al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard

al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard (The Quran and Earth Sciences) is a modern Arabic treatise by Muhammad Samih Afiyah that examines geology, physical phenomena, and Earth sciences through the lens of Quranic verses and scientific evidence.al-Istinbat inda al-Khati…+1

Overview and Purpose

In the introduction, the author frames scientific inquiry into the physical world as an act of contemplation encouraged by the Quran to reflect upon God's creation.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard+1 The work aims to elucidate what technical and natural sciences have established concerning the physical, chemical, and geological characteristics of the globe, thereby deepening the reader's understanding of divine power and reinforcing faith.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard+1

Afiyah situates his discussion within the context of scientific inimitability (al-i‘jaz al-‘ilmi), noting the contributions of classical Islamic polymaths who engaged in empirical observation and natural philosophy, including Jabir ibn Hayyan, al-Kindi, al-Mas'udi, Ibn Sina, al-Tifashi, and Zakariyya al-Qazwini.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard+1 He also outlines various subdisciplines of geology, such as physical, surface, structural, dynamic, engineering, economic, hydrogeological, mining, and petroleum geology.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard

Structure and Content

The book comprises an introduction (tamhid), seven main chapters, a conclusion, and illustrative figures:al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard+1

• Chapter One: Stars and Planets Surrounding the Earth: Discusses human sensory limitations, galaxies, the Sun, the planetary separation of Earth, celestial adornment, and the cosmic submission of creation.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard
• Chapter Two: The Atmosphere Around the Earth: Covers the evolution of the atmosphere, the ozone layer, atmospheric warming, wind systems, meteorological phenomena (thunder, lightning, thunderbolts, rainbows, and mirages), and extraterrestrial stones such as meteors, meteorites, and the Black Stone.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard
• Chapter Three: The Dry Land: Analyzes the internal structure of the Earth, the Earth's magnetic field, topography, mountains and rock classifications, crystals, and slow and rapid crustal movements.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard
• Chapter Four: The Hydrosphere of the Earth's Crust: Investigates water during the initial formation of Earth, the origin and topography of oceans, water chemistry, salinity, clouds, hail, snow, and terrestrial water systems.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard+1
• Chapter Five: Time and Space: Examines geological dating, atomic structure, the absolute age of the Earth, divisions of geological time, measuring units, eschatological events (al-Waqi‘ah), the cardinal directions, compasses, and star positions.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard
• Chapter Six: Light, Fire, and Energy: Details celestial and terrestrial light, fire and its associations, internal terrestrial heat, and solar energy.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard+1
• Chapter Seven: What Benefits Humanity: Addresses pre-human life on Earth, human creation and civilization, resources such as water and vegetation, building stones, non-metallic minerals (salt, talc, sulfur, tar, and glass), and metallic ores (gold, silver, copper, and iron).al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard It also surveys legal and jurisprudential aspects related to minerals, including currency, zakat on buried treasure (rikaz) and minerals, and legal rulings on mineral and petroleum ownership.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard

The book concludes with illustrative scientific diagrams, including cross-sections of the Earth's interior, radioactive decay models of Uranium-238 into lead, continental division models, earthquake belts, and plate tectonic boundaries.al-Quran wa Ulum al-Ard

Publication

The book was published in a single volume by al-Zahra' lil-I'lam al-'Arabi in Cairo, with its first edition appearing in 1414 AH / 1994 CE.al-Istinbat inda al-Khati…+1