Introduction
Fourteen
centuries ago, God sent down the Qur'an to mankind as a book of guidance. He
called upon people to be guided to the truth by adhering to this book. From the
day of its revelation to the day of judgement, this last divine book will remain
the sole guide for humanity.
The matchless style of the Qur'an and
the superior wisdom in it are definite evidence that it is the word of God. In
addition, the Qur'an has many miraculous attributes proving that it is a
revelation from God. One of these attributes is the fact that a number of
scientific truths that we have only been able to uncover by the technology of
the 20th century were stated in the Qur'an 1,400 years ago.
Of course the Qur'an is not a book of
science. However, many scientific facts that are expressed in an extremely
concise and profound manner in its verses have only been discovered with the
technology of the 20th century. These facts could not have been known at the
time of the Qur'an's revelation, and this is still more proof that the Qur'an is
the word of God.
In order to understand the scientific
miracle of the Qur'an, we must first take a look at the level of science at the
time when this holy book was revealed.
In the 7th century, when the Qur'an
was revealed, Arab society had many superstitious and groundless beliefs where
scientific issues were concerned. Lacking the technology to examine the universe
and nature, these early Arabs believed in legends inherited from past
generations. They supposed, for example, that mountains supported the sky above.
They believed that the earth was flat and that there were high mountains at its
both ends. It was thought that these mountains were pillars that kept the vault
of heaven high above.
However all these superstitious
beliefs of Arab society were eliminated with the Qur'an. In Sura Sad, verse 2,
it was said: "God is He who raised up the heavens without any
support..."(The Qur'an, 38:2). This verse invalidated the belief that the
sky remains above because of the mountains. In many other subjects, important
facts were revealed at a time when no one could have known them. The Qur'an,
which was revealed at a time when people knew very little about astronomy,
physics, or biology, contains key facts on a variety of subjects such as the
creation of the universe, the creation of the human being, the structure of the
atmosphere, and the delicate balances that make life on earth possible.
Now, let us look at some of these
scientific miracles revealed in the Qur'an together.
The
Coming of the Universe Into Existence
The
origin of the universe is described in the Qur'an in the following verse:
"He
is the Originator of the heavens and the earth."(The Qur'an, 6:101)
This information given in the Qur'an
is in full agreement with the findings of contemporary science. The conclusion
that astrophysics has reached today is that the entire universe, together with
the dimensions of matter and time, came into existence as a result of a great
explosion that occurred in no time. This event, known as "The Big
Bang" proved that the universe was created from nothingness as the result
of the explosion of a single point. Modern scientific circles are in agreement
that the Big Bang is the only rational and provable explanation of the beginning
of the universe and of how the universe came into being.
Before the Big Bang, there was no such
thing as matter. From a condition of non-existence in which neither
matter, nor energy, nor even time existed, and which can only be described
metaphysically, matter, energy, and time were all created. This fact, only
recently discovered by modern physics, was announced to us in the Qur'an 1,400
years ago.
The sensitive sensors on board the
COBE space satellite which was launched by NASA in 1992, captured evidentiary
remnants of the Big Bang. This discovery served as evidence for the Big Bang,
which is the scientific explanation of the fact that the universe was created
from nothing.
The
Expansion of the Universe
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Edwin Hubble with his giant telescope |
In the
Qur'an, which was revealed 14 centuries ago at a time when the science of
astronomy was still primitive, the expansion of the universe was described like
this:
"And it is We
who have constructed the heaven with might, and verily, it is We who are
steadily expanding it."
(The Qur'an, 51:47)
The word "heaven", as stated
in this verse, is used in various places in the Qur'an with the meaning of space
and universe. Here again, the word is used with this meaning. In other words, in
the Qur'an it is revealed that the universe "expands". And this is the
very conclusion that science has reached today.
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Georges Lemaitre |
Until the dawn of the 20th century,
the only view prevailing in the world of science was that "the universe has
a constant nature and it has existed since infinite time". The research,
observations, and calculations carried out by means of modern technology,
however, have revealed that the universe in fact had a beginning, and that it
constantly "expands".
At the beginning of the 20th century,
the Russian physicist Alexander Friedmann and the Belgian cosmologist Georges
Lemaitre theoretically calculated that the universe is in constant motion and
that it is expanding.
This fact was proved also by
observational data in 1929. While observing the sky with a telescope, Edwin
Hubble, the American astronomer, discovered that the stars and galaxies were
constantly moving away from each other. A universe where everything constantly
moves away from everything else implied a constantly expanding universe.
