Author: Dr. Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time—A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 119)
The Scientific and Rhetorical Miracle of the Noble Qur’an in the Expression “لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ”
The Noble Qur’an, as the final heavenly book, is not only a source of moral and spiritual guidance for humanity but also contains references in many of its verses to natural and scientific realities that were only discovered centuries after its revelation. This characteristic is considered one of the manifestations of the miraculous nature of the Noble Qur’an. The scientific miracle of the Qur’an means that some of its statements correspond to established scientific facts that were unknown to mankind at the time of revelation.
One of the remarkable examples of this miracle is the following verse: (قَالَت نَملَة يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلنَّملُ ٱدخُلُواْ مَسَٰكِنَكُم لَا يَحطِمَنَّكُم سُلَيمَٰنُ وَجُنُودُهُۥ وَهُم لَا يَشعُرُونَ). Translation: “An ant said: ‘O ants! Enter your dwellings lest Solomon and his armies crush you while they do not perceive.’” [1]
In this noble verse, the speech of an ant is narrated, and the highly precise expression “لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ” is used. Linguistically, rhetorically, and scientifically, this word contains profound meanings, and examining it reveals new dimensions of the Qur’an’s miraculous nature.
Linguistic Analysis of the Word “حطم”
The word “يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ” is derived from the root “حَطْم,” which means “to break.” The word “حُطام” refers to something that has been shattered and broken into pieces. «والحَطْمُ: الكَسْر، والحُطَام: ما تحطَّم.» [2]
Based on this, the word “يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ” comes from a root that signifies breaking, crushing, and shattering. This word is generally used for things that possess a relatively hard and fragile structure, such as glass, dry bones, or solid materials.
In contrast, words such as “وطأ” or “دوس” mean “to trample” or “to step on,” which do not necessarily imply the breaking of the internal structure of an object. This subtle difference in word choice is the key to understanding the scientific miracle of the verse.
Why «تحطم» and Not «وطأ»?
From a scientific perspective, this choice of wording is highly remarkable. If the purpose were merely to express the danger of ants being stepped on, expressions such as “لَا يَطَأَنَّكُمْ” translation: lest they trample you or “لَا يَدُوسَنَّكُمْ” translation: lest they crush you underfoot would have seemed sufficient. However, the Noble Qur’an uses the term “تحطم,” which conveys a more precise and deeper meaning.
This choice indicates that what happens to ants is not merely surface pressure, but rather the breaking and fragmentation of their bodily structure.
Modern Scientific Discoveries About Ants
The science of entomology in recent centuries has revealed astonishing facts about ants:
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Exoskeleton
Ants do not possess an internal skeleton like humans. Instead, their bodies are covered with a hard outer shell known as an “exoskeleton.”
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Chitin Composition
This exoskeleton is made of a substance called “chitin,” which is relatively hard. It initially resists pressure, but under strong force, it breaks in a brittle manner.
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Mechanical Behavior of the Body
Scientific experiments have shown that when significant pressure is applied to the body of an ant, its body does not bend like soft objects; rather, it cracks and shatters. As a result, its structure undergoes “تحطم” (breaking into pieces). This is precisely the meaning conveyed by the word “حطم.”
The Astonishing Harmony Between Science and the Qur’an
What is truly astonishing is that 1,400 years ago there was no knowledge whatsoever about the microscopic structure of insects. Instruments such as microscopes—which made the study of these structures possible—were only invented in recent centuries. Even the basic sciences of that era had not examined the anatomy of insects in detail.
Yet the Noble Qur’an selected a word that perfectly corresponds to the physical reality of the ant’s body.
Such harmony cannot be considered coincidental; rather, it is a sign of the absolute knowledge of Allah (SWT).
The Communicative Dimension of Ants
The verse says: (قَالَتْ نَمْلَةٌ) Translation: “An ant said.”
This expression is also noteworthy from a scientific perspective.
Modern research has shown that ants possess advanced communication systems, including:
The use of chemical substances (pheromones) to transmit messages.
Creating specific pathways to guide other ants.
Warning one another in times of danger.
Although this communication is not human speech, it is nevertheless a real and organized form of message transmission. The Noble Qur’an expresses this phenomenon in a language understandable to humans.
The Ethical Subtlety in the Verse
The concluding part of the verse: (وَهُمْ لَا يَشْعُرُونَ) translates : “while they do not perceive.” also carries an important message:
Prophet Sulaiman (AS) and his armies did not intend to harm the ants; any possible harm would occur unintentionally and unknowingly. This expression reflects a form of etiquette and fairness in attributing actions.
Summary of the Miraculous Dimensions of This Verse
This verse contains miraculous aspects from several perspectives:
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Linguistic Miracle
The precise selection of the word “taḥṭīm,” which is perfectly suitable both rhetorically and semantically.
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Scientific Miracle
Its complete correspondence with the actual structure of ants’ bodies—a fact discovered centuries later.
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Communicative Miracle
Its reference to the communication system of ants.
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Ethical Miracle
Its attention to intention and awareness in human actions and the observance of the rights of living creatures.
In summary, the expression “لَا يَحْطِمَنَّكُمْ” in Surah al-Naml is a remarkable example of the scientific precision and rhetorical eloquence of the Noble Qur’an. This word is not only beautiful and exact from a literary perspective, but it also perfectly aligns with modern scientific findings regarding the structure of ants’ bodies.
Such harmony in a book revealed more than 1,400 years ago demonstrates that the Noble Qur’an transcends the human knowledge of that era and originates from a divine source.
Verses like this invite mankind to reflect more deeply upon the Noble Qur’an and demonstrate that this book contains fresh and astonishing messages for discovery in every age and era. [3]
To be continued…
Previous Part
References:
- An-Naml (27:18).
- Zad al-Masir fi ‘Ilm al-Tafsir, Vol. 3, p. 356.
- A detailed discussion can be found in:
Tafsir al-Ayat al-Kawniyyah, Vol. 2, pp. 369–378, authored by Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar, First Edition, 1428 AH, published by Maktabat al-Shorouk International, Al-Sa‘adah Street, Othman Towers, Roxy, Cairo.
