Examples of Verses with Scientific Evidence

Some of the Quran verses explain facts about Earth, humans, and other creatures.

1. For example,  there is an invitation for humans to fly, indicating the possibility of flying, more than 1428 years ago.**

In Surat Al-Rahman (Chapter 55), Verse 33 states, we read:***

O You jinn and men, if you can penetrate zones of the heavens and the Earth, then penetrate! You will never penetrate them except with (the) power (of science).

 يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنسِ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَن تَنفُذُوا مِنْ أَقْطَارِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ فَانفُذُوا ۚ لَا تَنفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَانٍ  

2. The Holy Quran tells us that there is intelligent life in outer space, where Allah (Praise to Him) is also worshipped and glorified.

In Chapter 30, Verse 26, Allah (Praise to Him) says:

To Him belongs whom are in the heavens and the Earth, all are devoutly obedient to Him.

وَلَهُ ۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلأرۡضِ‌ۖ ڪُلٌّ۬ لَّهُ ۥ قَـٰنِتُونَ

In Chapter 3, Verse 83, Allah (Praise to Him) also tells us about life in outer space saying:

Do they want other than the Religion of Allah? While (all) who are in the heavens and the Earth have willingly, or unwillingly, submitted to Him (as Muslims do), and to Him shall they be returned.

أَفَغَيۡرَ دِينِ ٱللَّهِ يَبۡغُونَ وَلَهُ ۥۤ أَسۡلَمَ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلأرۡضِ طَوۡعً۬ا وَڪَرۡهً۬ا وَإِلَيۡهِ يُرۡجَعُونَ

In Chapter 19, Verse 93-95, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

There is none in the heavens and the Earth but comes (on the Day of Judgment) to the Beneficent (Allah) as a (helpless) slave.

He does take an account of them, and has counted them exactly.

And all of them (are coming to Him) on the Day of Resurrection individually (alone) (Maryam, 19: 92-95).

إِن كُلُّ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ إِلَّا آتِي الرَّحْمَـٰنِ عَبْدًا

    لَّقَدْ أَحْصَاهُمْ وَعَدَّهُمْ عَدًّا

وَكُلُّهُمْ آتِيهِ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ فَرْدًا (مريم ، 19: 93-95).

In Chapter 24, Verse 41, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

Do not you see that Allah is praised by whoever in the heavens and the Earth, and (that) the birds are flying in lines? Each (category of creatures) knows its own prayer and praise. And Allah knows that they do.

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسَبِّحُ لَهُ ۥ مَن فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلأًرۡضِ وَٱلطَّيۡرُ صَـٰٓفَّـٰتٍ۬‌ۖ كُلٌّ۬ قَدۡ عَلِمَ صلاتَهُ ۥ وَتَسۡبِيحَهُ ۥ‌ۗ وَٱللَّهُ عَلِيمُۢ بِمَا يَفۡعَلُونَ

3. Earth is described as egg-shaped (not a perfect circular globe), a fact which was discovered recently in the human history.

In Chapter 79, Verse 30, the Holy Quran mentions that:

And the Earth, after that, He made it egg-shaped.

وَالْأَرْضَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ دَحَاهَا

 The noun "da'hya" is used by North African Arabs in reference to an "egg." The author heard it by himself in the early 1970s in Libya. Other translators missed the meaning of the verb (da'haha,  دَحَٮٰهَآ) translating it into "extended."

4. In Verses 68-69, we are told that it is the female bee that makes honey, a very recent bit of knowledge for humans. We know now that male bees die after mating with the queen and live only for about 90 days. Only female bees survive to be the workers, which gather nectar and make honey. This bit of knowledge could never be known to humans before the invention and use of microscopes. It is another piece of evidence that the author of the Holy Quran could never be a human being about 1428 years ago. Rather, He is the All Knowledgeable One.

