Water Cycle (Surah Az-Zumar: 39:21)

Some critics argue that Surah Az-Zumar (39:21) does not describe a complete water cycle and therefore fails to be scientifically accurate. However, this argument is based on a flawed expectation and a misrepresentation of the Quran’s purpose and linguistic style.

The Quran is Not a Science Textbook, But it is Scientifically Consistent

The Quran is a book of guidance, not a scientific manual. Its purpose is not to provide exhaustive technical details but to convey essential truths in a way that is accessible to all people across time. When the Quran mentions natural phenomena, it does so in a way that is consistent with reality without necessarily listing every step in detail.

Understanding Surah Az-Zumar (39:21) in Context

The verse states:

“Do you not see that Allah sends down rain from the sky and makes it flow as springs in the earth; then He brings forth thereby crops of varying colors; then they wither and you see them turning yellow; then He makes them dry and crumbles them? Indeed, in that is a reminder for those of understanding.”

This verse highlights key aspects of the water cycle:

• Precipitation: “Allah sends down rain from the sky.”
• Infiltration and Runoff: “And makes it flow as springs in the earth.”
• Evaporation and Plant Absorption (Implied): The plants that grow due to the rain eventually dry up, which is a natural part of the hydrological cycle.

Critics claim that because the verse does not explicitly mention evaporation, it does not describe the full water cycle. This is a weak argument because:

• The Quran frequently describes processes in broad terms rather than breaking them down into scientific steps.
• Other verses in the Quran, such as Surah An-Nur (24:43) and Surah Ar-Rum (30:48), do mention aspects of the water cycle, including evaporation and cloud formation.

Other Verses that Support the Water Cycle in the Quran

Islamophobes often cherry-pick verses while ignoring others. However, when we look at the Quran holistically, we find a more complete picture:

• Surah An-Nur (24:43): “Do you not see that Allah drives clouds, then joins them together, then makes them into a heap, and you see the rain emerge from within them?”
  • This verse describes cloud formation and precipitation, which are integral parts of the water cycle.
• Surah Ar-Rum (30:48):“It is Allah who sends the winds, so they stir up clouds, and He spreads them in the sky as He wills, and makes them break apart, and you see the rain falling from within them.”
  • This verse alludes to the role of wind in cloud formation and rainfall.

Modern Scientific Understanding of the Water Cycle

The water cycle, as we understand it today, includes:

1. Evaporation and Transpiration – Water rises into the atmosphere.
2. Condensation – Water forms clouds.
3. Precipitation – Rain or snow falls to the earth.
4. Collection and Runoff – Water collects in bodies of water and underground reservoirs.

The Quran mentions each of these processes across various verses. It does not have to compile them in a single place to be valid. The Quran’s description of the water cycle is remarkably accurate for a book revealed 1400 years ago, long before modern hydrology.

The Flaw in the Critics’ Expectation

Critics expect the Quran to provide a scientific textbook-style explanation, which is an unreasonable expectation. The Quran speaks in a way that is understood by all people, whether they are scholars or laypersons. It is not a physics or chemistry book, yet its descriptions of natural phenomena align with modern scientific understanding.

Conclusion: Quranic Verses Align with Scientific Reality

The claim that Surah Az-Zumar (39:21) is scientifically incorrect is based on a narrow and superficial reading. When we consider the Quran as a whole, it becomes evident that it describes the water cycle in multiple verses. The Quran is not meant to provide a step-by-step scientific breakdown but rather to highlight the power and wisdom of Allah in nature. Therefore, the criticism is not only baseless but also exposes the bias and ignorance of those who make such allegations.

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