Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (Part 51)
A Tiny Gland with Great and Vital Roles
Inside the human brain lies a very small and delicate gland weighing only half a gram, known as the pituitary gland (al-ghuddah al-nukhāmiyyah). Despite its tiny size, this intricate and vital gland is connected to a part of the brain called the hypothalamus through about 150,000 nerve fibers, controlling and regulating many essential body functions.
Growth Hormone – The Architect of Body Size and Proportion
One of the most important hormones secreted by this gland is the growth hormone, which consists of 188 amino acids.[1]
The normal amount of this hormone in each liter of blood should be around 10 micrograms. It is responsible for body growth and size. A deficiency causes short stature, while an excess leads to abnormal growth (gigantism or acromegaly).
The regulation of this hormone is carried out by the pituitary gland itself and the nervous system with remarkable precision.
Prolactin – The Source of a Newborn’s Nourishment
The pituitary gland secretes a hormone called prolactin, responsible for the production and secretion of milk in women’s breasts. This hormone increases during pregnancy and reaches its highest level after childbirth to meet the infant’s nutritional needs through breastfeeding.
The Holy Qur’an states: “أَلَم نَجعَل لَّهُۥ عَینَینِ وَلِسَانًا وَشَفَتَینِ وَهَدَینَٰهُ ٱلنَّجدَینِ”[2] Translation: “Have We not made for him two eyes, and a tongue and two lips, and shown him the two ways (of good and evil)?” (Al-Balad: 8–10)
Some commentators believe that “النجدین” refers to the two breasts, guided by divine wisdom for the nourishment of the infant.
Metabolism Control – Regulating the Body’s Energy System
Another hormone secreted by the pituitary gland stimulates the thyroid gland to produce hormones that regulate metabolism — the process of converting food into energy. Metabolism is one of the most complex processes of the human body, without which life cannot continue.
The thyroid gland, through these hormones, adjusts the rate of the body’s energy use — a process precisely governed by the pituitary gland.
Emergency Response – Command to the Adrenal Glands
In times of fear or stress, the pituitary gland releases a hormone that stimulates the adrenal glands (al-ghuddah al-kudhariyyah) to secrete stress hormones. These hormones cause:
• Increased heart rate,
• Deeper and faster breathing,
• Narrowing of blood vessels to direct blood to the muscles,
• The liver releasing glucose to provide immediate energy.
This coordinated response to stress is an example of the body’s astounding order and precision.
Sex Hormones – Defining Male and Female Traits
The pituitary gland also controls sex hormones. The hormones it releases are responsible for the development and regulation of male and female characteristics, playing a crucial role in reproduction and sexual health.
Regulation of Skin Color – The Role of Melanin
Another hormone produced by the pituitary gland stimulates the skin to produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. This hormone determines whether a person’s skin is fair, tan, brown, or dark.
Body Fluid Balance – A Hormone Essential for Life
The pituitary gland secretes a hormone that maintains the balance of body fluids. If this hormone malfunctions, a person is compelled to drink and urinate frequently — a condition that makes life extremely difficult.
Hormones Controlling Blood Pressure, Memory, and Learning
The pituitary gland also secretes other hormones responsible for blood vessel contraction and dilation, as well as enhancing memory and learning.
Oxytocin – Facilitating the Process of Childbirth
One of the most vital hormones of the pituitary gland is oxytocin, which plays a key role in childbirth. It causes the widening of the pelvic cavity, contraction of the uterine muscles, and coordination of labor stages.
Allah Almighty says: “ثُمَّ ٱلسَّبِیلَ یَسَّرَهُ”[3] Translation: “Then He made the way easy for him (to be born).” (Abasa: 20)
The Astonishing and Vital Role of the Pituitary Gland in Human Health
This small gland, weighing only half a gram and known as the “Queen of Glands”, produces around nine essential hormones. If any of these hormones malfunction, a person’s life may become extremely difficult or even unbearable.
Allah the Almighty describes man as: “وَخُلِقَ ٱلإِنسَٰنُ ضَعِیفًا”[4] Translation: “And man was created weak.” (An-Nisā’: 28)
Despite being weak and limited, the pituitary gland — with its small size and light weight — meticulously supervises and regulates the body’s vital functions. This is one of the greatest signs of the wisdom and power of the Almighty Creator.
The system of hormones and endocrine glands is immensely complex and vital. Each morning, as humans rise and go about their daily activities, they remain unaware of the extraordinary precision within their bodies — a reality that should fill their hearts with gratitude toward Allah for His countless blessings.[5]
continues…
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References:
[1] Amino acid: the building block of proteins; each protein is composed of long chains of amino acids.
[2] Al-Balad: 8–10.
[3] Abasa: 20.
[4] An-Nisā’: 28.
[5] Encyclopedia of Scientific Miracles in the Qur’an and Sunnah, vol. 1, pp. 148–150.
