7 Verses in THE HOLY QURAN about success

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7 Success

1-They are on (true) guidance from their Lord, and they are the successful.
( Al-Baqara, Chapter #2, Verse #5)

2-O you who believe! Eat not Riba (usury) doubled and multiplied, but fear Allah that you may besuccessful.
(   Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #130)

3-Everyone shall taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection shall you be paid your wages in full. And whoever is removed away from the Fire and admitted to Paradise, he indeed is successful. The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)
(   Aal-e-Imran, Chapter #3, Verse #185)

4-O you who believe! Do your duty to Allah and fear Him. And seek the means of approach to Him, and strive hard in His Cause (as much as you can), so that you may be successful.
(   Al-Maeda, Chapter #5, Verse #35)

5-(Remember) when you sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): “I will help you with a thousand of the angels each behind the other (following one another) in succession.”
(   Al-Anfal, Chapter #8, Verse #9)

6- Allah has promised the believers – men and women, – Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein forever, and beautiful mansions in Gardens of ‘Adn (Eden Paradise). But the greatest bliss is the Good Pleasure of Allah. That is the supreme success.
(   At-Taubah, Chapter #9, Verse #72)

7-Say: “Verily, those who invent a lie against Allah will never be successful”
( Yunus, Chapter #10, Verse #69)

 

7 Facts about the Qur’an

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Quran

1-Preserved in Arabic word-for-word, without any alterations for over 1400 years, as revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

2-Most read, studied and recited ancient text.

3-Directly revealed from God, via Angel Gabriel, to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

4-Only ancient religious text where the language of its revelation (Arabic), including the dialect, is still used today.

5-The only religious text that allows you to test its authenticity, if you doubt that it is from God, by challenging anyone to produce anything equal to it. Until today, no Muslim or non-Muslim Arab has been able to meet this challenge. (Get a copy of the Qur’an and see for yourself.) Link this to orderaquran or sendaquran.

6-Only text that has a melodious message.

7-The original ancient manuscript still remains today.

7 important Manners of Reciting The Holy Qur’an

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Manners of Reciting The Holy Qur’an

By now we know that the Qur’an is a special book and deserves respect. Now let us look at some of the manners of reciting the Qur’an. It is the right of the Tilaawa (recitation of the Qur’an) that we follow the rules when reciting the Qur’an.

1. Perform Wudhoo before you prepare to read the Qur’an. Allah says:

None can touch it (the Qur’an) save the purified ones (56:79).

Once Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) asked his son Ismaa‘eel to read the Qur’an. The latter said that he was not in Wudhoo. The Imam said in that case he could recite it but should not touch the writings of the Qur’an. Therefore, it is advisable to use a stick or pen to point to the words or sentences of the Qur’an you are reading if you are not in Wudhoo.

2. Read Du‘aa before Tilaawa. Reading of the Du‘aa helps to keep our focus and reminds us of what we need to take from the Holy Book. Ma‘soomeen (a) have recommended a number of Du‘aas. The Du‘aa taught by Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) appears in this booklet with Qur’an lessons.

3. Always say A‘oodhubillaahi minash shaytaanir rajeem (اَعُوْذُبا اللهِ مِنَ الشَّيْطَانِ الرَّجِيْم) when you begin reading the Qur’an. It means: I seek refuge in Allah from the cursed Shaytaan. This is what Allah instructs us to do in Aayah 16:98.

4. Interact with the Qur’an. Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) says that it is important to react to the aayaat of the Qur’an when reciting it. When we come across aayaat on Paradise, Mercy and Grace of Allah, Good Outcome in the hereafter, we should hope for these in our hearts. On the other hand if we are reading aayaat that warn us about the punishment, fire, Hell, etc. we should pray to be saved from these.

5. Open your heart and mind to the Qur’an and ponder over what you read. Allah often invites us to think and ponder over the contents of the Qur’an. In 47:24 Allah says:

Do they not then think deeply in the Qur’an, or are their hearts locked up?

6. Be Humble when reciting the Qur’an. The Prophet (S) says that the best recitor is he who is humble when reciting the Qur’an and realizes his own insignificance. Some people exhibit their insignificance and the awe of talking to Allah through weeping. This is a good sign. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: Eyes that weep when reciting the Qur’an will be shining with delight on the Day of Resurrection.

7.Try to understand the recitation. Holy Qur’an is a book of Guidance (2:2). It is necessary for us to understand the message Allah sent all people through Prophet Muhammad (S).

 

7 Respect and Rights of The Holy Qur’an

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Respect and Rights of The Holy Qur’an

Now that we know that the Holy Qur’an is not an ordinary book, but a Divine Book sent by Allah for the guidance of all people, we must show respect to it. Here are some of the points we need to remember.

