The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (Part 50)
Blood: A Living and Moving Sea in the Human Body
According to experts and specialists, human blood is like a vast sea filled with a great fleet. In this fleet, every type of blood cell has a unique and irreplaceable role, similar to different ships with distinct missions:
The supply and transport ships, which are the red blood cells, carry nutrients.
The defensive and combat ships, capable of maneuvering and fighting, are the white blood cells.
The rescue ships, which prevent death in emergency situations, are the blood platelets (صفائح دموية).
There are also ships that carry nutrients such as sugar (glucose) and proteins, and ships that remove waste materials like uric acid and lactic acid from the body.
This complex system is designed so that all components of the blood move freely without colliding or damaging one another, displaying extraordinary harmony.
Composition and Structure of Blood
Blood is a red, life-giving fluid composed of the following elements:
Red blood cells (كريات الدم الحمراء):
These are disc-shaped cells with a diameter of about 7 microns (7 thousandths of a millimeter) and a thickness of less than 2 microns. They carry oxygen, and their total number in the human body is approximately 25 trillion (25 thousand billion).
If these red blood cells were placed side by side, they would be enough to encircle the Earth along the equator seven times.
There are about 5 million red blood cells in every cubic millimeter of blood.
The Astonishing Characteristics of Red Blood Cells
One of the biological wonders is that the diameter of some capillaries in the human body is equal to or even smaller than the diameter of a red blood cell. In order to pass through these extremely narrow vessels, the red blood cell changes its shape from a circular disc to an elongated oval form, allowing it to move easily through these tight passages.
Allah Almighty says in the Noble Qur’an: «سَنُرِیهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّىٰ يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ» [1] Translation: We shall show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.
White Blood Cells (كريات الدم البيضاء): The Defensive Army of the Body
The number of white blood cells in the human body is about 25 billion. These cells defend the body against diseases and external invading agents, and they possess unique characteristics — including the remarkable ability to pass through extremely narrow pathways due to their extraordinary flexibility.
The bone marrow continuously produces about 2.5 million white blood cells every second, and at the same rate, the old ones die and are collected in a special organ known as the spleen.
Diseases such as AIDS severely attack these cells, causing a drastic reduction in their number. As a result, the body becomes easily vulnerable to infections.
Blood Platelets (صفائح الدم): The Factor That Stops Bleeding
There are about one trillion blood platelets in the human body, and they play a vital role in blood clotting and preventing bleeding.
When a wound occurs in the body, these platelets immediately rush to the site of injury, stick together, and prevent further blood loss. Without these platelets, even a small wound could cause severe and fatal bleeding.
The Physical Properties of Blood and the Balance Between Fluidity and Viscosity
Blood contains substances that help maintain its viscosity (thickness or stickiness). If the blood becomes too thin, it will flow out of the body quickly, causing excessive bleeding. On the other hand, if it becomes too thick, the blood flow will be obstructed, leading to serious health complications.
In fact, blood maintains a precise balance between fluidity and viscosity — a balance that is vital for the health and proper functioning of the human body.
Blood Plasma and Its Components
Blood plasma (2) is the liquid portion of the blood in which the cellular elements are suspended. It contains proteins, minerals, and nutrients. This fluid is responsible for transporting substances throughout the body and serves as one of the great signs of creation and the perfect order within the human body.
In short, blood — as the life-giving fluid — is a marvelous and harmonious collection of various cells and substances, each playing a unique role in maintaining human health and life.
This scientific reality is one of the greatest signs of Allah’s power and wisdom, as clearly stated in the Noble Qur’an: «وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ» [الذاريات: 21] Translation: And in your own selves — will you not then, see? [4]
Plasma: The yellowish liquid portion of blood that makes up about 55% of its total volume. This fluid keeps the blood cells (red cells, white cells, and platelets) suspended and transports various substances.
Surah Adh-Dhariyat, Ayah 21.
Encyclopedia of Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an and Sunnah, Vol. 1, pp. 146–148.
