There are many verses in the Quran which refer to the phenomena of nature, for instance, mountains, rains, etc. But these references are expressed as hints. Some effort has to be made to understand these hints about natural phenomena in the light of the information discovered by science. In this regard, the discoveries made about natural phenomena through research are (as regards the necessity for an explanation of the Quran) as important as the other agreed-upon sources of information like the prophetic traditions regarding the background of particular revelations.
In the Quran, there is a verse in this regard: “Praise be to God! He will show you His signs and you will recognize them. Your Lord is not unaware of what you do.” (27:93)
From these words of the Quran we learn that a principle, as regards the discovery of God, has been described here. There are many verses in the Quran, where we find mention of the phenomena of nature. But these descriptions being only hints are not given in detail. To understand the content of God-realization in the phenomena of nature, it is essential to find what these hints specify. These details, not being available in the Quran, we have to discover them by pursuing a scientific study of externalities. That is to say, the science or knowledge of nature gives us an explanation of what is merely adumbrated in the Quran.
The above Quranic verse says: “He will show you His signs and you will recognize them.” The words ‘He will show you His signs’ refer to the supporting data, to be discovered in the later period of history. ‘And you will recognize them’ means you will become acquainted with the signs of God mentioned in the Quran at the level of realization.
For instance, in the words quoted above, concerning the mountains, the Quran states: “You see the mountains and think them firmly fixed, but they shall pass away as the clouds pass away. Such is the work of God, Who has ordered all things to perfection: He is fully aware of what you do.” (27.88)
This verse was revealed in the seventh century AD. It is stated regarding the mountains that apparently they seem to be fixed on the earth but, in reality, they are moving with the earth, just as the clouds. Man did not know about this natural event in the seventh century but later geological studies have revealed that the movement of the mountains takes place because of the shifting of tectonic plates. Their configuration is also affected by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These scientific discoveries of recent times make the Quranic verse understandable in that they aid in realizing God’s wisdom at a deeper level.
