iron in the Quran
In the Holy Quran, there is a remarkable mention of Iron that has intrigued both believers and scientists. Let’s delve into this fascinating revelation:
"Indeed, We sent Our messengers with clear proofs, and with them We sent down the Scripture and the balance ˹of justice˺ so that people may administer justice. And We sent down iron with its great might, benefits for humanity, and means for Allah to prove who ˹is willing to˺ stand up for Him and His messengers without seeing Him. Surely Allah is All-Powerful, Almighty. "
Al Quran 57:25
At first glance, this verse might seem metaphorical, implying that iron was given to benefit humanity. However, when we consider the literal meaning of the word “anzalna” (translated as “sent down”), we discover a profound scientific insight. This term is used in the Quran to describe phenomena like rain or revelation—literal descents from the sky.
Now, here’s where it gets intriguing: modern astronomical findings reveal that the iron found on Earth has extraterrestrial origins. Iron didn’t form here; it was carried from supernovas—massive exploding stars in outer space. These cosmic explosions release iron into the cosmos, eventually reaching our planet.
Here’s the cosmic backstory:
- The Sun’s temperature isn’t sufficient for iron formation.
- Iron can only be produced in much hotter stars, where temperatures reach hundreds of millions of degrees.
- When iron accumulates beyond a certain level in a star, it explodes in a “nova” or “supernova,” releasing iron into space.
Even more astonishingly, iron-60—a radioactive isotope of iron—has been detected in deep-sea sediments. This indicates that a supernova explosion occurred within 90 light-years of our Sun about 5 million years ago. Iron-60’s presence in these sediments suggests recent nucleosynthesis of elements nearby in space and their subsequent transport to Earth.
In summary, the Quran’s reference to iron being “sent down” aligns with our scientific understanding of iron’s cosmic origin. This knowledge was beyond reach in the 7th century when the Quran was revealed. Moreover, iron plays a crucial role in our health. It’s a cure for anemia, a widespread condition. The Quran’s mention of iron’s force and manifold uses is particularly noteworthy in this context.
In his book Nature’s Destiny, the well-known microbiologist Michael Denton emphasizes the importance of iron: “Of all the metals there is none more essential to life than iron. It is the accumulation of iron in the center of a star which triggers a supernova explosion and the subsequent scattering of the vital atoms of life throughout the cosmos. It was the drawing by gravity of iron atoms to the center of the primeval earth that generated the heat which caused the initial chemical differentiation of the earth, the outgassing of the early atmosphere, and ultimately the formation of the hydrosphere. It is molten iron in the center of the earth which, acting like a gigantic dynamo, generates the earth’s magnetic field, which in turn creates the Van Allen radiation belts that shield the earth’s surface from destructive high-energy-penetrating cosmic radiation and preserve the crucial ozone layer from cosmic ray destruction…“
"Without the iron atom, there would be no carbon-based life in the cosmos; no supernovae, no heating of the primitive earth, no atmosphere or hydrosphere. There would be no protective magnetic field, no Van Allen radiation belts, no ozone layer, no metal to make hemoglobin [in human blood], no metal to tame the reactivity of oxygen, and no oxidative metabolism."
“The intriguing and intimate relationship between life and iron, between the red color of blood and the dying of some distant star, not only indicates the relevance of metals to biology but also the biocentricity of the cosmos…”
Iron plays a crucial role in our health. It’s a cure for anemia, a widespread condition. In summary, the Quran’s reference to iron being “sent down” aligns with our scientific understanding of iron’s cosmic origin. This knowledge was beyond reach in the 7th century when the Quran was revealed.
Now, let us first remind ourselves that the Quran came down to the Prophet Muhammad [s.a.w] in Oral form over a period of 23 years. These Ayah (literal meaning in arabic 'a sign' or 'verse' in English) for differing Surah's were not coming down in in an order where you would have one complete Surah first, then another another would be sent - No! The order and revelation was organic - and you could have two or more chapters having multiple verses being revelared in the same time range depending on the the things that people were asking of the Prophet and the revelation regarding it coming or when Allah swt decided to send any ayah. It was the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) who ordered the Quran on its completion by Allah's instruction in the order we find it today.
This account clearly indicates the importance of the iron atom. The fact that particular attention is drawn to iron in the Quran also emphasizes the importance of the element. And there is more!!
Iron's atomic number is 26. It turns out that the gematrical value of word Iron in Arabic "حديد" is also 26.
Naturally occurring iron consists of four stable isotopes 54Fe, 56Fe, 57Fe and 58Fe. One of them, 57, has the same number of chapter "Iron" in the Quran - "الْحَدِيدَ" is 57 (al-Haddid).
There are 114 Surah's in the Quran, at the Center of it at Surah 57 is the Chapter called Iron. Just as at the center of the Earth there is Iron mantle.
The number of ayah to the "Iron verse" in the Quran is the same number of ayah as kilometers from the Earth's surface to the Iron core at the center of the Earth. From the beginning of the Quran there is 5100 verses. It turns out that Iron on Earth is concentrated at its core 5100 km+ below the surface!
At a depth of 5,100 km (3,200 miles), the outer core transitions to the inner core
Happiness is Submission to Allah Subhana Wa Ta'la :)