Marvels of GOD

Cont’d from page 2

The Shape of the Earth*
[39:5] He created the heavens and the earth truthfully. He rolls the night over the day, and rolls the day over the night.* He committed the sun and the moon, each running for a finite period. Absolutely, He is the Almighty, the Forgiving.

*39:5 This verse clearly informs us that the earth is round. The Arabic for “He rolls” (Yukawwir) is derived from the Arabic word for “ball” (Kurah). Since the Earth is not exactly round, a specific reference to its shape is given in 79:30. The Quran is replete with scientific information that became known to us centuries after the revelation of the Quran. See Appendix 20.

Hence it proves that the rolling of the day and night cannot take place unless the shape of the earth is spherical.

[79:30] He made the earth egg-shaped.

The Arabic word “dahhaahaa” mentioned in this verse means the shape of an egg. The earth is not exactly round like a ball, but it is flattened at the poles resembling the shape of an egg.

[21:33] And He is the One who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; each floating in its own orbit.

 

I remember having studied during my school days that the sun was stationary and did not rotate about its axis like earth. And now school text books have incorporated the fact that the sun rotates about its own axis. And it rotates around its own axis in approximately 25 days. This means that this became common knowledge very recently. Whereas God has mentioned it in the Quran 1400 years back.

Geography: In earlier times people did not know the source of underground water. They thought the water of the oceans, under the effect of winds, was thrust towards the interior of the continents. In 1580 C.E, Bernard Palissy was the first man to describe the present day concept of ‘water cycle.’ But his theories were scientifically tested and authenticated in 1674 by Pierre Perrault. He described how water evaporates from the oceans and cools to form clouds. The clouds move inland where they rise, condense and fall as rain. This water gathers as lakes and streams and flows back to the ocean in a continuous cycle.

[23:18] We send down from the sky water, in exact measure, then we store it in the ground. Certainly, we can let it escape.

[39:21] Do you not see that GOD sends down from the sky water, then places it into underground wells, then produces with it plants of various colors, then they grow until they turn yellow, then He turns them into hay? This should be a reminder for those who possess intelligence.

No other text dating back 1400 years ago gives such an accurate description of the

water cycle.

Literature: [2:23] If you have any doubt regarding what we revealed to our servant, then produce one sura like these, and call upon your own witnesses against GOD, if you are truthful.

Here apart from mathematical challenge God has challenged the human being to produce at least one sura which could satisfy the beauty, eloquence, depth and meaning in literal terms of the modern literature. If you read the Arabic text of the Quran you will find that the whole Quran is revealed in the poetic form, yet it fulfills the objective of conveying the message and is guidance to mankind.

[56:77-9] This is an honorable Quran. In a protected book. None can grasp it except the sincere.

Quran: Our Means to Salvation

[17:9] This Quran guides to the best path, and brings good news to the believers who lead a righteous life, that they have deserved a great recompense.

[41:44] If we made it a non-Arabic Quran they would have said, “Why did it come down in that language?” Whether it is Arabic or non-Arabic, say, “For those who believe, it is a guide and healing. As for those who disbelieve, they will be deaf and blind to it, as if they are being addressed from faraway.”

Abdul Ghani

Cont'd in March 2014