And your Lord inspired the female bees to take (build) its houses (hives) on mountains, trees, and in (people's) gardens

Then (you female bee) eat from all the fruits and (you female bee) follow the ways of your Lord laid down (for you). There emerges from their bellies a drink, varying in colors, in which there is healing (cure) for people. In that, (there) is a sign for a people who give thought (Al-Na'hl, 16: 68-69).

وَأَوْحَىٰ رَبُّكَ إِلَى النَّحْلِ أَنِ اتَّخِذِي مِنَ الْجِبَالِ بُيُوتًا وَمِنَ الشَّجَرِ وَمِمَّا يَعْرِشُونَ

 ثُمَّ كُلِي مِن كُلِّ الثَّمَرَاتِ فَاسْلُكِي سُبُلَ رَبِّكِ ذُلُلًا ۚ يَخْرُجُ مِن بُطُونِهَا شَرَابٌ مُّخْتَلِفٌ أَلْوَانُهُ فِيهِ شِفَاءٌ لِّلنَّاسِ ۗ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَةً لِّقَوْمٍ يَتَفَكَّرُونَ (النحل ، 16: 68-69).

In dealing with Verse 68, some translators did not pay attention to the feminine form of the Arabic verb (اتَّخِذِي), which refers to female bees in particular, not bees in general. The same meaning is confirmed in Verse 69, in verbs (كُلِي), which means "you female bee eat," and verb (فَاسْلُكِي), which means "you female bee follow."

5. In 27: 18, there is a reference to a female ant speaking to other ants, which is also a recent bit of knowledge. We know now that male ants die after mating with the queen and only female ants survive to be the workers, just like the case with bees mentioned above. This bit of knowledge could never be known to humans before the invention and use of microscopes and the advanced studies in biology.

" ... a female ant said: "O you ants enter your dwellings" (Al-Nahl, 27: 18).

ققَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ يَا أَيُّهَا النَّمْلُ ادْخُلُوا مَسَاكِنَكُمْ ۡ  (النمل ، 27: 18).

Several translators, also in this verse, did not pay attention to the feminine form of the Arabic noun (نَمْلَةٌ), which refers to "a singular female ant."

6. The Holy Qur'an also provides us with an accurate description of deep waters in the ocean, where darkness prevails. Nobody could dive deep enough in the ocean 1428 years ago and come back to tell about what he saw there. Only the One who has created Earth and its oceans could know. For us, Philippe Causteau and his crew showed us some videos about only some parts of the ocean depth, in the 1980s.

In Chapter 24, Verse 40 of the Holy Quran, Allah (Praise to Him) says:

Or (the Unbelievers' state) is like layers of darkness in a vast deep ocean overwhelmed with waves topped by waves, topped by clouds: Layers of darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! For anyone to whom Allah does not make light, he has no light (Al-Noor, 24: 40).

أَوۡ كَظُلُمَـٰتٍ۬ فِى بَحۡرٍ۬ لُّجِّىٍّ۬ يَغۡشَٮٰهُ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ مَوۡجٌ۬ مِّن فَوۡقِهِۦ سَحَابٌ۬‌ۚ ظُلُمَـٰتُۢ بَعۡضُہَا فَوۡقَ بَعۡضٍ إِذَآ أَخۡرَجَ يَدَهُ ۥ لَمۡ يَكَدۡ يَرَٮٰهَا‌ۗ وَمَن لَّمۡ يَجۡعَلِ ٱللَّهُ لَهُ ۥ نُورً۬ا فَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِن نُّورٍ (النور ، 24: 40).

7. In Chapter 24, Verse 43 of the Holy Quran, Allah (Praise to Him) vividly describes the water cycle, from winds to clouds, then to rain. He says:

Do not you see that Allah makes the clouds move gently, then joins them together, then makes them into a heap? Then, you will see rain coming out of it. And He sends down hail from the sky mountains (of clouds). He strikes with it whom He wills and He turns it away from whom He wills. The vivid flash of its lightning is close to blinding the sights (of people). (Al-Noor, 24: 43).

