Erring Qur'an

[Nonson]

Scientific Errors in the Qur'an

(From "Muslim Spain and Islamic Science)

"Qur'anic Science"

The term Qur' anic Science is a misnomer because there is practically no information relating to natural phenomena in the Qur'an - even less than one would expect from an illiterate shepherd or camel-driver. The Sun, Moon and stars receive mention as Allah's "signs" but there is no attempt at a scientific explanation: instead of a cosmogeny, Allah merely issues the command, "Be!"


Qur'an (21:30), Have not the disbelievers seen that the heavens and Earth were one piece and we parted them?", is cited as anticipating the Big Bang theory.

(We've gotten a lot of this crap lately).


Maurice Bucaille, "The Bible, the Qur'an and Science" correctly points out that the Genesis version of Creation is not in accord with fossil evidence - birds and whales appeared after land vertebrates (reptiles and land mammals respectively.) The Qur'an cannot be so criticized because it is not as ambitious as the Bible for "there appears ┘ only one passage in the Qur'an where a definite sequence is plainly established between events in the Creation. Viz. (79:27/33)


"Are you the harder to create or is it the heaven that (Allah) built? He raised its canopy and fashioned it with harmony. He made dark the night and he brought out the forenoon. And after that He spread it out. Therefrom he drew out its water and its pasture. And the mountains He has fixed firmly. Goods for you and your cattle."


Bucaille quotes (41:11), "Moreover (Allah) turned to the Heaven when it was smoke and said to it and to the earth ┘ " as evidence that the Qur'an contains 20th Century knowledge of interstellar galactic material, pure hydrogen which can hardly be called "smoke". He also uses, "Praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds", the plural indicating knowledge of planets other than Earth and, possibly, inhabited planets in other stellar systems.


Bucaille believes these following verses provide information: "the sky (Allah) raised it ┘ (sic) (55:7) and "(Allah) holds back the sky from falling on the Earth except by His leave ┘ " (22:65) (Shades of Henny Penny! The old Arabs undoubtedly knew about meteorites.)


"The sun and the moon (are subjected) to calculations." (55:5) - the ancient Egyptians were thus able to predict accurately the flooding of the Nile, thousands of years before the Qur'an.)


Much is made of the next quote: "(God is) the One Who created the night, the day, the sun and the moon. Each one is travelling in an orbit with its own motion." (21:33) I suggest that, taking the verse as a whole, that night and day are mentioned and that the motions of the Earth are ignored, the old, incorrect notion of the Sun going around the Earth is implied rather than the modern knowledge that the Sun moves elliptically through the Milky Way with a period of roughly 250 million years and that day and night are due to Earth's rotation on its axis. Moreover omniscient Allah does not elaborate on the motion of the Moon. Most of its apparent motion is NOT due to its "orbit with its own motion" around Earth (approx. 28 days) but to Earth's rotation on its axis.


. Further on astronomy, is Qur'an (18:86): "When he (Dhu al Qarnayn) reached the setting of the Sun, he found it in a spring of murky water." (Perhaps this may have been Allah's little attempt at levity, but it does make one wonder how literally one can take Qur'an) authority" to do so. This verse implies that the Sun is very much smaller than Earth whereas the converse is true. Also that the Sun moves across the Earth and "sets" at night, rather than that a spherical Earth turns on its axis.


The location of the Moon and stars in the Qur'an certainly gives the wrong impression: " We have indeed adorned the LOWER heaven with the beauty of the stars." (37:6, similarly (67:3,5) and (41:12)) and "Do you not see that Allah has created the seven heavens one above the other, and made the moon a light in their midst ┘" (71:15-16).


But the stars are vastly further away than the Moon. (The average distance from Earth to Moon is 384,400 km, while Proxima Centauri, the closest star to us apart from Sun (150,000,000 km) is 40 trillion kilometres.


Bucaille calls on people with a knowledge of Science and Arabic to translate the Qur'an so that it will sound more modern and contain terms such as atoms, the expanding universe, etc. Thus AYA (51:47) "With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of space." This respectable 7th Century statement becomes (Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Cairo), "The Heaven, We have built with power. Verily, We are expanding it." (51:47)


Space travel is said to have been predicted by (55:33)

"O ye assembly of Jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass ye! Not without authority shall ye be able to pass! Apparently the Russian and American cosmonauts had "Allah's authority to do so. Seriously, though, there are mentions of space-travel in other "tales of the ancients".


