The Quran On Oceans And Seas
BARRIER BETWEEN THE OCEANS
Modern Science has discovered that in the places where two different seas meet, there is a barrier between them. This barrier divides the two seas so that each sea has its own temperature, salinity and density.” (1)
Allah has informed us in the Qur’aan that: «"He has let free the two seas meeting together: Between them is a barrier which they do not transgress."» (Qur’aan 55:19-20).
Traditionally, there have been two major interpretations of this verse. The Qur’aan goes on to state that there is barrier between them, means that this barrier will simply prevent the seas from encroaching upon each other or flooding over each other.
Proponents of the second opinion ask how can there be a barrier between the seas so that they do not encroach upon each other, while the verse indicates that the seas meet together? They concluded that the seas do not meet and sought another meaning for the term "maraja". But now modern science provides us with enough information to settle this issue. The seas do meet together, as we have seen, for example, in the picture of the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean. Even though there is a slanted water barrier between them, we now know that through this barrier the water from each sea passes to the other. But when the water from one sea enters the other sea, it looses its distinctive characteristics and becomes homogenized with the other water. In a way, this barrier serves as a transitional homogenizing area for the two waters. This is an excellent example of Islamic modern scientific research. Modern techniques can thus be used to prove the inimitability of the Qur’aan.
Modern Science has discovered that in estuaries, where fresh (sweet) and salt water meet, the situation is somewhat different from what is found in places where two seas meet. It has been discovered that what distinguishes fresh water from salt water in estuaries is a ”pycnocline zone with a marked density.
«“He is the one who has let free the two bodies of flowing water, one palatable and sweet, and the other salty and bitter. And He has made between them a barrier and a FORBIDDING PARTITION.”» QURAN (25:53)
DARKNESS IN A DEEP SEA
«“Or is like the darkness in a deep sea. It is covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds. Darkness, one above another. If a man stretches out his hand, he cannot see it...”» QURAN (24:40)
The darkness in deep seas and oceans is found around a depth of 200 metres and below. At this depth, there is almost no light. Below a dept of 1000 metres there is no light at all. (4)
«WAVES ABOVE WAVES»
«“Or is like the darkness in a deep sea. It is covered by waves, above which are waves, above which are clouds. Darkness, one above another. If a man stretches out his hand, he cannot see it...”» QURAN (24:40)
Scientists have only recently discovered that there are internal waves which “occur on density interfaces between layers of different densities. (5)
The internal waves cover the deep waters of seas and oceans because the deep waters have a higher density than the waters above them. Internal waves act like surface waves. They can also break just like surface waves. Internal waves cannot be seen by the human eye but they can be detected by studying temperature or salinity changes at a given location. (6)
(1) Principles of Oceanography, Davis, Page:92-93
(2) Oceanography, Gross, Page:242
(3) Oceanography, Gross, Page:244
(4) Oceans, Elder and Pernetta, Page:92-93
(5) Oceanography, Gross, Page:205
(6) Oceanography, Gross, Page:205