1. A part of the Qur’an carries the same respect as the entire Qur’an. Allah says:

When the Qur’an is recited, listen to it (7:204).

We know that when recitation takes place it is always of a part of the Qur’an. Even then Allah uses the word Qur’an for the part that is being recited. Therefore, if you have a Siparah, a binder or a booklet that contains Soorahs and passages from the Qur’an, you treat it like a Qur’an.

2. The Qur’an should always be carried with proper care. When your Madrasah bag contains the Qur’an, or a part of it, take extra care of the bag. Keep the bag slowly on the desk or floor instead of letting it fall on its own. Use both hands to remove the Qur’an from your bag, kiss the cover of the Qur’an, place it slowly on a desk (or on a wooden carrier specially built for holding the Qur’an) and open the pages gently.

3. When the Qur’an is being recited, listen to it and be attentive (7:204). If you are busy with something else then at least do not disturb the recitation by talking, for example, or making noise. There is reward for listening to the Qur’an. Imam Ali Zaynul ‘Aabideen (a) said: Whoever listens to a letter of the book of Allah, the Glorious and Almighty, without even reading it, Allah will write down for him one good deed, forgive a sin, and raise him a degree.

It was the practice of unbelievers in Mecca to make a lot of noise so that others could not listen to the Qur’an (41:26). Do not be like them and instead lend your ears to the Qur’an and give it respect. We often wish that God would talk to us. One way to achieve this is by reading the Qur’an. Prophet Muhammad (S): said: Lo! Whoever has longing for Allah should listen to the word of Allah! Also, if you wish to talk to God then do Tilaawa. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: Whenever one of you would like to talk to his Lord, he should read the Qur’an.

4. The Qur’an should be recited regularly. It is disrespect to keep the Holy Qur’an unread. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: Brighten your homes with reciting Qur’an; do not turn them into graves. Surely the house in which a lot of recitation takes place enjoys many blessings and the members benefit from it. Such a household shines for the inhabitants of Heaven as stars shine to the inhabitants of the earth. On the Day of Judgment the Prophet will complain to Allah about some Muslims who had abandoned the Qur’an (25:30).

Another Hadith of the Prophet (S) says: Indeed hearts rust in the same way irons rust. He was asked: “What will polish the hearts?” The Prophet answered: Reading the Qur’an. The more Qur’an we read the better it is. We should discipline ourselves to read a good portion of Qur’an daily. Imam Ali (a) said: He who recites 100 verses daily from the Book in the order it is in, Allah writes for him the reward equal to all the good actions of every one on this earth. Shaytaan would like us not to read, understand and study the Qur’an. Let us fight him with all our strength and faith. Imam Ja‘far As-Saadiq (a) said: There is nothing more unpleasant to Shaytaan than to see a man reading the Qur’an to gain insight.

5. Children should get familiarized with the Qur’an early in their lives. Imam as-Saadiq (AS) said: He who recites Qur’an while he is young, Qur’an mixes with his flesh and his blood, and Allah places him amongst the blessed and the chosen righteous. On the Day of Judgment, Qur’an shall become his defender and [pray for him a handsome reward.]

6. It is the right and respect of the Qur’an that it should be followed. Imam Ja‘far Saadiq (a) said: Lo! One, who learns the Qur’an, teaches it and practices according to it, I will guide and lead him to Paradise.

7. Take the interpretations of the Qur’an from the Holy Prophet (S) and the Imams from his family, i.e. the Ahlul Bayt (a). Imam Hasan al-‘Askaree quoting Prophet Muhammad said: Recite it (i.e. the Qur’an) as Allah gives you ten rewards for each letter that you recite from it. Then the Imam (a) said: Do you know who really holds fast to it and reaches to such honor and reward? He is the person who takes Qur’an and its interpretation from us Ahlul-Bayt (a) or from the deputies that we send to our followers, and takes its (interpretation) neither from the opinions of those who argue (on the speech of Allah) nor form the analogy of those who compare (different parts of the speech of Allah).

7 Importance of The Holy Qur’an

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quran

The first lesson is about the importance of the Holy Qur’an. The Qur’an is the Book of Allah subhaanahu wa ta‘aalaa. Every word in the Qur’an has come from Allah. That is why we say that it is a Holy Book. The words in the Qur’an were sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad sallal-laahu ‘alayhi wa-aalihi wa sallam. The Prophet (S) received the words of Allah through angel Jibra’eel. This Qur’an is a Holy Book that was not written by anyone but sent by Allah to Prophet Muhammad (S) through Jibra’eel.

