The Quranic teachings about human beings and the universe, and the plans which Holy Quran maintains for the prosperity of mankind are compatible with the prudence, scientific criteria, and innate needs of mankind, and therefore do not belong to a particular phase in time. In fact, Quranic teachings are alive, ever-lasting, and eternal.

As a reminder, in continuation of familiarization with the divine religion of Islam, we started a discussion for familiarization with Holy Quran, and studied one of the most important features of this Holy Book; which is its miraculous aspects. Up to now, we have mentioned several cases of the scientific miracles of this Holy Book.

Now, we study some of the other examples of the scientific miracles of Holy Quran.

In the 30^th ayah of Surat Al-Anbya, God notes: “Have the faithless not regarded that the heavens and the earth were interwoven and We unraveled them, and We made every living thing out of water? Will they not then have faith?”

The exegetes of Holy Quran have presented different views and standpoints in regard to this ayah’s reference to the initially interwoven nature of heavens and earth; and their later separation. Some exegetes believe that this ayah has referred to the beginning of the creation of the universe by mentioning the initial interwoven nature of heavens and earth.

According to scientists, this world was initially in the form of a huge mass of burning gases, which gradually disintegrated and separated from each other due to a number of explosions and movements, resulting in the creation of galaxies, and stars, such as the Solar System and planet earth.

Some of the other exegetes of Holy Quran, in elaboration of this ayah, say that initially the main components of sky and earth were the same. However, with the passage of time, these materials and masses separated from each other and took a new shape. As a result, different animal and plant species were formed; with each of these living creatures maintaining their own features, signifying the grandeur and omnipotence of God Almighty.

This ayah also refers to the creation of all living creatures from water. It should be said that the life and existence of all living creatures, including all animal and plant species, as well as human beings, depends on water, which originates rainfalls.

Moreover, based on the studies of scientists, the body of humans and many animals is mainly comprised of water, and without water no living creature can continue its existence. In fact, water is the source of creation of all living creatures. This is a fact which Holy Quran has mentioned, 14 centuries ago.

Undoubtedly, the phenomenon of existence is one of the most astounding phenomena of this universe. The mysteries of life are so complicated that despite the advancement of human knowledge and sciences, there remain innumerable unknowns. Although throughout centuries, scientists have conducted several studies about life and its source, no one precisely knows how living creatures have come into existence from inanimate materials.

Meanwhile, another astounding fact is that although all living creatures have been created out of water, there is a wide and diversified range of living creatures; from micro-organisms which can only be observed with microscopes, to huge whales in oceans, whose length exceeds thirty meters. Moreover, there are hundreds of thousands of types of insects and countless beautiful birds; each of which maintain a number of mysteries. Undoubtedly, the one and only creator of the universe and living creatures is omnipotent, and alive, granting life to creatures of the world.

God, in the 32^nd ayah of Surat Al-Anbya refers to other facts of the world of creation, noting: “We made the sky a preserved roof and yet they are disregardful of its signs.”

The term “sky” maintains a number of different meanings in Holy Quran. In this ayah, it is the atmosphere which surrounds earth; with a thickness standing at hundreds of kilometers. Atmosphere, which is made of air and gases, is so powerful that prevents any harmful element from reaching earth. For instance, atmosphere protects earth from the dangerous bombardment of meteors. Atmosphere also partly prevents some detrimental sunrays from reaching the planet.

This precise order and calculations go to show the prudence and wisdom behind the creation of the universe. Now, let’s listen to the elaboration of scientists on Holy Quran’s reference to sky as a preserved roof, which in fact is a reminder of earth’s atmosphere.

Experts have come to realize that atmosphere is comprised of a number of gases which protect life on earth. They believe that the high thickness and density of atmosphere protects earth from countless meteors; which swiftly move toward the planet. In addition, earth’s atmosphere moderates temperature of the planet. Atmosphere transfers steam from oceans to continents and lands; and if this was not the case, all continents would have turned into dry and arid lands. Due to atmosphere, millions of meteors burn and/or turn into steam prior to reaching earth.

Today, scientists believe that if the density of atmosphere was less than its current one, countless number of meteors would have collided with the planet, every day, leaving a highly destructive impact due to their high speed.

Although earth’s atmosphere protects this planet like a shield; it is transparent to an extent that even faraway galaxies can be observed via the usage of telescopes and astronomical tools and equipment.

Based on these explanations, it becomes clear why Holy Quran refers to earth’s atmosphere as a preserved roof.  

MR/ME