The observations carried out in the following years verified that the universe
is constantly expanding. This fact was explained in the Qur'an when that was
still unknown to anyone. This is because the Qur'an is the word of God, the
Creator, and the Ruler of the entire universe.
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From the
moment of the big bang, the universe has been constantly expanding at a
great speed. Scientists compare the expanding universe to the surface of
a balloon that is inflated.
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The
Splitting Asunder of "The Heavens and The Earth"
Another
verse about the creation of the heavens is as follows:
"Do not the
Unbelievers see that the heavens and the earth were joined together (as one unit
of creation), before We clove them asunder, and We made from water every living
thing. Will they not then believe?"
(The Qur'an, 21:30)
The word ratq translated as
"sewn to" means "mixed in each, blended" in Arabic
dictionaries. It is used to refer to two different substances that make up a
whole. The phrase "we unstitched" is the verb fataqa in
Arabic and implies that something comes into being by tearing apart or
destroying the structure of ratq. The sprouting of a seed from the soil
is one of the actions to which this verb is applied.
Let us take a look at the verse again
with this knowledge in mind. In the verse, sky and earth are at first subject to
the status of ratq. They are separated (fataqa) with one coming
out of the other. Intriguingly, when we remember the first moments of the Big
Bang, we see that a single point included all the matter in the universe. In
other words, everything, including "the heavens and earth" which were
not created yet, were included in this point in a condition of ratq. This
point exploded violently, causing its matter to fataqa and in the process
created the structure of the whole universe.
When we compare the expressions in the
verse with scientific findings, we see that they are in perfect agreement with
each other. Interestingly enough, these findings were not arrived at until the
20th century.
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The picture
represents the Big Bang, which revealed once again that God created the
universe from nothingness. The Big Bang is a theory that has been proven
with scientific evidence. Although some scientists tried to advance
alternative theories against the Big Bang, scientific evidence caused
the theory to be completely accepted by the scientific community.
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Orbits
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While
referring to the Sun and the Moon in the Qur'an, it is
emphasized that each moves in a definite orbit.
"It
is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the
moon. They swim along, each in an orbit. "
(The Qur'an, 21:33)
These facts
communicated in the Qur'an have been discovered by astronomical
observations in our age. According to the calculations of
experts on astronomy, the Sun is traveling at the enormous speed
of 720,000 kilometers an hour in the direction of the star Vega
in a particular orbit called the Solar Apex. This means that the
sun travels roughly 17,280,000 kilometers a day. Along with the
Sun, and all planets and satellites within the gravitational
system of the Sun also travel the same distance. In addition,
all the stars in the universe are in a similar planned motion.
That the entire
universe is full of paths and orbits such as this one, is
written in the Qur'an as follows:
"By
the sky full of paths and orbits."
(The Qur'an, 51:7)
There are about 200
billion galaxies in the universe, consisting of nearly 200
billion stars in each. Most of these stars have planets, and
most of those planets have satellites. All of these heavenly
bodies move in very precisely computed orbits. For millions of
years, each has been "swimming" along in its own orbit
in perfect harmony and order with all the others. Moreover, many
comets also move along in the orbits determined for them.
 The
orbits in the universe do not only belong to celestial bodies.
The galaxies also travel at enormous speeds in computed, planned
orbits. During these movements, none of these celestial bodies
cuts across another's path, or collides with another.
Surely at the time the
Qur'an was revealed, mankind did not possess today's telescopes
or advanced observation technologies to observe millions of
kilometres of space, nor the modern knowledge of physics or
astronomy. Therefore, at that time, it was not possible to
determine scientifically that space is "full of paths and
orbits" as stated in the verse. However, this was openly
declared to us in the Qur'an that was revealed at that
time:-because the Qur'an is the word of God.
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Like
many other comets in the universe, Halley's comet, seen
above, also moves in a planned orbit. It has a specific
orbit and it moves in this orbit in a perfect harmony
with other celestial bodies.
All
celestial bodies including planets, satellites of these
planets, stars, and even galaxies have their own orbits
that have been determined with very delicate
computations. The One Who established this perfect order
and maintains it is God, Who created the entire
universe.
The
Roundness of the Earth
"He has created the
Heavens and the Earth for Truth. He wraps the night up
in the day, and wraps the day up in the night."
(The Qur'an, 39:5)
In the Qur'an, the words used for describing the
universe are quite remarkable. The Arabic word that is
translated as "to wrap" in the above verse is
"takwir". In English, it means "to make
one thing lap over another, folded up as a garment that
is laid away". (For instance, in Arabic
dictionaries this word is used for the action of
wrapping one thing around another, in the way that a
turban is put on.)
