَّهَ مِنْ عِبَادِهِ الْعُلَمَاءُ “Only those of His servants, who possess knowledge, fear God.”

Knowledge is linked to fear of God. The more you gain knowledge, the more you will have fear of God. Fear of God means realization of God. When God's realization reaches the last extent, it takes the form of fear of God. God is infinitely great. When you see a tiger in the jungle, your realization of the tiger's presence will make you fearful. God is billion times and much more greater than a tiger. When God's realization reaches the last extent, it takes the form of fear of God. You cannot understand this fear of God with the word 'fear' used in human language. Fear, dread, awe are insufficient to explain what happens when you discover the greatest Being. It is a thrilling experience! This is what Inyatullah Mashriqi told Sir James Jeans about the Quran.

Listening to this Sir James Jeans said: Is this really in the Quran? Is this written in the Quran? If this is what is written in the Quran, I bear witness that the Quran is a book of God.