The Quran revealed over 1,400 years ago, contains numerous verses that reflect profound knowledge about the natural world, much of which has only been scientifically understood in recent times. Among these miraculous signs is the description of deep seas and the layers of darkness within them. These verses hint at knowledge far beyond the scientific understanding of the time, offering a glimpse into the divine wisdom contained in the Quran.
Quranic Verses on Deep Seas & Darkness
One of the key verses that refer to the concept of deep seas and darkness is found in Surah An-Nur:
اللَّهُ نُورُ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ ۚ مَثَلُ نُورِهِ كَمِشْكَاةٍ فِيهَا مِصْبَاحٌ ۖ الْمِصْبَاحُ فِي زُجَاجَةٍ ۖ الزُّجَاجَةُ كَأَنَّهَا كَوْكَبٌ دُرِّيٌّ يُوقَدُ مِن شَجَرَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ زَيْتُونَةٍ لَّا شَرْقِيَّةٍ وَلَا غَرْبِيَّةٍ يَكَادُ زَيْتُهَا يُضِيءُ وَلَوْ لَمْ تَمْسَسْهُ نَارٌ ۚ نُورٌ عَلَىٰ نُورٍ ۗ يَهْدِي اللَّهُ لِنُورِهِ مَن يَشَاءُ ۚ وَيَضْرِبُ اللَّهُ الْأَمْثَالَ لِلنَّاسِ ۗ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ
“Or (the unbelievers’ state) is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave, covered by darkness, some above others. If a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it. For to whom Allah has not granted light, there is no light.” (24:40)
Transliteration: “Aw ka-ẓulumātin fī baḥrin lujjiyyin yaghshāhu mawjun min fawqihi mawjun min fawqihi saḥābun ẓulumātun baʿḍuhā fawqa baʿḍin idhā akhraja yadahu lam yakad yarāhā waman lam yajʿali l-lahu lahu nūran famā lahu min nūrin.”
In this verse, the Quran describes the deep sea as a place of overwhelming darkness layered one over the other. It likens the state of those who are spiritually lost to someone lost in these deep waters, surrounded by waves and darkness so thick that if they were to stretch out their hands, they would be unable to see it.
The verse mentions:
- A deep, vast sea (بحر لجي / baḥrin lujjiyyin): This refers to a profound depth of the ocean.
- Layers of darkness (ظلمات / ẓulumāt): These are described as being one above the other, indicating a deeper understanding of the structure of the ocean.
- Wave above wave (موج من فوقه موج / mawjun min fawqihi mawjun): This represents the complexity of the underwater environment, where waves exist not just on the surface but also deep within the sea.
Scientific Understanding of the Deep Seas & Darkness
Modern science has only recently uncovered the realities of the deep seas and the darkness that prevails there. Until a few centuries ago, humans had no way of knowing the immense darkness found in the depths of the ocean or the behavior of water beneath the surface. Today, we know that oceans cover about 70% of the Earth’s surface, and their depths remain one of the least explored regions on our planet. The light from the sun can penetrate only to a certain depth in the ocean, roughly around 200 meters, which is known as the euphotic zone. Below this depth, there is no light, and the darkness begins.
- Zones of the Ocean:
- The upper 200 meters of the ocean is known as the sunlight zone, where light can penetrate, allowing photosynthesis.
- Below this is the twilight zone (200 meters to 1,000 meters), where light becomes faint, and most living organisms cannot rely on sunlight for survival.
- Beyond 1,000 meters lies the midnight zone, where there is complete darkness.
This correlates with the Quranic description of darkness in deep seas, which modern science now confirms exists due to the absorption and scattering of sunlight as it penetrates water. The deeper one goes, the less light remains until complete darkness is achieved.
- Internal Waves: The Quranic verse refers to “waves above waves,” which puzzled many early commentators. However, modern oceanography has revealed the presence of internal waves that occur beneath the surface of the sea. These internal waves are much like surface waves but occur between layers of water with different densities. They are invisible to the naked eye from the surface but can be detected with modern scientific instruments. These waves play a significant role in ocean mixing, which is crucial for the distribution of nutrients and heat.
The Miracle of the Quran: Knowledge Beyond the Time
At the time the Quran was revealed, humans had no means of exploring the deep oceans or understanding the layers of darkness described. The seas were navigated primarily by surface-level observations, and no technology existed to dive to the depths where no light reaches. The knowledge of deep-sea conditions, particularly the darkness and internal waves, would not be discovered until advancements in marine science and oceanography many centuries later.
The Quran’s reference to these natural phenomena stands as a sign for believers, showcasing the divine nature of the revelation. The ability to describe such precise details about the deep sea, including the layers of darkness, internal waves, and the conditions under the sea, reflects a wisdom that transcends human knowledge at the time of its revelation.
As stated in Surah Fussilat:
سَنُرِيهِمْ آيَاتِنَا فِي الْآفَاقِ وَفِي أَنفُسِهِمْ حَتَّى يَتَبَيَّنَ لَهُمْ أَنَّهُ الْحَقُّ ۗ أَوَلَمْ يَكْفِ بِرَبِّكَ أَنَّهُ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ شَهِيدٌ
“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth. But is it not sufficient concerning your Lord that He is, over all things, a Witness?” (41:53)
Transliteration: “Sanurīhim āyātinā fī l-āfāqi wafī anfusihim ḥattā yatabayyana lahum annahu l-ḥaqqu awalam yakfi birabbika annahu ʿalā kulli shay’in shahīdun”
Also, read “The Quran“