Inspiration and Spirituality
Why Does the Earth Hum?
By Irum Sarfaraz
‘We will show them our signs in the furthest regions (of the earth) and in their souls, until it becomes clear to them that this is the truth’. [41:53]
I read the story of the earth’s humming on Yahoo this morning and could only say ‘Subhan Allah! Look at the signs Allah presents to the non-believer and yet they choose to take the scientific path. What else could this humming be but the sound of the entire Universe engaged in the constant hamd and sana of the Creator?
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
‘The sun and the moon both follow courses (exactly) computed; and the plants and the trees both (alike) bow in adoration and submission to Allah (their creator)’. [55:5-6]
According to the news the earth gives off a continuous hum of countless notes that are though imperceptible to the human ear but are actually akin to a giant exceptionally quiet symphony. But to the scientists who discovered this, the origin of the sound remains a mystery. And it will continue to be a mystery until their mind is willing to break off its subservience to worldly knowledge and start to recognize the real truth behind the creation of everyone and everything. There is a constant rumble emanated by the earth which is far below the limits of human ear and this was first discovered a decade ago by the use of the seismometers. This sound has been called Earth’s humming. If nothing else, they could not have named it more perfectly. Imagine a room full of people engaged in reciting Quran quietly….the sound is a hum.
There is a purpose behind every single one of Allah’s creation. ‘Not without purpose did We create heaven and earth and all between’. [38:27]
Science is of course leading the research on the topic round and round in the same circle as investigators are suspecting that this hum or murmur is an origination from the churning ocean, or maybe the roiling atmosphere. Don’t you just want to go and knock on the doors of their labs and says, ‘Ahem, excuse me for barging in but the answer has already been provided for this ‘great’ mystery….’
‘The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, proclaim His glory; there is not a thing but celebrates His praises, except that you understand it not’. [17:44]
With technology getting more refined the only thing that has perhaps changed in the entire investigation of the earth’s-hum-mystery is the shape of the humming sound. The oscillations that were initially discovered were ‘spheroidal’ and supposedly involved patches of rock moving up and down. But the new investigation says that these oscillations are shaped roughly like rings. But ‘spheroidal’ or ring shaped they are both equally powerful and not something that the scientific community is willing to disregard as being wholly insignificant. And there is no way that it can be disregarded as insignificant for indeed Allah has said:
‘And to Him belongs all beings in the heavens and the earth and all subservient to His commands’. [30:26]
We’ll wait for them to solve this mystery…
Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah
Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.
The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.
[Podcast] How To Free A Jinn & Other Questions | Ustadha Raidah Shah Idil
Study Classical Texts the Traditional Way | Session 3
Processing Spiritual Abuse In Islam: A Comprehensive Guide For Individuals, Communities, And Organizations
Family Troubles Of The Prophets: A MuslimMatters Series – [Part I] Sibling Rivalries Gone Wild
Dear Resilient Soul… – A Message To Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Trauma
MuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff
Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
Keeping Our Children Safe From Predators: A Guide For Parents
From The Chaplain’s Desk – Reap The Rewards Of Being Mindful Of Allah
Study Classical Texts The Traditional Way [Session 1] | Sh. Yaser Birjas
Sami Hamdi: “Muslims Must Abandon Harris” | Transcript and Summary
IOK Ramadan: The Importance of Spiritual Purification | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep30]
IOK Ramadan: The Power of Prayer | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep29]
IOK Ramadan: The Weight of the Qur’an | Keys To The Divine Compass [Ep28]
-
Announcements2 weeks agoMuslimMatters Official Statement On Wisam Sharieff
-
featured1 month ago
The Role Of Kurds In The Dissemination Of Islamic Knowledge In The Malay Archipelago
-
#Current Affairs1 month ago
Why Mehdi Hasan’s “Lesser Of Two Evils” Election Advice Is Wrong
-
#Society2 weeks ago
Statement Against Abuse: The Female Scholars Network
Abdul
April 26, 2008 at 6:14 AM
The humming of the earth could have nothing to do with the glorification of God. It could have a purely scientific explanation!
I mean that verse of the quran that you refer to is a bit vague is’nt it? It ddoes’nt say the earth will make a humming noise and that noise will be the praising of God! Sometimes i think muslims will try and atrribute everything to islam and the Quran!! Maaaaaaaan.
Holli Vals
November 15, 2009 at 6:38 AM
So do christians and every other religion that take them selves seriously.
What I do believe is that any religion or religous book came around long after the creation of everything, as a way for us humans to try and describe the one power behind everything.
And as long as there are people telling us what is right and wrong according to each religion, there is always the risk of things being misunderstood or over stated, as we are only people and not God and should therefore never be taken as someone that speaks the true language of God or Allah or what ever else name we choose to use.
