Science and Signs in the Qur’an
“And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?” (Qur’an 21:30)
The Wonder of Nature: The Water Cycle and Scientific Evidence of the Holy Qur’an
By A.S.M Razan
The water cycle, a fundamental process sustaining all life on Earth, was only fully understood and mapped by modern science in the late 16th century through the work of pioneers like Bernard Palissy. Yet, over 1,400 years ago, amidst the arid deserts of Arabia, the Holy Qur’an revealed a breathtakingly detailed, accurate, and poetic account of this precise ecological phenomenon.
At every stage of the hydrological cycle, the Qur’an articulates the mechanisms of nature with striking scientific accuracy. The journey begins with winds that drive evaporation and form clouds, described not merely as passive occurrences but as a deliberate cosmic system.
The Almighty states in Surah Ar-Rum (30:48): “It is Allah Who sends the winds, so that they raise a cloud, then He spreads it in the sky as He wills and breaks it into fragments, until you see raindrops issue from its midst.”
Furthermore, the Quran highlights the crucial role of winds in cloud formation, using a term that modern meteorology mirrors—pollinating or fertilizing winds. In Surah Al-Hijr (15:22) it is revealed: “And We send the fertilizing winds and send down water from the sky and give it to you to drink.”
As these clouds condense, precipitation occurs not by chaotic chance, but in precise equilibrium. Modern hydrology proves that the total volume of water evaporating from the Earth matches the exact volume returning as rain each year. Reflecting this precise natural balance, Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:1 1) mentions: “And Who sends down water from the sky in due measure, and We revive thereby a dead land.”
Once the rain reaches the ground, the cycle continues through absorption, infiltration, and the replenishment of underground reservoirs. For centuries, ancient philosophers mistakenly believed that rivers were fed by vast underground ocean caverns. However, the Qur’an explicitly described the true origin of springs and groundwater—rainwater penetrating the Earth’s crust.
In Surah Az-Zumar (39:21), Allah asks humanity to reflect: “Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs in the earth?” This storage of precious water within the Earth is further emphasized in Surah Al-Mu’minun(23:1 8): “And We sent down from the sky water in measure, and We lodged it in the earth; and verily, We can take it away.”
Ultimately, this continuous circulation of water serves one primary purpose: the creation and sustenance of biological life itself. Long before modern cell biology discovered that cytoplasm—the foundation of all living cells—is composed mostly of water, theQur’an proclaimed this universal biological truth in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:30): “And We made from water every living thing. Will they not then believe?”
The harmony of the water cycle is a masterpiece of divine design. That an unlettered Prophet in a 7th-century desert could articulate the mechanics of evaporation, cloud dynamics, precise precipitation, infiltration, and biological dependency without a single scientific flaw is a profound testament. The Quran’s descriptions of the water cycle stand not only as poetry of divine grace, but as an enduring sign of ultimate truth for those who reflect.
Qur’anic & Scientific References:
1. Water cycle: Qur’an 30:48 and 1 5:22 describe winds, clouds, and rainfall—key processes of the hydrological cycle.
2. Balanced rainfall: Qur’an 43:1 1 refers to water being sent down “in due measure.”
3. Groundwater: Qur’an 39:21 and 23:1 8 mention rainwater entering and being stored within the earth.
4. Life and water: Qur’an 21:30 states that every living thing was made from water.
5. Scientific history: Bernard Palissy (1 580), Pierre Perrault (1 674), and Edmond Halley (1 687) contributed to the development and quantitative understanding of the modern water cycle.
6. Modern science: NOAA and USGS describe global water balance; cloud physics explains the role of winds and cloud formation; cell biology confirms that water is the major component and essential medium of living cells.
About the Author:
A.S.M. Razan (Abdul Salam Mohamed Razan) writes on Islam and science, with particular interest in the relationship between Qur’anic revelation and discoveries in biology, astronomy and cosmology. He is a physiotherapy student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and has a background in Biological Sciences. He is a guest writer for PEACE Magazine.
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