There are a number of verses wherein "Allah" suggests that the father is the sole genetic parent e.g. (6:98) "It is He Who hath produced you from a single person; here is a place of sojourn and a place of departure." And (23:13), "Then We placed him (mankind) as a drop of sperm in a place of rest." Although sperms are mentioned a number of times, ova are not. Moreover, the sperm come not from the testicles but (86:5-7): He (man) is made from a gushing fluid which issues from between the loins and ribs." Also the verses on embryology leave much to be desired. The fertilized egg cell is not a "clot of blood" (confusion with menstrual blood?) (22:12-14 et al) Nor does the "chewed meat" become bones "which are then clothed with flesh" (2:259 et al). By the eighth week there are little muscles working BEFORE ossification has started!


Again on biology, (20:53) "┘ with it We have produced diverse pairs of plants each separate from others." But the majority of plants do not come in pairs but have male and female organs on the one plant. Another biological blunder is in Qur'an (27:18,19) where Solomon overhears a conversation of ants. In reality, ants communicate by smells rather than sound.


There are a number of verses in the Qur'an regarding rain, springs of water, etc. but unlike Bucaille I do not find them extraordinary e.g. "Have you observed the water you drink? Do you bring it down from the rain clouds? Or do We? If it were Our will, We could make it salty. Then why are you not thankful?" (56:68-70) Again we consider the rain as one of Allah's "signs" rather than the verses contributing information about "the Water Cycle".


Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera! Basta as the Italians say.

Nonson
2.04.01

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will dear readers go to this site http://it-is-truth.org


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II. ISLAM AND SCIENCE



Western thought today is in the midst of a raging battle between religion and science. It is almost impossible for a western thinker today to accept the fact that there may be a meeting ground between religion and science. The Bible, in which the Christians believe, states that the tree from which the Prophet Adam (▒alaihi salaam) was forbidden to eat was the tree of knowledge. Thus, after he ate from it, he gained certain knowledge that he had not had before. For this reason, Europe spent two centuries arguing whether or not to accept scientific knowledge coming from Muslims.

The Church ruled that the pursuit of such scientific knowledge was the cause for the original sin. The bishops drew their evidence from the Old Testament, where it is mentioned that when Adam ate of the tree and gained some knowledge, Allah was displeased with him and denied him mercy. Scientific knowledge was therefore rejected entirely by the Church as a taboo.

Finally, when the free thinkers and scientists of the West were able to overcome the power of the Church, they took revenge by going in the opposite direction and suppressing any power of the religion. They went to all possible extremes in order to overcome the power of the Church and reduce its influence into a narrow and a confined corner.

Therefore, if you discuss the issue of religion and science with a westerner, he readily goes into sheer wonderment. They do not know Islam. They do not know that Islam accords a very high status to knowledge and men of knowledge, regarding them as witnesses, after the angels, to the fact that there is no god worthy of worship in truth but Allah, as Allah Himself has told us in the Qur'aan:

There is no Allah but He: That is the witness of Allah, His angels and those endued with knowledge. (Qur'aan 3:18)

And Allah, may He be exalted and Glorified has also told us:

Know, therefore, that there is no true deity but Allah. (Qur'aan 47:19)

It is known from the Qur'aan that Adam (▒alaihi salaam) was favored over the angels by virtue of the knowledge given to him by Allah. The Qur'aanic story contradicts that of the Bible which Muslims hold to have been distorted. According to the Qur'aan, the fact that Adam was given knowledge is a mark of honor, and not the cause of his expulsion from Paradise. Hence, if one discusses Islam and science with Western thinkers, they tend to expect an argument similar to what they have in their own religious and cultural context. That is why they react with surprise when they are presented with the crystal clear facts of the Qur'aan and Sunnah.

Among those who were taken by surprise is Dr. Joe Leigh Simpson, Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Professor of Molecular and Human Genetics at the Baylor College of Medicine, Houston. When we first met him, Professor Simpson insisted on verifying the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. We were able, however, to remove his suspicion. We presented to him the text outlining the development of the embryo. We proved to him that the Qur'aan informs us that the hereditary and the chromosomal make-up of the new being take place only after a successful union between the sperm and the ovum. As we know, these chromosomes contain all the characteristics which the new human being will have such as the color of the eyes, skin, hair, etc.