God or the One as I’d like to call the creator of all things, is simply so superior to human ability, that I can’t take anyone 100% seriously that says the have the answer I’m looking for. But if they have found an answer they are happy with and act as good people, then I’m fine with what they believe in :)
And about scientific explanations on things. Well, if the One created the universe, then of course that includes science. Science is just another tool to understand things bigger than us, in my opinion atleast.
Pingback: Islamify.com
Irum Sarfaraz
April 26, 2008 at 9:38 AM
What is science and what is the mind of man and the limits of his intellect except what Allah wants them to be? I am afraid the scope of my vision is very limited Mr. Abdul and does not see beyond Islam and the Quran……
Abdul.
April 26, 2008 at 10:10 AM
Ok Irum good for you! Im just saying there could be a scientific explanation for it and there is no correlation to it and the verse you quoted of the Quran:The seven heavens and the earth, and all beings therein, proclaim His glory; there is not a thing but celebrates His praises, except that you understand it not’. [17:44]
Any by the way this is no evidence that the Quran is the book of Allah. Why do muslims jump on any scientific evidence which has been alluded to in the quran. Its like their trying to forcefeed down other peoples throats – Look Islam is the TRUTH, We have evidence!
Hussain
January 11, 2016 at 7:15 AM
Go read about scientific miracles in the quran which was their in the book before thousands of years and just now was discovered by scientists
Hassan
April 26, 2008 at 11:33 AM
Abdul, I appologize on behalf of sister Irum Sarfaraz that she forcefed Islam being truth on you by writing a post on islamic blog and somehow made you visit this site and caused you to go through this trauma.
Manas Shaikh
April 26, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Salaam Irum
“Look at the signs Allah presents to the non-believer and yet they choose to take the scientific path.”
The scientific path is Islam, I shall contend.
BrownSandokan
April 26, 2008 at 12:31 PM
So what if it has a “purely” scientific explanation? That doesn’t preclude it from being hamd and sana of the Creator ..
It might be an example of what 17:44 refers to or not .. we probably won’t know for sure. I definitely think it’s an interesting possibility though. Why quash it?
Abdul Sattar
April 26, 2008 at 1:27 PM
Assalamu Alaikum,
Good article – I especially liked the verses quoted, they really make you want to reflect – not just on this phenomena but generally upon the various forms of beauty in nature.
However – and this is just my opinion, I have to say I don’t agree with the way that science seems to be pitted against Islam in article. There is likely a very good scientific explanation for this. And it is PART of Islam that human beings seek out that explanation is in order to know more about Allah’s signs.
Plus, it makes the assumption that the scientists involved are all godless atheists – there are many strongly believing scientists out there, Muslims, Christian, Jewish, and otherwise, who upon seeing this may have found their faith increased though still recognizing that it has a valid cause-effect scientific basis. As for the answer “being provided”, I don’t believe it has. All of these things do fall into the realm of Hamd of Allah (swt) in general, but there is a specific answer out there just waiting to be found – to allow us to appreciate more of creation and Creator.
Taking the “scientific path” is 100% Islamic. In fact, more research into this issue will lead to more and more signs of Allah for us to ponder upon.
jazakAllah khair for the reminder,
AS
Abdul
April 26, 2008 at 4:25 PM
Hassan your sarcasm has been noted! I apologise if i was rude and blunt sister irum, all i am contending is that we have no proof that the verse in the quran you quoted is actually referring to this phenomenon. It may be indirectly referring to the earth humming. But i like to think my Allah would be precise and absolute and not leave anything to guesswork or implication. If this is verse is actually referring to the earth humming (which i think it is not) More research needs to be done to establish the truth. Like brother Abdul Sattar said science should be seen as jihad into unravelling the workings of the Universe to us, which would ultimately prove the existence of an all powerful all able God or it would not!
The first verses of the quran to be revealed were “Read, read in the name of the Lord” Sural Al Alaq. So we should read and do reasearch, intelligent enquiry that will reveal the truth to us. So science should be seen as a friend not a foe.
MB
April 26, 2008 at 5:57 PM
Abdul, i hope this makes you think a bit, it’s a verse from the quran surah an-naml.
And they belied them (those Ayât) wrongfully and arrogantly, though their ownselves were convinced thereof [i.e. those (Ayât) are from Allâh, and Mûsa (Moses) is the Messenger of Allâh in truth, but they disliked to obey Mûsa (Moses), and hated to believe in his Message of Monotheism]. So see what was the end of the Mufsidûn (disbelievers, disobedient to Allâh, evil-doers, liars.).
SJ
April 26, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Mashallah- great post. lol.. ” ‘Ahem, excuse me for barging in but the answer has already been provided for this ‘great’ mystery….’”
