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The Bat in Bible and Quran
Author: Prof.dr. Ibrahim KhalilOne of the inherited doctrines of mankind is that the Quran is quoted or borrowed from the Bible.
The Bible categorizes the Bat among the "BIRDS". Zoologists say that Bat is an animal (mammals). The Bible talks about flying birds that walk on all fours.
Such creatures have not been present yet.
This illustrates the contradictions between the Bible and Sciences.
In next article about the Rabbit, you will find out how the Quran talks about the animals and birds.
Bat in the Bible:
The Bat is "detested" and "abominated" and it is a symbol of darkness, desolation or ruin.
Leviticus 11:13-20 (New International Version)
Unclean and Detested bird:
13 "These are the "BIRDS" you are to detest and not eat because they are detestable: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the worthy owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat, 20 " 'All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you.
Deuteronomy 14:11-19 (New International Version)
Unclean Food:
11 You may eat any clean bird. 12 But these you may not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 13 the red kite, the black kite, any kind of falcon, 14 any kind of raven, 15 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 16 the little owl, the worthy owl, the white owl, 17 the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant, 18 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe and the bat, 19 All flying insects that swarm are unclean to you; do not eat them. 20 But any winged creature that is clean you may eat.
Isaiah 2:19-21 (New International Version)
19 Men will flee to caves in the rocks and to holes in the ground from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth. 20 In that day guys will throw away to the rodents and bats their idols of silver and idols of gold, which they made to worship. 21 They will flee to caverns in the rocks and to the overhanging crags from dread of the LORD and the splendor of his majesty, when he rises to shake the earth.
The Bible categorizes the Bat among the "BIRDS" in the list of unclean animals.
According to these verses, Bat is a "BIRD" that should be "DETESTED" and "abominated" and it is a symbol of darkness, desolation or ruin.
Here again, you notice the obvious contradiction between the Bible and Science.
Bat is a bird says Bible!
However, the Zoologists say that Bat is an animal (mammals).
Bats are exceptional. Even though they share the characteristics of all mammals e.g., hair, keeping up body temperature, the capability to bear their young alive and take care of them; however, bats is the only mammals to truly fly.
Not only that but we have also:
Birds that walk on four! (Leviticus 11: 20)
'All flying insects that walk on all fours are to be detestable to you.
To the best of my knowledge I do not recall or know any bird(s) that walk on fours.
Does any one identify, please let me discern.
The Bats and Sciences:
Bats, the shy, nocturnal creatures are among the most attractive and silent animals on earth. They are very necessary to the ecology and environment and improve our lives in many ways. Insect eating bats eat millions of bugs night by night, and fruit bats get us some 400 marketable products.
Yet for all they do, bats are constantly executed due to mythology, superstition, false notion and fear. The Western civilization has generally considered bats with superstition, fear, and uncertainty.
Too often, well-liked mistaken belief has made them as "dirty," "disease carriers," or "blood suckers," an unwelcome reputation to be sure.
Because bats are small, secretive, feed at night, and are unfamiliar to most people, they are sometimes regarded as rare. On the contrary, they are found throughout the world.
Bats eat different kinds of food; most bats consume a variety of insects such as moths, beetles, gnats, and crickets. Some specialize in catching land insects like grasshoppers or roaches.
Another false concept:
"Blind as a bat" is a common saying yet it is not true. All bats can see, even though vision may be less necessary than other senses. Unlike birds, bats are color blind and, therefore, not dependent on color for locating and choosing their food.
Is the Bat Inventor?
The Bats have used the Ultrasonic before man:
Some 50 millions years ago, the Bats used the acoustic and echo-technology before man. They emit a series of supersonic cries through the mouth or nose and detect flying insects by the echoes reflected back. Bats emit sounds in the ultrasonic range and navigate in response to echoes. Man has discovered this art of science at 1940.
What is necessary to know?
Regardless of the Biblical concept for the Bats, They are advantageous members of the animal population. They assist to control night-flying insects; they can pollinate flowers, and spread out the seeds of plants. Their excreta are rich in nitrogen and are sold as fertilizer.
The more we learn about the bat's biology and habits, the more we accept and appreciate this soft furry creature as a natural part of our environment which helps us to have a healthy ecosystem.
Appreciating the role of Bats:
Only in China, exhibited in art and handicrafts, has the bat achieved respectability as a sign of cheerfulness, happiness and excellent fortune.
In addition, the worthy role played by the Bat World Sanctuary in USA emphasizes the vital value of the bats. The target of the Bat World Sanctuary is to end the abuse and destruction of bats and provide bat rehabilitation and therein, thousands of bats are rescued each year.
The Bat in the Quran:
This subject needs an independent article to display the reader how the Quran talks about the animals and birds.
You will find out in the next article about the Rabbit how the Quran talks about the animals and birds.
Last but not least, the belief put by the scholars said that the Bat is "detested" and "abominated" and it is a symbol of darkness, desolation or ruin. However, when we have read and knew the facts; we changed our mind dramatically.
The question is: is every belief and/or faith that you have inherited or acquired true?
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/science-articles/the-bat-in-bible-and-quran-113198.html
About the Author:Professor Dr. Ibrahim Khalil
Prof. of Clinical and Chemical Pathology,
Head of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control Unit,
Ain-Shams University., Cairo, Egypt.
And,
President of the Egyptian Society of Inventors.
Member of the Egyptian union of Writers
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Keywords:
bats kind insects bible birds walk quran flying talks vulture