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Quranic Viewpoint about the Origin of Iron
By: Mahdi La'li, Tehran, Iran
Iron was known in prehistoric times and the most known metal for human today. Undoubtedly, iron played a key role in the development of civilization and no one can deny it. The human has used iron in most of his life aspects since the incipient eras. Indeed, life in many ways has always depended on the existence of iron. It was utilized in hunting tools, cooking utensils, war devices etc.
Usually, it was a new invention or a new technology, which allowed a nation to conquer an empire. Iron is much harder than bronze, so when the knowledge of how to make iron tools and weapons spread from the Middle East, it led to a new round of wars and invasions. At this time, about 3000 years ago, men learned to ride on horseback. They became expert warriors, able to fire arrows from a charging horse. Horse-riding nomads left the steppe, causing more migrations and wars.
The Christian Bible’s first book Genesis says that Tubal-Cain, seven generations from Adam, was "an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron." Smelted iron artifacts have been identified from around 3000 BC. A remarkable iron pillar, dating to about 400 AD, remains standing today in Delhi, India. This solid pillar is wrought iron and about 7.5 m high by 40 cm in diameter. Corrosion to the pillar has been minimal despite its exposure to the weather since its erection.
The Ancient Finnish Myths about the Iron
In the Origin of the Iron, we are returned to the Beginning of all, to the primeval fountain in the center of the Cosmos. There the molten iron was originated in the breasts of three maidens, the Maidens of Iron. They stood on a Nameless Meadow, on a Borderless Field, which is in the dreamtime without names, places, and events. The maidens yielded milk, which transformed into molten iron and steel.
This same theme of maidens (or a goddess or a cow or a she-goat) at the fountain in the center of the primitive world (Paradise) is repeated in the myths all over the world, also in the Genesis. From the Fountain of Life there originated four rivers of water or milk, which often were depicted as four maidens. These rivers carried life, and the iron, all over the world.
According to this Finnish myth, when dealing with a wound made by an iron blade by his incantations the sorcerer makes it known to the victim and also to the weapon that he is aware of the origin of the iron and so is able to control 1.
What is the origin of Iron?
The matter of fact is that the main element of all the heavenly bodies including stars, red giants, super red giants, white dwarfs, supernova, interstellar galactic materials etc, are all made up of iron. (For more information, you can refer to the article “Death of the Universe”).
The scientists believe that iron is an extraterrestrial element that was sent to earth and not formed therein. The energy of the early solar system was not sufficient to produce elemental Iron.
The core of our earth “consists mainly of iron 90% and nickel along with silicon, sulfur and heavy elements. Recent evidence indicates the core may be as hot at 6,600’C or 12,000’F at it center, hotter than the surface of the sun! The tremendous pressure at this depth keeps the white-hot inner core solid. Isolated from the mantle by the liquid outer core, the inner core spins faster than the rest of the planet, gaining a full turn in about 300 years. This differential is the cause of the earth’s magnetic field.” (Garrison, 1999, p. 54-55.) Essential during the formation of the earth the iron was placed deep within our Earth and the subsequent cooling formed the crust 2.
Scientists have only recently discovered the relevant facts about the iron’s formation process. However, the verse 25 of chapter 57 “Chapter of Iron” states that the iron is sent down from the heavens for the benefit of humankind:
-And We sent down iron, wherein is great might, and many uses for men 3. Chapter57: verse25
To perceive the inspiration in this wonderful Quranic statement, the reference must be made to the recently discovered scientific facts.
Scientific Viewpoint
Iron is a type of atom, which was created in red giant stars. Iron atoms as stated above are believed to be common and of intense combinations at the center of the Earth. From the Anglo-Saxon word "iron" (the origin of the symbol Fe comes from the Latin word "ferrum"), which means, "iron".