أَلَمۡ تَرَ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُزۡجِى سَحَابً۬ا ثُمَّ يُؤَلِّفُ بَيۡنَهُ ۥ ثُمَّ يَجۡعَلُهُ ۥ رُكَامً۬ا فَتَرَى ٱلۡوَدۡقَ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ وَيُنَزِّلُ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مِن جِبَالٍ۬ فِيہَا مِنۢ بَرَدٍ۬ فَيُصِيبُ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ وَيَصۡرِفُهُ ۥ عَن مَّن يَشَآءُ‌ۖ يَكَادُ سَنَا بَرۡقِهِۦ يَذۡهَبُ بِٱلأًبۡصَـٰرِ (النور ، 24: 43).

In Chapter 30, Verse 48, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

It is Allah Who sends the Winds, and they raise the Clouds. Then, He spreads them in the sky as He wills, and break them into fragments, until you see rain-drops coming out from the midst of it. When He makes them reach whoever He wills of his servants, then they rejoice! (Al-Room, 30: 48).

ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى يُرۡسِلُ ٱلرِّيَـٰحَ فَتُثِيرُ سَحَابً۬ا فَيَبۡسُطُهُ ۥ فِى ٱلسَّمَآءِ كَيۡفَ يَشَآءُ وَيَجۡعَلُهُ ۥ كِسَفً۬ا فَتَرَى ٱلۡوَدۡقَ يَخۡرُجُ مِنۡ خِلَـٰلِهِۦ‌ۖ فَإِذَآ أَصَابَ بِهِۦ مَن يَشَآءُ مِنۡ عِبَادِهِۦۤ إِذَا هُمۡ يَسۡتَبۡشِرُونَ  (الروم ، 3(: 48).

8. The Holy Qur'an tells us in several verses that Allah (Praise to Him) has created plants in pairs (male and female) in order for plant reproductive activities to happen leading to giving us the fruits we enjoy on this Planet.

In Chapter 20, Verse 53, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

"... and (God) has sent down water from the sky. With it, We have produced diverse pairs of plants (Taha, 20: 53).

وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَخۡرَجۡنَا بِهِۦۤ أَزۡوَٲجً۬ا مِّن نَّبَاتٍ۬ شَتَّىٰ  (طه ، 20: 53).

In Chapter 13, Verse 3, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

"and of all fruits, He made in them pairs, two each (a male and a female).

وَمِن كُلِّ ٱلثَّمَرَٲتِ جَعَلَ فِيہَا زَوۡجَيۡنِ ٱثۡنَيۡنِ‌ۖ  (الرعد ، 13: 3).

In Chapter 31, Verse 10, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

We send down water from the sky, (in order that) We cause goodly pairs to grow out of it (of earth) (Luqman, 31: 10).

وَأَنزَلۡنَا مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً۬ فَأَنۢبَتۡنَا فِيہَا مِن ڪُلِّ زَوۡجٍ۬ كَرِيمٍ  (لقمان ، 31: 10).

In Chapter 36, Verse 36, Allah (Praise to Him) also says:

Glory to Him, Who created all pairs, of what the earth produces, of themselves (humans), and of others unknown to them (Yaseen, 36: 36).

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ الْأَزْوَاجَ كُلَّهَا مِمَّا تُنبِتُ الْأَرْضُ وَمِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَمِمَّا لَا يَعْلَمُونَ  (يس ، 36: 36).

***

More of the Scientific Evidence in the Holy Quran

1. Creation and Evolution in the Holy Qur'an By Hassan Ali El-Najjar

2. The Scientific Connotations in the Holy Quran By Zaghlul Raghib  El-Naggar

3. The Physics of the Day of Judgment By Mohammad Humayoun Khan

4. A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam By I. A. Ibrahim and 12 others

5. Scientific significance in selected Quranic verses By Shah Manzoor Alam, reviewed By Zaghloul R. El-Naggar.

6. The Bible, the Qur'an, and Science By Maurice Bucaille 

7. Al-Mu'aji zatul Kubra (Arabic), "The Great Miracle" By 'Adnan Al-Rifa'i, about the numerical miracle of the verses of the Holy Quran (www.scribd.com/doc/37273861).