1. It is the most truthful speech: Prophet Muhammad (S) regularly read the words of Allah to Muslims around him. These Muslims were very pleased and excited to receive the words of Allah. Prophet Muhammad (S) said: The most truthful speech, the most eloquent advice, and the greatest stories are in the Book of Allah. The Muslims listened carefully to what the Prophet read, memorized the sentences and passages of the Qur’an, recited them regularly and followed the teachings of the Qur’an. In order to preserve the words of Allah the Prophet appointed special people known as “Scribes of the Qur’an” to write down the words of Allah.

2. It is in original language: Prophet Muhammad (S) was an Arab and the majority of people in Mecca and Medina spoke Arabic. Therefore the Qur’an was sent in Arabic. Arabic is written from right to left. It is better to learn to read the Qur’an in its original language. Therefore, we will put efforts to learn Qur’an written in Arabic instead of simply reading its translation in other languages.

3. The Holy Qur’an contains Allah’s message to all people. It tells people how to act correctly. It guides us to a correct way of life in this world. The Book of Allah also talks about life after death. It tells us that Allah has prepared Paradise for good people and Hell for bad people. The Qur’an encourages the worship of only one God Who creates and provides for them. The Book forbids people from evil and condemns those who do wrong. It contains stories of the past Prophets and the examples of bad and good people. People are advised in the Qur’an to be good to others and respect them. It teaches people to live in peace and harmony.

4. Qur’an brings happiness in this world and the Hereafter. Following the Qur’an brings happiness in this world and the world after death. The Prophet (S) said: If you desire the life of the fortunate, the death of a martyr, the salvation on the Day of Regret and the shade on the Day of Extreme Heat, then you should study the Qur’an because it is the word of the Merciful, a sanctuary from Shaytaan and a causes the tilting of the Balance. In another Hadith we read that the Prophet (S) has said: The recitor of the Qur’an will be spared from the calamities of the Hereafter.

5. It is the only Divine book that has remained unchanged. Allah sent the Qur’an to His Prophet. A book sent by Allah to people is known as a Divine Book or a Heavenly Book. Other Divine Books were also sent to previous prophets. These are: Suhoof to Prophet Ibraheem ‘alayhis salaam; Zaboor to Prophet Dawood ‘alayhis salaam; Tawraah to Prophet Moosaa ‘alayhis salaam; and Injeel to Prophet ‘Eisaa ‘alayhis salaam.

The difference between the Qur’an and past revealed books is that the Qur’an is the only Divine Book that has remained unaltered. The Qur’an we have with us contains exactly the same message that was sent to Prophet Muhammad by Allah through Jibra’eel.

6. Our supplications get answered if we were to pray after reading the Holy Qur’an. The Prophet (S) said: One who starts the Qur’an and finishes it, Allah will grant him one answered supplication. It also helps in strengthening our faith. Imam Ali (a) said: Reciting the Qur’an plants the seed of faith.

7. The Qur’an is the best companion. It can be of great help when a child or adult is feeling lonely. Imam Ali Zaynul ‘Aabideen (a) said: If all who live between the East and West perish, I will have no fear as long as I have the Qur’an with me.

 

Why do we Read Qur’an?

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quran1

An old American Muslim lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandpa was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Qur’an. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, “Grandpa! I try to read the Qur’an just like you but I don’t understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur’an do?”

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, ”Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.”
The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, ”You’ll have to move a little faster next time,” and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, ”I don’t want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water.

You’re just not trying hard enough,” and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.
At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would Leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, ”See Grandpa, it’s useless!”

”So you think it is useless?” The old man said, ”Look at the basket.”
The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

”Son, that’s what happens when you read the Qur’an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out. That is the work of Allah in our lives.”

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says: ”The one who guides to good will be rewarded equally.”

Source: islamiclife.com

How was the creation of man according to the Qur’an? (Part 3)

