Page 133 - Photosynthesis: The Green Miracle
P. 133

ith the coming of autumn, we wit-
                                      ness a most interesting phenome-
                                      non. Trees’ green leaves change col-
                                      or in a matter of a few days. Shortly

                    afterward, all the leaves fall off and the tree branches are
                    left bare. The tree now appears lifeless until the return of
                    spring, because all vital functions have now been re-
                    duced to a minimum. Leaf shedding and regeneration,
                    which reminds one of human death and of resurrection
                    after death, as stated in a verse, is a transition during
                    which several miraculous events take place. Allah re-
                    veals this in the Qur’an:

                        He brings forth the living from the dead and
                        brings forth the dead from the living and brings
                        the earth to life after it was dead. In the same way
                        you too will be brought forth. (Surat ar-Rum:19)

                        Before finally dying and dropping off the twig, a
                    leaf undergoes various stages. A great many chemical
                    compounds combine together and put different systems
                    into action to separate the leaf’s stem from where it grew.
                    No substance is wasted as this occurs, and leaf shedding
                    becomes a very beneficial process for both the plant and
                    its surroundings. Not only do autumn leaves remind us
                    of death and resurrection, they also once again reveal the
                    infinite knowledge and might of Allah.



                        How Leaves Become Colored
                        We do not pay much attention to the green color of
                    leaves in the summer; but when autumn comes, we sud-
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