One of the scientific marvels is the reference to the smallest components of matter, which can be interpreted in light of our modern understanding of subatomic particles.
Quranic Verses Pointing to the Existence of Subatomic Particles
The Quran alludes to the minuteness of matter, describing entities smaller than the atom, something that only modern science could validate through advancements in atomic theory and particle physics. One of the verses often cited as a reference to this concept is from Surah Yunus:
إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَظْلِمُ النَّاسَ شَيْئًا وَلَـٰكِنَّ النَّاسَ أَنفُسَهُمْ يَظْلِمُونَ
“Not absent from Him is an atom’s weight within the heavens or within the earth or [what is] smaller than that or greater, but all is in a clear register.” (10:61)
Transliteration: “Inna Allaha laa yadhlimu annāsa shai’an walākinna annāsa anfusahum yadhlimoon”
This verse refers to “an atom’s weight” (ذَرَّةٍ / dharrah), and more significantly, it mentions “what is smaller than that or greater,” which is a striking allusion to the existence of particles smaller than the atom—what we now know as subatomic particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons.
Another verse from Surah Saba further supports this notion:
وَقَالَ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا لَا تَأْتِينَا السَّاعَةُ ۖ قُلْ بَلَىٰ وَرَبِّي لَتَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ عَالِمِ الْغَيْبِ ۖ لَا يَعْزُبُ عَنْهُ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَلَا فِي الْأَرْضِ وَلَا أَصْغَرَ مِن ذَٰلِكَ وَلَا أَكْبَرَ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُّبِينٍ
“And those who disbelieve say, ‘The Hour will not come to us.’ Say, ‘Yes, by my Lord, it will surely come to you. [Allah is] the Knower of the unseen.’ Not absent from Him is an atom’s weight within the heavens or within the earth or what is smaller than that or greater, except that it is in a clear register.” (34:3)
Transliteration: “Wa qāla al-ladhīna kafarū lā ta’tīnā al-sāʿatu qul balā wa rabbī latatiyannakum ʿālima al-ghaybi lā yaʿzubu ʿanhu mith’qālu dharratin fī al-samāwāti walā fī al-arḍi walā aṣghara min dhālika walā akbara illā fī kitābin mubīn.”
This verse again stresses that nothing escapes God’s knowledge—not even an atom or something smaller. The Quran’s reference to matter smaller than the atom highlights a reality that human understanding did not grasp until recent developments in atomic science.
Scientific Discovery of Subatomic Particles
The modern scientific understanding of matter as composed of atoms was developed only in the 19th century. The term “atom” comes from the Greek word “atomos,” meaning “indivisible.” For centuries, scientists believed that the atom was the smallest unit of matter. However, this view changed with the discovery of subatomic particles.
- Discovery of Electrons: In 1897, the English physicist J.J. Thomson discovered the electron, a negatively charged particle that is part of every atom. This was the first evidence that atoms were not indivisible but were instead composed of smaller particles.
- Discovery of Protons and Neutrons: Following Thomson’s discovery, Ernest Rutherford identified the proton, a positively charged particle found in the nucleus of the atom, in 1917. Later, in 1932, James Chadwick discovered the neutron, an uncharged particle also found in the nucleus.
- Quantum Mechanics and Smaller Particles: The 20th century brought even more breakthroughs. Quantum mechanics revealed that protons and neutrons themselves are made up of even smaller particles called quarks. The discovery of these quarks, along with other subatomic particles like gluons and bosons, revolutionized our understanding of the atomic world.
These discoveries validate the Quranic assertion that matter exists in forms smaller than the atom. The knowledge of particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons, and the subsequent discovery of quarks and other subatomic entities, highlights the Quran’s timeless wisdom.
Miracle of the Quran
What makes the Quranic verses referring to subatomic particles miraculous is the fact that at the time of the Quran’s revelation, no human being had any scientific knowledge about the structure of the atom, let alone its smaller components. The idea that matter could be broken down into particles smaller than an atom was not part of human knowledge in the 7th century. The Quran’s reference to such concepts is a powerful indication of the divine origin of its knowledge.
This divine foresight is not an isolated instance in the Quran. The description of natural phenomena that were beyond the scope of human understanding at the time of revelation, such as the deep seas and the creation of the universe, further corroborates the Quran’s extraordinary nature.
The Importance of Reflecting on Creation
The Quran repeatedly urges believers to reflect on the natural world as a means of recognizing the greatness of Allah’s creation. The study of subatomic particles provides a deeper understanding of how intricate and finely tuned the universe is. By breaking down matter into smaller and smaller components, modern science has uncovered a world of complex interactions governed by fundamental forces.
These discoveries align with the Quran’s invitation to ponder the natural world:
إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ
“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the night and the day are signs for those of understanding.” (3:190)
Transliteration: “Inna fī khalqi as-samāwāti wa-l-arḍi wa-ikhtilāfi al-layli wa-n-nahāri la-āyātin li-ulī al-albābi.”
This verse emphasizes that the study of the universe, including its most minute details like subatomic particles, reveals the signs of Allah’s existence and power.
The Quran’s reference to “what is smaller than the atom” is a profound example of how divine revelation has anticipated scientific discoveries that would take centuries to be uncovered. These verses highlight the omniscience of Allah, who is aware of every detail in the universe, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.
Modern science’s uncovering of subatomic particles, quarks, and other components of matter serves to affirm the timeless truth of the Quran. It offers yet another sign for those who seek knowledge and are open to reflecting on the wonders of creation.
In a world where scientific discovery is often viewed as separate from faith, the Quran beautifully integrates both, providing spiritual guidance while also containing knowledge that inspires scientific exploration. This balance serves as a reminder that the pursuit of science can be a means of understanding the divine, as the Quran states:
وَفِي الْأَرْضِ آيَاتٌ لِلْمُوقِنِينَ وَفِي أَنفُسِكُمْ ۚ أَفَلَا تُبْصِرُونَ
“And on the earth are signs for the certain [in faith], and in yourselves. Then will you not see?” (51:20-21)
Transliteration: “Wa fī al-arḍi āyātun lil-mūqinīn, wa fī anfusikum, afalā tubṣirūn?”
The Quran remains a source of both spiritual enlightenment and scientific inspiration, continuously revealing its depth as human understanding progresses.
Also, read 1. Surah Al-Fatihah (The Opener)