The following is stated in verse 31 of the chapter of al-Qamar: "For We sent against them a single Mighty Blast, and they became like the dry stubble used by one who pens cattle." Is there a scientific miracle in that verse?

Verse 31 of the chapter of al-Qamar:
"For We sent against them a single Mighty Blast, and they became like the dry stubble used by one who pens cattle."
- It is mentioned in the verse that a mighty blast being sent all of a sudden and breaking things off into pieces like dry stubble. There are such bombs today; the place hit by a mighty blast is broken into pieces like dry stubble.
- Was it possible to know at that time that sound waves could create such a severe effect? Or, is it a clear miracle?

Dear Brother / Sister,

When the Quran was sent down, it was not known that sound waves could cause a destruction as it is stated in the verse. It is a scientific miracle that the Quran gives that information. As science advances, the miraculousness of the statements of the Quran appears.

Sound and Vibration in the Verses of the Quran (Sami Polatöz)

Sound and vibration are indispensable elements of our daily life. They are highly interrelated. Sound is formed by pressure waves. Pressure waves cause the vibration of structures like the eardrum. Therefore, sound is also defined as the transmission of changes in very small pressure waves in the air. Vibration is the mechanical oscillations around an equilibrium point. Oscillatory motion occurs as a result of the periodic change of physical properties of an object.

This physical property can be displacement, velocity, pressure, temperature, etc. These oscillations can be periodic like the motion of a pendulum, or irregular like the movement of a wheel on a gravel road. Sound waves are produced as air molecules transmit small vibrations. Slight jolts while traveling in a vehicle, pendulum-style movements, sieve mechanisms, shaking of the washing machine and earthquakes are examples of vibrations.

There are many verses about sound and vibration in the Quran. For example, in many verses in which unbelievers are narrated, it is mentioned that a heaviness (deafness) is placed in their ears or that there is a heaviness in their ears. The following is stated in verse 57 of the chapter of al-Kahf:

"Verily We have set veils over their hearts lest they should understand this, and over their ears, deafness."

The phrase "heaviness in their ears" is also mentioned in the following verses: al-An'am 25, Luqman 7, Fussilat 5 and Fussilat 44.

The following is stated in verse 7 of the chapter of Luqman:

"When Our Signs are rehearsed to such a one, he turns away in arrogance, as if he heard them not, as if there were deafness (heaviness) in both his ears."

The concept heaviness, which is generally true for vibration, expresses increase in mass and decrease in vibration frequency. Sound is a high frequency vibration. Human ear can hear the sounds between 20 Hz and 20.000 Hz.

Heaviness in ear causes hearing loss since it will decrease the vibration frequency of the eardrum. Although this heaviness is not a real weight, a basic concept of physics is indicated in the Quran against the deniers who do not want to hear and understand and it is virtually stated that they are deaf (You do not hear). New interpretations of those verses should be made through advanced science. There may be some indications of newly developed technologies in those verses or implications of some innovations that have not been applied yet.  

The statements in verses 13 and 14 of the chapter of al-Mulk are interesting:  

"And whether ye hide your word or publish it, He certainly has (full) knowledge, of the secrets of (all) hearts. Should He not know,- He that created? and He is the One that understands the finest mysteries (and) is well-acquainted (with them)."

The principle of the ultrasound scanning is indicated in the verses above:

Sound waves that are not within the range of hearing frequency may have been meant by the phrase "hidden word" sound waves that are within the range of hearing frequency may have been meant by the phrase "published (uttered) word". Man’s spiritual structure, thoughts and heart life are meant by the knowledge of the secrets of hearts. Besides, the finest biological details in human body are indicated with it. Sound waves that are too high for our ears to hear are sent to the body through the ultrasound device. An image is formed by the collection and analysis of the reflected waves. Information about our inner structure is obtained through those images. Before an operation and causing harm, those sound waves are necessary in order to know the finest details; that is indicated in the verse. 

A basic concept in vibrations is resonance. Every oscillating system has a natural frequency. It is the frequency when the system performs a free oscillation without any external effect and intervention. If the frequency value of the external forcing factor is very close to natural frequency, dominant resonance occurs. In a resonant system, great movements can be achieved by very small force amplitudes (amplitude is the distance of between the crest and trough of a wave). Tacoma Narrows Suspension Bridge, which was built in the United States of America in 1940, collapsed a little while after it was opened due to such resonance.

Can there be a sign in the Quran related to such resonance? The following is stated in verse 94 of the chapter of Hud:

"But the (mighty) blast did seize the wrong-doers, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning."

