Deep Seas and Darkness Layers
Did You Know?
Modern science has discovered that in the deep seas, there are multiple layers of darkness, exactly as described in the Quran 1400 years ago.
أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُّجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَدْ يَرَاهَا
Or [they are] like darknesses within a deep sea which is covered by waves, upon which are waves, over which are clouds - darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand [therein], he can hardly see it.
Quran 24:40
Explanation
The Quran describes layers of darkness in deep seas with remarkable precision. Modern oceanography has discovered that there are indeed multiple layers in deep oceans, each with its own characteristics of darkness. The verse accurately describes how light disappears layer by layer until complete darkness is reached.
Scientific Details
Light Penetration Zones
Scientists have discovered distinct layers in the ocean: the sunlight zone (0-200m), the twilight zone (200-1000m), and the midnight zone (1000m+). Each zone represents a different level of light penetration, exactly matching the Quranic description of layered darkness.
Wave Patterns
The verse mentions waves upon waves. Modern science has discovered internal waves that occur between layers of different densities in the ocean, exactly as described in the verse.
Light Absorption
Different wavelengths of light are absorbed at different depths: red light disappears first at around 30 meters, followed by orange at 50 meters, yellow at 100 meters, and so on, creating literal layers of darkness.
Historical Context
In the 7th century CE, deep sea diving was impossible and there were no submarines or specialized equipment to study deep ocean phenomena. This knowledge could not have been empirically discovered at that time.
References
- NOAA Ocean Exploration: Light in the Deep Sea
- Oceanography: The Study of Oceans (2018)
- Marine Biology: Deep Sea Ecosystems
- Journal of Oceanography: Light Penetration in Marine Environments