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Egyptian scholar Zaghloul El-Naggar dies at 92
Renowned Egyptian Islamic scholar and geologist Zaghloul El-Naggar, a pioneer in interpreting the Qur’an through a scientific lens, has passed away at the age of 92. He died in Amman, Jordan, after battling illness, according to a statement released on his official social media accounts. His funeral prayer was held at Abu Aisha Mosque, and he was laid to rest at Umm Al-Qutain Cemetery.
Born on November 17, 1933, in Mashal, a village in Egypt’s Gharbia Governorate, El-Naggar displayed an early passion for the natural sciences. He graduated with honors in geology from Cairo University in 1955, receiving the prestigious Mustafa Baraka Award in Earth Sciences. In 1963, he earned his PhD from the University of Wales and became a full professor in 1972, launching a distinguished academic career.
El-Naggar held teaching and research positions across the globe, including in Egypt, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Yemen, Jordan, and the US. Among his notable roles, he chaired the geology department at Qatar University, taught at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, and served as a visiting professor at UCLA. He also directed Al-Ahqaf University in Yemen and later joined the World Islamic Sciences and Education University in Jordan.
Bridging science and Islamic revelation
El-Naggar became one of the most influential voices in the Arab and Muslim worlds advocating for the harmony between modern science and Islamic teachings. His concept of the “scientific miracles of the Qur’an and Sunnah” gained widespread recognition, attracting both admiration and debate.
Through his dozens of books and hundreds of lectures, El-Naggar sought to demonstrate what he perceived as divine insight in the Qur’an’s references to natural phenomena. His work inspired public interest in reconciling faith and science, particularly through his popular television program Ayat Bayyinat (“Clear Verses”), which explored Quranic descriptions of the natural world.
El-Naggar was a member of the International Commission on Scientific Signs in the Qur’an and Sunnah and received numerous honors for his efforts to promote scientific literacy within an Islamic framework. While his methods sparked discussion among theologians and scientists, his contributions left a lasting impact on contemporary Islamic thought and public discourse.
El-Naggar's legacy lies in his lifelong dedication to bridging science and religion, shaping perspectives on the interplay between faith and knowledge in the modern era.