Quran’s Scientific Miracle in Surah Az-Zumar

TEHRAN (IQNA) – There are many examples of scientific miracles in the Quran, including one in Surah Az-Zumar. These are miracles because they were mentioned in the Holy Book centuries ago when humanity had no idea about them.

Az-Zumar is the name of the 39^th Surah of the Quran. It has 75 verses and is in the 23^rd and 24^th Juzes. It is Makki and the 59^th Surah revealed to the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

Zumar, meaning groups of people, is a word that comes in verses 71 and 73 of the Surah and refers to the group of righteous people entering paradise and group of wrongdoers entering hell. The Surah also describes the characteristics and conditions of the two groups.

The main content of this chapter of the Quran is considered to inviting to Tawheed (monotheism) and Ikhlas (purity of intention). It begins with enumerating the effects of Tawheed and calls on the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to purify his Deen (faith), pay no attention to the gods of disbelievers and tell them that his mission is to promote Tawheed and Ikhlas in religion.

Surah Az-Zumar has several major sections. Invitation to Tawheed and Ikhlas is what is given the main emphasis in this chapter. There is also special importance attached to Ikhlas in worshipping God.

It criticizes the fact that some turn to God when they are in a situation of hopelessness and despair but after their situation gets better they again forget everything.

Another point emphasized in this Surah is the issue of the Resurrection Day, God’s justice, fear of the Day of Judgment and revelation of the outcomes of what people have done in this world.

One interesting subject mentioned in this Surah is in verse 6: “He has created you from a single soul. Out of this He created your spouse. He sent you eight pairs of cattle. He creates you for a second time in the wombs of your mothers behind three curtains of darkness. He is your Lord to whom belongs the Kingdom. He is the only Lord. Where then will you turn away?”

Some Quran interpreters say the three curtains of darkness refer to the belly, womb and Mashima (amnion- a membrane that closely covers the human embryo). Other interpreters say it only refers to the amnion which covers the embryo and has three layers. This has been cited as one of the Holy Quran’s scientific miracles.