Abdul Sattar
April 27, 2008 at 12:51 AM
MB – salaam,
I think you are quoting that verse COMPLETELY out of context.
The ayaah you are quoting is concerning people who reject Allah (swt) altogether, reject his miracles, and even though the evidence of Tawhid and Prophethood are evident before them, turn away from them and choose to commit kufr and fasaad on the Earth.
Br. Abdul’s point (Br. Abdul I hope I’m right, if not correct me please :) , as well as my own, was simply this – that this is an amazing scientific beauty, and no doubt Allah is creator behind it – but at the same time, there is no reason to pit Islam vs. Science. Scientific discovery is sanctioned by the Quran and Sunnah and is part of the Islamic worldview to make humanity learn more about Allah’s miracles.
No Muslim is denying that God is behind all greatness in Nature. And I liked the article very much, it just missed a few points:
1. Scientists are not by definition, atheists, godless, or religion deniers. They may be just as impressed as anyone else and it may be increasing their faith.
2. The fact that they find this to be a great mystery is not a bad thing. I think it is a great mystery and i think there is reason behind it – something to do with the atmosphere, or the oceans, or the magnetic field of the Earth. But I can think that and still believe that Allah is behind it all. Those two are not contradictory.
3. To say that the mystery is already solved and we should just look to the ayah is not an accurate use of the ayah nor is it an accurate way of living Islam. If we had told every scientist to simply be satisfied with the ayah and not explore, we would never have found out about the human body, electricity, jet planes or the Earth humming.
We KNOW this is God’s miracle, and we want to find out more because there are logical, beautiful, intricate depths to the engineering that the Most Wise has put together in this world.
So I would suggest not challenging that with ayaat of the Quran that are meant for disbelievers, kuffar, hypocrites and enemies of Islam. We should use not the verses of Criterion and Judgment so easily with our brothers and sisters in Islam.
your brother
Abdul Sattar
Abdul
April 27, 2008 at 6:21 AM
Brother Abdul Sattar my views are directly in line with yours. And another thing………we should be careful of making takfir on our brothers and sisters. Unless above said are openly attacking islam and trying to undermine Islam we should refrain from making judgements about people.
Zaynab
April 27, 2008 at 10:13 AM
asSalaamu alaykum,
JazakAllah khayr br.Abdul Sattar, those were my thoughts exactly when I read the article.
Alhamdulillah, Allah has put so many signs around us, and trying to figure out how they work is in no way diminishing Allah’s power. Allah swt has put these things in place and made them work so beautifully, and the more we know about how they work, the more we can understand our weakness.
I took this anatomy and physiology class this semester, and SUBHANALLAH, it was amazing. The body functions in the most beautiful and intricate ways, and it has really allowed me to reflect on the power of Allah in a way that I would not have been able to if I didn’t understand it.
My point is this: things don’t just ‘happen’, Allah has created rules in the universe and mechanisms for things to functions, and these are among His signs as well, walhamdulillah. Understanding how these things work will help us to better appreciate them.
And Allah knows best.
Esra Tasneem A
April 27, 2008 at 10:35 AM
I’d like to first begin with my appreciation of Irum’s article . It’s most thoughtful in its simplicity . Reading it would definitely make anyone ponder upon reading the beautiful Ayats of the Holy Quran .
I believe that the Qur’an is for all minds – young & old , educated & uneducated , for minds that can understans simple meanings & also for those that can understand anything most complicated .
I also believe that those who HUMBLY believe in all that the Noble Qur’an says are those who TRULY believe in Allah’s Words as revealed in it .
That said , Irum’s interpretation of the Earth’s humming is a most poetic way of expressing her complete humble faith in what Allah’s Book exposes us to . I feel the same way as her .
I also agree with Abdul SATTAR . He is most right in what he says about Islam & Science .
On my part I believe one’s intensity of faith leads one’s to answers .
I believe not one single leaf falls from the tree to the ground without Allah’s Knowledge . That said , I believe all creations – living & non-living bow to The Creator in their own mysterious ways – ways unknown to us but left for us to explore that UNKNOWN so our faith can grow more stronger & our happiness in that knowledge even more & in understanding what Allah has created for reasons known only to HIM .
I’d like to now come back to the comments – especially those of Abdul of the first comment on this article . While the rest of his comments seem to be a little at odds with his first one – his first one that has began this blog – one that does not just seems to appear most arrogant & small-minded but also that it is shocking that he could be , in his personal PREJUDICED contempt towards self-righteous Muslims , could be said to have expressed himself the way he has that seems more to display his anger about that not just on Irum’s pondering article , but also on all Muslims & in the process expressing himself most DISRESPECTFULLY towards our Noble Quran’s References !!!!!
