The Qur’an contains verses that highlight the vastness of God’s creation and the subtle signs present within the natural world. One such verse, Surah An-Naml (27:88), refers to mountains and their movement, which initially appears to refer to the end of times. However, this verse also carries a profound connection to the ongoing, natural processes of the Earth. In this reflection, we will explore the connection between the Qur’anic verse and the dynamic movement of Earth’s tectonic plates, which shape our planet over millions of years.

In this verse, Allah refers to the Judgment Day, and how the mountains will move away like clouds do – this is the apparent meaning. But the ayah has another implication here; the way the Arabic words are used by Allah, indicates the future as well as the present. When thinking about the verse in present tense, it translates that the mountains are indeed moving, and Allah makes sure to reinforce the fact that they are stationary to our naked eyes.

The Earth's tectonic plates are layered over a semi-fluid layer. Interestingly enough, these plates are constantly moving due to the convective currents present in the Earth’s mantle and entire mountain ranges can be formed from the collision of two plates through a phenomenon called orogenesis. Huge tectonic forces cause them to collide, often resulting in the upwelling of magma, that makes rocks to uplift and create mountains. On the other hand, mountains can also slowly disappear due to erosion and weathering, this process is called denudation. Weathering, mass wasting, and water erosion can also gradually wear down mountains, and erode their peaks, eventually diminishing them to low-lying landscapes.

In the Qur'an, the words “وَهِىَ تَمُرُّ مَرَّ” – “wahiya tamurru marra” mean “As it passes by, again and again”, and refers to something cyclic in nature that is happening. The process of orogenesis and denudation takes place across millions of years driven by immense forces within the Earth. This geological timescale is too long for us humans to witness, and we see these mountains as firmly fixed. To us, mountains are firmly fixed, for our aid and sustenance, but on a much larger scale, they move as clouds do – form and disappear. It wouldn’t have served us if mountains moved as fast as clouds do. Allah addresses this entire issue. Ultimately, Allah knows best.