Hence, many of the details in the human being▓s make-up are determined in his chromosomes. These chromosomes begin to form during the early nutfah stage of embryonic development. In other words, the distinguishing features of the new human being are determined from the very beginning at the nutfah stage. Allah, the Most Exalted, the Most Glorified, has stated this fact in the Qur'aan:

Woe to man! What has made him reject Allah? From what stuff has He created him? From a sperm-drop: He has created him, and then molded him in due proportion. (Qur'aan 80:17-19)

During the first 40 days of gestation, all the body parts and organs are completely, though consecutively formed. We can notice in Figure 2.1 that the organs begin to be formed, assembled, and the fetus appears twisted. The Prophet Muhammad, (sallallahu ▒alaihi wa sallam), has informed us in a hadeeth that: In every one of you, all components of your creation are gathered together in your mothers▓ womb by 40 days. (Narrated in Saheeh Muslim and Al-Bukhaari).

Fig. 2.1

In another Hadeeth, Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ▒alaihi wa sallam) said: When forty-two nights have passed over the drop (nutfah), Allah sends an angel to it, who shapes it and makes its ears, eyes, skin, flesh and bones. Then he says, ⌠O Lord, is it male or female?■ and your Lord decides what he wishes. (Muslim).

Professor Simpson studied these two hadeeths extensively, noting that the first 40 days constitute a clearly distinguishable stage of embryogenesis. He was particularly impressed by the absolute precision and accuracy of those hadeeths. Then during one of the conferences which he attended he gave the following opinion: "So that the two hadeeths that have been noted can provide us with a specific time table for the main embryological development before 40 days. Again, the point had been made repeatedly by other speakers this morning that these hadeeths could not have been obtained on the basis of the scientific knowledge that was available at the time of their recording."

Professor Simpson says that religion can successfully guide the pursuit of knowledge. The West, as we said, has rejected this. Here is an American scientist who says that religion, namely Islam, can achieve this with success. By analogy, if you go to a factory and have with you the operation manual of the factory, then you will be able to easily understand the kind of operation that goes on in that factory, thanks to that manual by the factory designer and builder. If you do not have this manual with you, chances are much less that you will have good understanding of the various processes there.

Professor Simpson said: "It follows, I think, that not only is there no conflict between genetics and religion, but in fact religion can guide science by adding revelation to some traditional scientific approaches. That there exist statements in the Qur'aan shown by science to be valid, which supports knowledge in the Qur'aan having been derived from Allah."

This is true. Certainly, the Muslims can lead the way in the pursuit of knowledge and that they can accord knowledge in its proper status. Moreover, Muslims know how to use knowledge as a proof of the existence of Allah, May Allah be Exalted and Glorified, and to affirm the Messengership of Muhammad (sallallahu ▒alaihi wa sallam).

Allah said in the Qur'aan: Soon will we show them our signs in the (furthest) regions (of the earth), and in their own souls, until it becomes manifest to them that this is the truth. Is it not enough that thy Lord does witness all things? (Qur'aan 41:53).

After having realized through examples of scientific miracles in the Qur'aan as well as knowing the related comments of the objective scientists on them, let us ask ourselves these questions:

a) Could it be a coincidence that all this recently discovered scientific information from different fields was mentioned in the Qur'aan which was revealed 14 centuries ago?

b) Could this Qur'aan have been authored by Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) or by any other human being?

The only possible answer to that is that the Qur'aan must be the literal word of God (Allah) revealed by Him. The Qur'aan is the literal word of Allah which He revealed to His Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) through the Angel Jibreel (Gabriel). It was memorized by Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) who then dictated it to his companions. They in turn memorized it, wrote it down, and reviewed it with the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam).

Moreover, the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) reviewed the Qur'aan with the Angel Jibreel once every Ramadhan (the month of fasting) and twice in the last year of his life in the same Islamic calendar. Since the Qur'aan was revealed, up until today, there has always been a huge number of Muslims who have memorized all of the Qur'aan, letter by letter. Some of them have been able to memorize all of the Qur'aan by the age of ten. Thus, it is not surprising to note that not one letter of the Qur'aan has been changed for centuries up to now.

The Qur'aan which was revealed 14 centuries ago mentioned facts that are only recently discovered by proven scientists. This proves without doubt that the Qur'aan must be the literal word of Allah, revealed by Him to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) and it also proves that Muhammad (sallallahu 'alaihi wa sallam) is truly a Messenger and Prophet sent by Allah. It is beyond reason that anyone fourteen hundred years ago would have known these facts discovered or proven very recently with advanced equipment and sophisticated methods.




