“Have We not made the earth as a bed, and the mountains as pegs?” (Qur'an, 78:6-7) ‘Earth' is considered a basic reference text in many universities around the world. One of the authors of this book is Frank Press, an American geophysicist and recipient of 30 honorary degrees. He was the president of the US National Academy of Sciences from 1981-1993 . Previously, he was the science adviser to former US president Jimmy Carter. The book says that mountains have underlying roots (p. 435). These roots are deeply embedded in the ground. So mountains have a shape like a peg as is seen in examples in the same book. Illustrations in the book show how mountains are peg-like in shape, due to their deep roots. And that is exactly how the Qur'an says mountains are. Modern earth sciences have proven that mountains have deep roots under the surface of the ground and that these roots can reach several times their elevations above the surface of the ground. So the suitable word to describe mountains on the basis of this information is the word “peg”, since most of a properly set peg is hidden under the surface of the ground. The history of science tells us that the theory of mountains having deep roots was introduced only in the latter half of the nineteenth century. (Geological Concept of Mountains, p. 5) Furthermore, Allah said, “And He has set firm mountains in the earth so that it would not shake with you...” (Qur'an, 16:15) The Geological Concept of Mountains says that mountains also play an important role in stabilizing the crust of the earth (pp. 44-45) and hence they hinder the shaking of the earth. Likewise the modern theory of plate tectonics holds that mountains work as stabilizers for the earth. This knowledge about the role of mountains as stabilizers for the earth has just begun to be understood in the framework of plate tectonics since the late 1960's. (ibid, p. 5) Could anyone during the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have known the true shape of mountains? Could anyone have imagined that the solid massive mountain which he sees before him, actually extends deep into the earth and has a root, as scientists assert? A large number of books of geology when discussing mountains, only describe the part which is above the surface of the earth. However, modern geology has confirmed the truth of the Qur'an's verses. – SG Ref: Brief Illustrated Guide to Understanding Islam __
