Iron

Sura 57 of the Quran is entitled Iron (Al-Hadeed / الحـديد). Iron is the 26th element on the periodic table.

In Arabic, every letter also has a corresponding gematrical value, where each letter also represents a number, similar to Roman numerals.

If we look at the word iron in Arabic, Hadeed ( حـديد ), we see that this word has a gematrical value of 26. While the gematrical value of Al-Hadeed / الحـديد has a gematrical value of 57.

The Quran has 114 suras. If we divide 114 in half, we see that the center sura is 57, which happens to be entitled Iron (Al-Hadeed / الحـديد). Similarly, if we cut the earth in half, we see that the center of the Earth is also made from an iron core.

[57:25] We sent our messengers supported by clear proofs, and we sent down to them the scripture and the law, that the people may uphold justice. And we sent down the iron, wherein there is strength, and many benefits for the people. All this in order for GOD to distinguish those who would support Him and His messengers, on faith. GOD is Powerful, Almighty.

 لَقَدْ أَرْسَلْنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالْبَيِّنَاتِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا مَعَهُمُ الْكِتَابَ وَالْمِيزَانَ لِيَقُومَ النَّاسُ بِالْقِسْطِ وَأَنْزَلْنَا الْحَدِيدَ فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌ وَمَنَافِعُ لِلنَّاسِ وَلِيَعْلَمَ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ وَرُسُلَهُ بِالْغَيْبِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ قَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

All elements were created from either the initial Big Bang or through cosmic explosions from stars. Stars begin with hydrogen gas. As hydrogen builds up, it will create more gravity, causing the mass to want to draw towards the center of the star. This causes the star to heat up and compress until the hydrogen fuses together to make helium. Then the process continues again as the star gets more massive and denser, causing more heat and gravity to create heavier and heavier elements such that after helium, carbon is produced, then oxygen. This process continues creating heavier and heavier atoms until the final step when iron is fused. The moment this happens, the star will explode into a supernova, scattering all the elements that were fused inside the star as well as some heavier elements that form as an outcome of the supernova. The elements from the star will go on to form planets and other heavenly objects. This is how the Earth obtained its iron, which has become so necessary for life on Earth as well as essential to the advancement of human civilization.

Earth’s Magnetic Field & Iron

The Earth’s iron core generates a magnetic field around the Earth that protects the life on the planet from much of the harmful radiation that our sun and other galactic forces bombard our planet. If it wasn’t for the magnetic forcefield of the Earth created by its iron core, there would be no life on Earth. This is because, without this magnetic field, dangerous radiation like gamma rays and x-rays would obliterate any organic life from ever forming, let alone surviving.

Iron and Life

Iron is so important that without it, all life would cease to exist. Every living thing, plants, animals, human beings, bacteria (good and bad), and even cancer cells all need iron to survive and grow. Plants require iron to make chlorophyll, which is necessary for growth and generating oxygen for people to breathe. Plants, animals, and human beings require iron to make DNA, which encodes all life. Animals and humans also need iron to make hemoglobin, which delivers oxygen to the body. Iron also carries carbon dioxide out of the body, which plants need to function.

Humans also need iron to make myoglobin for muscles. Myoglobin is a protein like hemoglobin, except that it is an oxygen-storage protein contained in the muscles of the body. We call upon the oxygen stored in myoglobin when we use our muscles to walk, run, climb, or move in any way.

Iron and the Advancement of Civilization

Iron has been a cornerstone of human progress. From the shields and swords and armor that were required in battle, to the cars we drive and the bridges we drive on, to skyscrapers that line our skylines, to the abundance of technologies we depend on every day for work, entertainment, and sustenance, iron has been an essential part of human civilization. It is estimated that a person born in America today will need over 20,000 pounds of iron in their lifetime to provide them all the benefits we enjoy today. There should not be a day that goes by that we should not thank God for the abundance of blessings He has provided us through this material.