Author: Mufti Noor Muhammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 58)
The Wonders of Skin and Hair in the Creation of Man
Among the astonishing phenomena of creation, the human body stands as a vivid manifestation of the power, wisdom, and boundless knowledge of Almighty Allah. Every cell, tissue, organ, and even the smallest particle of our being bears witness to the existence and perfect design of the All-Wise Creator.
The skin and hair, though seemingly simple and ordinary in appearance, are in truth among the most precise and intricate systems of creation. The Holy Qur’an repeatedly invites us to reflect upon the divine signs within ourselves: «وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ»؛ (1) Translation: And (there are signs) within your own selves — do you not then see?
In this section, we shall explore — through both scientific and Qur’anic perspectives — three fundamental topics related to the structure of skin and hair:
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The color of human skin and the role of melanin,
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The phenomenon of hair whitening (gray hair),
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The remarkable functions of the skin as both a sensory center and a protective shield of the body.
The Color of Human Skin and the Role of Melanin in the Diversity of Creation
The Divine Verse on the Variety of Colors
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: «وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ خَلْقُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافُ أَلْسِنَتِكُمْ وَأَلْوَانِكُمْۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّلْعَالِمِينَ. » ؛(2) Translation: And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and your colors. Surely, in this (diversity and harmony of creation, in the perfect order of the celestial bodies, and in the variety of human appearance and speech) are signs for those who possess knowledge and wisdom.
This noble verse invites us to ponder the diversity of languages and colors.
The variation in human skin tones is not a mere superficial difference; it is a manifestation of divine wisdom and the result of precise genetic order within the human body.
Spider-like Cells and Melanin
Modern science has discovered that within the second layer of the skin (the dermis) there exist cells known as melanocytes, which have a spider-like shape and extend fine branches around themselves. In every square inch of skin, there are approximately 60,000 of these cells.
What is astonishing is that the number of melanocytes is the same in both light- and dark-skinned people. The difference in skin color lies only in the amount and density of a pigment called melanin. Even the contrast between the lightest and darkest skin tones rarely exceeds one gram of melanin by weight! As time passes and age increases, the activity of melanocytes decreases by about 10–20% every ten years; therefore, the skin tends to become lighter with age.
The Relationship Between Geography and Skin Color
One of the signs of divine wisdom in human creation is the remarkable connection between geographic environment and skin color. In regions exposed to strong and direct sunlight — such as tropical areas — people have darker skin, because melanin absorbs harmful ultraviolet rays, protecting the body from serious damage. In contrast, in cold and polar regions where sunlight is weaker, people have lighter and fairer skin.
The Unique Diversity of Human Color
The diversity of human colors is itself a sign of the greatness of the Creator.
The human eye can distinguish between 800,000 different shades of a single color, meaning no two people on earth possess exactly the same skin tone. The Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said in a sermon: «یا أیها الناس، ألا إن ربكم واحد، وإن أباكم واحد، ألا لا فضل لعربی على عجمی، ولا لعجمی على عربی، ولا أحمر على أسود، ولا أسود على أحمر إلا بالتقوى. » (3) Translation: O people! Indeed, your Lord is one, and your father is one. There is no superiority of an Arab over a non-Arab, nor of a non-Arab over an Arab; neither of a red-skinned person over a black-skinned one, nor of a black-skinned person over a red-skinned one — except by righteousness and piety. He (PBUH) also said: «إن الله لا ینظر إلى صوركم وأموالكم، ولكن ینظر إلى قلوبكم، وأعمالكم. » ؛(4) Translation: Indeed, Allah does not look at your appearances or your wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.
These narrations remind us that the differences in color and appearance are insignificant in the sight of Allah, the Most High.
What truly holds value is piety, action, and the purity of the heart.
The Secret Behind Gray Hair
Structure of Hair and Its Life Cycle
Every human head contains between 100,000 and 250,000 strands of hair.
The average lifespan of each hair exceeds three years, and it takes about 200 days for a complete cycle of hair regeneration.
Each strand of hair possesses:
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An artery and a vein for nourishment;
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A nerve for stimulation and movement;
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A muscle for contraction against cold;
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A sebaceous gland and a pigment gland responsible for its color.
The Scientific Cause of Hair Whitening
Scientists have not yet fully determined the definite cause of hair turning white.
Some studies suggest that this phenomenon may have a neuropsychological origin — meaning that white blood cells may penetrate the hair root and destroy the pigment cells (melanocytes). Therefore, gray or white hair is often linked to stress, emotional strain, and old age.
The Holy Qur’an refers to this truth in the following verse: «فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِن كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا.» ؛ (5) Translation: How then will you guard yourselves, if you disbelieve, against a Day that will make the children white-haired?
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) also said: «شیبتنی هود، والواقعة، والمرسلات، وعم یتساءلون وإذا الشمس كورت.» ؛ (6) Translation: The chapters Hud, Al-Waqi‘ah, Al-Mursalat, ‘Amma Yatasa’aloon, and Idha al-Shamsu Kuwwirat have made me old.
