Understanding Islam by Abdullah Bin Zaid Al-Mahmoud

A Natural Barrier
Between Seas
63
Scientists have recently proven that where two
bodies of water come together there is a barrier
undetectable to the human eye which maintains
the salinity, temperature and density of each,
with neither transgressing the other.
T
his can be observed where
the Mediterranean meets
the Atlantic Ocean. When it
comes to sweet water meeting salt
water in estuaries this is also true.
This ‘barrier’ was mentioned in the
Qur’an over 1400 years ago.
“He released the two seas,
meeting [side by side]; Between
them is a barrier [so] neither of
them transgresses.” (Qur’an 55:
19-20)
‘“And it is He who has released
[simultaneously] the two seas,
one fresh and sweet and one salty
and bitter, and He placed between
them a barrier and prohibiting
partition.” (Qur’an 25: 53)
What is interesting is that pearl
divers in the Gulf knew of this
natural phenomena. There are in
the salty waters of the Arabian
Gulf, ‘springs’ of sweet water that
lie about four to six metres below
sea level. During the long months
at sea pearl divers would frequent
these springs, where they would
What is interesting
is that pearl divers
in the Gulf knew
of this natural
phenomenon.
dive to replenish their stores of
fresh water. One such famous
spring is ‘Ain Ighmisa’ which lies to
the north-east of the city of Jubail
in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.