In this post, I would like to discuss the scientific truth of those Quranic verses that mention or refer to water flowing from rocks.
But first, please read the following introduction on Quranic verses with important geological connotations by Dr. Zaghloul El-Naggar. This piece has been abridged a little for the convenience of readers.
Quote The Glorious Qur’an is basically a book of guidance, revealed by The Creator (all glory be to Him) to man in areas that cannot be answered by the human intellect such as the essence of faith, the acts of worship, the moral code and the rules and regulations that govern the various transactions between human beings. Besides this guidance, the Glorious Qur’an refers to the cosmos (the earth and the heavens, as well as to many of their components, inhabitants and phenomena) in numerous verses.
Such references come in the context of testifying for the unlimited might, knowledge and wisdom of The Creator Who has brought this universe into being, and is capable of this annihilation and of its recreation. Consequently, the Qur’anic cosmic verses are
not meant to be pieces of scientific information per se, as scientific knowledge has been left for man to gain (through observation and conclusion or experimentation, observation and conclusion) over a long span of time.
The illustrious Qur’an, being the word of The Creator, and hence, the absolute truth, Qur’anic verses with cosmic reflections must convey a number of absolute facts about the universe. Of these verses, a large number speaks of the earth, which is mentioned 461 times throughout the Glorious Qur’an to describe the whole planet, its outer rocky
layer or the soil section that covers its rocky surface. Verses of geological interest amongst these amount to more than 110, and can be grouped into 11 categories. To read these verses, click
here and scroll down the first paragraph.
Unquote"For indeed there are rocks from out which rivers gush, and indeed there are rocks which split asunder so that water floweth from them." (2:74) Al-Baqrah
"We divided them into twelve tribes, nations; and We inspired Moses, when his people asked him for water, saying: Smite with thy staff the rock! And there gushed forth therefrom twelve springs, so that each tribe knew their drinking-place." (7:160) Al-Araf Both the verses above are awesome. Verse 7:160 portrays a wonderful miracle that has a sound scientific information beneath it. The miracle lies in water gushing out by a mere strike with the staff. The scientific truth consists of the fact that water is actually stored under various rocks which is ordinary cases (that are not helped by the miracle of Allah) are brought to the surface by a special practical method.
When water is sucked from the soil, it meets an impermeable underground layer. It collects there and forms a water source. This water is then brought to the surface by the artesian method. Artesian springs are formed by sedimentary rocks that can store underground water.
Rocks that hold water are also known as permeable or 'bubbly' rocks. 'Bubbly' rocks have spaces between the grains that can hold air, water and gases .. and the water can flow through so they are permeable or porous. Similarly, there are impereable rocks too, that do not allow water or air to pass through them. The permeability of permeable, porous or 'bubbly' rocks are likely to have components such as sandstone or chalk etc.
This phenomenon of the formation of permeable or porous rocks that can hold water can also be explained by the
'freeze thaw cycle.' The freeze and thaw cycle causes mountains to crumble over time and large rocks to break down into little rocks. When water gets into cracks in the rocks, this water expands during the freeze cycle, making the cracks bigger. Then, when the cracks fill up with water in the thaw period, this allows more water to go deeper into the rock which will make the rocks split apart when they freeze again. The power of frozen water expanding can be seen when you leave a glass bottle filled with liquid in the freezer. This is much the phenomenon referred to in the Glorious Quraan while stating about water flowing from rocks.
In the following link, you can see a very rare and awesome glimpse of water flowing out of the Zum Zum rock at Makkah. I'm sorry I couldn't post the photo directly because it doesn't have a jpg. extension. So please visit the link.
http://travel.webshots.com/photo/1181623243058819444EZVaMEAnd here are some photos of Pancake Rocks in New Zealand with water flowing through them
Water hitting the rocks at Pancake Rocks Water coming up through Pancake RocksPRAISE BE TO ALLAH ALMIGHTY!