Geological Information In The Qur’aan

How do you present proof of this religion to those who do not speak the language of the Arabs or know anything about the inimitable eloquence of the Qur’aan? Is it the only way for them to learn this language of the Arabs and to master its sciences? The answer, of course, is ‘No’, Allah, may He be Glorified and Exalted, has shown mercy to them and to all other generations by sending the appropriate evidence to all mankind, irrespective of their different races, languages, and times. We have with us today Professor Palmer who is one of the foremost geologists in the United States of America. He headed a committee which organized the Centennial Anniversary of the American Geological Society. When we met with him and presented to him the various scientific miracles in the Qur’aan and Sunnah, he was greatly astonished I remember a pleasant anecdote when we informed him that the Qur’aan mentions the lowest part of the earth and states that it is near Jerusalem, where a battle took place between the Persians and the Greeks. Allah, may He be Exalted and Glorified, said in the Qur’aan:

Alif Laam Meem, the Romans have been defeated, in the lowest part of the land (adnal-ardh), but after defeat they will soon be victorious. (Qur’aan 30:1-3).

The term “adna” means both nearer and lowest. The commentators of the Qur’aan, May Allah be pleased with all of them, were of the opinion that “adnal-ardh” meant the nearest land to the Arabian Peninsula. However, the second meaning is also there. In this way, the Glorious Qur’aan gives one word several meanings, as described by the Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) when he said:


I have been given the most comprehensive words. {Al-Bukhaari and Muslim]


When we investigated the lowest part of the earth, we found that it was exactly the same spot that witnessed the battle in which the Romans were defeated. When we informed Professor Palmer about this, he contested saying that there were many other areas which are lower than the one referred to in the Qur’aanic verse. He gave examples and names of other areas in Europe and in the United States. We assured him that our information was verified and correct. He had with him a topographical globe that showed elevations and depressions. He said that it would be easy with that globe to ascertain which was the lowest spot on earth.

He turned the globe with his hands and focused his sign on the area near Jerusalem. To his astonishment, there was a small arrow sticking out towards that area with words: “the lowest part on the face of the earth.”


Professor Palmer was quick to concede that our information was correct. He proceeded to speak, as you now see him with the globe, saying that this was actually the lowest part of the earth.


Professor Palmer: It took place in the area of the Dead Sea which is up here and interestingly enough the labeling on the globe says “the world’s lowest point”. So it certainly is supported by the interpretation of that critical word.

Professor Palmer was even more astonished when he found that the Qur’aan talks about the past and describes how creation first began; how the earth and heavens were created; how the water gushed forth from the depth of the earth; how the mountains were anchored on land; how vegetation first began; how is earth today, describing the mountains, describes its phenomena, describes the changes on the surface of the earth as witnessed in the Arabian Peninsula. It even describes the future of the land of Arabs and the future of the whole earth. At this, Professor Palmer acknowledged that the Qur’aan is such a wondrous Book which describes the past, the present, and the future.

Like many other scientists, Professor Palmer was hesitant at first. But soon later he was forthcoming with his opinions. In Cairo, he presented a research paper dealing with the inimitable aspects of geological knowledge contained in the Qur’aan. He said that he did not know what was the state of the art in the field of science during the days of the Prophet Muhammad. But from what we know about the scanty knowledge and means at that time, we can undoubtedly conclude that the Qur’aan is a light of divine knowledge revealed to Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam). Here are the concluding remarks of Professor Palmer:

We need research into the history of early Middle Eastern oral traditions to know whether in fact such historical events have been reported. If there is no such record, it strengthens the belief that Allah transmitted through Muhammad bits of his knowledge that we have only discovered for ourselves in recent times. We look forward to a continuing dialogue on the topic of science in the Qur’aan in the context of geology. Thank you very much.

As you have seen, here is one of the giants in the field of geology in our world today, coming from the United States of America. He does not hesitate to admit and to come forth with his opinions. But he is still in need of someone to point the truth out to him. Both westerners and easterners have lived in the midst of the battle between religion and science. These battles, however, were inevitable, because all previous messages have been distorted. Thus, Allah sent the Prophet Muhammad, (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam), with Islam in order to correct that which had been corrupted.

Someone may ask: ‘How will these people accept what we tell them when we are materially inferior to them and we do not follow our religion closely?’ My reply to them is that knowledge increases the awareness of one who acquires it. People of knowledge care only to look at the facts, not at the outside picture. The wealth of Islam today is precisely this knowledge and scientific advancement. Modern science can but bow its head in reverence to the book of Allah and to the Sunnah of His Prophet (sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam).

The primordial nature, Al-Fitrah, in which Allah created man does not attain tranquility except by means of Islam or faith. Those who do not have Imaan (faith) are in a constant state of uneasiness and confusion. Moreover, the atmosphere of freedom in the West helps Western scientists to express what they believe without any fear or timidity. We have heard them in many of these episodes confirming and recognizing the miracle of this age, the Qur’aan, which will remain living until the Last Hour.