If Abdul believes that he is not attacking Islam & the Quran’s references to Nature’s miracles , then I request him to humbly apologise for expressing himself crudely . One can be forgiven in analyzing his comment the way I have because he does appears quite crude .
You may insult me Abdul , you may disagree with my viewpoints , but kindly do not ever write in such a way as is seem to appear most DISRESPECTFUL to our Noble & Holy Qur’an . You have no right whatsoever to say that ANY vesrse of the Quran is “vague” …. it could just be that YOUR mind finds it vague .
I’d like Abdul to PROVE to us that the Earth’s humming is not what Irum has written about ……
Abdul Sattar
April 27, 2008 at 11:17 PM
salams everyone,
I don’t know guys – calling a verse “vague” might sound like it has a bad connotation – but coming from a Muslim it just means that one finds a verse to be WIDE in its possible meanings. We do not assign meanings to verses that are left open through metaphor or allegory except by clear evidence.
For example:
“Wa-shaf’i wa-al-watr”
By the Even and the Odd
Some of the scholars of Tafsir said this refers to the Even and Odd last ten nights of Ramadan. Others said it refers to the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah. It is not sinful or denying of the Quran to call this verse unspecified in it’s meaning when considered by itself. However, through their vast understanding of Quran, Arabic, Hadith, the opinions of the Companions and those who followed them – our scholars have narrowed it’s meaning down to two, and for those who are strongly upon one opinion or the other, they have narrowed it to one.
We can do this with countless verses of the Quran.
Just because our brother said it was vague does not mean he was challenging the Quran. He could just have meant the meaning has been left wide open and to restrict it or assign it a specific meaning may not be the most wise course of action, Scientifically or Quranically.
Cmon guys:
1. This was a good article.
2. It is about a beautiful sign of Allah.
3. We all agree that our God – Allah (swt) is Mighty, Wise and Powerful and that he has set this universe in motion and control it flawlessly. SubhanAllah.
No need to get negative about an article so positive :)
Let’s read some Quran!
salams
Abdul Sattar
MR
April 27, 2008 at 11:37 PM
The Earth is spinning round and round doing dhikr!
:-D
Esra Tasneem A
April 28, 2008 at 2:09 AM
I like MR’s poetic perspective : it’s positive – not “vague” nor crude or rude :)
The Qur’an can never be “vague” . It is not limited . It’s our understanding of it that is so limited .
And that’s where a sincere open-mind is needed always – to understand it , in numerous ways , all its beauty & all its knowledge .
A prejudiced mind – be that of a Muslim or a non-Muslim will only hinder any positive perspectives , thereby leaving our limited understanding even more limited .
And to be truly open-minded , one needs to respect all perspectives – but WITH positivity & sensitivity . When one differs , it is always wise to know if your difference of opinion is more constructive or more disrespectful to the very cause that each holds in common .
Nofia
May 2, 2008 at 7:07 PM
i believe everything happens with the will of Allah(SAW)!!!! and everyfin haz itz purpose in life!!! and i dont doubt allah!!! allah LOVEZ his CREATION and al hamdulliallah (all praise be to Allah) the most MERCIFUL send uz the quran and signs and we should not ignore any of this and keep praying to Allah for knowlege and to guide us to the straight path AMEEN.
P.S I hope i havent sed anything wrong here, if i did i ask Allah to forgive me.
Hannah
June 20, 2008 at 11:19 PM
i like this post. kind of like the dark matter issue. scientists don’t know how to account for the dark matter. they dont know what it is. i believe it is of course, the UNSEEN al ghaib (angels, jinns, etc.)
let them figure the mystery…
Sean
February 15, 2009 at 2:06 AM
I realize I might be at the wrong place to expess my opinion, and I warn it might not be as eloquent as some of the afore. I also believe both Abduls are the same person, backing himself up. IMO.
I will admit I am not Muslim but was drawn here simply seeking more facts on the ‘Earth Hum’. I expect a flurry of nasty comments in response to mine; however, honestly I don’t much care.
I believe no matter what you religion you are, God or Allah wants you to live your life. Learn what you can from everything around you, and life, all life is beautiful. As one peson menioned, with a prejudiced mind you see nothing. This works both ways. No one can argue faith, at its center its faith, and woven through every being on this planet. What we need to learn from our ‘teachers’ is that we cant be blinded by our faith. Beautiful things happen around us everyday, seldom noticed by many. Understanding these things, I believe, will further our understanding of our place in this Universe and our place with a “creator”.
I would like to also point out, if you go by the logic of the ancients, gods held the sun up through the sky everyday. Do we still think this is true?
Most major discoveries throughout the last 1000 years have been from people of faith.