Page 214 - For Men of Understanding

unable to perceive. Because, the light of these collapsed stars disappears. Light
cannot escape from a black hole because it is such a high concentration of mass
in a small space. The enormous gravitation captures even the fastest particles, i.e.
the photons. For example, the final stage of a typical star, three times the mass of
the Sun, ends after its burning out and its implosion as a black hole of only 20
kilometres (12.5 miles) in diameter! Black holes are "black," i.e. veiled from direct
observation. They nevertheless reveal themselves indirectly, by the tremendous
suction which their gravitational force exerts on other heavenly bodies. As well as
depictions of the Day of Judgement, the verse below may also be pointing to this
scientific discovery about black holes:
When the stars are extinguished. (Surat al-Mursalat: 8)
Moreover, stars of great mass also cause warps to be perceived in space. Black
holes, however, do not just cause warps in space but also tear holes in it, as astro-
physicists put it. That is why these collapsed stars are known as black holes. This

fact may be referred to in the verse about stars, and this is another important item
of information demonstrating that the Qur'an is the word of Allah:
[I swear] by Heaven and the Tariq! And what will convey to you what
the Tariq is? The Star Piercing [the darkness]! (Surat at-Tariq: 1-3)

THE SKY THAT RETURNS

The verse 11 of Surat at-Tariq in the Qur'an, refers to the "returning" function
of the sky.
[I swear] by heaven which returns. (Surat at-Tariq: 11)
The word "raj`" interpreted as "return" in Qur'an translations has meanings of
"sending back" or "returning." As is known, the atmosphere surrounding the Earth
consists of many layers. Each layer serves an important purpose for the benefit of
life on Earth. Research has revealed that these layers have the function of turning
the materials or rays they are exposed to back into space or back down to the
Earth. Now let us examine, employing a few fitting examples, this "returning"
function of the layers encircling the Earth.
The troposphere, 13 to 15 kilometres (8 to 9.3 miles) above the Earth, enables
water vapour rising from the surface of the Earth to be condensed and turned
back as rain. The ozone layer, the lower layer of stratosphere at an altitude of 25
kilometres (15.5 miles), reflects harmful radiation and ultraviolet light coming
from space and turns both back into space.
The ionosphere reflects radio waves broadcast from the Earth back down to
different parts of the world just like a passive communications satellite. Thus, it

makes wireless communication, radio, and television broadcasting possible over
long distances. The magnetosphere layer turns the harmful radioactive particles

212 For Men of Understanding