The conversation about the Qur’an will always be interesting because of its features. Al-Qur’an as a book of guidance, contains the words of Allah for the happiness of the world and the hereafter. It also contains various implicit and explicit guidelines related to science.
Various things that are said to be miracles are found in the Qur’an. The miracles of the Al-Qur’an (‘Ijazul Qur’an) are intended to explain that this book is the truth and that the Messenger who brought it is the true Messenger.
The book At-Tibyan Fi ‘Ulumil Qur’an by Prof. Dr. Muhammad Ali Ashabuni, a Professor of Tafsir at Umm Al-Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, stated that the definition of a miracle is something extraordinary that goes against custom and goes beyond the boundaries that have been known.
None of the miracles of the prophets can be matched by humans. The miracles of the prophets aim to bring forth the truth and determine that what they bring is solely a revelation from the All-Wise Substance, and is revealed by God Almighty.
Some of the miracles of the Al-Qur’an can be seen in its beautiful composition, its noble nature, it’s not contradicting common knowledge that is certain to be true, and so on.
This time we will discuss some of the miracles of the Al-Qur’an that are in line with proven scientific facts.
1. The Unity of Nature/Cosmos
أَوَ لَمۡ يَرَ ٱلَّذِينَ كَفَرُوٓاْ أَنَّ أَنَّ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ كَانَتَا رَتۡقٗا فَفَتَقۡنَٰهُمَاۖ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَيۡءٍ حَيٍّۚ أَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ
Do the disbelievers not realize that the heavens and earth were once one mass then We split them apart? And We created from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?
[Al Anbiya 21:30]
Prof. Dr. Quraish Shihab, an ulama and scholar of the Quran from Indonesia, mentioned that the Quran does not explain how the separation (of heaven and earth) occurred, but what was stated about the integration of the universe and its separation was confirmed by the observations of scientists.
In the book At-Tibyan, it is stated that:
Modern scientific theory has proven that the earth is composed of hot gases that separated and cooled (frozen), and then became a habitable place for humans.
Talking about the truth of this theory, they argue with the existence of volcanoes, fiery objects in the earth’s inner core, and from time to time the earth spews out lava or fiery objects.
The book ‘Mukhtarat min Tafsir Al-Ayat Al-Kauniyah fi Al-Qur’an Al-Karim’ by Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar, an expert on the scientific interpretation of the Qur’an from Egypt, discusses the cosmos. It is stated that in 1948, George Gamow, a physicist and cosmologist from Ukraine, and his colleague, Ralph Alpher, announced that the concentration of elements in the cosmos had been captured, indicating that the first planet, as the forerunner of the universe, was under pressure and hot temperatures that could barely be described by common sense.
When the explosion occurred, the heat was transferred to the smoke cloud of the universe as a result of the explosion. The beginning of the creation of the universe with the big bang is proof of the absolute power of Allah SWT. This big explosion could not have happened by itself without proper arrangements and prior provisions, which no one but the Lord of the Worlds could have made.
Contemporary British scientist Stephen Hawking mentioned this in his book ‘A Brief History Of Time’ which was published in 1988. This theory is also known as the Big Bang Theory.
2. Lack of Oxygen
فَمَن يُرِدِ ٱللَّهُ أَن يَهۡدِيَهُۥ يَشۡرَحۡ صَدۡرَهُۥ لِلۡإِسۡلَٰمِۖ وَمَن يُرِدۡ أَن يُضِلَّهُۥ يَجۡعَلۡ صَدۡرَهُۥ ضَيِّقًا حَرَجٗا كَأَنَّمَا يَصَّعَّدُ فِي ٱلسَّمَآءِۚ كَذَٰلِكَ يَجۡعَلُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلرِّجۡسَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ لَا يُؤۡمِنُونَ
Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky. This is how Allah dooms those who disbelieve. [Al An’am 6:125]
Dr. As-Shabuni explained that since airplanes were discovered, scholars have found a natural symptom that humans will experience a lack of oxygen at a certain altitude. At that time, they would feel tightness in their chest and hardness in breathing, so they felt suffocated.
The earlier scholars interpreted this verse according to the understanding of their time. They speak as if they were trying to ascend to the sky or like someone trying to do the impossible. Now it has been proven that there is a compatibility between the verses of the Quran and the scientific truth. This reinforces the truth of Muhammad’s prophethood.
