Introduction
Mountains were once considered simply as massive piles of rock towering above the Earth. This belief persisted until 1735, when French geophysicist Pierre Bouguer (1698–1758) observed that the gravitational force in the Andes was significantly lower than expected, given the substantial size of these “piles of rock.” This led him to theorize that another part of the mountain extended deep beneath the Earth’s surface, thereby explaining the gravitational anomaly that did not align with the mountain’s apparent size.
Later, Alfred Wegener further elaborated on the theory of continental drift and the dynamic nature of Earth’s crust. When tectonic plates collide, the resulting pressure can cause the land to buckle and fold, forming mountains. This process not only creates mountains but also plays a crucial role in the stability of continents. The roots of mountains extend deep into the Earth’s crust, acting like pegs that help stabilize the tectonic plates above them.
Surah An-Naba
Have We not made the earth a resting place? And the mountains as stakes?
Surah An-Naba 78:6-7
The Quran, in Surah An-Naba (78), verses 6-7, describes mountains as pegs, a concept that aligns with our current geological understanding. How could Prophet Muhammad, who lived in a barren land devoid of towering mountains, possibly mention such a phenomenon? Moreover, upon scientific investigation, there are highly complex explanations that would have been incomprehensible to the people of that era.
Indeed, this is a testament to the greatness and magnificence of Allah, the Most Creator, who fashioned this universe with His wisdom and mercy.
Citations:
- Al-Muslih, ‘. I. ‘. A. (2019, April 22). The mountains as pegs. Knowing Allah. https://knowingallah.com/en/articles/the-mountains-as-pegs/
- Henderson, R. (2020). Bouguer’s gravity corrections and the shape of the Earth. Preview, 2020(208), 39–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/14432471.2020.1828499
- Conocimiento, V. A. (2020, December 30). Alfred Wegener and his theory of continental drift | OpenMind. OpenMind. https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/leading-figures/alfred-wegener-theory-of-continental-drift/
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