The Twenty-Eighth Flash

Secondly:

Above and below are relative notions. We speak of what is above and what is below in relation to the centre of the earth. What is below for us may be above for someone in America. Thus, the position of substances moving from the centre of the earth towards its surface is relative to the standpoint of the observer.

Through its miraculous expression, the Miraculous Qur’an indicates that iron possesses such abundant benefits and such immense significance that it cannot be regarded merely as an ordinary substance extracted from the earth’s storehouse, nor as a mineral that happens to exist and serves only commonplace needs.

Rather, it is a blessing from the treasury of mercy, prepared by the Creator of the universe in the vast workshop of the cosmos. As the Lord of the heavens and the earth, He has sent down iron to meet the needs of the inhabitants of the earth.

The benefits of iron are thus so widespread and far-reaching that they resemble the all-encompassing benefits of rain, heat, and light. Like these, iron comes from the great workshop of the universe, not merely from the earth’s small storehouse.

It is as though iron had been prepared in the great treasury of mercy within the palace of the universe, then sent down to the earth and deposited in its storehouse, from which it is gradually brought forth according to the needs of each age.

By mentioning iron, the Exalted Qur’an does not merely seek to draw attention to its use as it is extracted, little by little, from this small storehouse. Rather, it declares that this great blessing was sent down for humanity together with the earth itself, for iron is among the most essential elements required for this earthly dwelling.

When the Majestic Creator, as it were, separated the earth from the sun and prepared it as a dwelling place for humanity, He sent down iron along with it, making it a means by which the greater part of human needs would be met.

Thus, the Qur’an miraculously proclaims, as it were:

“Use this iron, strive to extract it, and avail yourselves of its benefits.”

The verse mentions two great blessings: one by which enemies may be repelled, and another by which benefits may be secured.

Even before the revelation of the Qur’an, it was known that iron possessed numerous and important benefits for humanity. Yet through the words

فِيهِ بَأْسٌ شَدِيدٌIn which there is great strength.

“in which there is great strength,”

the Qur’an also alludes to a future reality: that iron would traverse the seas, soar through the air, and move across the land in wondrous and astonishing forms, bringing the earth under its sway with tremendous power.

Thus, the verse offers a remarkable glimpse of a miraculous disclosure concerning the unseen (ghaybThe unseen; that which is hidden from human perception and knowledge.).