The Qur’an on the Deep Seas and Internal Waves
The Qur’an on the Deep Seas and Internal Waves
1. Introduction
The Qur’an, revealed over 1,400 years ago, contains descriptions of natural phenomena that were unknown to human knowledge at the time. One such description relates to the deep seas and the presence of waves beneath the surface—what scientists today call internal waves. These hidden features of the ocean were only discovered in the last century with the help of advanced equipment like submarines and sonar technology.
2. Qur’anic Reference
The Qur’an describes darkness in the deep seas layered upon itself, along with waves beneath other waves:
“Or [their deeds] are like darknesses within a vast deep sea, overwhelmed by a wave, above which is a wave, above which is a cloud – darknesses, some of them upon others. When one puts out his hand, he can hardly see it. And he to whom Allah has not granted light – for him there is no light.”
(Surah An-Nur 24:40)
This verse is a vivid image describing the physical reality of deep oceans while also using it as a metaphor for spiritual darkness.
3. Darkness in the Deep Sea
Scientists have discovered that:
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Sunlight penetrates water only to about 200 meters.
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Beyond this, the ocean becomes pitch black.
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In the deep seas, it is so dark that the human eye cannot see anything without artificial light.
The Qur’an’s description of “darkness upon darkness” mirrors the actual layering of darkness with depth.
4. Waves Beneath the Surface
Modern oceanography has revealed the existence of internal waves—waves that occur within the ocean, between layers of water with different densities, rather than on the surface.
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These waves are invisible from above but can be detected with scientific instruments.
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Internal waves can be larger than surface waves and play a significant role in mixing ocean waters.
The Qur’an’s phrase “a wave, above which is a wave” can be understood as:
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Internal wave beneath the surface.
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Surface wave above it.
This matches the scientific reality that there can be waves deep below the surface, overlaid by the waves we see.
5. Clouds Above the Sea
The verse continues: “above which is a cloud.”
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This completes the imagery: deep sea → internal wave → surface wave → cloud layer.
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Each layer reduces light, creating “darkness upon darkness” as the verse describes.
6. Significance of the Verse
The description in Surah An-Nur 24:40 is remarkable because:
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No human in the 7th century could have observed internal waves or experienced the extreme darkness of the deep ocean without modern diving equipment.
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It combines accurate oceanographic knowledge with spiritual symbolism—portraying the state of a person without guidance from Allah as being lost in layers of darkness.
7. Conclusion
The Qur’an’s description of deep seas and internal waves is both scientifically accurate and spiritually meaningful. It points to knowledge beyond human capacity at the time of revelation and invites believers to reflect on the signs of Allah in the natural world. For Muslims, such verses strengthen faith by showing that the Creator of the universe is also the Revealer of the Qur’an
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