Gayb, Ledün Knowledge and Manipulation: The Boundary Between Scientific Foresight and Mystical Deception

Throughout human history, the claim of "knowing the future" has been used as a powerful instrument of influence over the masses. This claim has sometimes appeared in religious guise, sometimes marketed as a mystical rank, and sometimes been justified through pseudo-scientific arguments. Yet the Quran draws an unmistakably clear line on this matter: the Unseen (Gayb) belongs to Allah alone. "Say: None in the heavens and the earth knows the Unseen except Allah." (Naml, 27:65) Here we will demonstrate that the scientific foreseeability of geological, climatic, biological, and sociological cycles places these events outside the scope of "Gayb," while simultaneously analyzing how concepts such as Ledün knowledge have been instrumentalized, and how narcissistic figures who manipulate society feed upon this void. Linguistic and Theological Analysis of the Concept of Ledün Knowledge The True Meaning of the Expression "Min Ledünnâ" The expression "min ledünnâ ilmen" (knowledge from Our Presence) in Surah Al-Kahf has been misinterpreted for centuries and drawn toward a mystical meaning. In certain traditional circles, this expression has been presented as a type of knowledge given by Allah exclusively to select individuals — a secret knowledge closed to all others. Yet linguistically, the word "ledünnâ" is neither an adjective nor the name of a special branch of knowledge. It is an adverb indicating the source to be Allah; that is, it means "from Allah's side, from Allah's presence." Therefore, what is emphasized in this verse is not the type of knowledge, but its source. All knowledge originates from Allah. When we read the verse in this light, we arrive at the following conclusion: constructing a separate and mysterious category of knowledge called "Ledün knowledge" is a distortion of the Quran's language. All Knowledge Is from Allah The fundamental epistemological principle of Islam is that the source of all genuine knowledge is Allah. Medical science, physics, geology, and sociology all amount, in the end, to discovering the laws governing the workings of the universe that Allah created. From this perspective, no fundamental distinction can be drawn between "Ledün knowledge" and "modern science." Both rest upon the laws of cause and effect that Allah has established — that is, upon Sünnetullah. Those who invent a separate and mysterious category of Ledün knowledge have either failed to comprehend the truth that Allah is the source of all knowledge, or they are consciously instrumentalizing this concept. Scientific Foresight Is Not Gayb Geological Cycles The earth has been moving through great cycles spanning millions of years. Scientific knowledge of these cycles removes such events from the scope of Gayb. The supercontinent referred to as Pangea Ultima is projected by the science of plate tectonics to re-form in approximately 250–300 million years. Alongside the horizontal movement of continents, vertical movements also occur; when glaciers melt, land rises, and as weight increases, it subsides — a process known as isostasy. The East African Rift System will gradually split the African continent in two, and millions of years from now, a new ocean will form between those two landmasses. Mountains erode and are worn down, while new ones rise. The Alps will gradually diminish, while new mountain ranges will form in other regions. Massive volcanic events — Large Igneous Province (LIP) eruptions — have recurred throughout history, and science definitively predicts that such events will recur again. Geomagnetic reversal, meaning the shifting of Earth's magnetic poles, has occurred many times in the past. That it will occur again is a known fact; only its precise timing cannot be determined. Climate Cycles and Natural Disasters The arrival of a new ice age is scientifically inevitable. Milankovitch cycles and variations in solar activity indicate that the ice ages that have repeatedly occurred in the past will occur again. Mega-tsunamis, volcanic island formations, major landslides, and asteroid impacts are likewise phenomena that have happened before and are known to happen again. Looking specifically at Turkey, it is a scientific fact that the North Anatolian Fault and the East Anatolian Fault continuously accumulate and release energy. When fault rupture cycles are examined, it becomes clear that a major earthquake will strike the Marmara region. Tsunamis in the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts linked to seabed movements, landslides in the Black Sea region, and erosion from rising sea levels in coastal cities — all of these are developments anticipated by the scientific community. Given Turkey's forested geography, scientific data plainly shows that summer conditions make forest fires nearly inevitable in Mediterranean coastal provinces such as Antalya, Mersin, Adana, and Hatay; that the Aegean coastline including Muğla, İzmir, and Aydın carries fire risk alongside prolonged dry summers; and that forested areas in Çanakkale, Balıkesir, and Bursa are also exposed to this risk. Biological Cycles and Epidemics Throughout history, epidemics of plague, influenza, and smallpox have recurred periodically. The COVID-19 pandemic experience demonstrated that such crises are not merely theoretical but concrete realities. Zoonoses originating from bats, birds, and pigs may open the door to new pandemics. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria — so-called "superbugs" such as MRSA — and resistant strains of tuberculosis pose a growing threat to global health systems. With advances in synthetic biology, laboratory-originated biological hazards have also come to the fore. The expanding geographical range of mosquitoes driven by climate change makes it increasingly likely that tropical diseases such as malaria and dengue fever will appear in Europe and the Mediterranean basin. All of this information constitutes forecasts grounded in scientific observation and modeling. Stating these things is not making a claim to Gayb — it is correctly reading the laws of cause and effect. Sociological Cycles The Quran expresses this reality as follows: "Or do you think that you will enter Paradise without such trials as came to those who passed away before you?" (Baqarah, 2:214). Throughout history, wars, famines, social collapses, and reconstructions have recurred in cyclical patterns. The conflict centered on Jerusalem and Masjid al-Aqsa between Muslims and Jews, the Iran-Israel tension, and the Palestinian cause — all have roots in concrete political, historical, and geopolitical realities. Predicting that these conflicts will intensify is not prophecy but the result of political analysis. Mystical Prophecy Claims as an Instrument of Manipulation The Structure of Deception Claiming to know the future is one of the oldest forms of manipulation in history. The essence of this structure is as follows: phenomena already known to occur — geological cycles, social fractures, psychological