A sound wave that can destroy the cells in the inner organs of the body can be formed through resonance. Such a sound wave might not harm buildings and objects (since they have different natural frequencies). The destruction of the people of Madyan may have been caused by resonance formed by such a sound wave.  

The following is stated in verse 41 of the chapter of al-Mu'minun:  

"Then the Blast overtook them with justice, and We made them as rubbish of dead leaves (floating on the stream of Time)! So away with the people who do wrong!"

The people whose organs and cells were broken into pieces due to the resonance of a sound wave may resemble rubbish of dead leaves. 

The following is stated in verse 40 of the chapter of al-Ankabut:

"Each one of them We seized for his crime: of them, against some We sent a violent tornado (with showers of stones); some were caught by a (mighty) Blast; some We caused the earth to swallow up; and some We drowned (in the waters): It was not Allah Who injured (or oppressed) them:" They injured (and oppressed) their own souls."

The following is stated in verse 37 of the chapter of al-Ankabut related to the destruction of the people of Madyan: 

"But they rejected him: Then the mighty Blast seized them, and they lay prostrate in their homes by the morning."

In some translations, the word “earthquake” is used instead of “blast” for the word rajfah. When it is considered together with the other verses, the misfortune that hit the people of Madyan must have been a noise caused by a sound; this sound may have destroyed them by forming a resonance.  

The destruction of the people of Thamud is expressed as follows in verse 78 of the chapter of al-Araf:

"So the earthquake took them unawares, and they lay prostrate in their homes in the morning."

In some translations, the word "rajfah" mentioned in verses 91 and 155 of the chapter of al-Araf is translated as earthquake, which is a mistranslation. The incident meant by that word must have been a resonance called by a sound.

The destructive property of sound waves is emphasized as follows: in verses 28 and 29 of the chapter of Yasin:

"And We sent not down against his People, after him, any hosts from heaven, nor was it needful for Us so to do. It was no more than a single mighty Blast, and behold! they were (like ashes) quenched and silent."

The issue of the destruction of enemy forces with sound waves seems to be an issue that needs researching.

The following is stated in verse 31 of the chapter of al-Qamar:

"For We sent against them a single Mighty Blast, and they became like the dry stubble used by one who pens cattle."

The following is stated in verse 21 of the chapter of al-Hashr:  

"Had We sent down this Qur´an on a mountain, verily, thou wouldst have seen it humble itself and cleave asunder for fear of Allah. Such are the similitudes which We propound to men, that they may reflect."

A breakup due to a resonance caused by a sound wave may have been indicated in the verse above. In the future, it may be possible to use sound waves to produce resonance in order to open ways in mountains.

The following is stated in verse 31 of the chapter of ar-Rad:

"If there were a Quran with which mountains were moved, or the earth were cloven asunder, or the dead were made to speak, (this would be the one!)"

The following is stated in verse 79 of the chapter of al-Anbiya:

"It was Our power that made the hills and the birds celebrate Our praises, with David."

The miracle of the resonance in mountains caused by the voice of Hz. Dawut (David) and the reflection of sound waves is mentioned in the verse above. It can be possible to spread sound in larger media and more loudly. 

The following is stated in verse 30 of the chapter of Muhammad:

"And thou shouldst have known them by their marks: but surely thou wilt know them by the tone of their speech."

It can be possible to determine whether a person tells the truth or not by designing a lie detector with a good voice analysis. The existing lie detectors operate by measuring the side effects of adrenaline like blood pressure and increase in pulsation.

It is a known fact that mountains and mountainous regions are more safeguarded against earthquakes. Great masses formed by mountains cushion earthquake waves, reduce earthquake frequency based on increase in mass and diminish the destruction of earthquake waves. Those facts are indicated in several verses: The following is stated in verse 19 of the chapter of al-Hijr:

"And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance."

The following is stated in verse 15 of the chapter of an-Nahl:

"And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves."

The rotating drum in washing machines causes vibrations; a big weight is placed on the drum to decrease vibrations. This function is fulfilled by mountains on the earth.

The following is stated in verse 31 of the chapter of al-Anbiya:

"And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance."

Similar statements exist in an-Naml 61, Luqman 10, Qaf 7 and an-Naba 7.

In conclusion, it is necessary to deal with and interpret the verses of the Quran again in terms of sound and vibration because the verses mentioned above include meanings that can pioneer in the development of new technologies in addition to indicating  the current scientific facts.

Questions on Islam