The Koran concerning the earth and environment

The Balance in the Environment

Nowadays, people are concerned about the environment and scientists realize the importance of environmental balance and its effect on the life of all creatures (plants, animals, human), especially as a consequence of the huge emission of pollutants in the 20th century.

Humankind’s ever increasing pollution of the global atmosphere over the last two centuries has reached a critical level at the beginning of the 21st century. Among the many living beings affected are plants. However, God in His mercy equipped plants with many filtration systems to purify the air of these poisonous substances.

As we know, a plant absorbs carbon dioxide and releases the oxygen which is essential for human breathing. There is a balance between the oxygen humans receive and the amounts of oxygen released by plants.

There is another balance between the amount of carbon dioxide released by humans and the amount of carbon dioxide taken in by plants. Glory to God, the Koran told us about this environmental equilibrium at a time when no one knew anything about the environment or this dynamic state of balance. God says, “And the earth we have spread out, and have placed therein firm mountains, and caused to grow therein all kinds of things in due proportion.” (Sura Al Hijr, ayah 19)

Consider the preciseness of the words of the Koran as God, be He blessed and exalted, tells us that all kinds of things are in due proportion. For example the oxygen in the air is 21% if it were more flammable substances on earth might burn from the first spark and if it were less many creatures would suffocate.

Also the carbon dioxide constitutes less than 1% of the earth’s atmosphere; if the percentage were more than that, humans would die and if it were less, plants would die and most life would be threatened.

If we examine the interior of a cell of any green plant, we can see a continuous manufacturing operation for the green material which ultimately produces grains and fruits.

The Koran told us about these operations. God says, “It is He who sends down water (rain) from the sky, and with it We bring forth vegetation of all kinds, and out of it We bring forth green stalks, from which We bring forth thick clustered grain. And out of the date-palm and its spathes come forth clusters of dates hanging low and near, and gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Look at their fruits when they begin to bear, and the ripeness thereof. Verily! In these things there are signs for people who believe).” (Sura Al An’am, ayah 99)

The Koran told us that the green material is formed first, followed by seeds and fruit, as confirmed by science.

Every drop of water testifies that the Creator is great. As God the Almighty created everything in due proportion, any imbalance may contribute to the end of the world of the living. We are now living in an era of unbalance, through what is called the global warming. We ask our God to save us from the evil of these environmental changes.

Hence, we ask a question, did Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him) study plants and did he examine them under the microscope? What made that illiterate man speak about these scientific issues? The answer is because he got all his knowledge from God, be He blessed and exalted, who taught him everything.

The Koran told us about botany in many ayat. Here we have to mention that the Koran is the first book to speak about the existence of pairs in plants, hundreds of years before the modern science. God says, “Glory be to Him Who has created all the pairs of that which the earth produces, as well as of their own (human) kind (male and female), and of that which they know not.” (Sura Ya Sin, ayah 36) He also says, “And Who has created all the pairs and has appointed for you ships and cattle on which you ride.” (Sura Az Zukhruf, ayah 12)

Thus it was possible for an illiterate man who lived in desert in the 7th century to tell us about this information in a way identical with modern science?

The earth is speaking!

Do you believe that earth transmits continuous sound frequencies but we do not hear? That is a recent discovery in earth science. What did the Koran say about that?

“Earth speaks.” I found this title in an international website, www. discovermagazine.com. In fact that title is an ordinary one in this era as scientists have discovered that everything in the universe transmits sound frequencies.

But at the time of the descending of the Koran this was not known at all. Humans at that time did not imagine that the earth transmits vibrations but the Koran told us about it in many ayat which many explainers interpreted as Almighty God giving earth the ability to speak.

God says, “Then He rose over (Istawâ) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come both of you willingly or unwillingly.’

They both said, ‘We come willingly.’” (Sura Fussilat, ayah 11) Also God says about the Pharaoh and his chiefs after He, be He blessed and exalted, drowned them, “And the heavens and the earth wept not for them nor were they given a respite.” (Sura Ad Dukhan, ayah 29)

If we read texts of the explainers we can see that they believed in the ability of earth and heaven to speak in a real voice and also in their ability to cry.

One of the most important websites devoted space, www.space. com, has published an article entitled “Sky is speaking”. Mark Whittle, an astronomer at the University of Virginia, found that the universe in its early beginning was transmitting sound frequencies which were caused by the sudden expansion of the gases.

The Koran told us about this in the holy ayah, “Then He rose (Istawâ) towards the heaven when it was smoke, and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come both of you willingly or unwillingly.’ They both said, ‘We come willingly.’” (Sura Fussilat, ayah 11)

Scientists have discovered that these frequencies are in the inaudible range and have an important mission. The earth transmit frequencies in a range less than 20 hertz (less than 20 vibrations per second) before earthquakes, volcanoes and before tsunamis .

Before the great tsunami of 2004 hit the beaches of Indonesia, causing hundreds of thousands of casualties, dogs ran away and elephants in zoos started to grumble and shout. Scientists have explained this as being because the animals hear these vibrations and felt fear.

Scientists have found that elephants talk with each other in a voice inaudible to human beings. Whales also speak in frequencies which spread through the water for thousands of kilometres! By using these frequencies, scientists are attempting to create an early detection system for earthquakes and natural disasters.

Before volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occurred, God supported these animals with warning systems which enable them to take necessary avoidance actions but arrogant man until now has not developed the knowledge to avail himself of such systems. Glory to Allah!

Reflect on how God, be He exalted, has devised everything for us. He says, “And has subjected to you all that is in the heavens and all that is in the earth; it is all as a favor and kindness from Him. Verily, in it are signs for a people who think deeply.” (Sura AlJathiyah, ayah 13).

Many thanks to Allah for all these graces.

ABDULDAEM AL-KAHEEL