Old Age and Divine Signs
With the passing of years, nervous weakness and physical weariness lead to the whitening of hair. Allah the Exalted says: «ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَكُم مِّن ضَعفٍ ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِن بَعدِ ضَعفٍ قُوَّةً ثُمَّ جَعَلَ مِن بَعدِ قُوَّةٍ ضَعفاً وَشَيبَةًۚ یَخلُقُ مَا یَشَاءُۚ وَهُوَ ٱلعَلِیمُ ٱلقَدِیرُ.» ؛(7) Translation: Allah is the One who created you in a state of weakness; then after weakness, He granted you strength; then after strength, He brought weakness and old age. He creates whatever He wills — and He is the All-Knowing, the All-Powerful. Allah the Almighty also says: «أَوَلَم نُعَمِّركُم مَّا یَتَذَكَّرُ فِیهِ مَن تَذَكَّرَ وَجَاءَكُمُ ٱلنَّذِیرُ. » ؛ (8) Translation: Did We not grant you a lifespan long enough for whoever would take heed to take heed? And did not the warner come to you? (We provided all means of guidance and salvation, but you neglected them and wasted your opportunity.)
Imam Al-Qurtubi (MABH), citing Ibn Abbas (MABH), wrote in his tafsir of the above verse: “هو الشیب.” (9) “The warner is the gray hair (shayb) itself, which reminds a person of death and the meeting with his Lord.”
The Skin: Center of Sensation and a Sign of Divine Justice
Skin and the Sense of Pain
The Noble Qur’an says: «إِنَّ ٱلَّذِینَ كَفَرُوا بِآیَاتِنَا سَوفَ نُصلِیهِم نَاراً كُلَّمَا نَضِجَت جُلُودُهُم بَدَّلنَٰهُم جُلُودًا غَیرَهَا لِیَذُوقُوا ٱلعَذَابَۗ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ كَانَ عَزِیزًا حَكِیماً. » ؛(10) Translation: Surely those who disbelieve in Our signs and reject Our messengers, We shall soon cast them into a blazing fire and burn them therein. Whenever their skins are roasted through, We shall replace them with other skins so that they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty and All-Wise.
This verse refers to a scientific reality: the centers of pain sensation are located in the skin.
When the skin burns, the sensory nerves are destroyed, and thus a person no longer feels pain.
For this reason, Allah the Exalted says that the skins will be recreated anew so that the disbelievers may continue to taste the torment.
Structure of the Skin
The skin consists of two main layers:
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The Epidermis (Bashara): the outer layer, composed of three parts — outer, middle, and inner.
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The Dermis (Adama): the inner layer, containing a network of blood vessels, nerves, sebaceous and sweat glands, and connective tissues.
The skin functions as a highly sensitive biological sensor, receiving external stimuli such as heat, pressure, pain, and touch, and protecting the body from various dangers. It is one of the most intricate sensory systems in the human body.
The Defensive System and Blood: Masterpieces of Creation
In the human body there are more than 25 million red blood cells, each of which plays the role of a tireless carrier: they deliver oxygen to the cells and return carbon dioxide. The lifespan of each red blood cell is about 120 days, and during this time it travels more than 1,150 kilometers in the body and transfers more than 600 liters of oxygen.
The main centers of red blood cell production are:
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The bone marrow (especially in the spine and ribs);
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The liver and the spleen (in emergency conditions).
Also, in the kidneys there is a sensitive center that constantly measures the volume of blood and, by sending hormonal messages, regulates the production of blood cells. This precise and coordinated system is a clear sign of the planning and infinite knowledge of the Creator: «وَفِی أَنفُسِكُمْ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ» (11) Translation: And (there are signs) in your own selves — do you not then see?)
In the end, it must be said that skin and hair are not only means of external beauty, but also among the clear signs of divine power and wisdom. From the diversity of colors and the role of melanin to the phenomenon of gray hair, from the structure of the skin and the centers of sensation to the precise system of blood production, all testify that the human being has been created with unparalleled order and divine planning.
Yes: فَوَیلٌ لِّمَن جَحَدَ هَذِهِ الْآیاتِ… Translation: So, woe to the one who denies these signs.
And how beautifully the poet said: فوا عجباً كیف یعصى الإلهُ *** أو كیف یجحدهُ الجاحدُ
وفی كلّ شیءٍ له آیةٌ *** تدلّ على أنّه واحدُ
Translation: How astonishing it is that God is disobeyed, and how the denier denies Him! And in everything there is a sign from Him that shows that He is One. (12)
To be Continued…
References:
- Adh-Dhariyat: 21.
- Ar-Rum: 22.
- Musnad Ahmad, Hadith of a man among the Companions of the Prophet (PBUH), Hadith no. 23489, vol. 38, p. 474, Edition: al-Risalah.
- Sahih Muslim, Book of Righteousness, Maintaining the Ties of Kinship, and Good Manners, chapter: The prohibition of wronging a Muslim, forsaking him, despising him, and of violating his blood, honor, or wealth, Hadith no. 2564, vol. —, p. 11.
- Al-Muzzammil: 17.
- Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Chapters on the Exegesis of the Qur’an from the Messenger of Allah (PBUH), from Surat Al-Waqi‘ah, Hadith no. 3581, vol. 5, p. 490.
- Ar-Rum: 54.
- Fatir: 37.
- Al-Qurtubi, Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Ahmad al-Ansari, Al-Jami‘ li Ahkam al-Qur’an, vol. 7, p. 276, verified by Ahmad al-Barduni and Ibrahim Atfayish, published by Dar al-Kutub al-Misriyyah, Cairo, 2nd edition, 1384 AH / 1964 CE.
- An-Nisa: 56.
- Adh-Dhariyat: 21.
- Summary derived from: Mawsu‘at al-I‘jaz al-‘Ilmi fi al-Qur’an wa as-Sunnah, vol. 1, p. 182–188.