The information given in the verse about the day and
the night wrapping each other up includes accurate
information about the shape of the world. This can be
true only if the earth is round. This means that in the
Qur'an, which was revealed in the 7th century, the
roundness of the world was hinted at.
It should be remembered, however, that the
understanding of astronomy of the time perceived the
world differently. It was then thought that the world
was a flat plane and all scientific calculations and
explanations were based on this belief. The verses of
the Qur'an, however, include information that we have
learned only in the past century. Since the Qur'an is
God's word, the most correct words were used in it when
it comes to describing the universe.
The
Protected Roof
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The atmosphere only lets rays required for life
reach the Earth. Ultraviolet rays, for example,
make it to the world only partially. This is the
most appropriate range to allow plants to make
photosynthesis and eventually for all living
things to survive. |
In the Qur'an, God calls
our attention to a very interesting attribute of the
sky:
"We made the sky a
preserved and protected roof yet still they turn away
from Our Signs.."
(The Qur'an, 21:32)
This attribute of the sky has been proved by
scientific research carried out in the 20th century.
The atmosphere surrounding the earth serves crucial
functions for the continuity of life. While destroying
many meteors big and small as they approach the earth,
it prevents them from falling to earth and harming
living things.
In addition, the atmosphere filters the light rays
coming from space that are harmful to living things.
Interestingly, the atmosphere lets only harmless and
useful rays- visible light, near ultraviolet light, and
radio waves pass through. All of this radiation is vital
for life. Near ultraviolet rays, which are only
partially let in by the atmosphere, are very important
for the photosynthesis of plants and for the survival of
all living beings. The majority of the intense
ultraviolet rays emitted from the sun are filtered out
by the ozone layer of the atmosphere and only a
limited-and essential-part of the ultraviolet spectrum
reaches the Earth.
The protective function of the atmosphere does not
end here. The atmosphere also protects the earth from
the freezing cold of the space, which is about minus 270°
C.
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This illustration shows meteors that are
about to crash into the earth. The celestial
bodies wandering in space could pose a serious
threat to the Earth. Yet, God, He Who creates
most perfectly, has made the atmosphere a
protective roof. Thanks to this special
protection, most meteoroids do not harm the
Earth, as they fall to pieces in the atmosphere.
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Most people looking at the sky do not think
about the protective aspect of the atmosphere.
They almost never think what kind of a place the
world would be like if this structure did not
exist. The above photo belongs to a giant crater
caused by a meteor that fell in Arizona, in the
USA. If the atmosphere did not exist, millions
of meteoroids would fall to the Earth and the
Earth would become an inhabitable place. Yet,
the protective aspect of the atmosphere allows
living things to survive in safety. This is
certainly God's protection of people, and a
miracle proclaimed in the Qur'an.
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| The energy
released in a Sun burst is so powerful that the
human mind would hardly comprehend it: A single
burst is equivalent to 100 billion atomic bombs
similar to the one dropped on Hiroshima. The
world is protected from the destructive effects
of this energy by the atmosphere and the Van
Allen Belts. |
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the Earth, which is perfectly fitted for human
life, beyond the atmosphere into the space, we
come across a freezing cold. The world is
protected from the freezing cold of space, which
is around -270 degrees, by the help of the
atmosphere. |
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The magnetosphere layer, formed by the magnetic
field of the Earth, serves as a shield
protecting the earth from celestial bodies,
harmful cosmic rays and particles. In the above
picture, this magnetosphere layer, which is also
named Van Allen Belts, is seen. These belts at
thousands of kilometres above the earth protect
the living things on the Earth from the fatal
energy that would otherwise reach it from space.
All these scientific findings prove that the
world is protected in a very particular way. The
important thing is that this protection was made
known in the Qur'an in the verse "We
made the sky a preserved and protected
roof" 1,400 years ago.
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It is not only the atmosphere that protects the Earth
from harmful effects. In addition to the atmosphere, the
Van Allen Belt, a layer caused by the magnetic field of
the Earth, also serves as a shield against the harmful
radiation that threatens our planet. This radiation,
which is constantly emitted by the Sun and other stars,
is deadly to living things. If the Van Allen belt did
not exist, the massive outbursts of energy called solar
flares that frequently occur in the Sun would destroy
all life on Earth.
