- Oceanology:
“And it is He who has released [simultaneously] the two seas, one fresh and sweet and one salty and bitter, and He placed between them a barrier and prohibiting partition.” (25:53)
Baltic sea and North sea – the barrier between salt and sweet water is described as the Halocline phenomenon, discovered in the 19th century. The Qur’an was revealed in the 7th century.
- Fingerprints
“Does man think that We shall not assemble his bones? Yes, We are able to put together in perfect order the tips of his fingers” (75:3-4)
Each and every individual has a unique fingerprint, which remain the same for a lifetime unless a permanent scar appears. This is why it is used as proof of identity. This was only discovered in the late 19th century.
- Atmospheric Layers
“He determined them as seven samawat and revealed, in every Sama’a, its own mandate” (41: 12)
One of the interpretations of Samawat is atmosphere. In 1900s, it was discovered that the atmosphere is made up of seven layers; troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, exosphere, ionosphere and magnetosphere. Each layer had its own protection function – “We made the sky a preserved and protected roof yet still they turn away from Our signs” (21:32)
- Birth
“We created man from the purest kind of clay; then made him a drop in a secure receptacle; then formed the drop into a clot and formed the clot into a lump and formed the lump into bones and clothed the bones in flesh; and then brought him into being as another creature. Blessed be Allah, the Best of Creators!” (23:12-14)
The Qur’an discusses the entire process of pregnancy from the formation of the zygote to the development of the embryo until the emergence of an entire human being within nine months (“Did we not create you from a base fluid, then place it in a secure repository for a recognized term?” – (77:20-22).
- Expansion of the Universe
“And it is We Who have constructed the Sama’a with might, and verily, it We Who are steadily expanding it.” (51:47)
Another interpretation of Sama’a is universe. At the beginning of the 20th century, scientists established that the universe is expanding day after day through the emission of light by stars. Yet, the Qur’an mentioned this unique aspect of the universe in the 7th century.
- The Miracle of Iron
“And We also sent down iron in which there lies great force and which has many uses for mankind…” (57:25)
Modern astronomical findings have concluded that iron, which is found on earth, has come from giant stars in outer space and has essentially been “sent down” to earth. Not only does this apply to iron found on earth, rather for iron found within our entire solar system.
Iron is an important element with various benefits for mankind. Without the iron atom, there would be no carbon-based life in the cosmos – no atmosphere, no supernovae, no ozone layer, no hemoglobin (part of human blood).
- Formation of Rain
“It is Allah Who sends the winds which stir up clouds which He spreads about the sky however He wills. He forms them into dark clumps and you see the rain come pouring out from the middle of them. When He makes it fall on those of His servants He wills, they rejoice” (30:48)
This verse describes the complex formation of rain – from the winds carrying salt-rich air bubbles (by the oceans) upward into the atmosphere to the condensation process in the clouds followed by the formation of raindrops and finally, rain pouring down in such a perfect manner whereby they become heavier than the air as they leave the clouds.
- Mountains
“We placed firmly embedded mountains on the earth, so it would not move under them…” (21:31)
The verse indicates that mountains help prevent shocks on the earth and thereby help balance the earth. The rocky external layer of the earth’s surface is riven by deep faults and split into plates swimming above the molten lava. Since the earth revolves so fast around its own axis, were it not for the balancing feature of mountains, these plaques would shift. As a result, there would be no spoil and vegetation on earth. Neither houses or roads would be able to be built.
