12. The Qur’an and Scientific Claims
Claims concerning “scientific miracles” in the Qur’an have become extremely popular in modern Muslim apologetics.
Examples commonly discussed include:
• Embryological Development
• Expansion of the Universe
• Barriers Between Bodies of Water
• Mountains
• The Water Cycle
• Clouds, Rain and Hail
• Life Created from Water
• The Deep Sea and Layers of Darkness
• The Sun and Moon
• The Origin of the Universe
• The Atmosphere and Protection of Earth
The Qur’an is fundamentally a book of guidance, not a modern scientific textbook.
Its references to nature are primarily intended to stimulate reflection:
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and day are signs for those of understanding.” — Qur’an 3:190
Scientific theories change. The Qur’an’s central claim does not depend on a particular scientific model.
• Embryological development
The Qur’an contains several passages that describe human development in the womb. The most frequently discussed are Qur’an 23:12–14, 22:5, 40:67, 75:37–39, and 96:1–2
And indeed, We created humankind from an extract of clay, then placed each ˹human˺ as a sperm-drop in a secure place, then We developed the drop into a clinging clot, then developed the clot into a lump ˹of flesh˺, then developed the lump into bones, then clothed the bones with flesh, then We brought it into being as a new creation. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators. (Qur’an 23:12-14)
“O humanity! If you are in doubt about the Resurrection, then surely We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, then from a lump—formed and unformed—that We may make things clear to you. And We settle in the wombs whatever We will for an appointed term…” (Qur’an 22:5)
This verse emphasizes successive developmental stages and development within the womb.
“Was he not a sperm-drop emitted? Then he became a clinging clot, and He created and fashioned him, and made from him the two sexes, male and female.” (Qur’an 75:37-39)
The passage highlights nuṭfah → ʿalaqah → formation and differentiation.
• The expansion of the universe
“And the heaven We built with strength, and indeed We are expanding it.” (Qur’an 51:47)
This verse is therefore frequently cited in discussions of the Qur'an and the modern scientific discovery that the universe is expanding.
“Have those who disbelieve not considered that the heavens and the earth were joined together, then We split them apart, and We made every living thing from water? Will they not then believe?” (Qur’an 21:30)
• Barriers between bodies of water
“He released the two seas, meeting together; between them is a barrier which they do not transgress.” (Qur’an 55:19-20)
“And He is the One Who has released the two bodies of water, one fresh and sweet and the other salty and bitter, and He has placed between them a barrier and an inaccessible boundary.” (Qur’an 25:53)
“Or, who made the earth a stable dwelling, placed rivers throughout it, set firm mountains upon it, and placed a barrier between the two bodies of water? Is there a god besides Allah? Yet most of them do not know.” (Qur’an 27:61)
• Mountains
“Have We not made the earth a resting place, and the mountains as pegs?” (Qur’an 78:6-7)
This is the Qur’an’s most famous description of mountains as “pegs.”
“And He placed firm mountains in the earth lest it should shake with you, and rivers and pathways, so that you may be guided.” (Qur’an 16:15)
The Qur’an thus associates rawāsi (firmly anchored mountains) with the stability of the earth.
• The Water Cycle
“Allah is the One Who sends the winds, causing clouds to form; then He spreads them across the sky as He wills and makes them into fragments, and you see rain coming forth from within them…” (Qur’an 30:48)
“And We sent down water from the sky in due measure, then We settled it in the earth, and surely We are able to take it away.” (Qur’an 23:18)
“We find many such examples in the Quran—facts of which humanity 1,400 years ago was unaware—and how could an ordinary, unlettered men possibly reveal these truths?”
This demonstrates that the Quran is undoubtedly the Word of Allah, revealed to Muhammad (peace be upon him).
6. The Earth and Heavens were Joined Together
All scientific circles in the world today agree that the planets were originally composed of a mass of Sodium gas and that first the heavens and the earth were joined together as a single entity and then they separated from each other. Centuries ago, the Qur’an referred to this scientific theory.
It says when describing the creation of the heavens:
“Then God turned to the creation of the heavens (the planets), when they were but a smoky substance.” (41:11)
“Do the unbelievers not see that the heavens and the earth were joined together before we separated them, and that We brought all living things into existence from water? Why do they still not believe in God?” (21:30)
Thus the Qur’an unveils one of the great mysteries of nature: the planets were originally composed of smoky substance (mass of Sodium gas), and the separation of the planets from a huge object and then their separation from each other. Since at the time of revelation of the Qur’an, the general level of knowledge and science was extremely low, does this not constitute a proof of the heavenly nature of the Qur’an?
