The Quran Miracle of Green Life: 1,400-Year-Old Fact Predates Modern Botany

Chlorophyll is the only green pigment that produces food on Earth; it converts energy from the sun’s light, carbon dioxide and water to food for man and animals and this is referred to as “chlorophyll a”. “Chlorophyll b” has a different molecular structure and converts light energy from the sun, followed by a complex chemical reaction that produces sugar and then starch. Therefore, the basis of the formation of seeds and fruits is this green “factory”… Thus, the question arises: who makes the plant grow? Who designed its system? It is Allah, the Mighty and Sublime. He says in His Noble Book:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا

And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers— Surah Al-An’am (6:99)

Classical scholars interpreted the term “خَضِرًا” (Khadran) as “green,” denoting the vital stage in plant life before fruits and grains emerge.

فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا

We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers

That is, from the plants we bring forth, meaning, from this green thing.

1- Ibn Al-Jawzi said: we bring forth from it, that is, from the green thing – clustered grains like wheat and barley clustered such that some are above the other.

2- Az-Zamakhshari said: from which we bring forth clustered grains

meaning – from the green thing, clustered grains, and these are wheat and barley. So, ponder along with me in the way the scholars of exegesis explain the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, “We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers,” meaning from the green substance. Surely, they did not know about chlorophyll or its role, but the words of the Qur’an defined it for them and made the path clear:

وَهُوَ الَّذِي أَنزَلَ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ مَاءً فَأَخْرَجْنَا بِهِ نَبَاتَ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ فَأَخْرَجْنَا مِنْهُ خَضِرًا نُّخْرِجُ مِنْهُ حَبًّا مُّتَرَاكِبًا وَمِنَ النَّخْلِ مِن طَلْعِهَا قِنْوَانٌ دَانِيَةٌ وَجَنَّاتٍ مِّنْ أَعْنَابٍ وَالزَّيْتُونَ وَالرُّمَّانَ مُشْتَبِهًا وَغَيْرَ مُتَشَابِهٍ ۗ انظُرُوا إِلَىٰ ثَمَرِهِ إِذَا أَثْمَرَ وَيَنْعِهِ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكُمْ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

And it is He who sends down rain from the sky, and We produce thereby the growth of all things. We produce from it greenery from which We produce grains arranged in layers. And from the palm trees – of its emerging fruit are clusters hanging low. And [We produce] gardens of grapevines and olives and pomegranates, similar yet varied. Look at [each of] its fruit when it yields and [at] its ripening. Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe”— Surah Al-An’am (6:99)

In these Verses, “Jannaat [gardens]” is in the accusative case, why? So that we can also bring forth gardens of grapes, olives and pomegranates, each similar (in kind) yet different (in variety and taste). Who informed Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, to specifically mention this green substance from which the plants come forth? There are some plants and from them something green is brought forth which produces the grains and seeds and fruits and other parts of the plants. Who explained this to him? Who defined the functions of this green substance? Who knew what it contained, this knowledge is only from Allah, the Mighty and Sublime.

Reflection on the Chlorophyll Quran Miracle

Chlorophyll was only discovered in the 19th century. The photosynthetic process wasn’t fully understood until the 20th century. Yet the Qur’an speaks of the green stage, its role, and outcomes with stunning accuracy.

This green miracle is not just scientific—it’s spiritual. The Qur’an urges believers to reflect:

إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ

Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of the day and night there are signs for people of reason.— Surah Aal-Imran (3:190)

Chlorophyll is a divine sign—a botanical marvel that nourishes the Earth and testifies to the wisdom of its Creator.

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Scientific Wonders on Earth & in Space