The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time – A Study of Its Miraculous Nature
(part 32)
The wonders of the human skeleton
The human body, with all its complexities and subtleties, represents one of the greatest manifestations of divine power and wisdom. One of the most fundamental and vital parts of the body is the “skeletal system or skeleton of the body”; a precise, resistant and multipurpose structure that not only maintains the shape of the body; but also supports the muscles, protects the vital organs, and is the main factor in movement.
Bone structure and its function
The body skeleton is made up of about “200 bones”, each of which has its own unique design. The bones are hard and compact on the outside; but they have a spongy interior that makes them “light and resistant at the same time”. If the internal structure of the bones were as dense as their exterior, the body weight would increase by four times; That is, a weight of 70 kilograms would reach 280 kilograms, which would not only destroy the beauty of the appearance, but also cause “waste of energy and impaired movement.”
Scientists express this principle as follows: “In bone structure, the greatest efficiency is achieved with the least amount of material; an amazing balance between strength and lightness.”
Bones; the shield of vital organs
Many sensitive and vital organs of the body are protected within bone structures:
Brain: Protected within the skull.
Spinal cord: Located between the spine.
Heart: Protected by the rib cage.
Uterus: Located within the bony pelvis.
And even the factories for producing red blood cells are located within the bone marrow.
Without a skeleton, a person would be just a shapeless mass of flesh and skin.
Continuous regeneration of bones
One of the most amazing features of the human skeleton is the “phenomenon of continuous bone regeneration.” During an average lifetime, the skeleton is completely renewed up to five times; that is, approximately every 6 or 7 years, a person gets a new skeleton.
This feature not only allows for “fracture repair”; but also makes the bone a “calcium storehouse”. During pregnancy, if the mother is deficient in calcium, the fetus obtains this vital substance from the mother’s bones.
Regulation of bone growth
Bone growth is regulated by “growth hormones”. If these hormones are overactive, excessive growth occurs and the person becomes gigantic; while their deficiency leads to dwarfism. [1] There are reports of the shortest adult human being with a height of 55 cm and the tallest person with a height of 240 cm, the difference being due to a disorder in the secretion of growth hormone.
The process of bone formation
Bone formation begins in the fetal period. Initially, the bone structure is in the form of soft cartilage, then over time, this cartilage turns into hard bone; a process that continues until the ages of “17 to 21 years.”
At the end of the bones, a layer of cartilage remains that acts as a “mechanical shock absorber.” There are also cartilage discs between the vertebrae of the spine that are responsible for absorbing shocks, so that the person can move easily and the spine is not damaged.
Joints and smooth movement
There is a viscous fluid in the joints that allows the bones to move smoothly over each other. This fluid is naturally renewed and plays a key role in “reducing friction and increasing the flexibility of the joints.”
Finally, let’s summarize that the skeleton of the human body is not just a bone structure; Rather, it is an “engineered system,” resilient, intelligent, and alive, which plays a fundamental role in our lives by constantly rebuilding, protecting vital organs, and facilitating movement. This unique system is truly a clear sign of Allah’s power and knowledge, and a clear sign of His wisdom, as He said:وَفِيٓ أَنفُسِكُمۡۚ أَفَلَا تُبۡصِرُونَ Translation: “And in yourselves (human beings) are clear signs and convincing evidence for the knowledge of Allah and the realization of His power. Do you not see?” [Al-Zariyyat: 21] [2]
Dwarfism is when a person is much shorter than normal. Usually, a person is said to be dwarfed if their height is less than about 147 centimeters (48 inches) when they grow up.
Summary of the article: Encyclopaedia of Scientific Miracles in the Quran and Sunnah, Vol. 1, pp. 108-110.
