Page 133 - Photosynthesis: The Green Miracle

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-