1. THE HOLY QUR’ AN THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE BASED ON THE WORKS OF HARUN YAHYA WWW.HARUNYAHAY.COM and others WWW.HARUNYAHAY.COM PREPARED BY fereidoun.dejahang@ntlworld.com

2. The Holy Qur'an is the Word of Allah

3. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE One fact about the universe revealed in the verses of the Holy Qur'an is that the sky is made up of seven layers:

4. Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة It is He Who created everything on the earth for you and then directed His attention up to heaven and arranged it into seven regular heavens. He has knowledge of all things. (Qur'an, 2:29)

5. Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة 2:29

6. Surat Al-Baqarah (The Cow) - سورة البقرة Sahih International It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things. Dr. Ghali He is (The One) Who created for you whatever is in the earth altogether. Thereafter He leveled Himself (How He did so is beyond human understanding stauling) to the heaven; so He leveled them seven heavens, and He is Ever-Knowing of everything. Farsi او خدایی است که همه آنچه را (از نعمتها) در زمین وجود دارد، برای شما آفرید؛ سپس به آسمان پرداخت؛ و آنها را به صورت هفت آسمان مرتب نمود؛ و او به هر چیز آگاه است. 2:29

7. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Then He turned to heaven when it was smoke. In two days He determined them as seven heavens and revealed, in every heaven, its own mandate. (Qur'an, 41:11-12)

8. Surat Fuşşilat (Explained in Detail) - سورة فصلت 41:11

9. Surat Fuşşilat (Explained in Detail) - سورة فصلت Sahih International Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly." Dr. Ghali Thereafter He leveled Himself (How He did so is beyond human understanding) to the heaven (while) it was smoke, then said to it and to the earth, "Come up (you two) willingly (Or: in obedience ) or unwillingly!" They (both) said, "We come up willingly." Farsi سپس به آفرینش آسمان پرداخت، در حالی که بصورت دود بود؛ به آن و به زمین دستور داد: «به وجود آیید (و شکل گیرید)، خواه از روی اطاعت و خواه اکراه!» آنها گفتند: «ما از روی طاعت می‌آییم (و شکل می‌گیریم)!» 41:11

10. Surat Fuşşilat (Explained in Detail) - سورة فصلت 41:12

11. Surat Fuşşilat (Explained in Detail) - سورة فصلت Sahih International And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing. Dr. Ghali So He decreed them as seven heavens in two days, and He revealed in every heaven its Command. And We have adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and (set Angels) preserving them. That is the determining of The Ever- Mighty, The Ever-Knowing. Farsi در این هنگام آنها را بصورت هفت آسمان در دو روز آفرید، و در هر آسمانی کار آن (آسمان) را وحی (و مقرّر) فرمود، و آسمان پایین را با چراغهایی [= ستارگان‌] زینت بخشیدیم، و (با شهابها از رخنه شیاطین) حفظ کردیم، این است تقدیر خداوند توانا و دانا! 41:12

12. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE The word "heavens," which appears in many verses in the Qur'an, is used to refer to the sky above the Earth, as well as the entire universe. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Given this meaning of the word, it is seen that the Earth's sky, or the atmosphere, is made up of seven layers.

13. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Today, it is known that the world's atmosphere consists of different layers that lie on top of each other.19 THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Based on the criteria of chemical contents or air temperature, the definitions made have determined the atmosphere of the earth as seven layers.2020

14. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE According to the "Limited Fine Mesh Model (LFMMII)," a model of atmosphere used to estimate weather conditions for 48 hours, the atmosphere is also 7 layers. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE According to the modern geological definitions the seven layers of atmosphere are as follows:

15. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE 1. Troposphere 2. Stratosphere 3. Mesosphere 4. Thermosphere

16. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE 5. Exosphere6. Ionosphere 7. Magnetosphere

17. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE The Holy Qur'an says, "[He] revealed, in every heaven, its own mandate," in Surah Fussilat 12. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE In other words, Allah is stating that He assigned each heaven its own duty.

19. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Each one of these layers has vital duties for the benefit of human kind and all other living things on the Earth. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Each layer has a particular function, ranging from forming rain to preventing harmful rays, from reflecting radio waves to averting the harmful effects of meteors.

20. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE The verses below inform us about the appearance of the seven layers of the atmosphere:

21. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE Do you not see how He created seven heavens in layers? (Qur'an, 71:15)

22. Surat Nūĥ (Noah) - سورة نوح 71:15

23. Surat Nūĥ (Noah) - سورة نوح Sahih International Do you not consider how Allah has created seven heavens in layers Dr. Ghali Have you not seen how Allah created seven heavens as strata, (i.e., in layers). Farsi آیا نمی‌دانید چگونه خداوند هفت آسمان را یکی بالای دیگری آفریده است، 71:15

24. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE He Who created the seven heavens in layers… (Qur'an, 67:3)

25. Surat Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty) - سورة الملك 67:3

26. Surat Al-Mulk (The Sovereignty) - سورة الملك Sahih International [And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks? Dr. Ghali Who created seven heavens as strata (i.e., layers, one above the other).In no way can you see in the creation of The All-Merciful any disparity; so return your gaze; (Literally: "your" beholding) do you see any rent? Farsi همان کسی که هفت آسمان را بر فراز یکدیگر آفرید؛ در آفرینش خداوند رحمان هیچ تضادّ و عیبی نمی‌بینی! بار دیگر نگاه کن، آیا هیچ شکاف و خللی مشاهده می‌کنی؟! 67:3

27. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE The atmosphere only lets rays required for life reach the Earth.

28. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE For example, ultraviolet rays make it to the world only partially. This is the most appropriate range to allow plants to make photosynthesis and eventually for all living things to survive. Ultraviolet rays

29. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE The word is also used in the plural here: "layers." The Arabic word "tibaqan" in these verses, translated into English as "layer" means "layer, the appropriate cover or covering for something," and thus stresses how the top layer is well suited to the lower.

30. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE The sky, described in the verse as being in layers, is without doubt the most perfect expression of the atmosphere. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE It is a great miracle that these facts, which could not possibly be discovered without the technology of the 20th century, were explicitly stated by the Qur'an 1,400 years ago.

31. THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE 19. Michael Pidwirny, “Atmospheric Layers,” 1996, http://royal.okanagan.bc.ca/mpidwir n/atmosphereandclimate/atmslayers. html. 20. “Numerical Prediction Models used by NWS,” Integrated Publishing, www.tpub.com/weather3/4-27.htm.

32. THE PROTECTED ROOF THE LAYERS OF THE ATMOSPHERE In the Qur'an, Allah calls our attention to a very important attribute of the sky:

33. THE PROTECTED ROOF We made the sky a preserved and protected roof yet still they turn away from Our Signs. (Qur'an, 21:32)

34. Surat Al-'Anbyā' (The Prophets) - سورة الأنبياء 21:32

35. Surat Al-'Anbyā' (The Prophets) - سورة الأنبياء Sahih International And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away. Pickthall And we have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents. Farsi و آسمان را سقف محفوظی قرار دادیم؛ ولی آنها از آیات آن روی‌گردانند. 21:32

36. THE PROTECTED ROOF This attribute of the sky has been proved by scientific research carried out in the 20th century: THE PROTECTED ROOF The atmosphere surrounding the Earth serves crucial functions for the continuity of life.

37. THE PROTECTED ROOF While destroying many meteors-big and small-as they approach the Earth, it prevents them from falling to Earth and harming living things. THE PROTECTED ROOF In addition, the atmosphere filters the light rays coming from space that are harmful to living things.

38. THE PROTECTED ROOF The most striking feature of the atmosphere is that it lets only harmless and useful rays- visible light, near ultraviolet light and radio waves pass through. THE PROTECTED ROOF All of this radiation is vital for life.

