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In the Quran, the sun, clouds, and rain are mentioned together. Skeptics claim that whoever wrote the Quran made a mistake, saying that the sun has nothing to do with rain. However, today, meteorologists confirm that the sun plays a major role in the water cycle.
The sun is the primary source of energy that drives the water cycle. It heats up water in oceans and seas, causing evaporation. Some water vapor also comes from ice and snow sublimating directly into water vapor, and from plants and soil through evapotranspiration. The water vapor rises because it is lighter than the surrounding air. As the vapor rises, it cools, and the water condenses into droplets, forming clouds. Eventually, these droplets become heavy enough to fall as rain.
The sun’s heat causes water to evaporate, and this process initiates the cycle of condensation and precipitation. This has only been understood in modern times, but it was described in the Quran over 1400 years ago.
The Quran mentions the sun as a "blazing lamp" and the rain coming from the clouds:
and placed ˹in them˺ a shining lamp,78:13
and sent down from rainclouds pouring water,78:14
This aligns with our current understanding, where the sun is the driving force behind the water cycle. The sun is mentioned before the clouds and rain in the Quran, which reflects its essential role in the process.
The Quran accurately describes the sun's role in the water cycle long before modern science made this connection. The mention of the sun, clouds, and rain together in the Quran highlights a remarkable insight into the natural world, confirming the wisdom of its teachings.