***

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* Dr. Hassan Ali El-Najjar has a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Georgia, USA.  He is also a native speaker of Arabic. 

** Yahiya Emerick mentioned some of the above verses on pages 24-27 of his educational book, "What Islam Is All About." (1997). New York: IBTS.

*** The author’s translation of the meanings of the verses mentioned in this article is solely his responsibility though he consulted with three other translations of the Holy Qur’an, namely those of Yusuf Ali, Mohsin, and Picthal, found at www.quranexplorer.com. He also consulted later with the Sahih International translation, found at www.tanzil.net. The author also made use of the famous Bin Katheer’s interpretation of the Holy Qur’an.

Readers are advised that it is the meaning of the verses which is translated and interpreted here. It is a human effort that may be fallible and erroneous. Further, there are differences between a translator and another and between an interpreter and another due to differences in their linguistic, academic, and cultural backgrounds. There is no claim of ultimate accuracy in the translation, as verses of the Holy Quran can be best understood through the Arabic text of revelation.

***

The following is a chapter of a book authored by I. A. Ibrahim but assisted by 12 other editors. 

It is titled, "A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam," published at: www.islam-guide.com as below.

***

Internet links to the book sections:

(1) The Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran

A) The Quran on Human Embryonic Development

B) The Quran on Mountains

C) The Quran on the Origin of the Universe

D) The Quran on the Cerebrum

E) The Quran on Seas and Rivers

F) The Quran on Deeps Seas and Internal Waves

G) The Quran on Clouds

H) Scientists’ Comments on the Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran (with RealPlayer Video)

***

Above book sections but without photos:

The Qur'an on Human Embryonic Development

The Qur'an on Mountains

The Quran on the Origin of the Universe

The Qur'an on the Cerebrum

The Qur'an on Seas and Rivers

 The Qur'an on Deep Seas and Internal Waves

The Qur'an on Clouds

Scientists' Comments on the Scientific Miracles in the Holy Qur'an

***

Author:

I. A. Ibrahim

General Editors:

Dr. William (Daoud) Peachy

Michael (Abdul-Hakim) Thomas

Tony (Abu-Khaliyl) Sylvester

Idris Palmer

Jamaal Zarabozo

Ali AlTimimi

Science Editors:

Professor Harold Stewart Kuofi

Professor F. A. State

Professor Mahjoub O. Taha

Professor Ahmad Allam

Professor Salman Sultan

Associate Professor H. O. Sindi

***

Publication Information on the Book:

Below is publication information on the book, A Brief Illustrated Guide To Understanding Islam:

ISBN: 9960-34-011-2

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 97-67654

Published by Darussalam, Publishers and Distributors, Houston, Texas, USA.

This web site is a brief guide to understanding Islam.  It consists of three chapters.

The first chapter, Some Evidence for the Truth of Islam, answers some important questions which some people ask:

-  Is the Qur'an truly the literal word of God, revealed by Him?

-  Is Muhammad ¹ truly a prophet sent by God?

-  Is Islam truly a religion from God?

In this chapter, six kinds of evidence are mentioned:

1)  The Scientific Miracles in the Holy Qur'an: This section discusses (with illustrations) some recently discovered scientific facts mentioned in the Holy Qur'an, which was revealed fourteen centuries ago.

2)  The Great Challenge to Produce One Chapter Like the Chapters of the Holy Qur'an: In the Qur'an, God challenged all human beings to produce a single chapter like the chapters of the Qur'an. Ever since the Qur'an was revealed, fourteen centuries ago, until this day, no one has been able to meet this challenge, even though the smallest chapter in the Quran (Chapter 108) is only ten words.

