Iron Sent from Outer Space

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Verse in Question

The Claim

Proponents of scientific miracles in the Quran argue that this verse predicts the extraterrestrial origin of iron. They claim that the phrase “sent down” refers to iron being brought to Earth from space, specifically through meteorites. This interpretation is used to suggest that the Quran contains advanced scientific knowledge about the origins of materials on Earth.

How do we Prove a Scientific Miracle?

Criteria	Status	Description
Falsifiability	✔	Whether iron came from space is a falsifiable claim
Accuracy	✔	Iron does (sometimes) come from meteorites. If the meaning of 'sent down' is equivalent to 'came from space', then the claim is accurate
Context	✖	'Sent down' reflects a common metaphor for God's provision, not 'from space.' Other 'sent down' objects in the Quran include clothing, cattle, and rain (Surah 7:26, 23:18, 39:6).
Timeliness	✖	Meteoritic iron was already known in ancient cultures at the time of Mohammed, including the Egyptians. The Quran's mention of iron being 'sent down' was not impossible to discover at the time
Specificity	✖	'Sent down' is not specified in the Quran as 'from space.' To claim this, Muslims must also accept that clothing, rain, and cattle are also literally from space.

All of the verses below use the word “anzalnā” or “wa-anzalnā” (أَنزَلْنَا) which means “We sent down.” This word is used in the Quran to describe a variety of things that God has sent down to Earth, including clothing, cattle, and rain. The word is not used to describe the origin of these things, but rather the act of providing them to humanity.

Rain:

Clothing:

Cattle:

The Quran:

Manna and Quails:

Angels:

Punishment:

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Related Links

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Other Links

• Orthodox Shahada
• Apostate Prophet