Humans cannot perceive colours in dim light. Instead, we only see shades of black, white, and gray. This phenomenon, which involves the different functions of rod and cone cells in our eyes, was only scientifically confirmed in recent times. However, the Quran made a statement that closely matches this scientific discovery over 1400 years ago.

The human eye contains two types of light-sensitive cells: - Rods: These are responsible for vision in low-light conditions but can only detect light intensity, not colour. In dim light, the rods are active, making everything appear in shades of black and white. - Cones: These cells are responsible for colour vision but require bright light to function properly. In low-light environments, the cones do not work, and we lose the ability to perceive colours. Rods allow us to see in very dim light but don't permit detection of color, while the cones let us see colour but they don't work in dim light. In other words, in conditions of low light, our vision is limited to black, white, and gray tones.

This physiological fact about human vision is mentioned in the Quran in a way that aligns with this modern understanding. The verse describing the beginning of dawn, when the light begins to break, uses "black" and "white" streaks to illustrate what can be seen in the dim light of early morning before sunrise:

The distinction between the "white streak" and the "black streak" in this verse implies that in the dark, only black-and-white contrasts are visible. This matches the scientific understanding that in dim light, humans can only perceive light and dark but cannot detect colors.

As scientists now know, this limitation is due to the rods in the eyes being responsible for seeing in low light, but not being capable of detecting colour. When light levels are low, the cones (which are responsible for colour vision) are inactive, and only the rods function, making everything appear in black and white. This was confirmed by studies on human vision.

The Quran's mention of black-and-white vision in dim light is a testament to the knowledge granted to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Despite lacking formal education, the Prophet ﷺ conveyed knowledge that aligns with modern scientific findings, indicating that such knowledge came from a source far beyond what was available in 7th-century Arabia.

In the Quran, there is a reference to a person in deep water where light cannot reach, but Allah can still grant light to them. Skeptics have argued that this is incorrect, pointing out that sunlight can only penetrate up to about 200 meters in water, and beyond that, there is no natural light. However, recent scientific discoveries have confirmed the existence of bioluminescent animals that produce their own light, even in the deepest parts of the ocean, thousands of meters below the surface. This was described in the Quran long before it was understood by modern science.