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XVI. FACTS FROM ASTRONOMY


Allah has made clear to us that His book, the Qur'aan has been revealed as a reminder to the whole world.

Allah said: This is no less than a reminder to (all) the worlds. And you shall certainly know the truth of it (all) after a while. (Qur'aan 38:87-88).

Thus, the Qur'aan is a reminder for all of mankind until the Last Hour. It contains information that man discovers in due time. Because this Qur'aan was revealed from Allah▓s knowledge and every single verse in it was revealed with Allah▓s knowledge, as He Himself said:

But Allah bears witness that what He has sent unto you He has sent with His (own) knowledge... (Qur'aan 4:166).

Every single verse contains divine knowledge, but mankind is constantly developing. In attaining higher levels of scientific understanding, mankind is then capable of discerning the divine knowledge contained in a given verse. Thus, coming to know that this verse has been revealed from Allah, with the ever continuing process of human progress and development, man will come to find the clue that enables him to understand another verse, and so on. In this way mankind will continue to understand more and more verses. This is the wondrous characteristics of the Qur'aan.

Professor Armstrong works at NASA, otherwise known as the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, where he is a well-known scientist there. We met him and asked a number of questions about Qur'aanic verses dealing with the expertise in Astronomy. We asked him about iron and how it was formed. He explained how all the elements in the earth were formed. He stated that the scientists have come only recently to discover the relevant facts about that formation process. He said that the energy of the early solar system was not sufficient enough to produce elemental iron.



Fig. 16.1 Eagle Nebula

In calculating the energy required to form one atom of iron, it was found to be about four times as much as the energy of the entire solar system. In other words, the entire energy of the earth or the moon or the planet Mars or any other planet is not sufficient to form one new atom of iron, even the energy of the entire solar system is not sufficient for that. That is why Professor Armstrong said that the scientists believe that iron is an extraterrestrial that was sent to earth and not formed therein. We read to him the Qur'aanic verse saying:

And we sent down Iron, in which is Great might, as well as many benefits for mankind. (Qur'aan 57-25).

Then we asked him about the sky and whether it had any gaps or rifts in it. He disproved this and replied that what we are talking about is a branch of astronomy called the ⌠Integrated Cosmos■ which we scientists have only come to know recently. For example, if you have a body in outer space which travels a certain distance in any direction and then travel the same distance in a different direction, you will find that the mass weight is the same in all directions. Because this body has its own equilibrium, the pressures from all directions are the same. Without this equilibrium, the whole universe would collapse. I recalled Allah▓s verse in the Qur'aan:

Do they not look at the sky above them? How we have made it and adorned it, and there are no flaws in it? (Qur'aan 50:6).

Then we talked to Professor Armstrong about the attempts of scientists to reach the edge of the universe, and we asked him whether they were successful in this. He replied that they are fighting an uphill battle to the edge of the universe. We construct more powerful equipment to observe the universe only to discover that the new stars we see are still within our galaxy and that we have not yet reached the edge of the universe. He is aware of the Qur'aanic verse which says: And we adorned the lowest heaven with lamps and we made such (lamps) missiles to drive away satans. (Qur'aan 67:5).

Indeed, all these stars are adornments for the lowest heaven. He says that scientists have not reached the end of the universe. Professor Armstrong added that because of this, they are thinking of stationing more telescopes in outer space so that their observations will not be obstructed by dust and other atmospheric impediments. Vision telescopes using light are unable to travel long distances, so we replaced them with radio operated ones enabling us to see further, but we nevertheless are still within the boundaries. I mentioned to him this verse:

So turn thy vision again: Do you see any flaw? Again turn your vision a second time: (your) vision will come back to you dull and discomfited, in a state worn out. (Qur'aan 67:3-4).

Each time Professor Armstrong told us some scientific fact, we mentioned to him the relevant verse which he agreed with. Then we said to him: ▒You have seen and discovered for yourself the true nature of modern astronomy by means of modern equipment, rockets, and space ships, developed by man. You have also seen how the same facts were mentioned by the Qur'aan 14 centuries ago, so what is your opinion about these?▓

He replied: "That is a difficult question which I have been thinking about since our discussions here. I am impressed at how remarkably some of the ancient writings seem to correspond to modern and recent astronomy. I am not a sufficient scholar of human history to project myself completely and reliably into the circumstances that 1400 years ago would have prevailed."

