Or [the state of a disbeliever] is like the darkness in a vast deep sea, overwhelmed with a great wave topped by a great wave, topped by dark clouds, darkness, one above another, if a man stretches out his hand, he can hardly see it! And he for whom Allah has not appointed light, for him there is no light. [24:40]
Professor Durga Rao, a specialist in marine geology, said that scientists have only now been able to confirm, with the help of modern equipment that there is darkness in the depths of the ocean. Humans are unable to dive unaided underwater for more than 20 to 30 metres, and cannot survive in the deep oceanic regions at a depth of more than 200 metres. This verse does not refer to all seas because not every sea can be described as having accumulated darkness layered one over another. It refers especially to a deep sea or deep ocean.
In 1925, an American astronomer by the name of Edwin Hubble, provided observational evidence that all galaxies are receding from one another, which implies that the universe is expanding. The expansion of the universe is now an established scientific fact. This is what the Quran says regarding the nature of the universe:
"With power did we construct the heaven. Verily, We are able to extend the vastness of space thereof." [51:47]
The Arabic word musiun used in the above verse is correctly translated as 'expanding it'. Stephen Hawking, in his book 'A brief history of time', says "The discovery that the universe is expanding was one of the great intellectual revolutions of the 20th century." The Quran mentioned the expansion of the universe before man even learnt to build a telescope!
"Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? And we made from water every living thing. Will the not then believe?" [21:30]
The striking congruence between the Quranic verse and the Big Bang is inescapable! How could a book, which first appeared in the deserts of Arabia 1400 years ago, contain this profound scientific truth?
"And He it is who has created the night and day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating" [21:33]
The Arabic word used in the above verse is yasbahun. This word is derived from the Arabic word sabaha. It carries with it the idea of motion that comes from any moving body. If you use the word for a man on the ground, it would not mean that he is rolling but would mean he is walking or running. If you uses the word for a man in water, it would not mean that he is floating but would mean that he is swimming.
Similarly, if you use the word yasbah for a celestial body such as the sun, it would not mean that it is only flying through space but would mean that it is also rotating as it goes through space. When the Earth spins around on its axis, it creates night and day on Earth.
Prophecies in the Quran and by the final Messenger of Allah