By: Moulana Aneesur Rahman Nadvi
Meaning of ‘inshiqaq’ and ‘infitar’
This brief discussion of the word ‘sama’, made the meaning of sama clear on the one hand, and on the other, it has sufficiently shed the light on the importance of ozone layer both from scientific as well as Qur’anic perspective. Now let us come back to our main topic and once again analyze the above mentioned two Qur’anic verses which are as follows:
‘When the heaven is split asunder.’ (Qur’an: 84:1)
‘When the sky is split asunder.’ (Qur’an: 82:1)
Here, in the first ayah, the word infitar is used along with sama. The word infitar is derived from the word fatara which means breaking along the length.
“fatara means to tear along the length.”3
The commentators of the Holy Qur’an have two explanations on infitar:
“It has two meanings. First (the sky will be) torn apart and second it will fall down.” 4
In the second ayah, the word inshiqaq has been used along with sama. The word inshiqaq is derived from the word shaqqa which means tearing away in the form of holes.
“Shaqqa means formation of holes in a thing.”5
According to the above lexicographical definitions of inshaqqa and infatara, the first meaning of the word infitar is same as that of inshiqaq that is tearing away of the sky in the form of holes, whereas the second meaning of infitar means the falling down of the sky. Hence the meanings of the words ‘infitar’ and ‘inshiaqa’ according to the commentators of Holy Qu’ran may be summarized into two meanings: First is the tearing away of the sky in the form of holes and the second is the falling down of heavens. Now let us try to understand these two sayings of the commentators in the light of modern scientific investigations and discoveries. Both these sayings of the commentators seem to be in contradiction at first sight, whereas according to the modern scientific investigations, these two sayings are not contrary to each other rather they are related to two very important but different natural phenomena that will appear on their own time. Hence, the difference is about diversity and it is not about contradiction as was the case with regard to the diverse sayings of commentators with regard to the commentary of ‘tasjeer bihar’ (boiling away of oceans) which have been discussed earlier in detail.
The first phenomena of the two, i.e., tearing away of the sky in the form of holes is related to the earth’s ozone layer whereas the second phenomena that is falling down of the sky is related to our solar system. We have discussed the details about the doomsday events with regards to our solar system in the third volume of this book. Hence it can be referred there itself. Nevertheless, the phenomena of tearing away of sky in the form of holes is related to the climate change currently taking place on the planet earth. Hence we will discuss this phenomenon here.
The depletion of ozone layer and its holes
The ozone layer, which is termed as a protective roof in the Qur’an, which protects the inhabitants of earth from the harmful ultraviolet radiation, cosmic rays, meteors and other extra-terrestrial disasters on one hand, and prevents the loss of important elements (air, useful gases and water vapour) of the atmosphere from escaping into the outer space on the other hand, has started getting depleted due to climate change and other human activities, and it is continuously thinning. As a result, human beings and other living organisms of earth are at risk.
This phenomenon is termed as ozone depletion in scientific terms. Ozone depletion usually accounts for two phenomena: First a steady decline in the overall thickness of ozone layer which is occurring at the rate of about 4% on global scale annually, and the second is the large scale ozone depletion at the Polar Regions of the earth and appearance of large holes in the ozone layer as a result. According to an estimate, more than 50% of ozone layer has already been depleted in the earth’s southern pole. Consequently, a huge ozone hole has formed in this region which encircles the entire continent of Antarctica. Its diameter includes the countries like South America, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Argentina and South Africa etc.
Causes of ozone depletion
Scientists have attributed the chemical elements released by humans into the atmosphere responsible for the depletion of ozone layer. Important among them are halocarbon refrigerants, solvents, propellants, CFCs and HCFs. These are also referred to as ozone-depleting substances (ODS). These compounds are transported into the stratosphere by the winds after being emitted at the surface. After chemical reaction there, these compounds cause breakdown of ozone into oxygen.
Risks related to ozone depletion
As explained earlier, the ozone layer protects man and other life forms of earth from the ultraviolet radiation of sun and other extra-terrestrial dangers. But due to the large scale depletion of ozone layer especially due to the formation of large ozone hole in the earth’s South Pole, the ultraviolet rays have penetrated into the earth’s atmosphere in these regions on large scale. As a result, people in these regions are getting affected by dangerous types of skin cancer. According to a 2008 report, depletion of ozone layer is not only affecting the earth’s polar regions, but even the equatorial regions where densely populated cities are located are developing various types of human health related problems and hazards.
