The Holy Quran mentions the lowest part of the earth and states that it is near Jerusalem,
where a battle took place between the Persians and the Romans. Allah, may He be Exalted and Glorified, said in the Quran:

"Alif-Lam-Mim, the Romans have been defeated, in the lowest part of the land, and they,
after their defeat, will be victorious." (Quran 30:1-3).

The term "adna" means both nearer and lowest. The commentators of the Quran,
were of the opinion that "adnal-ardh" meant the nearest land to the Arabian Peninsula.

However, the second meaning is also there. In this way, the Glorious Quran gives one word several meanings,
as described by the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) when he said:
"I have been given the most comprehensive words." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

When we investigated the lowest part of the earth, we found that it was exactly the same spot that witnessed the battle
in which the Romans were defeated. When we informed Professor Palmer about this,
he contested saying that there were many other areas, which are lower than the one referred to in the Quranic verse.
He gave examples and names of other areas in Europe and in the United States.
We assured him that our information was verified and correct.
He had with him a topographical globe that showed elevations and depressions.

He said that it would be easy with that globe to ascertain which was the lowest spot on earth.
He turned the globe with his hands and focused his sign on the area near Jerusalem.
To his astonishment, there was a small arrow sticking out towards that area with words:
"the lowest part on the face of the earth."

Professor Palmer was quick to concede that our information was correct.
He proceeded to speak, as you now see him with the globe, saying that this was actually the lowest part of the earth.

Professor Palmer was even more astonished when he found that the Quran talks about the past and describes
how creation first began; how the earth and heavens were created; how the water gushed forth from the depth of the earth;
how the mountains were anchored on land; how vegetation first began; how is earth today, describing the mountains,
describes its phenomena, describes the changes on the surface of the earth as witnessed in the Arabian Peninsula.

It even describes the future of the land of Arabs and the future of the whole earth. At this,
Professor Palmer acknowledged that the Quran is such a wondrous Book, which describes the past, the present, and the future.

Like many other scientists, Professor Palmer was hesitant at first. But soon later he was forthcoming with his opinions.
In Cairo, he presented a research paper dealing with the inimitable aspects of geological knowledge contained in the Quran.
He said that he did not know what was the state of the art in the field of science during the days of the Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).

But from what we know about the scanty knowledge and means at that time,
we can undoubtedly conclude that the Quran is a light of divine knowledge revealed to Muhammad (SAWS).

Thursday: 09/10/2003