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creation of man

There are two scientific viewpoints on the creation of living organisms including plants.
a) Evolution or Transformism which says that organisms weren’t in the forms they are seen today, but were lifeless things that turned into single live cells in the oceans and seas because of certain circumstances.
These tiny and invisible live organisms gradually developed into different forms of animals and plants. The most developed form they evolved to is the human being, who had descended from the same single cell as apes and monkeys have.
b) The theory known as “Fixism”‌ which says every form of living organisms was there from the beginning (man being one of them), denying any type of evolution from one form to another.
What the Qur’an apparently says is that Prophet Adam (PBUH) was created from dark clay and after his body took form, life and divine spirit was breathed into him and the angels were commanded to prostrate before him; all did so except for Satan. These verses suggest that there is no gap between the creation of Adam (PBUH) from clay and the current form humans have, and that people had this form from the start.
Conclusion: Although the Qur’an hasn’t directly engaged in explaining which of the two theories is correct, yet its verses suggest that the second theory is correct (of course regarding the creation of man), although once again, these verses don’t explicitly mention it.
One good reminder before closing is that man was created from two different entities; one being very high and the other very low in value. Man’s material side, which consists of reeking dark clay, is very low, while his spiritual side is very high, because it bears the divine spirit Allah (swt) has granted him.
What is important regarding this subject is that the initial material used to create man is worthless and very low, but Allah (swt) has created such a valuable creature from it than can ascend to the highest levels of nearness to Him.
For further information, refer to:
1- Allamah Tabatabai, Al-Mizan, vol. 4 and 17
2- Tafsir Nemouneh, vol. 11, pg. 82 and on and vol. 23
3- Muhammad Taqi Mesbah, Rahnama Shenasi
4- Muhammad Ali Rezai, Pajooheshi dar I’jaze Elmiye Qur’an, vol. 2, pp. 429-564.
5- Yadollah Sobhai, Khelqate Ensan.
6- Saduq, Ilalul-Sharaye’, vol. 15, chapter 11.
Source: shafaqna.com

How was the creation of man according to the Qur’an? (Part 2)

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creation of man

From another perspective, all people are looked at separately. Of course, this perspective isn’t in contradiction with the first, meaning that looking at the issue from both perspectives can give the same results. If we say that all people come from sperm, sperm comes from food, food comes from meat, fruit, plants and minerals, which all come from the ground and soil and dirt, then we can say that man is created from dirt, the same thing we said from the other perspective [that said we all come from Prophet Adam (PBUH) who was created from clay]. It is because of these two perspectives that some verses of the Qur’an are actually only speaking about Prophet Adam (PBUH) [5], while others are speaking of all people in general. In a verse, Allah says: “…I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit…”‌[6], and in another verse, He says: “When your Lord said to the angels,” Indeed I am going to create a human out of a dry clay [drawn] from a foul-smelling mud. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, fall down in prostration before him.”‌[7] Clearly in these verses, Allah is speaking of the story of the creation of Prophet Adam (PBUH) and how the angels were ordered to prostrate before him. One can’t interpret Adam (PBUH) as all people, because in the verses that follow the one mentioned, Satan says “لَأَحْتَنِکَنَّ ذُرِّيَّتَه‏…”‌ (…I will surely mislead and destroy his progeny…)[8]. If what was meant by Prophet Adam (PBUH) was all people, it wouldn’t make sense for Satan to say “his progeny”‌.
Some verses which are more general and have taken the creation of all people into consideration are: “He is the one who created man from water…”‌ [9], or “He [man] was created from an effusing fluid”‌[10].
In verses like these, in which it has been stated that man has been created from water or sperm and the like; all people in general are meant.
Anyway, what can definitely be concluded by Qur’anic verses regarding man’s creation and origin, is that in the beginning, man was soil and dirt[11], that was mixed with water, making it clay[12], then became a foul-smelling clay[13], becoming sticky afterwards[14], and finally becoming dry clay[15].
How long each step of the process took and what things factored into each of them is something the human mind currently has no answer to, and it is only Allah (swt) who is truly aware of the answers to these questions.
One point which needs to be kept in mind is that the Qur’an doesn’t explain the creation process of man in detail, because it is a book of guidance, not a science book, therefore, it shouldn’t be expected to deeply explain subjects like evolution, anatomy, embryology, etc. Of course, this doesn’t make it impossible for the Qur’an to sometimes make a few scientific points at the right time as well.
To be continued …
For further information, refer to:
1- Allamah Tabatabai, Al-Mizan, vol. 4 and 17
2- Tafsir Nemouneh, vol. 11, pg. 82 and on and vol. 23
3- Muhammad Taqi Mesbah, Rahnama Shenasi
4- Muhammad Ali Rezai, Pajooheshi dar I’jaze Elmiye Qur’an, vol. 2, pp. 429-564.
5- Yadollah Sobhai, Khelqate Ensan.
6- Saduq, Ilalul-Sharaye’, vol. 15, chapter 11.
Notes:
5] Sad:72; Hijr:29.
[6] Sad:72.
[7] Hijr:29.
[8] Isra’:62.
[9] Furqan:54.
[10] Tariq:5-6.
[11] Hajj:5.
[12] An’am:2.
[13] Hijr:28.
[14] Saffat:11.
[15] Rahman:14.
Source: shafaqna.com

How was the creation of man according to the Qur’an? (Part 1)

