and continuously, without pause. When compared to other planets, it
is evident that in all its aspects the earth is specially designed for
human life. Built on delicate balances, life prevails in every spot
of this planet, from the atmosphere to the depths of the earth.
Exploring only a few of the millions of these delicate balances would
be sufficient to show that the world we live in is specially designed
for us.
One of the most important balances in our planet is revealed in the
atmosphere that surrounds us. The atmosphere of the earth holds the
most appropriate gasses in the most appropriate ratio needed for the
survival not only of human beings, but also of all the living beings
on the earth.
The 77% of nitrogen, 21% of oxygen and 1% of carbon dioxide as well as
other gasses readily available in the atmosphere represent the ideal
figures necessary for the survival of living beings. Oxygen, a gas
that is vital for living beings, helps to burn up food and convert it
into energy in our bodies.
If the oxygen quantity in the atmosphere were greater than 21%, the
cells in our body would soon start to suffer great damage. The
vegetation and hydrocarbon molecules needed for life would also be
destroyed. If this quantity were less, then this would cause
difficulties in our respiration, and the food we eat would not be
converted into energy. Therefore, the 21% of oxygen in the atmosphere
is the most ideal quantity determined for life.
No less than oxygen, other gasses like nitrogen and carbon dioxide are
also arranged in the ideal quantity for the needs of living beings and
the continuity of life. The amount of nitrogen in the atmosphere has
the ideal ratio to balance the harmful and burning effects of oxygen.
This ratio represents the most appropriate value required for
photosynthesis, which is essential for life's energy supply on the
earth. Moreover, the amount of carbon dioxide has the most
appropriate value needed to maintain the stability of the surface
temperature of the earth and to prevent heat loss especially at night
time. This gas, comprising 1% of the atmosphere, covers the earth
like a quilt and prevents the loss of heat to space. If this amount
were greater, the temperature of the earth would increase excessively,
causing climatic instability and posing a serious threat to the
living beings.
These proportions remain constant thanks to a perfect system. The
vegetation covering the earth converts carbon dioxide to oxygen,
producing 190 billion tons of oxygen every day. The proportion of
other gasses is always kept constant on the earth by the help of
interconnected complex systems. Life is thus sustained.
In addition to the establishment of the ideal gas mixture required for
life on earth, the mechanisms needed to preserve and maintain this
order are created alongside with it. Any break in the balance, though
instantaneous, or any change in the ratios even for a very short time
period, would mean the total destruction of life. Yet, this does not
happen. The formation of these gasses in the atmosphere just in the
amount people need, and the constant preservation of these ratios
indicate a planned creation.
At the same time, the earth has the ideal size in terms of magnitude
to possess an atmosphere. If the mass of the earth were a little
less, then its gravitational force would be insufficient and the
atmosphere would be dispersed into space. If its mass were a little
greater, then the gravitational force would be too much and the earth
would absorb all gasses in the atmosphere. There is an incredibly
high number of conditions required for the formation of an atmosphere
such as the one our world currently has and all of these conditions
should exist altogether to be able to talk of life.
The creation of these delicate proportions and balances in the sky is
mentioned in the Quran:
"He erected heaven and established the balance." (Quran 55:7)
The majority of people spend their lives without being aware of the
delicate balances and subtle adjustments in the gas composition of the
atmosphere, the distance of the world from the sun or the movements of
planets. They are ignorant of the great significance of these
balances and adjustments to their own lives. However, even a minor
deviation in any one of these arrangements would create very severe
problems regarding the existence and survival of humankind.
There are many other balances established on earth for the continuity of life:
For instance, if the surface gravity were stronger than its current
value, the atmosphere would retain too much ammonia and methane
gasses, which would mean the end of life. If it were weaker, the
planet's atmosphere would lose too much water, and life on earth would
be impossible.
The thickness of the earth's crust constitutes another one of the
delicate balances in the earth. If the earth's crust were thicker,
too much oxygen would be transferred from the atmosphere to the crust
and this would have severe effects on human life.
If the opposite were true, that is, if the earth's crust were thinner,
volcanic and tectonic activity would be too great to permit life on
earth.
Another crucial balance for human life is the ozone level in the
atmosphere. If it were greater than its current value, the surface
temperatures would be too low. If it were less, surface temperatures
would be too high, and there would be too much ultraviolet radiation
at the surface.
In fact, the absence of even a single one of these balances would
herald the end to life on earth. However, God has created the universe
with infinite wisdom and power and designed the earth especially for
human life. Despite this fact, the majority of people lead their
lives in total ignorance of these events. In the Quran, God reminds
people of His:
"(God) makes night merge into day and day merge into night, and He has
made the sun and moon subservient, each one running until a specified
time. That is God, your Lord. The Kingdom is His. Those you call on
besides Him have no power over even the smallest speck." (Quran 35:13)
It is sufficient to look at millions of dead planets in space in order
to understand that the delicate balances required for life on earth is
not a result of random coincidences. The conditions essential for
life are too complicated to have been formed "on their own" and at
random, and these conditions are specially created for life alone.
These balances we have briefly described so far are only a few of the
millions of intricate, interrelated balances and orders established so
that people can live in peace and safety on the earth.
Examining only a part of the balances and harmony on the earth is
enough to comprehend the superior being of God and grasp the existence
of a planned creation in every detail of the universe. It is no doubt
impossible for a person or any other living being to build such an
enormous balance and order. Nor are the components of this order such
as atoms, elements, molecules, and gasses, capable of establishing an
order based on such intricate and extremely delicate calculations and
measurements, and such fine tunings. This is because activities like
planning, ordering, arranging, calculating, and proportioning can only
be realized by beings that possess wisdom, knowledge and power. The
Exalted Being Who orders, plans and balances the entire universe to be
fit for life of human beings on a planet like earth and Who sustains
it with dramatically delicate measures and balances is God, Who has
Infinite Wisdom, Knowledge and Power.
In the Quran, it is stated that those people who are able to realize
these facts are the only "people with intelligence":
"Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the
alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people with
intelligence: those who remember God, standing, sitting and lying on
their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth:
[They say] 'Our Lord, You have not created this for nothing. Glory be
to You! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire." (Quran
3:190-191)
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