3. Cells of Life
ٱقۡرَأۡ بِٱسۡمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ
خَلَقَ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنَ مِنۡ عَلَقٍ
Read, ˹O Prophet,˺ in the Name of your Lord Who created— [Al ‘Alaq 96:1]
He created humans from a clinging clot. [Al ‘Alaq 96:2]
In the book of At-Tibyan it is explained that modern medicine has discovered that human sperm fluid contains tiny cells called sperm. The cells are invisible to the eye because they can only be seen with a microscope. Each sperm cell has a head, hump, and tail that resemble those of a thick-blooded caterpillar.
Mating occurs when the sperm mixes with the female’s egg. When the mating process is sufficient, the uterine opening is closed so that nothing enters the uterine sac and the other sperm cells will die.
The cells described in modern medicine are referred to as clots of blood in Surah Al ‘Alaq.
4. Investigations with Human Fingerprints
أَيَحۡسَبُ ٱلۡإِنسَٰنُ أَلَّن نَّجۡمَعَ عِظَامَهُۥ
بَلَىٰ قَٰدِرِينَ عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّسَوِّيَ بَنَانَهُۥ
Do people think We cannot reassemble their bones? [Al Qiyamah 75:3]
Bukan demikian, sebenarnya Kami kuasa menyusun (kembali) jari jemarinya dengan sempurna. [Al Qiyamah 75:4]
Dr. AS-Shabuni explained that in 1884, Britain officially used the fingerprint method to identify someone. This method was then followed and used in all countries. The skin of human fingers is layered with various fine lines, namely in the form of bows, ropes, and fragments. Those lines would not change as long as humans were alive. Human organs sometimes have similarities, but the fingers have their own special features. This is where the miracle of God lies.
5. Syamsiah and Qamariah Calendars
وَلَبِثُواْ فِي كَهۡفِهِمۡ ثَلَٰثَ مِاْئَةٖ سِنِينَ وَٱزۡدَادُواْ تِسۡعٗا
They had remained in their cave for three hundred years, adding nine. [Al Kahfi 18:25]
Dr. Quraish Shihab explained that the Qur’an also indicated differences in the calculations of Syamsiah and Qamariah. This is described in the story of Ashabul Kahfi (a group of young men who took refuge in a cave). The addition of nine years is the result of differences in the Syamsiah and Qamariah calendars.
The Syamsiah calendar, known as the Gregorian calendar, was only discovered in the 16th century. It has a difference of about eleven days with the Qamariah calendar. The additional nine years mentioned in the verse are obtained by multiplying 300 years x 11 days = 3.300 days, or about nine years.
There are still so many other facts aside from the several verses of the Quran that have scientific facts. The explanation of scientific facts in the verses of the Al-Qur’an above can be proof that this holy book comes from Allah SWT, who is all-knowing. Because where did Prophet Ummiyy (who could not read and write) be able to know these details if not from the revelation of Allah SWT.
We can use these facts as reflections to increase faith and piety.
As mentioned in Surah Fussilat, verse 53:
سَنُرِيهِمۡ ءَايَٰتِنَا فِي ٱلۡأٓفَاقِ وَفِيٓ أَنفُسِهِمۡ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمۡ أَنَّهُ ٱلۡحَقُّۗ أَوَ لَمۡ يَكۡفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُۥ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيۡءٖ شَهِيدٌ
We will show them Our signs in the universe and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that this Quran is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord is a Witness over all things?
والله أعلم بالصّواب
Eka Budhi Setiani
Ustazah Eka Budhi Setiani, L.C., is an Indonesian shariah advisor at Muslim Pro. A servant of Allah who has studied at Ushuluddin Al Azhar University – Cairo, Egypt. Currently, she is devoting her knowledge to teaching at an Islamic school under the provincial government. Together with her husband, she also managed her own boarding school in a small town in the province of Banten called Ponpes Balonk Faidhul Barokaat.
Tabarakallah, Masha Allah, this is great insight from the miraculous book of all the time القران الكريم
Please, in the old version of your app pro Muslim, there’s bunches of scientific facts of the verses of the Qur’an, please is it there in the updated version, if not please add it we really need it.