OXIDATION IN THE BLOOD
No indeed! Rather what they have earned has rusted up their hearts. (Surat al-Mutaffifin, 14) The term ‘rusted’ used to describe hearts in verse of Surat al-Mutaffifin may be a reference to biochemical reaction that takes place in the heart. (Allah knows the truth.) Rust is the result of iron reacting with oxygen – oxidation. The oxygen we absorb from the air is carried through the body thanks to the iron in the hemoglobin in the blood. During this process, the oxygen reacts with the iron in the blood. This means there is a constant process resembling rusting in the blood in the human body, and therefore in the heart, the center of the circulation system.
An excess of iron in the blood can even lead to premature aging in all the body’s cells by causing rust-like oxidation.1 In the disease known as ‘hemochromatosis,’ caused by excess iron accumulating in the body, iron produces a toxic effect and causes organs such as the liver to collapse. Since this is the result of iron oxidation, this phenomenon is often described as organs ‘rusting’ or ‘rust accumulation’ in organs.2 In the journal Science News Dr. Sharon McDonnell describes the iron oxidation in cells making up organs as ‘rusting’.3
Another reference says this about the disease: “…those with hemochromatosis absorb iron, storing it in their organs. Over time, it accumulates in toxic amounts, causing organs to fail because they literally rust.” 4It is only possible to identify the reaction of iron with oxygen in the body – oxidation in the blood – in laboratories with highly advanced equipment. The fact that such a comparison, so compatible with the scientific data, appears in the Qur’an is an evident miracle, given the time when the Qur’an was revealed. The fact that the Qur’an also contains countless other pieces of information all in agreement with modern science is another sign that it is the revelation of Omniscient Allah, our Lord and the Creator of all things.
1 E. Griffiths, Iron and Infection, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1987, pp. 1-25; http://www.lewrockwell.com/orig/sardi10.html
2 Jane E. Brody, The New York Times, "Personal Health", 5 March 1997.
3 Kathleen Fackelmann, Science News, "Rusty origins: researchers identify the gene for iron-overload disease - hereditary hemochromatosis", 18 January 1997.
4 Deborah Weisberg, Post Gazette, "New center treats victims of chronic iron poisoning", 10 November 1998; http://www.post-gazette.com/healthscience/19981110hemo1.asp
103.001 By (the Token of) Time (through the ages),
ReplyDelete103.002 Verily Man is in loss,
103.003 Except such as have Faith, and do righteous deeds, and (join together) in the mutual teaching of Truth, and of Patience and Constancy.
Al-Qur'an, 103.001-007 (Al-Asr [The Declining Day, Eventide, The Epoch])
105.001 Seest thou not how thy Lord dealt with the Companions of the Elephant?
ReplyDelete105.002 Did He not make their treacherous plan go astray?
105.003 And He sent against them Flights of Birds,
105.004 Striking them with stones of baked clay.
105.005 Then did He make them like an empty field of stalks and straw, (of which the corn) has been eaten up.
Al-Qur'an, 105.001-005 (Al-Fil [The Elephant])
093.001 By the Glorious Morning Light,
ReplyDelete093.002 And by the Night when it is still,-
093.003 Thy Guardian-Lord hath not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased.
093.004 And verily the Hereafter will be better for thee than the present.
093.005 And soon will thy Guardian-Lord give thee (that wherewith) thou shalt be well-pleased.
093.006 Did He not find thee an orphan and give thee shelter (and care)?
093.007 And He found thee wandering, and He gave thee guidance.
093.008 And He found thee in need, and made thee independent.
093.009 Therefore, treat not the orphan with harshness,
Al-Qur'an, 093.001-009 (Ad-Dhuha [The Morning Hours, Morning Bright])
081.001 When the sun (with its spacious light) is folded up;
ReplyDelete081.002 When the stars fall, losing their lustre;
081.003 When the mountains vanish (like a mirage);
081.004 When the she-camels, ten months with young, are left untended;
081.005 When the wild beasts are herded together (in the human habitations);
081.006 When the oceans boil over with a swell;
081.007 When the souls are sorted out, (being joined, like with like);
081.008 When the female (infant), buried alive, is questioned -
081.009 For what crime she was killed;
Al-Qur'an, 081.001-009 (At-Takwir [The overthrowing])