Basic Information:
Name: Iron
Symbol: Fe
Atomic Number: 26
Atomic Mass: 55.845 amu
Melting Point: 1535.0 °C (1808.15 °K, 2795.0 °F)
Boiling Point: 2750.0 °C (3023.15 °K, 4982.0 °F)
Number of Protons/Electrons: 26
Number of Neutrons: 30
Classification: Transition Metal
Crystal Structure: Cubic
Density @ 293 K: 7.86 g/cm3
Color: Silvery
Atomic Structure:
Number of Energy Levels: 4
First Energy Level: 2
Second Energy Level: 8
Third Energy Level: 14
Fourth Energy Level: 2
Facts:
Date of Discovery: Known to the ancients
Discoverer: Unknown
Name Origin: Latin
Symbol Origin: From the Latin word ferrum (iron)
Use: steel, hemoglobin (carries oxygen in blood)
Obtained From: iron ores
Isotopes:
Isotope Half Life
Fe- 8.3 hours
Fe-54 Stable
Fe-55 2.7 years
Fe-56 Stable
Fe-57 Stable
Fe-58 Stable
Fe-59 54.5 days
Fe-60 1500000.0 years 4
Quranic Viewpoint
The Quran informs us that Iron was actually descended from the sky and only came to form part of the Earth's makeup. After speaking of descent, this is to say that it is a principal component of a meteorite class known as siderites and is a minor constituent of the other two meteorite classes as science today explains in the link mentioned above.
It is also an interesting fact that this verse is in chapter 57, which represents the atomic weight (not the avg. atomic weight but a stable middle isotope). The verse, which mentions the Iron, is number 25 and the total number of verses of this chapter is 29 thus four (04) remaining verses to end this magnificent chapter.
Also the number of neutrons 30 - 04 = gives 26 which is the atomic number of iron and the number of its protons.
Sheik Abdul Majid Zendani, a professor of Islamic studies in king Abdulaziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia says about his meeting with the professor Armstrong. Professor Armstrong works at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), where he is a well-known scientist there. He was asked a number of questions about the Quranic verses dealing with the expertise in Astronomy and iron in particular and how it was formed. He explained how all the elements in the earth formed. He stated that the scientists have come only recently to discover the relevant facts about that formation process. He said that the energy of the early solar system was not sufficient to produce elemental Iron.
In calculating the energy required to form one atom of iron, it was found to be about four times as much as the energy of the entire solar system. In other words, the entire energy of the earth or the moon or the planet Mars or any other planet is not sufficient to form one new atom of iron, even the energy of the entire solar system is not sufficient for that. That is why Professor Armstrong said that the scientists believe that iron is extraterrestrial that was sent to earth and not formed therein. Sheik Abdul Majid Zendani says: We read to him the Quranic verse saying:
-And we sent down Iron, in which is Great might, as well as many benefits for mankind. Chapter57: verse25
Each time Professor Armstrong related a scientific fact, it was mentioned to him the relevant verse, which he agreed with. It was then presented to him: ‘You have seen and discovered for yourself the true nature of modern Astronomy by means of modern equipment, rockets, and space ships, developed by man. You have also seen how the Quran 14 centuries ago mentioned the same facts, so what is your opinion about these?
He replied, ‘That is a difficult question, which I have been thinking about since our discussions here. I am impressed that how remarkably some of the ancient writings seem to correspond to modern and recent Astronomy’ 5.
Surely the information contained within the Holy Quran baffles even the greatest minds of our time, because this truth transcends man’s comprehension at the time it was revealed and surely its miracle is obvious even to nonbelievers.
References
1. The Iron, at http://www.geocities.com/.
2. Oceanography, Garrison, Tom, 3rd edition, Wadsworth Publishing, Belmont CA, 1999 or http: www.g3oceanography.com.
3. Holy Quran translated by Arthur J. Arberry, Ansarian Publication, Qom, the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1993.
4. Periodic Table: Iron, at http://www.chemicalelements.com/.
5. Formation of Iron, http://www.beconvinced.com/.
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