The function of mountains: “He cast firmly embedded mountains on the earth so that it would not move under you and rivers and pathways so that hopefully you will be guided.” (Qur’an, 31:10) “Have We not made the earth as a bed and the mountains its pegs” (Qur’an, 78:6-7) The two verses state that mountains perform the function of preventing shocks in the Earth. This fact was not known by anyone at the time the Qur’an was revealed. It was, in fact, brought to light only recently, as a result of the findings of modern geological research. Formerly, it was thought that mountains were merely protrusions rising above the surface of the Earth. However, scientists realised that this was not actually the case, and that those parts known as the mountain root extended down as far as 10-15 times their own height. With these features, mountains play a similar role to a nail or peg firmly holding down a tent. For example, Mount Everest, the summit of which stands approximately 9 km above the surface of the Earth, has a root deeper than 125 km.24
Posted on: Sun, 01 Sep 2013 11:40:09 +0000