What Are the Aspects of Quranic Miracles and the Validity of “Scientific Miracles”?

Answered by Shaykh Anas al-Musa

Question

What are the aspects of the inimitability of the Quran, and is the concept known as “scientific miracles” valid in recent times? What is the correct stance on this matter?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all worlds. Peace and blessings be upon the Messenger sent as a mercy to the worlds, our Master and Prophet, Muhammad, and his Family and Companions.

The Inimitability of the Quran

The inimitability of the Quran means that humanity is incapable of producing something similar to what it challenges them with, demonstrating that this book is the truth and that the Messenger upon whom it was revealed is a truthful Messenger.

The undeniable truth is that the entire Quran is miraculous. Allah (Most High) challenged humanity to produce something like even the shortest sura, and humanity stood incapable, which is sufficient evidence in itself that all of humankind could not break this challenge, and those who tried only produced laughable attempts. [Hawwa, al-Asas fi al-Sunna wa Fiqhuha]

Shaykh ‘Abdullah Daraz says:

“A man may defeat another man, or he may defeat two men; he may even defeat a few or a dozen. But is there anyone who can stand against the entire world and overcome them?! This is the situation with the Quran. Allah (Most High) says:

‘Say, (O Prophet,) “If (all) humans and jinn were to come together to produce the equivalent of this Quran, they could not produce its equal, no matter how they supported each other.”’ [Quran, 17:88]

And He says:

‘Or do they claim, “He made it up!”? Tell them (O Prophet), “Produce one surah like it then, and seek help from whoever you can—other than Allah—if what you say is true!”’ [Quran, 10:38]

And He says:

‘Or do they say, “He has fabricated this (Quran)!”? Say, (O Prophet,) “Produce ten fabricated surahs like it and seek help from whoever you can—other than Allah—if what you say is true!”’ [Quran, 11:13]” [See: Daraz, al-Naba’ al-‘Azim]

Aspects of the Quran’s Miraculous Nature

Imam Mawardi mentioned the aspects of the Quran’s miraculous nature, saying: The miraculous nature of the Quran, in its departure from human speech and its attribution to Allah (Most High), can be seen in twenty aspects:

• The miracle in linguistic composition;
• The miracle in meanings;
• The miracle in style;
• The miracle in brevity and the profundity of meanings;
• The scientific miracle;
• The miracle in evidence and proofs;
• The miracle in informing about the past;
• The miracle in informing about the unseen;
• The miracle in informing about the secrets within souls;
• The miracle in words;
• The miracle in recitation;
• The miracle in its being free from error, preserved in both wording and meaning;
• The miracle in the comprehensiveness of its meanings;
• The miracle in the coherence of its expression;
• The miracle in the inability to encompass its meanings;
• The miracle in the ease of its memorization;
• The miracle in the inability to produce something like it;
• The miracle in the inability to increase or decrease anything in it;
• The miracle in the inability to oppose it;
• The miracle in the aversion from opposing it. [Mawardi, A‘lam al-Nubuwwa]

The Scientific Miracles in the Quran

The Quran contains both miraculous aspects and specific miracles, but there has been some confusion between the two. Various types of miracles mentioned in the Quran have been labeled as “miracles” (i‘jaz), leading to terms such as “scientific miracles,” “historical miracles,” and “unseen miracles,” among others.

Clarification on the Concept of Scientific Miracles

In reality, these miracles are distinct from the overarching inimitability of the Quran. Describing them as “miracles” is a figurative expression, as the concept of i‘jaz differs from individual miracles.

The reason for this confusion likely stems from the intention of those who labeled these miracles as i‘jaz; they aimed to demonstrate that it is impossible for the Quran to be of human origin.

The essence of the matter regarding scientific miracles is that the cosmic reality created by Allah (Most High) aligns with the Quranic truth spoken by Allah (Most High). This alignment is natural because the One who speaks about the cosmic reality and informs about it is the Creator of that reality, so they cannot differ in any way.

The Discovery of Cosmic Realities

The issue is that these cosmic realities, in their detailed aspects, were unknown to earlier generations. Allah (Most High) has granted the later generations the ability to uncover these details, proving the truthfulness of what the Quran mentioned with extraordinary precision—details that only became apparent in this era of scientific advancement and empirical research.

If scientific discoveries are to be termed “scientific miracles,” then what should we call the linguistic miracle? Is it not also a scientific miracle? Is not the language itself a science? [Hawwa, al-Asas fi al-Sunna wa Fiqhuha; Tayyar, al-I‘jaz al-‘Ilmi ila Ayn]

Examples of Some Scientific Miracles in the Quran

Before mentioning specific examples of scientific miracles in the Quran, I would like to note that comprehending all the miracles of the Quran is impossible. Therefore, I will provide a few examples for the questioner to understand the concept of miracles in the Quran:

1. Fingerprint Identification:

The uniqueness of human fingerprints, which does not resemble that of any other person, is related to Allah’s statement:

“Yes (indeed!) We are able to (even) perfect their fingertips.” [Quran, 75:4]

A person’s fingerprint is located on the fingertip, and its mention is a miraculous sign for those who reflect.

