Today, we continue to discuss the miraculous nature of Holy Quran.

As it was previously said, the main aim of Holy Quran is not to unveil the scientific unknowns and to familiarize mankind with different sciences. Nonetheless, this Holy Book, in line with its main goal which is to guide mankind toward the righteous path, has mentioned a number of astounding facts of the world of creation, whenever deemed necessary. Based on this approach, some of the ayahs of Holy Quran have unveiled the mysteries of the universe and have stated points that manifest the righteousness and truthfulness of the source of divine revelations.

The 88^th ayah of Surat al-Naml in Holy Quran cites God Almighty as saying: “And you see the mountains, which you supposed to be stationary, while they drift like passing clouds – the handiwork of Allah who has made everything faultless. He is indeed well aware of what you do.”

This is one of the ayahs which have stated some of the signs of grandeur of God Almighty in the universe. This ayah states that you supposed the mountains to be stationary, but they drift like passing clouds. In other words, the mountains which we imagine to be motionless are moving fast. It is crystal clear that mountains maintain no movement separate from the planet Earth. They are bonded with the ground. In other words, the movement of mountains without the movement of other lands which are bonded with them is meaningless. In this manner, this ayah’s definition is that Earth is moving with a fast pace, and the movement of mountains is an indicator of the movement of the planet, because mountains are not separated from Earth. Thus, this ayah points out that Earth is moving with a very high pace. Interestingly, despite of this fast movement, we don’t sense the movement of the planet.

In accordance to scientists’ calculations, Earth revolves round itself with the speed of 1670 kilometers per hour, and orbits around the sun with an average velocity of 30 kilometers per second. As you know, Galileo and Copernicus were the first scientists who discovered Earth’s movement, presenting this important fact in late 16^th Century AD and early 17^th Century AD. More than three and a half centuries is passed since Galileo presented this scientific fact. In that era, it was strongly believed that Earth is stationary. Presentation of the theory of movement of Earth fueled a wave of opposition, coupled with anger and resentment, toward Galileo. However, we see that Holy Quran has mentioned clear points about the movement of Earth and the mysteries of mountains, a thousand years prior to Galileo’s era.

Another point which one understands from this ayah of Holy Quran is the inner and dynamic movement of mountains. In Holy Quran’s view, although you imagine mountains to be stationary, this imagination is not true.

The 6^th and 7^th ayahs of Surat al-Naba in Holy Quran have mentioned Earth and mountains and have referred to some facts in relation to them.

These ayahs state: “Did We not make the earth a cradle and resting place? And the mountains stakes?”

Cradles are a resting place for children. In addition to their movement, cradles grant a resting place. Meanwhile, Earth moves in a manner which doesn’t pose a threat against its residents, and doesn’t disturb their lives.

A number of exegetes of Holy Quran, in interpretation of this ayah, have said Earth is a soft and smooth resting place, such that mankind can construct buildings, houses, orchards, and installations over it, and to engage in farming and organizing his everyday affairs. On the other hand, all of mankind’s needs have been taken into consideration on the ground and deep inside the ground, such as raw materials, metallic and non-metallic mines, and energy reserves, such as oil and natural gas deposits. Additionally, Earth plays the role of a refinery, absorbing wastes and disintegrating dead creatures after their burial. Furthermore, microbes and pollutants are destroyed by soil. Meanwhile, the planet swiftly orbits round the sun, shaping days and nights, and the four seasons. These natural phenomena play a significant role in the continued existence of creatures on the planet. In short, the means of comfort of mankind have been prepared on the planet, beforehand.

This ayah of Holy Quran has delicately introduced mountains as stakes, which secure earth’s maintenance. Based on geological views, different parts of Earth’s crust have been placed next to each other like pieces of tiles and are not bonded to each other. However, mountains connect these pieces together. For clarification of this fact, consider several wooden boards which are placed next to each other. Then, place a wooden piece on top of them and hammer a nail in it. In this manner, the wooden boards which are placed next to each other will be linked together. Mountains play the same role. Mountains maintain deep roots in the ground. They connect the pieces of Earth’s crust together, like stakes. Mountains’ deep roots in the ground prevent the movement of Earth’s inner layers, thereby preventing permanent earthquakes. Large mountains neutralize and control the power of lava waves and planet’s inner gases, to a large extent, and if mountains did not exist, the surface of the planet would have been constantly pressurized. Mountains act like resistant stakes, which protect Earth’s crust from intense movements in the face of inner factors and outer parameters such as the forces of gravity of the moon and the sun.

Although planet’s surface shakes at times, these shakes are not to the extent that would cause discomfort for mankind.

Meanwhile, mountains also act similar to tall walls in the face of thunderstorms, providing a reassuring shelter and granting comfort to human beings.

We have observed that Holy Quran, more than a thousand years ago, has presented scientific facts in the form of simple sentences and examples, unveiling the secrets and mysteries of creation. Next week, we will study some of the other aspects of the miraculous nature of Holy Quran.

MR/ME