Al-Qurʾān, the Gospel like Psalms, Torah and the Gospel, is Divine Scripture for the guidance of man. Yet those who do not believe in Al-Qurʾān and Islam, often try to question the validity of Al-Qurʾān and want to correlate it with scientific discoveries in order to accept it as a Divine Scripture. Although, no one has ever questioned the other three former Scriptures nor ever tried to pitch these against the science, they are always trying to shoot down Al-Qurʾān for not being validated by science.
Although, this comparison is simply absurd and illogical for Divine Scriptures are meant for guidance and not being text books of science, yet Al-Qurʾān contains many a mentions which has only been validated by science more than centuries after its revelation. We have already mentioned many verses from Al-Qurʾān which have been shared in our reference page: Divine Revelations in Qur'an validated by Scientific Discoveries. Today we share two scientific discoveries mentioned in one verse of Al-Qurʾān, mentioned in the 30th verse of Surah 21.Al-Anbiyaa given herein under:
اَوَلَمۡ يَرَ الَّذِيۡنَ كَفَرُوۡۤا اَنَّ السَّمٰوٰتِ وَالۡاَرۡضَ كَانَـتَا رَتۡقًا فَفَتَقۡنٰهُمَا ؕ وَجَعَلۡنَا مِنَ الۡمَآءِ كُلَّ شَىۡءٍ حَىٍّ ؕ اَفَلَا يُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ
(21:30) Did the unbelievers (who do not accept the teaching of the Prophet) not realize that the heavens and the earth were one solid mass, then We tore them apart, and We made every living being out of water? Will they, then, not believe (that We created all this)?
From the wording of the text, it appears that at first the whole universe was a single mass of matter; then it was split into different parts and the earth and the other heavenly bodies were formed and that Allah made water the cause and origin of life.
Explanation
This verse contains two major cosmic statements:
- The heavens and earth were once joined, then separated.
- All living things were made from water.
- Let’s examine both in light of modern scientific discovery.
“The heavens and the earth were joined together, then We separated them”
The Arabic Key Words in this verse are:
- Ratqan (رَتْقًا) something that is fused, closed up, joined together
- Fataqnāhumā (فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا) means We split them apart, tore them asunder
Let us find out the modern day scientific Perspective of these two key words:
- The Big Bang Theory
- According to modern cosmology: The universe began about 13.8 billion years ago and that all matter, energy, space, and time were compressed into a single unified state. Then a massive expansion occurred — known as the Big Bang. And the universe has been expanding ever since.
- This theory was supported by:
- Edwin Hubble (discovery of expanding universe)
- Detection of Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
- Mathematical models from general relativity
- The idea that the heavens and earth were once a single joined entity aligns conceptually with the modern understanding of a unified early cosmos.
- Important note:
- The Qur’an is not a physics textbook. It speaks in accessible language — but its description remarkably corresponds to later scientific discoveries.
- The Qur’ān may refer to some universal facts, like the one stated here: “The heaven and the earth were once one single entity, which We then parted asunder.” We accept this as an absolute certainty simply because it is stated in the Qur’ān. We certainly do not know how the heavens and the earth were parted, or ripped one from the other. We accept astronomical theories which are not in conflict with this general fact mentioned in the Qur’ān. What we will not do however is take up the Qur’ānic text and try to fit it to any astronomical theory. We do not seek an endorsement of the Qur’ān through human theories, because the Qur’ān states only what is certain. The most we can say is that the astronomical theory accepted today is not in conflict with the general import of this Qur’ānic statement revealed many generations prior to it.
- “We made from water every living thing”
- This short sentence states a great and crucial fact. Indeed, scientists shower praise on Darwin for having identified that water was the first environment where life began. It is indeed a fact that should capture all our attentions. That it is mentioned in the Qur’ān neither fills us with wonder nor increases our belief in the truth of the Qur’ān. Our belief in the absolute truth of everything it states is based on our unshakeable belief that it is God’s revelation, not on its being confirmed by scientific discoveries or theories. The most that can be said here is that on this particular point, Darwin’s evolutionary theory is not in conflict with what the Qur’ān states.
- Modern Biological Research describes the Composition of Living Organisms of Human body being 60–70% water. The cells in human body require water for: Metabolism, DNA stability, Protein folding and Nutrient transport. That is Water is not just supportive — it is structurally essential.
- Origin of Life in Water
- The dominant scientific view is that (1) Life began in the ancient oceans, (2) Early biochemical reactions occurred in aqueous environments
- The first cells were aquatic microorganisms.
- Astrobiology today operates on one principle: Where there is water, there may be life.
- That is why scientists search for water on Mars, Europa (moon of Jupiter), and Enceladus (moon of Saturn).
Deeper Reflection
This verse connects:
- Cosmic Origin: Physical separation and Biological Origin: Life began in water
- Cosmic Origin: Universe began unified and Biological Origin: Biological emergence
- Cosmic Origin: Cosmic expansion and Biological Origin: Organic development
It ends with: “Will they not then believe?” - That is this verse invites reflection, not blind acceptance.
Important Balance
Scholars caution that Al Qur’an is primarily a book of guidance, not science. It speaks in universal language understandable across centuries. Thus while scientific discoveries may deepen appreciation, yet faith is not dependent solely on scientific confirmation.
Why This Is Remarkable
One last word of explanation: This verse was revealed in the 7th-century Arabia when there was no telescopes or microscopes and no cosmological mathematics. Yet the Qur’an speaks of a unified cosmic origin and life emerging from water. These are discoveries confirmed more than a millennium later.
This how our Creator shows us the immense depth of His wisdom which man has only recently has started to understand. Yet man a atheists still not believe as did the polytheists of Makkah when Al Qur’an was revelated. They did not believe then and the atheists still do not. That is why this verse ends with “Will they not then believe?” - That is this verse invites reflection, not blind acceptance.
For fourteen centuries, the Qur’ān has drawn the attention of unbelievers to the great marvels God has placed in the universe, wondering how they could deny what they see everywhere: “Will they not, then, believe?” How could they persist in their disbelief when everything around them in this universe inevitably leads to faith in God, the Creator, the Wise who conducts all affairs?
You may like to watch a video wherein Dr Zakir A Naik, a Muslim scholar of present times explaining that water is the basis of all living beings as per biology and botonny:
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
You may now refer to some of the Selected verses from Sūrah 21 Al-Anbiyā (The Prophets) already published: You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.
For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an.
An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.
In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
