Science in the Glorious Quran: The Control of Wind Circulation

“وَتَصْرِيفِ الرِّيَاحِ آيَاتٌ لِّقَوْمٍ يَعْقِلُونَ” (الجاثية:5).

“And in “tasreef” (the control of circulation) of the winds, are signs for people who reason.” (Qur’an, 45:5)

Wind is air in motion caused by natural factors like the uneven solar heating of the Earth’s surface, the rotation of the Earth from west to east and the irregularities of the Earth’s surface.

Winds may occur locally as a thunderstorm, as coastal sea breeze/land cycles or globally due to the difference in absorption of solar energy at the equator and the poles. Winds are very important for us.

• Winds are responsible for the formation and carriage of rainy clouds.
• When winds become faster than 320 Km/hour –as in the case of hurricanes, tornadoes and cyclones– trees and man-made structures may be damaged or destroyed.
• Winds have a major role in shaping landforms and the formation and erosion of soil and the movement of sand dunes.
• Winds spread wildfires, pollinate flowers, disperse seeds of various plants and enable the survival of flying insects.
• Winds are a power-source for mechanical work, electricity generation, sailing ships, and hot-air balloons.

Winds are mentioned in the Qur’an 29 times. Their role in carrying particles (51:1) and the formation of rain clouds (30:48; 35:9) is indicated. They are classified according to their characteristics into several categories (Sakin, Asif, Qasef, Aqim and Sarsar). They have been also used for punishment of disbelieving people (3:117; 10:22; 17:69; 46:37; 69:6).

Though winds have detrimental effects on us, they also have positive effects, as well. Though we cannot control them, we can perhaps predict their type and perhaps utilize them; however, we are helpless against their devastating effects.

Winds and their categories and beneficial or devastating effects are mentioned in the Glorious Qur’an to demonstrate that they are controlled by the Will of God and are a sign of His Might, Mercy, and Punishment.

The total damage of hurricane Andrew (1992) across the affected regions exceeded $26 billion, and 65 people lost their lives.

NE Trade Winds

Pollen is transported by wind (left). Wind dispersal of seeds (right)