Page 84 - Allah is Known through Reason

the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and He
scattered through it beasts of all kinds. (Surat al-Luqman, 30)
With this verse, the Qur'an denied a superstitious belief that was com-
monly accepted at the time. Having a primitive astronomical knowledge
like many other communities of the time, Arabs thought that the heavens
were raised high above the mountains. (This was a traditional belief which
was subsequently added to the explanation of the universe in the Old
Testament.) This belief held that there were high mountains at the two
ends of a flat world. These were the "buttresses" of the heavens. They were
thought to be pillars that held the heavens above in their place. The verse
above disproved this and maintained that the heavens were "without any
buttresses". The real geological function of the mountains was also dis-
closed: to prevent tremors. Another verse stresses the same point:
And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should
shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between
mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance.
(Surat al-Anbiya, 31)

RAIN

Rain is indeed one of the most important factors for the permanence
of life on earth. It is a prerequisite for the continuation of activity in a
region. Rain, which carries great importance for all living things, including
human beings, is mentioned in various verses of the Qur'an, where sub-
stantial information is given about the formation of rain, its proportion and
effects. This information, which never could have been known by the peo-
ple of the time, shows us that the Qur'an is the word of Allah.
Now, let us examine the information given in the Qur'an about rain.

The Proportion of Rain
In the eleventh verse of Surat az-Zukhruf, rain is defined as water sent
down in "due measure". The verse is as follows:
He sends down (from time to time) water from the sky in due measure,
and We raise to life therewith a land that is dead. Even so will you be

84 Allah is Known Through Reason