Atoms in the Quran

**Atoms in the Qur’ān**

The Qur’ān contains several passages that refer to the smallest particles or specks of matter, often using the Arabic word **ذَرَّة (*dharrah*)**, which can be translated as “atom,” “tiny particle,” or “smallest unit.” These references appear in both moral and physical contexts, emphasizing Allah’s precise knowledge, justice, and awareness of all things, no matter how small. The concept of the *dharrah* illustrates that nothing in the universe is too minute to escape divine observation, whether it is a tiny deed or a microscopic component of creation.

One of the clearest moral references to an atom occurs in **Qur’ān 4:40**, where it is stated, “Indeed, Allah does not do injustice, \[even] as much as an atom’s weight (*dharrah*). And if there is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from Himself a great reward.” This verse underscores that Allah’s justice is absolute, even at the smallest scales. Every action, no matter how seemingly insignificant, is recorded and accounted for. Here, the *dharrah* represents the minutest weight of moral action, emphasizing the precision of divine judgment.

Similarly, **Qur’ān 99:7–8** states, “So whoever does an atom’s (*dharrah*) weight of good will see it, and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.” This reinforces the concept that accountability encompasses even the tiniest of deeds. The Qur’ān repeatedly affirms that no action, regardless of its size, escapes divine attention, and even the smallest contributions or misdeeds carry significance in the ultimate record of human behavior.

Other verses apply the concept of *dharrah* to physical reality. In **Qur’ān 6:59**, it is said, “And with Him are the keys of the unseen; none knows them except Him. Not a leaf falls, nor a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything smaller (*dharrah*) or larger, but it is in a clear record.” Here, the *dharrah* signifies the tiniest element of creation, highlighting Allah’s complete and meticulous knowledge of the material universe. Likewise, **Qur’ān 10:61** reiterates, “And not a leaf falls but that He knows it, nor is there a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything smaller (*dharrah*) or larger, but it is in a clear record.” These passages affirm that every particle, whether visible or hidden, is within divine awareness, emphasizing the thoroughness of Allah’s omniscience.

**Qur’ān 31:16** provides another moral application: “Do not think that Allah is unaware of what the wrongdoers do. He knows even the smallest deeds (*dharrah*), and nothing is hidden from Him.” In this context, the *dharrah* again represents the minutest moral actions, affirming that human conduct is fully observed and will be judged with complete precision. Similarly, **Qur’ān 18:49** declares, “And the record \[of deeds] will be placed, and you will see the criminals fearful of what is within it. They will say, ‘Oh, woe to us! What a book this is! It does not leave out a small thing (*dharrah*), nor does it overlook anything.’” Here, the Qur’ān emphasizes the inclusivity of the divine record, showing that no act, no matter how small, is omitted from Allah’s accounting.

In the physical sense, **Qur’ān 57:4** states, “He is with you wherever you are, and Allah sees what you do. Not an atom (*dharrah*) in the heavens or the earth escapes Him.” This verse directly applies the concept of the *dharrah* to matter itself, indicating that the smallest constituent of the universe—every atom—is under divine observation. **Qur’ān 34:3** also hints at the smallest creations in the context of divine signs, “And no sign comes to them from the signs of their Lord except that they turn away from it.” Classical commentators suggest that “signs” in this verse include even the tiniest elements of the natural world, which are evidence of Allah’s power and design.

The Qur’ān thus uses the concept of the atom or *dharrah* to communicate a dual message. Morally, it illustrates that Allah observes even the smallest deeds, and physical minutiae, whether a grain, a leaf, or an imperceptible particle, are fully within divine knowledge. This duality emphasizes that divine omniscience encompasses all dimensions of existence: human actions and the physical universe, microscopic and macroscopic alike. The recurrence of the term across multiple verses underscores the consistency of this principle, demonstrating that the Qur’ān views both matter and moral conduct as subject to precise scrutiny.

In conclusion, the Qur’ān’s references to **ذَرَّة (*dharrah*)** highlight the intimate attention of Allah to the smallest components of creation and the tiniest human actions. Verses such as **4:40**, **6:59**, **10:61**, **18:49**, **31:16**, **34:3**, **57:4**, and **99:7–8** together demonstrate a worldview in which nothing is too small to escape divine notice. The Qur’ān thereby teaches that both physical reality and moral conduct are interconnected within the framework of divine knowledge, justice, and accountability, emphasizing the significance of even the most minute particles and deeds in the cosmic and ethical order.

This understanding provides a unique perspective on the Qur’ān’s attention to detail, revealing that the concept of atoms and smallest particles is not merely metaphorical but central to its moral and physical cosmology. It shows a remarkable awareness of the microscopic scale long before modern scientific inquiry into atoms, highlighting the Qur’ān’s holistic vision of the universe and the moral life within it.

Word count: 805