Dr. Hugh Ross has this to say on the importance of
Van Allen Belts to our lives:
In
fact, the Earth has the highest density of any of the
planets in our Solar System. This large nickel-iron core
is responsible for our large magnetic field. This
magnetic field produces the Van-Allen radiation shield,
which protects the Earth from radiation bombardment. If
this shield were not present, life would not be possible
on the Earth. The only other rocky planet to have any
magnetic field is Mercury - but its field strength is
100 times less than the Earth's. Even Venus, our sister
planet, has no magnetic field. The Van-Allen radiation
shield is a design unique to the Earth.(1)
 The
energy transmitted in just one of these bursts detected
in recent years was calculated to be equivalent to 100
billion atomic bombs similar to the one dropped on
Hiroshima. Fifty-eight hours after the burst, it was
observed that the magnetic needles of compasses
displayed unusual movement and 250 kilometers above the
earth's atmosphere, the temperature suddenly increased
to 2,500° C.
In short, a perfect system is at work high above the
Earth. It surrounds our world and protects it against
external threats. Scientists only learned about it
recently, yet centuries ago, God informed us in the
Qur'an of the world's atmosphere functioning as a
protective shield.
The
Returning Sky
The verse 11 of Sura
Tarik in the Qur'an, refers to the "returning"
function of the sky.
"By Heaven with its
cyclical systems."
(The Qur'an, 86:11)
This word interpreted as "cyclical" in
Qur'an translations also has meanings of "sending
back" or "returning".
As known, the atmosphere surrounding the Earth
consists of many layers. Each layer serves an important
purpose for the benefit of life. Research has revealed
that these layers have the function of turning the
materials or rays they are exposed to back into space or
back down to the Earth. Now let us examine with a few
examples of this "recycling" function of the
layers encircling the Earth.
The troposphere, 13 to 15 kilometers above the Earth,
enables water vapor rising from the surface of the Earth
to be condensed and turn back as rain.
The ozone layer, at an altitude of 25 kilometers,
reflects harmful radiation and ultraviolet light coming
from space and turns both back into space.
The ionosphere, reflects radio waves broadcast
from the Earth back down to different parts of
the world, just like a passive communications satellite,
and thus makes wireless communication, radio, and
television broadcasting possible over long distances.
The magnetosphere layer turns the harmful
radioactive particles emitted by the Sun and other stars
back into space before they reach the Earth.
The fact that this property of the atmosphere's
layers, that was onlt demonstrated in the recent past
was announced centuries ago in the Qur'an, once again
demonstrates that the Qur'an is the word of God.
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| The presence of water is essential
for life on Earth. One of the factors acting in
the formation of water is the Troposphere, one
of the layers of the atmosphere. The troposphere
layer enables water vapour rising from the
surface of the Earth to be condensed and turn
back down to the Earth as rain. |
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| The atmosphere layer that blocks
the rays that might be fatal to life on Earth is
the Ozonosphere. The Ozonosphere turns harmful
cosmic rays like ultraviolet back to space,
hence preventing them from reaching the Earth
and harming life. |
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| Each layer of the atmosphere has
beneficial attributes for human beings. The
Ionosphere layer, one of the upper layers of the
atmosphere, for example, reflects radio waves
broadcast from a certain centre back down to the
Earth, thus enabling broadcasts to be received
from long distances. |
The
Layers of the Atmosphere
One
fact about the universe revealed in the verses of the
Qur'an is that the sky is made up of seven layers.
"It
is He Who created everything on the earth for you and
then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it
into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all
things."
(The Qur'an, 2:29)
"Then
He turned to heaven when it was smoke. In two days He
determined them as seven heavens and revealed, in every
heaven, its own mandate."
(The Qur'an, 41:12)
The word
"heavens", which appears in many verses in the
Qur'an, is used to refer to the sky above the Earth, as
well as the entire universe. Given this meaning of the
word, it is seen that the Earth's sky, or the
atmosphere, is made up of seven layers.
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The
Earth has all the attributes that are needed for
life. One of them is the atmosphere, which
serves as a shield protecting living things.
Today, it is an established fact that the
atmosphere is made up of different layers lying
on top of one another. Just as it is described
in the Qur'an, the atmosphere is made up of
exactly seven layers. This is certainly one of
the miracles of the Qur'an.
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Indeed, today
it is known that the world's atmosphere consists of
different layers that lie on top of each other.
Furthermore, it consists, just as is described in the
Qur'an, of exactly seven layers. In a scientific source,
the subject is described as follows:
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14 centuries ago, when the sky was believed to
be one unified body, the Qur'an miraculously
stated that it consisted of layers, and what is
more, "seven" layers. Modern science,
on the other hand, discovered the fact that the
atmosphere surrounding the Earth is made up of
"seven" basic layers only very
recently.
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