39. THE PROTECTED ROOF Near ultraviolet rays, which are only partially let in by the atmosphere, are very important for the photosynthesis of plants and for the survival of all living beings.

40. THE PROTECTED ROOF The majority of the intense ultraviolet rays emitted from the Sun are filtered out by the ozone layer of the atmosphere. Only a limited and essential part of the ultraviolet spectrum reaches the Earth.

41. THE PROTECTED ROOF The protective function of the atmosphere does not end here. The atmosphere also protects the earth from the freezing cold of the space, which is approximately -270 o C.

42. THE PROTECTED ROOF In addition to the atmosphere, the Van Allen Belt- the layer caused by the magnetic field of the Earth-also serves as a shield against the harmful radiation that threatens our planet. It is not only the atmosphere that protects the Earth from harmful effects.

43. THE PROTECTED ROOF This radiation, which is constantly emitted by the Sun and other stars, is deadly to living things.

44. THE PROTECTED ROOF If the Van Allen belt did not exist, the massive outbursts of energy called solar flares that frequently occur in the Sun would destroy all life on Earth.

45. THE PROTECTED ROOF Van Allen belt

46. THE PROTECTED ROOF In the above picture, this magnetosphere layer, which is also named Van Allen Belts, is seen. The magnetosphere layer, formed by the magnetic field of the Earth, serves as a shield protecting the Earth from celestial bodies, harmful cosmic rays and particles.

47. THE PROTECTED ROOF These belts at thousands of kilometres above the Earth protect the living things on the Earth from the fatal energy that would otherwise reach it from space. Van Allen Belts

48. THE PROTECTED ROOF All these scientific findings prove that the world is protected in a very particular way.

49. THE PROTECTED ROOF The important thing is that this protection was made known in the Holy Qur'an in the verse "We made the sky a preserved and protected roof" fourteen centuries ago.

50. THE PROTECTED ROOF On the importance of the Van Allen Belt, Dr. Hugh Ross says:

51. THE PROTECTED ROOF In fact, the Earth has the highest density of any of the planets in our Solar System. This large nickel-iron core is responsible for our large magnetic field. This magnetic field produces the Van-Allen radiation shield, which protects the Earth from radiation bombardment. If this shield were not present, life would not be possible on the Earth.

52. THE PROTECTED ROOF The only other rocky planet to have any magnetic field is Mercury-but its field strength is 100 times less than the Earth's. Even Venus, our sister planet, has no magnetic field. The Van-Allen radiation shield is a design unique to the Earth.2121

53. THE PROTECTED ROOF The energy transmitted in just one of these bursts detected in recent years was calculated to be equivalent to 100 billion atomic bombs, each akin to one dropped on Hiroshima at the end of World War II. Fifty-eight hours after the burst, it was observed that the magnetic needles of compasses displayed unusual movement and 250 kilometres above the Earth's atmosphere, the temperature suddenly increased to 2,500 o C.

54. THE PROTECTED ROOF Most people looking at the sky do not think about the protective aspect of the atmosphere. They almost never think what kind of a place the world would be like if this structure did not exist.

55. THE PROTECTED ROOF The above photo belongs to a giant crater caused by a meteor that fell in Arizona, in the USA.

56. THE PROTECTED ROOF If the atmosphere did not exist, millions of meteoroids would fall to the Earth and the Earth would become an inhabitable place.

57. THE PROTECTED ROOF Yet, the protective aspect of the atmosphere allows living things to survive in safety. This is certainly Allah's protection of people and a miracle proclaimed in the Qur'an.

58. 21. www.godandscience.org/apologetics/designss.html. In short, a perfect system is at work high above the Earth. It surrounds our world and protects it against external threats. Centuries ago, Allah informed us in the Qur'an of the world's atmosphere functioning as a protective shield.