Ocean Waves and Coastal Erosion

Ocean Waves and Coastal Erosion

The waves shape and eat away at the shoreline, taking from the edges of the land. Allah, the Exalted, says:
“See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders?” (Soorah Ar-Ra‘d, 13:41)
“See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders?” (Soorah Al-Anbiya’, 21:44)

Explanation
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Ibn Mardawaih narrated that Abu Hurairah, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said concerning the words ‘We gradually reduce the land’: ‘It means the disappearance of the scholars’.”
It was narrated by ‘Abd Ar-Razzaq, Ibn Abi Shaibah, Nu‘aim Ibn Hammad in Al-Fitan, Ibn Jareer, Ibn Mundhir, Ibn Abi Hatim and Al-Hakim, who classed it as saheeh, that Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, said concerning the phrase “We gradually reduce the land: ‘It means the death of its scholars and Fuqaha’ (jurists) and the disappearance of the best of its people’.”
Ibn Abi Shaibah and Ibn Jareer narrated from Mujahid that the phrase “We gradually reduce the land” means the death of the scholars.
‘Abdu Ibn Humaid narrated that Al-Dahhak said concerning the phrase “We gradually reduce the land”: Did they not see that We granted to Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, the conquest of one land after another?
Ibn Jareer, Ibn Mundhir and Ibn Abi Hatim narrated that Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him, said concerning the phrase “We gradually reduce the land”: (It means) a decrease in the number of inhabitants and blessing.
Ibn Jareer narrated that Mujahid said concerning the phrase “We gradually reduce the land,” (it means) its destruction.
Sa‘eed Ibn Mansoor and Ibn Mundhir narrated that Abu Malik said concerning the phrase “We gradually reduce the land”: (It means) the town that was partially destroyed.

Scientific Explanation
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The waves shape and eat away at the shoreline, taking from the edges of the dry land.
“See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders?” (Soorah Al-Anbiya’, 21:44)
And Allah says:
“See they not that We gradually reduce the land from its outlying borders?” (Soorah Al-Ra‘d, 13:41)
Coastal erosion of dry land, which leads to buildup of silt on the ocean floor and other low-lying points, occurs with the continuous pounding of the waves with the force of 30 tons per square meter on the coastal rocks. So the coastline recedes and the area of dry land decreases over thousands of years and is lost to the sea.
The Qur’anic Verses address those who have reason and insight and sound understanding of greater realities in the open book of the universe, in every page of which we see a sign which points to the greatness of the design of this universe. All of this came at a time when mankind was stumbling in ignorance and myth.
Earthquakes were explained as being the movement of the Earth between the horns of the cow which was the mother who was carrying it, and rain was described as the waves of the sea overpowering the land, and lunar eclipses were explained as a huge fish swallowing the moon.
The miracles that the Qur’an brought fourteen centuries ago have been proved by science, with facts that mankind has only come to know recently and which will be found out by future generations. Every generation takes its share of discovering the perfection of the Verses of the Holy Qur’an, and leaves room for generations who will be more advanced in knowledge and the laws of the physical universe. And Allah, the Exalted, knows best and is Most Wise.