7. Force of Gravity
We know that before the time of Newton, that great scientific personality, no one was aware of the force of gravity. Newton proved that the falling of objects to earth, the rotation of the moon and the Venus, the motion of the planets, and other instances of attraction are all subject to the single law, the law of universal gravity.
The Qur’an describes the above mentioned gravitational force as ‘invisible pillars’:
“God it is Who raised up the heavenly bodies to invisible pillars .....” (13:2).
In conveying this scientific truth, the Qur’an has used an expression that is comprehensible for the men of all ages. Are these ‘unseen pillars’, which prevent the planets from colliding with each other or falling, anything other than the mysterious and invisible force of universal gravity, a law to which the Creator of the universe has subjected all of the heavenly bodies?
8. Production of Milk in Animals
The Qur’an describes the factors which give rise to milk in animals in a way that is entirely compatible with the data of modern science. This is what God’s book has to say:
“There is in truth for you a lesson in your animals and flocks. We give you to drink a pure milk derived from that which is contained in their bodies, from the merging of what is held in their intestines with blood. The drinking of that is then made easy for those who drink it.” (16:66).
Dr. Bucaille writes in his book:
“From a scientific point of view, physiological notions must be called upon to grasp the meaning of this verse. The substances that ensure the general nutrition of the body come from chemical transformations which occur along the length of the digestive tract. These substances come from the contents of the intestine. On arrival in the intestine at the appropriate stage of chemical transformation, they pass through its wall and towards the systemic circulation (of blood)...... This very precise concept is the result of the discoveries made in the chemistry and physiology of the digestive system. It was totally unknown at the time of the Prophet Muhammad and has been understood only in recent times.”
9. In Pairs
It is only recently that researchers have come aware of insemination in plants and learned that every living being including plants comes into existence as the result of the merging of a male and female parts.
In verses that are totally free of ambiguity, the noble Qur’an, sets forth clearly the principle of gender in the gender world, together with the existence of male and female parts even in plants.
“Do they not look at the earth, where we created the plants in pairs”. (26:7).
10. Role of Wind
The Qur’an also mentions the role and operation of an important factor in the bringing of things to fruition: the wind.
“We have sent the winds as a means of insemination and impregnation, and then sent down rain from the heavens.” (15:22).
In this verse, the Qur’an unveils another a great mystery of creation, the fundamental role played by the wind in the fertilization of plants.
11. Light in the Moon is merely a Reflection
It is known that the sun is a star that generates intense heat and light by its internal combustion, and that the moon which does not give off light itself, merely reflects the light received from the sun.
The Qur’an testifies the above fact:
“Blessed is the One Who placed the constellations in heaven and placed in it a lamp (SIRAJ) and a moon, giving light (MUNIIRA)”. (25:61)
Here the moon is defined as a body that gives reflection of light (Muneera), while the sun is compared to a blazing lamp or torch (Siraj).
12. Honey Bees
Concerning bees, the Qur’an says:
“Your Lord inspired the (female) bee, choose your dwelling in the hills, in the trees and in what (man) build. Eat of all fruit and follow the ways of your Lord in humility. From within their bodies comes a liquid of different colours where is cure for men”. (16:68-69)
The Qur’an refers that the worker-bees who are searching for food are females. The verbs used in Arabic refer to female bees. This is very amazing. For all along, until only recently, people imagined that the “soldier-bees” were males.
It was only during the nineteenth century that people had a slightly clearer view of this question.
All the afore mentioned and many other modern scientific concepts found abundantly in the Glorious Qur’an, that was revealed 14 centuries ago, with utmost accuracy and free from any error, prove beyond any iota of doubt the divine source of its revelation.
Quran’s destiny is actually to unlock eyes that have been sealed for ages, revive souls that have long died, and soften hearts that have calcified harder than stone.
“Had We sent down this Qur’an upon a mountain, you would have certainly seen it humbled and torn apart in awe of Allah. We set forth such similitudes for people, so that perhaps they may reflect.” (Quran)
If the Qur’an could crumble mountains, its potency to melt away the corrosion of our hearts is undoubtable.
1. But why speak in the hypothetical? Did not this very Qur’an already turn unlettered desert shepherds into pioneering leaders of civilizations?
2. Did it not soften hearts so callous they could stomach burying their infant daughters alive, and recreate in those chests icons of empathy and compassion for friend, foe, human, and animal?
3. Does it not rank today as the primary reason for people to embrace Islam, bettering them in ways they never believed possible, even in a godless age where the vices of faithlessness are everywhere?
“While nobody can ever change the Qur’an, the Qur’an can change anybody.”