2. Ocean Depths:

In our time, humanity has gained knowledge about the depths of the oceans and discovered the existence of both surface and internal waves. This aligns with Allah’s statement:

“Or (their deeds are) like the darkness in a deep sea, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds…” [Quran, 24:40]

This verse contains a miracle of the Quran, as it accurately describes these phenomena.

3. Atmospheric Pressure:

Modern science has revealed the concept of atmospheric pressure and that the air surrounding the earth has a finite thickness, beyond which there is a vacuum. It also shows that one who ascends to the sky experiences increasing tightness in their chest, leading eventually to suffocation. This corresponds to the Allah’s statement:

“Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky.” [Quran, 6:125]

Significance of the Miracles of the Quran

The discussion on the miracles of the Quran is vast, requiring one to delve into the interpretations provided by scholars and the insights from experts in the many sciences touched upon by the Quran. Allah (Most High) said about the Quran:

“Say, (O Prophet,) ‘This (Quran) has been revealed by the One Who knows the secrets of the heavens and the earth. Surely He is All-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” [Quran, 25:6]

Allah (Most High) specifically bestowed upon His Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace) this miraculous Quran, which contains countless miracles, so that it would stand as Allah’s proof against humanity until the Day of Judgment, affirming that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah and that the Quran is from Allah.

The Mystery of the Quran’s Miraculous Nature

Much has been written on the miracles of the Quran, and numerous independent books have been authored on this topic. Each writer has attempted to grasp the essence of its miraculous nature, but the secret of its miracles remains greater, more profound, and more precise than any single person can fully express.

However, all that has been written represents only a fraction of what can be explored. The miracle of the Quran remains as mysterious as the human soul. Just as Allah (Most High) said about the soul:

“They ask you (O Prophet) about the soul. Say, ‘The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And you (O humanity) have not been given of knowledge except a little.’” [Quran, 17:85]

Similarly, this Quran, which Allah (Most High) has called a “spirit,” is beyond full comprehension. Allah (Most High) says:

“And so We have sent to you (O Prophet) a revelation (رُوحًۭا) by Our command.” [Quran, 42:52]

Therefore, no matter how much is said about the Quran’s miraculous nature, it remains a greater and deeper secret.

Recommended Readings on the Miracles of the Quran

You can find all of the above in the following books:

• Zurqani, Manahil al-‘Irfan;
• ‘Umar Ashqar, Nahw Thaqafa Islamiyya Asila;
• Mustafa Muslim, Mabaahith fi I‘jaz al-Quran;
• Nur al-Din ‘Itr, ‘Ulum al-Quran;
• Tayyar, al-I‘jaz al-‘Ilmi ila Ayn.

I recommend that you refer to Tayyar’s book “al-I‘jaz al-Ilmi Ila Ayn” specifically. This book discusses the scientific interpretation and scientific miracles of the Quran, addressing both the merits and criticisms of these concepts.

Summary

The Quran is a complete legislative constitution that establishes human life in the best possible manner and on the highest example. Its legislative miracle will forever be coupled with its scientific and linguistic miracles. No one can deny the profound impact it has had on the world, changing the course of history.

And Allah knows best.

May Allah bless the Prophet Muhammad and give him peace, and his Family and Companions.

[Shaykh] Anas al-Musa

Shaykh Anas al-Musa, born in Hama, Syria, in 1974, is an erudite scholar of notable repute. He graduated from the Engineering Institute in Damascus, where he specialized in General Construction, and Al-Azhar University, Faculty of Usul al-Din, where he specialized in Hadith.

He studied under prominent scholars in Damascus, including Shaykh Abdul Rahman al-Shaghouri and Shaykh Adib al-Kallas, among others. Shaykh Anas has memorized the Quran and is proficient in the ten Mutawatir recitations, having studied under Shaykh Bakri al-Tarabishi and Shaykh Mowfaq ‘Ayun. He also graduated from the Iraqi Hadith School.

He has taught numerous Islamic subjects at Shari‘a institutes in Syria and Turkey. Shaykh Anas has served as an Imam and preacher for over 15 years and is a teacher of the Quran in its various readings and narrations.

Currently, he works as a teacher at SeekersGuidance and is responsible for academic guidance there. He has completed his Master’s degree in Hadith and is now pursuing his Ph.D. in the same field. Shaykh Anas al-Musa is married and resides in Istanbul.