EYE – Miracle of Allah

The front part of the eye consists of two important parts cornea and lens. Allah SWT has made the front part of the eye transparent so that the light can go through these structures just like the light travels through air, or water or glass etc. This process of light going through a transparent material is called “Refraction”.

The back of the eye consists of retina which is very delicate part of an eye. Allah SWT has created the back of the eye non-transparent, so that the light does not go through it, instead it reflects, just like it bounces back after hitting a mirror or wall etc. This process of light bouncing back is called “Reflection”.

This reflection of the light (when bounces back from the retina) forms an image of what the eye sees. However, this image is inverted (upside down). Then this image is sent to the brain for final interpretation and is once again flipped so that the image becomes non-inverted.

Retina consists of two main types of cells; rods and cones.

Rod cells are the type of cells that function better in the lower light therefore, these cells are responsible for seeing in darkness. There are approximately 92 million to 120 million rod cells in the human eye. While the cone cells are responsible for the color vision and to see in the bright light.  There are about 6 to 7 million cone cells in the human eye.

All these delicate tissue structures present in the eye, that are responsible for capturing the image of an object, if damaged, then we have a compromised vision. The eyelids open and close, the muscles in the eye contract and expand to let the right amount of light to enter the eye and create an image in the back of the eye. All this is done involuntarily.

Showing Gratitude for the Blessings:

Imagine, if we have a defect in the muscles of the eye that they can’t open and close appropriately, or our eyelids won’t close, or our back of the eye is damaged so that it can’t create an image of an object. And millions of other cells that help us see the colors of this world, and millions of cells that help us see in the dark. If any of these structures are damaged, or we are born with any missing parts of the eye, how much our vision would have been compromised?

The tears that our eyes produce contain important chemicals that are needed by the eye. If our eyes stop producing tears then eye gets dry and the cells start to die off and in some extreme cases could even result in blindness. We should ponder over the blessing of Allah that He has stored in these tiny tears in keeping our eyes healthy.

Eyes in other creatures:

Most of the animals have two eyes just like humans, but some animals also possess more than two eyes.

• A species of Lizard (Tuatara) has 3 eyes
• A species of Gray Opossum (Philander Opossum) has 4 eyes
• Opabina, an extinct sea animal had 5 eyes
• Spider has 6 and 8 eyes
• Horseshoe Crab has 10 eyes
• A species of Scorpion has 12 eyes
• some Box Jellyfish may have 24 eyes
• Scallop has 200 eyes

Eagles – We know that the Eagles have the best eyesight in the skies during the daytime. A bald eagle can spot and focus on prey up to 2 miles away.

Crows – Crows have two fully functional eyes, but they use only one eye at a time, because their monocular vision is more powerful than the binocular vision. During the day, crows can see up to 1.5 miles away.

Owls – While owls are known for their best night vision. Owls have about 5X more rods in their retina than humans which helps them see in dark so well.

Sharks – In water, sharks have the best eyes that they can easily see in dark murky water conditions.

Bluebottle butterfly – The bluebottle butterfly has the best color vision and they can even see in the Ultraviolet part of the spectrum that human eye is not able to see.

Shrimps – The most complex eyes that we know about are those of mantis shrimp. Mantis shrimp can see Ultraviolet light as well as polarized light, which is made up of waves. These are the only animals to detect polarized light that travel in a spiral.

Miracle of Allah SWT – regaining of eyesight:

Nothing is impossible for Allah SWT. He has Power over everything. Everything is in His Divine control and His Will.

Prophet Yaqub (AS) – When Yusuf (AS) was lost, his father Prophet Yaqub (AS) went into great sorrow and used to cry a lot for him. He had a strong love for his son Yusuf (AS). Due to being in sorrow and crying for many years, he went blind. Later, Allah SWT cured him and gave him his eyesight back.

Imam Bukhari (RA) – Imam Bukhari (RA) was the writer of famous Hadith book “Sahih Bukhari”. Sahih Bukhari is the most renowned book after the Holy Qur’an. When Imam Bukhari (RA) was 12 years old, Allah SWT tested him by taking his eye sight away. His mother used to pray to Allah SWT all night. One day, she saw Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in her dream, giving her glad tidings that his son will get his eyesight back. Allah SWT fulfilled this blessed dream and Imam Bukhari (RA) was able to see again.

The lesson we can take from these two examples is that, Allah SWT can show miracles ad change impossible into possible. We should never lose hope in the Power and Mercy of Allah SWT.

Prayer for relief in Eye problems:

If someone is inflicted with any eye related problems, it is advisable by the scholars to recite part of ayah 22 of Surah Qaaf 3 times and blow into some water and then drink it. Or blow on clean finger and rub it onto eyes. By the Will of Allah SWT, the eye will improve.

 

فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَآءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌۭ

“Now We have removed your veil from you; so your sight today is sharp.” [Qur’an 50:22]

According to Abdullah Ibn Abbas (RA), Rasulullah (SAW) said that a Dua can be recited three times at dawn after performing Fajr salaah to protect against blindness, leprosy, insanity, and paralysis.

The Dua is:

سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ الْعَظِيمِ وَبِحَمْدِهِ ، وَلَا حَوْلَ وَلَا قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ

 

 

Caring for Eyes in the light of science:

• Walk on the wet grass in the morning barefoot
• Blink eye often
• Avoid blue light
• Avoid reading in the dark
• Limit screen time
• Drink plenty of water and eat green vegetables

Note:

SWT =  Subhanahu Wa Ta’Ala                                    AS   =   Alehis Salam

SAW =  Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam                        RA  =    Ramhmatullah Alaih