بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
All prophets of Allah were sent with signs for their specific people in their times. The Qur’an was sent as the final miracle with the prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). It is a miracle due to various unique features but in this post we will concentrate on some of the scientific facts in it.
Let us first understand that the Qur’an was revealed through an illiterate prophet and its initial form was spoken through him, Muhammad (ﷺ), only later to be compiled into book form. This was all done over 1400 years ago when science was merely what they can see with their eyes. There was no technology, research equipment; not even electricity – let us bare that in mind as we proceed.
Universe
Items in the modern time such as phones, computers etc. were all put together in an organised fashion thus they all had an organiser. Is it not rational to say that the universe with all its complexity also had an organiser? As mentioned in a previous post, every single matter in the universe is perfectly balanced, finely tuned. The world around us is proof in itself.
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?” 41:53
Origin of life
With the invention of the microscope, scientists found that all life consists mostly of water; this was mentioned in the Qur’an.
“Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?” 21:30
Embryology
“And certainly did We create man from an extract of clay.
Then We placed him as a sperm-drop in a firm lodging.
Then We made the sperm-drop into a clinging clot, and We made the clot into a lump [of flesh], and We made [from] the lump, bones, and We covered the bones with flesh; then We developed him into another creation. So blessed is Allah, the best of creators.” 23:12-14
Professor Emeritus Keith L. Moore (one of the most prominent scientists in the field of anatomy and embryology) quoted: “It is clear to me that these statements must have come to Muhammad from God, because almost all of this knowledge was not discovered until many centuries later.”
Sky’s protection
The sky acts as a protection from the lethality of the sun’s rays and also as a blanket for warmth. Outside the earth’s atmosphere the temperature is approximately -270°C which will instantly freeze the surface of the earth wiping out all of life.
“And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.” 21:32
Iron
Scientists have only recently discovered (past century or so) that the metal Iron was not formed on earth but came down from outer space from meteorites. This phenomenon is mentioned by its creator in the Qur’an.
“We have already sent Our messengers with clear evidences and sent down with them the Scripture and the balance that the people may maintain [their affairs] in justice. And We sent down iron, wherein is great military might and benefits for the people, and so that Allah may make evident those who support Him and His messengers unseen. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.” 57:25
Seas and Oceans
Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity, and density.
“He released the two seas, meeting [side by side];
Between them is a barrier [so] neither of them transgresses.” 55:19-20
It is commonly thought that waves only occur on the surface of the ocean. However, oceanographers have discovered that there are internal waves that take place below the surface of the ocean. These waves are invisible to the human eye, and can only be detected by specialist equipment.
“Or [they are] like darknesses within an unfathomable sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds – darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allah has not granted light – for him there is no light.” 24:40
Sun’s orbit
It was a wide spread belief that the Sun is stationary until the 20th century when scientists discovered that it is in fact in orbit around the centre of our galaxy.
“And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all in an orbit are swimming.” 21:33
Mountains
Geophysicists in modern times have discovered that mountains are like stakes (pointed at the surface, deeper in the ground) and are buried deep under the earth’s surface. Mount Everest, the height of which is approximately 9km has a root under ground deeper than 125km.
“Have We not made the earth a resting place?
And the mountains as stakes?” 78:6-7
Expanding universe
The fact that the universe is continuously expanding was only discovered in the last century. Stephen Hawking the physicist mentioned in his book ‘A Brief History of Time’: “The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the 20th century” – yet this was already mentioned in the Qur’an 1400 years ago.
“And the heaven [universe] We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.” 51:47
Skin pain receptors
For a long time it was thought that pain is merely in the brain – that there was no other factor involved except for certain functions in the brain. However, it was found that there are pain receptors in the skin; without these receptors one will not feel any pain.
“Indeed, those who disbelieve in Our verses – We will drive them into a Fire. Every time their skins are roasted through We will replace them with other skins so they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is ever Exalted in Might and Wise.” 4:56
Lying
“Does he not know that Allah sees?
No! If he does not desist, We will surely drag him by the forelock –
A lying, sinning forelock.” 96:14-16
Allah knows best.