"Certainly, I would like to leave it at that what we have seen is remarkable, it may or may not admit of scientific explanation. There might have to be something beyond what we understand as ordinary human experience to account for the writings that we have seen. It is not my intention or my position at this point to provide an answer to that. I have said a lot of words without, I think, expressing exactly what you want me to express, but it is my job as a scientist to remain independent of certain questions and I think that is one of the reasons that I had better stop just a little bit short of giving you the complete answer that you might desire."

Yes, it is very difficult to imagine that this knowledge revealed in the Book of Allah fourteen centuries ago could have come to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ▒alaihi wa sallam) from a human source. There must be some other source from which scientists derive their knowledge, because only Allah knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth. As we have seen and heard from the various meetings with these scientists, we are on the threshold of a new age.

This is an age where religion and science can embrace, the true religion and the true science. Therefore, there can be no contradiction whatsoever between the two, nor should there be any opposition. This is the conclusion that Muslim scholars have arrived at throughout centuries. That is, there is no possibility that a proven scientific fact could contradict a divinely revealed truth which has been clearly understood. If they say we are in the space age, it is true, it is the age where scientific knowledge and religion would agree, but this can only be between true knowledge and the religion of Islam, which Allah has preserved from all falsification and alteration.


Fig. 16.2





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XVII. SOME QUR▓AANIC VERSE
AND ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES



Professor Yoshihide Kozai: I say, I am very much impressed by finding true astronomical facts in the Qur'aan.

Dr. Kozai is Professor Emeritus at Tokyo University, Hongo, Tokyo, Japan, and was the Director of the National Astronomical Observatory, Mikata, Tokyo Japan. We presented to him a number of Qur'aanic verses describing the beginning of creation and the heavens, and which deal with the relationship of the earth to the heavens. After studying these verses, Professor Kozai asked us about the Qur'aan and about the time when the Qur'aan was revealed. We informed him that it was revealed 1400 years ago, and then we asked him about the facts which these verses contained. After each answer we would show him the Qur'aanic text. He expressed his astonishment, saying that this Qur'aan describes the universe as seen from the highest point, everything seen is distinct and clear. He who said this sees everything in existence. Seen from such a point, there is nothing which can be unseen.

We asked him whether at some point in time the firmament was in a form of smoke. He stated that all signs and indications are converging to prove that at one point in time the whole firmament was nothing but a cloud of smoke. This has come to be established as a proven visible fact. Scientists now can observe new stars forming up out of that smoke, which is the origin of our universe, as we see in this picture (Figure 17.1).


Fig. 17.1

This picture was obtained only recently with the help of the spaceship. It shows one of the stars as it forms up out of the smoke. Look at the outer reddish parts of the smoke as it begins to heat and cluster. And look at the center of the cloud and how the smoky matter is of such high density that it becomes irradiant. The illuminating stars we see today were, just as was the whole universe, in that smoke form. We presented to him the Qur'aanic verse saying:

Then he turned to the sky, and it had been (as) smoke (dukhaan): He said to it and to the earth: come you together, willingly or unwillingly. They said: we do come (together) in willing obedience. (Qur'aan 41:11).

Some scientists describe this dukhaan or smoke ⌠mist■. But Professor Kozai pointed out that the term ⌠mist■ does not correspond to the description of this smoke, because mist is characteristically cold, whereas this cosmic smoke is somewhat hot. Dukhaan indeed is made up of diffused gases to which solid substances are attached, and this is the exact description of the smoke from which the universe emerged even before the stars were formed. Professor Kozai said that because that smoke was hot, we cannot describe it as ⌠mist■. Dukhaan is the best descriptive word that can ever be. In this way Professor Kozai continued to scrutinize each Qur'aanic verse we presented to him.


17.2

Finally we asked him: ▒What do you think of this phenomenon which you have seen for yourself, namely, that science is beginning to discover the secrets of the universe, whereas many of these secrets have already been revealed in the Qur'aan or in the Sunnah? Do you think that the Qur'aan was given to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ▒alaihi wa sallam) from a human source?▓

Professor Kozai replied: "I say, I am very much impressed by finding true astronomical facts in Qur'aan, and for us modern astronomers have been studying a very small piece of the universe. We have concentrated our efforts for understanding of a very small part. Because by using telescopes, we can see only very few parts of the sky without thinking about the whole universe. So, by reading Qur'aan and by answering to the questions, I think I can find my future way for investigation of the universe."