3)  Biblical Prophecies on the Advent of Muhammad , the Prophet of Islam: In this section, some of the Biblical prophecies on the advent of the Prophet Muhammad  are discussed.

4)  The Verses in the Quran That Mention Future Events Which Later Came to Pass: The Quran mentioned future events which later came to pass, for example, the victory of the Romans over the Persians.

5)  Miracles Performed by the Prophet Muhammad : Many miracles were performed by the Prophet Muhammad .  These miracles were witnessed by many people.

6)  The Simple Life of Muhammad : This clearly indicates that Muhammad  was not a false prophet who claimed prophethood to attain material gains, greatness, or power.

From these six kinds of evidence, we conclude that:

-  The Quran must be the literal word of God, revealed by Him.

-  Muhammad  is truly a prophet sent by God.

-  Islam is truly a religion from God.

If we would like to know if a religion is true or false, we should not depend on our emotions, feelings, or traditions. Rather, we should depend on our reason and intellect. When God sent the prophets, He supported them with miracles and evidence which proved that they were truly prophets sent by God and hence that the religion they came with is true.

The second chapter, Some Benefits of Islam, mentions some of the benefits that Islam provides for the individual, such as:

1)  The Door to Eternal Paradise

2)  Salvation from Hellfire

3)  Real Happiness and Inner Peace

4)  Forgiveness for All Previous Sins.

The third chapter, General Information on Islam, provides general information on Islam, corrects some misconceptions about it, and answers some commonly asked questions, such as:

-  What does Islam say about terrorism?

-  What is the status of women in Islam?
 

_____________________________

Footnotes:

(1) These Arabic words mean, ‘May God exalt his mention and protect him from imperfection.’ (Click here to enlarge these Arabic words). 

***

(1) The Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran

A) The Quran on Human Embryonic Development

B) The Quran on Mountains

C) The Quran on the Origin of the Universe

D) The Quran on the Cerebrum

E) The Quran on Seas and Rivers

F) The Quran on Deeps Seas and Internal Waves

G) The Quran on Clouds

H) Scientists’ Comments on the Scientific Miracles in the Holy Quran (with RealPlayer Video)

(2) The Great Challenge to Produce One Chapter Like the Chapters of the Holy Quran

(3) Biblical Prophecies on the Advent of Muhammad , the Prophet of Islam

(4) The Verses in the Quran That Mention Future Events Which Later Came to Pass

(5) Miracles Performed by the Prophet Muhammad 

(6) The Simple Life of Muhammad 

(7) The Phenomenal Growth of Islam

(1) The Door to Eternal Paradise

(2) Salvation from Hellfire

(3) Real Happiness and Inner Peace

(4) Forgiveness for All Previous Sins

What Is Islam?

Some Basic Islamic Beliefs

1) Belief in God

2) Belief in the Angels

3) Belief in God’s Revealed Books

4) Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God

5) Belief in the Day of Judgment

6) Belief in Al-Qadar

Is There Any Sacred Source Other than the Quran?

Examples of the Prophet Muhammad’s  Sayings

What Does Islam Say about the Day of Judgment?

How Does Someone Become a Muslim?

What Is the Quran About?

Who Is the Prophet Muhammad ?

How Did the Spread of Islam Affect the Development of Science?

What Do Muslims Believe about Jesus?

What Does Islam Say about Terrorism?

Human Rights and Justice in Islam

What Is the Status of Women in Islam?

The Family in Islam

How Do Muslims Treat the Elderly?

What Are the Five Pillars of Islam?

1) The Testimony of Faith

2) Prayer

3) Giving Zakat (Support of the Needy)

4) Fasting the Month of Ramadan

5) The Pilgrimage to Makkah

Islam in the United States
 

For More Information on Islam (not included in the book)

For Suggestions and Comments

For Further Reading on Islam

References

About the Editors

=======================================

* Dr. Hassan Ali El-Najjar has a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Georgia, USA.  He is also a native speaker of Arabic.