patterns — are taken and presented as if learned through some mystical secret. When the event occurs, authority is established by declaring "I told you so." Yet the Quran is unequivocal on this point: only Allah knows the Unseen. The fact that events are known to occur does not mean they are Gayb. The unknowability of exact dates constitutes the true dimension of Gayb. Conflating these two concepts is a serious epistemological error. Patterns of False Mahdi Claims and Religious Manipulation In every era, certain communities have proclaimed their leaders the Mahdi. This pattern proceeds through defined stages. First, a figure exhibiting delusions of reference emerges; he positions himself as someone special, chosen, and bearing a divine message. As this figure receives validation from those around him, he may come to believe himself to be the Mahdi. After his death, his followers continue to disseminate his views; the leader is proclaimed the Mahdi even posthumously. In the final stage, the organization begins to position itself as the Army of the Mahdi, employs symbolic elements such as black banners, and seeks to spread its ideology by force. False Messiahs also emerge throughout this process. And sadly, false Messiahs have appeared in every age and will continue to appear. Yet the Prophet Jesus (peace be upon him) will not come in any era other than his own appointed time. Narcissistic Personality Disorder and Claims of Religious Authority Individuals with narcissistic personality disorder view themselves as superior to others, believe they are special and chosen, exaggerate their achievements or construct imaginary ones. They cannot tolerate criticism; when denied approval they respond with rage, fragility, or contempt. Their capacity for empathy is weak, and they use people as instruments for their own ends. When this personality profile is combined with a religious leadership role, an extremely dangerous situation arises. The belief in being "chosen" is reinforced by claims of receiving divine revelation or special knowledge. Communities that form around such figures can gradually become closed groups that abandon critical thinking and display absolute devotion to the leader. Antisocial Personality Disorder and Religious Organization Individuals with antisocial personality disorder lie, commit fraud, deceive others, and frequently violate rules and laws. They disregard the boundaries and feelings of others, feel no guilt or remorse. They normalize harmful behavior, easily become enraged and exhibit aggressive conduct, and use people for their own benefit. Within religious organizations, this profile manifests as illegal acts carried out in the name of "faith," coercion and exploitation of community members, transfer of resources, and the restriction of individual freedoms. Conspiracy Theories and the Danger of Half-Truths A particularly notable form of manipulation involves mixing scientifically accurate facts with entirely baseless claims. For example: the reality of climate change is true; but the claim that "rainfall has been stolen" is an outright lie. The fact that earthquakes will recur along specific fault lines is a scientific truth; but the claim that "earthquakes were deliberately caused by certain parties" is technologically impossible and manipulative. The fact that epidemics can originate from zoonotic sources is true; but the claim that "diseases were intentionally engineered" is in most cases groundless. This mixture is consciously employed to gain people's trust. Telling fifty percent of the truth and filling the rest with lies is a far more effective form of manipulation than outright falsehood. Sünnetullah and True Knowledge The Cause-and-Effect Order in the Universe Looking at the Quran as a whole, it is clear that Allah operates the universe according to specific laws. These laws are called Sünnetullah. The verse "And it is He who sends down water from the sky in measured amounts" (Zukhruf, 43:11) indicates that nature functions not chaotically but within defined limits and measures. This truth forms the foundation of scientific inquiry. Scientists develop forecasts by discovering this measured and orderly functioning of nature. These forecasts are not claims to Gayb — they are the reading of Sünnetullah. The Unknowability of Exact Timing Is the True Dimension of Gayb A careful distinction must be drawn among the following three matters. First, knowing that an event will occur — this is scientific foresight. Second, modeling how an event will occur — this too is scientific work. Third, knowing exactly when an event will occur — this is the true dimension of Gayb. That a major Istanbul earthquake will happen is a scientific fact. In which year, which month, which second it will occur cannot be determined by science, and this temporal dimension genuinely falls within Gayb. New Idols and New Currents of Irreligion In every age, new forms of belief, new idols, and new currents of irreligion have emerged. This cycle too is a sociologically foreseeable pattern. In the present day, tendencies can be observed in which artificial intelligence is perceived as a kind of divine or infallible source of knowledge; a portion of humanity has been taking steps to sanctify this technology. This too is a form of acquiring a new idol. The verse "There is no city but that We will destroy it before the Day of Resurrection or punish it with a severe punishment" (Al-Isra, 17:58) draws attention to the universal and cyclical nature of societal destruction. Conclusion The picture set forth here rests upon the following fundamental truth: events known to occur are not Gayb. Geological cycles, climate changes, epidemics, social fractures, and psychological patterns are all phenomena that can be studied and modeled by science. Presenting these events as "miracles" or "divine gifts" is nothing other than marketing scientific knowledge as a mystical commodity. Inventing a separate and mysterious category of knowledge called Ledün knowledge is a distortion of the Quran's language. The expression "min ledünnâ" identifies Allah as the source of knowledge; it does not carry the meaning of a secret bestowed upon select individuals. The true danger threatening societies is this manipulation concealed beneath a mystical guise. The claims to prophecy employed by figures with narcissistic or antisocial personality disorder to attain religious authority, the discourse of false Mahdis, the half-true conspiracy theories — all serve the same end: to bring people under control and exploit them. True knowledge is the correct reading of Sünnetullah — the laws of cause and effect that Allah has placed within the universe. Claiming knowledge of Gayb, by contrast, originates either from profound ignorance or deliberate manipulation. Both represent a serious moral and epistemological deviation. Verse 65 of Surah Naml draws an incontestable boundary on this matter: only Allah knows the Unseen. To transgress this boundary — no matter what religious form it takes — serves not truth but deception.