Fig. 17.3


Professor Kozai believes it is impossible that the Qur'aan was from a human source. He further stated that we scientists in our studies concentrated only on a small area, but if we read the Qur'aan, then we will see a much larger picture of this universe. Scientists have to look at it in a panorama, not within limited and narrow perspectives. Professor Kozai acknowledges relating to the Cosmos, he is now able to define his way in the future. He states that, from now on, he will plan his research guided by the comprehensive Qur'aanic view of the universe.

Glory to You O Lord, may You be exalted! This is the ever-lasting miracle which renews itself. This is a miracle which gives life and which convinces Muslims and Non-Muslims, and which will convince all generations until the Day of Judgment. Allah said in the Qur'aan:

But Allah bears witness that what He has sent unto thee He has sent with His (own) knowledge. (Qur'aan 4:166).

And say: Praise be to Allah, Who will soon show you His signs, so that you shall know them. (Qur'aan 27:93).




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XVIII. THE QUR'AAN ON CLOUDS



Scientists have studied cloud types and have realized that rain clouds are formed and shaped according to definite systems and certain steps connected with certain types of wind and clouds.

One kind of rain cloud is the cumulonimbus cloud associated with thunderstorms (See Figure 18.1). Meteorologists have studied how cumulonimbus clouds are formed and how they produce rain, hail, and lightning. They have found that cumulonimbus cloud go through the following steps to produce rain:

1)The clouds are pushed by the wind: Cumulonimbus clouds begin to form when wind pushes some small pieces of clouds (cumulus) to an area where these clouds converge.

2) Joining: Then the small clouds join together forming a larger cloud.

3) Stacking: When the small clouds join together, updrafts within the larger cloud increase. The updrafts near the center of the cloud are stronger than those near the edges. These updrafts cause the cloud body to grow vertically, so the cloud is stacked up. This vertical growth causes the cloud body to stretch into cooler regions of the atmosphere where drops of water and hail formulate and begin to grow larger and larger. When these drops of water and hail become too heavy for the updrafts to support them, they begin to fall from the cloud as rain, hail, etc.

Allah said in the Qur'aan:Have you not seen how Allah makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a stack, and then you see the rain come out of it...? [Qur'aan 24:43]

Meteorologists have only recently come to know these details of cloud formation, structure, and function by using advanced equipment like planes, satellites, computers, balloons, and the like to study winds and its direction, to measure humidity and its variations, and to determine the levels and variations of atmospheric pressure (See Figure 18.2).


Fig. 18.1
Cumulonimbus clouds seen from space

The preceding verse, after mentioning clouds and rain, speaks about hail and lightning:

And He sends down hail from mountains (clouds) in the sky, and He strikes with it whomever He wills, and turns it from whoever He wills. The vivid flash of its lightning nearly blinds the sight. [Qur'aan 24:43]

Meteorologists have found that these cumulonimbus clouds, that shower hail, reach a height of 25,000 to 30,000 feet (4.7 to 5.7 miles), like mountains, as the Qur'aan said: And He sends down hail from mountains (clouds) in the sky...(Qur'an 24:43)

This verse may raise a question. Why does the verse say ...its lightning in reference to the hail?

Does this mean that hail is the major factor in producing lightning? Let us see what the book entitled Meteorology Today, says on this. It says that clouds become electrified as hail falls through a region in the cloud of supercooled droplets and ice crystals. As liquid droplets collide with hail, they freeze on contact and release latent heat. This keeps the surface of the hail warmer than that of the surrounding ice crystals.

When the hail comes in contact with an ice crystal, an important phenomenon occurs. Electrons flow from the colder object toward the warmer object. Hence, the hail becomes negatively charged. The same effect occurs when super cooled droplets come in contact with a piece of hail and tiny splinters of positively charged ice break off. These lighter, positively charged particles are then carried to the upper part of the cloud by updrafts. The hail, left with a negative charge, fall toward the bottom of the cloud, thus the lower part of the cloud becomes negatively charged. These negative charges are then discharged to the ground as lightning. We conclude from this that hail is the major factor in producing lightning.


Fig. 18.2

This information on lightning was discovered only recently. Until 1600 A.D., Aristotle's ideas on meteorology were dominant. For example, he said that the atmosphere contains two kinds of exhalation, moist and dry. He also said that thunder is the sound of the collision of the dry exhalation with the neighboring clouds, and lightning is the inflaming and burning of the dry exhalation with a thin and faint fire. These are some of the ideas on meteorology that were dominant at the time of the Qur'aan's revelation, fourteen centuries ago.




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