The exposure to sun’s ultraviolet radiations have led to the increase in occurrence of cancerous diseases of skin like basal, squamous and malignant melanoma. The latter disease is especially spreading rapidly in Chile. Similarly, the disease of cortical cataract which causes loss of eyesight is spreading rapidly in the affected countries. Experts predict that, millions of people are likely to get affected by this disease in the coming decades, due to further thinning of ozone layer. Similarly the exposure to U.V. radiations is also leading to genetic disorders and diseases which cause weakening of immune system in human beings.6
Animals are also prone to dangers of ultraviolet radiations of the sun. Fishes and other terrestrial animals in these countries affected by UV radiations are suffering from various kinds of diseases. Ultraviolet radiations also affect the growth of plants in a similar way.
In a nutshell, due to the ozone depletion and ozone hole, huge threats and dangers are lingering on the life on earth including the humans. Lack of a strong ozone layer, will instigate wiping out all life forms on earth suffering from skin cancer. According to an estimate by NASA, if the emission of CFL’s and ozone depleting substances are not controlled, the entire ozone layer will get destroyed by 2060. If this happened, this one phenomenon alone is enough to wipe out the entire life from the planet earth.
Efforts to protect the ozone layer
In 1980s, efforts were made globally to prevent further depletion and thinning of ozone layer. In 1989, Montreal protocol was accepted by all countries of the world, whose aim was to bring back the ozone level to the pre-1980 levels. Hence the issue is circulating in the scientific community that the depletion of ozone layer will be recovered completely in near future. By decreasing the emission of gases (for example CFC’s and halocarbon) responsible for ozone depletion, it is expressed that the depleted ozone layer can be replenished by 2050. This deadline was further extended to 2070 or 2080 later. But despite the ongoing efforts for decades, a record depletion of ozone was recorded in the year 2006. In this year, a decline of 85% was recorded in Antarctic ozone hole which is a record in the earth’s recent history.7
Are global warming and ozone depletion related?
Now, the question arises here is whether the global warming and ozone depletion are related? Generally, scientists regard increased global warming and depletion of ozone layer as two different events. It is said that there exists no relation between these two phenomena. But two reasons seem to prove the scientists wrong. Firstly, the CFC which is causing ozone depletion is itself a greenhouse gas like CO2, which is emitted into the atmosphere owing to the anthropological activities and becoming a cause of ozone depletion. Another surprising proof of profound relationship between the global warming and ozone depletion is provided to us by the earth’s geological history and the study of the planet Venus as well. Its details are given below.
Destruction of ozone layer in the earth’s geological history
The study of earth’s geological history reveals to us that the phenomenon of destruction of ozone layer has occurred several times in the earth’s geologic history. Scientists have found many proofs with regard to its occurrence. For example, the possibility of occurrence of this phenomena during one of the major mass-extinctions of earth known as the Permian-Triassic mass extinction event which occurred about 251 million years (25 crore years) ago has been expressed. It is said that about 95% of life on earth went extinct during this period. Scientists present the fossil spores obtained from this period in its proof. Their deformed features show that they were destroyed due to subjection to the dangerous ultraviolet rays of the sun.8
Let it be clear that the Permian-Triassic extinction event which occurred about 252 million years ago on the earth was a result of intense global warming in which the earth’s temperature had raised by 8 degree Celsius above its average temperature. The entire chain of events and natural phenomena predicted to occur on earth due to the current global warming had occurred during that period. We have dealt with this topic in detail at various occasions in the previous pages. Hence even though the scientists hesitate to relate the ozone depletion to the present global warming, but if we correlate the present climate change to the past one then ozone layer depletion appears to be an inevitable phenomenon of global warming.
Discovery of ozone layer on the planet Venus
Another evidence of profound relationship between the increased global warming and ozone depletion is being provided by our neighboring planet Venus. In October 2011, scientists discovered a thin layer of ozone on Venus. This ozone layer is several hundred times thinner than that of the earth. On Venus, the ozone layer lies about 100 km above the Venusian surface in the atmosphere which is thrice more in height than the ozone layer on the earth. Till date, Scientists had discovered ozone layer only on earth and Mars. Therefore, the discovery of ozone layer on Venus is a shocking one for the scientists.
