Author: Mufti Noor Mohammad Mohibi
The Quran: A Miracle Beyond Time- A Study of Its Miraculous Nature (part 67)
Divine Miracle in the Creation of Water
Water—this wondrous and unparalleled substance—is the foundation and basis of all forms of life on Earth. The Noble Qur’an expresses this great truth in a comprehensive and concise manner: “وَجَعَلنَا مِنَ ٱلمَاءِ كُلَّ شَیءٍ حَیٍّ أَفَلَا یُؤمِنُونَ” [1] Translation: “And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”
The entire biological system of humans, animals, and plants is founded upon the existence of water. Water is the sole medium that dissolves minerals and nutrients and transports them into living structures. Without water, no creature and no plant could exist on the surface of the Earth.
Rain: The Source of Life and Sustenance
Among the wonders of creation is the fact that, every second, on average, sixteen million tons of water descend from the sky onto the Earth’s surface. The Qur’an refers to this immense reality with a subtle and precise expression: “أَنَّا صَبَبنَا ٱلمَاءَ صَبّاً” [2] Translation: “Indeed, we pour down water in abundance.”
Had this water fallen all at once in massive torrents, all life would have been destroyed. Yet, the descent of rain in the form of fine droplets is a manifestation of the Divine Name al-Latif (the Most Subtle), within which mercy, order, and wisdom are embedded.
In 1988, heavy rainfall in the pastoral regions of Syria caused natural grasses and plants to grow so abundantly that their economic value—had they been imported from abroad—would have amounted to ten billion Syrian liras. This heavenly blessing is a clear example of Divine sustenance, to which the Qur’an alludes: “وَفِی ٱلسَّمَاءِ رِزقُكُم وَمَا تُوعَدُونَ” [3] Translation: “And in the heaven is your provision and whatever you are promised.”
Thus, human sustenance in reality descends from the sky, for no fruit, grain, or plant can come into existence without rain. When rainfall increases, crops become abundant, prices decrease, and blessings spread. The Noble Qur’an states: “وَإِن مِّن شَیءٍ إِلَّا عِندَنَا خَزَائِنُهُۥ وَمَا نُنَزِّلُهُۥ إِلَّا بِقَدَرٍ مَّعلُومٍ” [4] Translation: “And there is nothing except that with Us are its treasuries, and We do not send it down except in a known measure.”
This statement shows that the descent of rain and its quantity are not based on random natural occurrence, but on Divine decree and eternal order.
Faith-Based Indications in the System of Water
Every drop of rain is a sign of the power, providence, and governance of Allah Almighty: “كُلّاً نُّمِدُّ هَٰؤُلَاءِ وَهَٰؤُلَاءِ مِن عَطَاءِ رَبِّكَ وَمَا كَانَ عَطَاءُ رَبِّكَ مَحظُورًا” [5] Translation: “To each—these and those—We extend from the gift of your Lord, and the gift of your Lord is not restricted.”
In this system, the relationship between rain, plants, animals, and humans is a chained manifestation of Divine governance. As the Qur’an states in the miraculous verses of Surah ‘Abasa: “فَلیَنظُرِ ٱلإِنسَٰنُ إِلَىٰ طَعَامِهِۦ * أَنَّا صَبَبنَا ٱلمَاءَ صَبّاً * ثُمَّ شَقَقنَا ٱلأَرضَ شَقّاً * فَأَنبَتنَا فِیهَا حَبّاً * وَعِنَباً وَقَضباً * وَزَیتُوناً وَنَخلاً * وَحَدَائِقَ غُلباً * وَفَٰكِهَةً وَأَبّاً * مَّتَٰعاً لَّكُم وَلِأَنعَٰمِكُم.” [6] Translation: “Let man look at his food: how We pour down water abundantly, then split the earth open, and cause grain to grow in it, and grapes and fresh vegetation, and olive trees and date palms, and gardens of dense growth, and fruits and pasture—provision for you and for your livestock.”
Undoubtedly, observing the formation of creatures and the growth of plants before one’s eyes is a clear proof of the existence of an All-Knowing and All-Powerful Creator.
“وفی كلّ شیءٍ له آیةٌ … تدلّ على أنّه واحدُ” Translation: “And in everything there is a sign of Him… indicating that He is One.”
The Miraculous Connection Between Water and Air
There exists a deep and precise relationship between air and water—one without which no life could endure on Earth. Air has the ability to carry water vapor, and this capacity changes with temperature differences.
For example, one cubic meter of air at zero degrees Celsius can hold only five grams of water vapor, whereas at temperatures between twenty and thirty degrees it can hold up to one hundred and thirty grams. This variation in capacity is what leads to cloud formation and rainfall.
The sun heats vast areas of the Earth, especially the seas, which cover 72 percent of the planet. Seawater evaporates, air absorbs the vapor, and winds carry it to cooler regions. As the temperature drops, the air releases the excess vapor, which then falls as raindrops.
This precise system is the result of properties that Allah has placed in both elements—water and air. Had air not possessed the ability to carry vapor, or had water lacked the property of evaporation, the cycle of rain and life would not have been possible.
“وَجَعَلنَا مِنَ ٱلمَاءِ كُلَّ شَیءٍ حَیٍّ أَفَلَا یُؤمِنُونَ” [7] Translation: “And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”
A Remarkable Physical Property of Water: Expansion Upon Freezing
One of the most striking manifestations of the miracle of water is the phenomenon of expansion upon freezing. All known elements in nature contract as temperature decreases, and their density increases. Water, however, becomes an exception at four degrees Celsius: after reaching this temperature, instead of contracting, it expands.[8]
If water were to contract when freezing, ice would become denser than liquid water and would sink to the depths of seas and oceans. As a result, all oceans and seas would gradually freeze from the bottom to the surface, permanently halting evaporation and rainfall. In such a case, life on Earth would come to an end.
But due to this unique property, ice forms on the surface of water and remains floating. This surface layer of ice acts as an insulating cover, maintaining the temperature beneath and making the survival of marine life possible.
Thus, the physical property of water itself is a clear sign of the Creator’s wisdom and governance. Chance cannot produce such precise harmony.
“أَفَلَا یؤْمِنُونَ” Translation: “Will they not then believe?”
Continues…
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References:
[1] Al-Anbiya’: 30.
[2] ‘Abasa: 25.
[3] Al-Dhariyat: 22.
[4] Al-Hijr: 21.
[5] Al-Isra’: 20.
[6] ‘Abasa: 24–32.
[7] Al-Anbiya’: 30.
[8] Density: a small volume with a very large mass or energy.
