Responses to Akbarally Meherally's site

Our Atmosphere is a Protecting Shield...

Mr. Meherally begins by, once again, citing Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia:

Below are excerpts from Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia Deluxe, 1998 edition, explaining the contemporary scientific rationale on this subduct

"Although the atmosphere allows sunlight to reach the Earth's surface, it blocks out certain portions of solar radiation, especially X rays and ultraviolet light. Such radiation is very harmful, and, if the atmosphere did not filter it out, probably none of the life forms on Earth could ever have developed. So, the necessary conditions for these life forms--water, the right kind of atmosphere, and the right amount and kind of sunlight--exist on the surface of the Earth. The Earth is the only planet in the solar system known to have all of these "right" conditions."

True, the atmosphere, which is an envelope of gas (mostly nitrogen) that surrounds the earth, filters out harmful radiation and enables life to exist.

The Holy Qur'an revealed 1400 years ago, speaks of this well protected roof over the Earth.

Sura 21:32

Yusuf Ali: And We have made the heavens as a canopy well guarded: yet do they turn away from the Signs which these things (point to)!

Pickthall: And we have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents.

Shakir: And We have made the heaven a guarded canopy and (yet) they turn aside from its signs.

Comments: The Arabic word mahfuza comes from a root word which means; "to secure, to protect". It has dual manning a) A roof that is secure enough so that it will not to fall upon us. b) A roof that protects us like a shield.

Comments

The Qur'an mentions the "heavens" that is "well guarded". It says NOTHING about the atmosphere - even in the broadest terms. The Qur'an also does not mention why, or from what, the "heavens" guard us. I would interpret this passage as poetry, not a science lesson. It is based on torturing a meaning out of the text which is clearly not there.

Andrew Vargo


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