MIRACLES OF QUR'AN

The Depths of the Sea

Quranic Verse and Reference

Arabic Verses:

"أَوْ كَظُلُمَاتٍ فِي بَحْرٍ لُجِّيٍّ يَغْشَاهُ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِ مَوْجٌ مِّن فَوْقِهِ سَحَابٌ ۚ ظُلُمَاتٌ بَعْضُهَا فَوْقَ بَعْضٍ إِذَا أَخْرَجَ يَدَهُ لَمْ يَكَادْ يَرَاهَا ۗ وَمَن لَّمْ يَجْعَلْ لَهُ اللَّهُ نُورًا فَمَا لَهُ مِن نُّورٍ"
- Surah An-Nur (24:40)

English Translation:

"Or [they are] like the darkness within a deep sea, covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds-darkness, some of them upon others. When he puts his hand out, he can hardly see it. And whomever Allah has not made light for him, for him there is no light."
- Surah An-Nur (24:40)

Detailed Analysis of the Miracle

In this verse, Allah (SWT) draws a vivid picture of the ocean's depths, using them as a metaphor to describe a state of complete darkness. The verse describes the layers of darkness within the deep sea, illustrating a place where waves are piled upon waves, and clouds cover these waves, making it impossible to see anything.

1. The Depths of the Sea and Its Layers of Darkness

The verse in Surah An-Nur (24:40) is one of the most profound descriptions in the Quran about the complexities of the ocean, particularly its depths. This deep sea is described as being enveloped by multiple layers of darkness:

Darkness beneath the surface of the water.

Waves on top of waves.

Clouds covering the waves.

Modern science confirms the astonishing accuracy of this description, revealing that in the ocean's deep regions, there are multiple layers of darkness. Sunlight penetrates only the upper 200 meters of the ocean. Below this, at deeper levels, there is a complete absence of light, which creates the suffocating, multi-layered darkness that Allah speaks about in the Quran. In these conditions, creatures living in the deep ocean have adapted to survive in complete darkness, some even producing their own light (bioluminescence) to navigate.

2. The Complexities of the Ocean's Depths

Science has uncovered more about the physical layers of the ocean:

The Epipelagic Zone (sunlit zone) is where sunlight can penetrate, allowing photosynthesis to occur.

The Mesopelagic Zone (twilight zone) has very little light, and no photosynthesis happens.

The Bathypelagic Zone (midnight zone) is completely dark and reaches into the deep abyssal plains.

The Quran's description reflects the science of oceanography, where each wave and each layer of the ocean creates its own type of darkness, leading to an environment where no light reaches. This level of precision is a profound testament to the Quran's miraculous insight into the natural world, long before the invention of modern submersible technologies.

3. The Metaphor of Darkness and Light

This verse also contains a metaphorical message: just as someone lost in the darkness of the sea cannot see, those who are lost in ignorance, without Allah's guidance, are in similar darkness. In both cases, only the light (guidance) of Allah can bring clarity and vision.

The profound metaphor of the ocean's depths serves as a reminder of the vastness and hidden beauty of Allah's creation. The description of waves, darkness, and the inability to see the hand even when extended speaks to the power of Allah to control the vast unknowns of the natural world.

Let me take you back to a moment in my life when I found myself at the edge of the sea. It was a calm day, and the water stretched endlessly before me, shimmering in the sunlight. However, my gaze turned inward, and I began thinking about the vast, unknown depths beneath the surface. I imagined that in the deepest parts of the ocean, there is a world that remains hidden from human eyes, untouched and unexplored.

A few weeks later, I read Surah An-Nur (24:40) and was struck by the profound accuracy of the Quranic description. It was as if the verse spoke directly to the thoughts that had crossed my mind by the sea. The layers of darkness described in the verse seemed to align perfectly with what I had imagined about the deep sea, and it was a humbling moment to realize that such knowledge was revealed over 1,400 years ago, long before modern science discovered the exact nature of the ocean's depths.

This verse also spoke to me on a deeper level. I reflected on the state of the human heart-sometimes lost in darkness, searching for light and guidance. Just as the ocean's depths are hidden, so too are the deeper realities of life, and the only way to navigate through them is with the light that Allah provides.

Conclusion

The miracle of the depths of the sea in Surah An-Nur (24:40) is a powerful reminder of Allah's boundless knowledge of the natural world. The verse provides a description that aligns remarkably well with modern scientific discoveries, shedding light on the complex, multi-layered darkness that exists in the deep ocean. It serves not only as a reflection of the physical world but also as a metaphor for the state of the human soul-lost in darkness without the guidance of Allah's light.

This Quranic miracle encourages us to reflect on the vastness of Allah's creation and the depth of His wisdom. It is a call to seek His guidance and light, which are the only means by which we can navigate the uncertainties and challenges of life. Just as the ocean is filled with hidden wonders and unexplored depths, so too is Allah's wisdom infinite and beyond our comprehension.

May we, as believers, strive to find Allah's light in our lives, just as we seek to understand the mysteries of the world around us. The Quran not only reveals the miracles of the universe but also offers us the guidance we need to lead a life of clarity, purpose, and peace.