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creation of man

The Qur’an has explained the creation of man and his origin using different words and phrases. Some verses say that the initial material man comes from is clay. Other verses say it is water, while a third group say it is sperm. Meanwhile a fourth group says it was both clay and sperm together.
Nevertheless, what can be deduced from all of these verses is that man was dirt in the beginning[i], then the dirt was mixed with water making it clay[ii], then the clay became foul-smelling[iii], after that it became sticky[iv], then turned into dry clay[v] and finally life was breathed into it.
Meanwhile, scientists have two theories regarding the creation of creatures, both plants and animals:
a) The theory of evolution or transformism
b) Fixism
The theory of evolution says that all forms of organisms weren’t created from the start, but certain organisms gradually evolved into ones we see today. The most complete and developed form of those early organisms is man. This theory is referred to as “Transformism”‌. As for the other theory referred to as “Fixism”‌, it says that all forms of life and organisms were created separately, denying any link and development between various forms.
Although the Qur’an doesn’t explain the creation of man in detail, not saying anything about the two theories mentioned above, yet what some verses slightly suggest is that the Qur’an’s standpoint regarding this issue is that different forms of animals and plants (especially man) were created separately, although no verse directly mentions such a matter.
[i] Hajj:5.
[ii] An’am:2.
[iii] Hijr:28.
[iv] Saffat:11.
[v] Rahman:14.
Detailed Answer
The Qur’an has explained the creation of man and his origin in different ways; this signifies that the creation of man consisted of various steps.
a) Some verses introduce “clay”‌ as the initial material for the creation of man. [1]
b) Some verses say that man was created from “water”‌. [2]
c) Other verses only name “sperm”‌ as what man has been created from. [3]
d) In other verses, “Dirt and Sperm”‌ together have been considered the origins of man. [4]
There are two ways of explaining these verses:
1- To say that they are unveiling the way all people are created separately. For instance, when a verse says that man was created from dirt, it means that dirt turns into food and minerals, food and minerals turn into sperm cells and sperm turns into a fetus; meaning that dirt is our “far”‌ origin, while sperm is nearer to us and our creation.
2- To say that each of the four groups of verses are speaking of specific people and individuals. For instance, since Prophet Adam (PBUH) was the first person to be created, he was made from dirt and clay, and since all people today are descendants of Adam (PBUH) and trace back to him, and he was made from clay, it is correct to say clay is our origin as well.
Therefore, although it may seem at first sight that some Qur’anic verses aren’t in harmony with others on this issue, yet with a little focus one will be able to tell that there is no contradiction between them, because the truth of the matter is that some of these verses are only speaking of the creation of the first person created, Prophet Adam (PBUH). Clearly, the origin of the first person to ever be created is also considered the origin of those who were created from him; if his origin was clay, it is correct to say that all people were created from clay. This is from one perspective.
To be continued …
For further information, refer to:
1- Allamah Tabatabai, Al-Mizan, vol. 4 and 17
2- Tafsir Nemouneh, vol. 11, pg. 82 and on and vol. 23
3- Muhammad Taqi Mesbah, Rahnama Shenasi
4- Muhammad Ali Rezai, Pajooheshi dar I’jaze Elmiye Qur’an, vol. 2, pp. 429-564.
5- Yadollah Sobhai, Khelqate Ensan.
6- Saduq, Ilalul-Sharaye’, vol. 15, chapter 11.
Notes:
[1]An’am:1; Sajdah: 7; Saffat:18
[2] Furqan: 54; Tariq: 6.
[3] Nahl: 4; Yasin: 77; Dahr:2; Abas:19; and other verses.
[4] Hajj: 5; Ghafir: 67; Fatir:11; Kahf:37.
Source: shafaqna.com

The Weight of Clouds in the HOLY QURAN

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cloudclouds
The weight of clouds can reach quite astonishing proportions. For example, a cumulonimbus cloud, commonly known as the thunder cloud, can contain up to 300,000 tons of water.
The fact that a mass of 300,000 tons of water can remain aloft is truly amazing. Attention is drawn to the weight of clouds in other verses of the Quran:
It is He Who sends out the winds, bringing advance news of His mercy, so that when they have lifted up the heavy clouds, we dispatch them to a dead land and send down water to it, by means of which we bring forth all kinds of fruit… (Quran, 7:57)
cloud
It is He Who shows you the lightning, striking fear and bringing hope; it is He Who heaps up the heavy clouds. (Quran, 13:12)
At the time when the Quran was revealed, of course, it was quite impossible to have any information about the weight of clouds. This information, revealed in the Quran, but discovered only recently, is yet another proof that the Quran is the Word of Allah.