We await further scientific investigations about the ozone layer of Venus. But since the scientists consider the climate change on Venus as a perfect example for that of the earth, hence scientists are busy in deducing various mysterious inferences by comparing present condition of Venus to the future of the planet earth as well as comparing earth’s present conditions to the past of Venus. Hence, they have concluded that like earth, Venus was once an inhabitable planet in its past and was brimming with flora and fauna in the distant past as the earth is brimming today with life. But due to the climate change on Venus, its temperature has touched 460 degree Celsius and it has literally converted into a hot ball of fire. Hence, scientists opine that the earth too will face the same fate if a similar runaway climate change occurred here.
If we contemplate from this angle, it is possible that a thick and strong ozone layer might have existed on Venus in its past. But due to the intense climate change that occurred on Venus, this layer got depleted and destroyed as it is predicted to occur on planet earth by the scientists, but this phenomenon has also occurred on earth itself in the earth’s geological history due to the past climatic changes on earth.
It can be concluded that, the complete destruction of ozone layer appears to be an inevitable phenomenon in the wake of the ongoing climate change, endangering the existence of all forms of life including human beings. The occurrence of this phenomenon not only appears to be certain in the light of modern scientific discoveries but has also occurred in the geological history of our planet and in our neighboring planet Venus.
The miracle of Qur’an
The Quran has described the diversified facts about the ozone layer, its characteristics, effects and its destruction very clearly and categorically. A brief account of the Qur’anic statements and it’s denotations about the ozone layer may be given in the following:
1- The Holy Qur’an by describing the ozone layer as a protected ceiling has defined one of its most comprehensive characteristics that in this vast universe this ozone layer protects the planet earth and its dwellers from all the extraterrestrial hazards.
2- By describing the second attribute of Ozone layer as “the one which returns”, the Holy Qur’an has further clarified that the Ozone layer serves as a two way robust roof for the earth and its inhabitants. It protects us from the harmful ultraviolet radiations of the sun, meteorites and other extraterrestrial hazards on the one hand, and it prevents useful elements (water, air, heat) present in the atmosphere from escaping into the outer space on the other and returns them towards the earth.
3- Then it has been stated in the Qur’an as a prediction that this protected ceiling of earth will not remain safe forever, but it will be torn apart after a set time. As a result, all forms of living organisms including human beings will be wiped out from the earth. To denote this, the Holy Qur’an has used the word ‘Inshaqqa’, which implies tearing apart a thing by putting holes in it. Therefore, the literal meaning of the word ‘Inshaqqa’ is completely corroborating with the phenomenon of ozone depletion with its large holes, that the destruction of Ozone layer will take place in the form of holes in this layer.
4- Scientific investigations have able to gain access to these facts and phenomena following centuries of quests, explorations, researches and examinations, while these facts are found to be mentioned in the Quran in a clear and categorical manner 14 centuries ago. So it goes on to prove that the Holy Qur’an has been revealed by the One Who is the Creator of this universe.
5- The words, idioms and phrases used by the Holy Qur’an to explain these pure scientific phenomena also sheds light on the literary miracle of the Holy Qur’an that about 14 centuries ago when the science was developed well and the mankind was completely unaware of the scientific phenomena and terms like Ozone layer, atmosphere, ultra-violet radiation, cosmic rays, global warming, and ozone depletion, the Holy Qur’an has provided its description in such an eloquent and most commonly understood and lucid way that upon the development of science, its meaning will get clear automatically. Hence this is finest example of marvel within marvel of the Holy Qur’an.
References:
3-Al-Mufradat fi Ghareebil Qur’an, Raghib Asfahani, P. 640.
4-Tafsir Al-Nukatu Wal-Uyoon, Abul Hasan Mawardi, V. 6, P. 220.
5-Al-Mufradat fi Ghareebil Qur’an, Raghib Asfahani, P. 459.
6 – Encyclopedia Britannica, Ozone Depletion.
7 – http://www.giss.nasa.gov
8- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Permian-Triassic_extinction_event