Quran Verses Underscoring Breath's Centrality to Life Itself

The Quran on the Importance of Oxygen and Breath

Oxygen is essential for human life. We breathe in oxygen and breathe out carbon dioxide about 20,000 times per day. Without oxygen, we would quickly perish. While the Quran, the holy book of Islam, does not directly reference oxygen or its chemical properties, there are numerous verses about the importance of breath and breathing that provide an analogy for why oxygen is so vital.

Breath as a Sign of God's Existence

In Sura 32 verse 9 of the Quran, breath itself is cited as evidence of God's existence and power: "Then He proportioned him and breathed into him from His [created] soul and made for you hearing and vision and hearts; little are you grateful." This verse talks about human creation and how giving us the ability to breathe is one of God's great gifts.

Just as oxygen gives and sustains life, so does God give and sustain us through the breath in our lungs. The very act of breathing, happening automatically without any effort or thought on our part, signifies the blessings God has bestowed upon humankind.

Breathlessness on Judgement Day

The vital connection between breath and life can be seen in Sura 11 verse 106, which describes the terror awaiting sinners on the Day of Judgement: "As for those wretched ones, they will be in the Fire where, when they try to leave it, they will be returned to it while [being told], 'Taste the punishment of the Fire which you used to deny.'" On this most feared of days for unrepentant sinners, they will be so overcome that they will be "breathless" as punishment for their transgressions.

This verse underlines how breathlessness indicates extreme distress for human beings. Just as oxygen deprivation rapidly brings pain and then death, the breathlessness felt by sinners emphasizes the agony they face for failing to follow God's path.

Gratitude for God's Blessings

Sura 16 verse 53 discusses the many favors God has granted to humanity: "And whatever you have of favor - it is from Allah. Then when adversity touches you, to Him you cry for help." One of God's favors is our respiratory system that keeps providing oxygen without stop from birth until death. This blessing allows us to live, move, work, play and engage in all other activities.

We do not have to consciously pull in our next breath; if we did, little else would get done. And when our breath is restricted during illness or accidents, we very quickly grow panicked and overwhelmed. This verse encourages offering gratitude to God rather than taking for granted something as basic as breath.

An Analogy for Experiencing God's Presence

A traditional Islamic saying highlights the similarities between breathing and faith: "Just like your body cannot survive without oxygen, your soul cannot survive without the remembrance of Allah." Breathing connects the body to the outside physical world, allowing the transport of life-sustaining oxygen. Remembrance of God connects the soul to the divine realm, transporting faith, mercy and blessings into one's life.

Human beings need oxygen whether they consciously acknowledge its importance or not. But making an effort to remember God (through prayer, charity, reflection on sacred scriptures etc.) provides divine sustenance for the soul, just like lungs supplying oxygen sate the constant needs of the body.

Quranic Verses on Breathing and Respiration

Given the multitude of verses from Islam's sacred text concerning breathing, some important examples are highlighted below that underscore breathing's vital link between the physical and spiritual realms:

Sura 15, Verses 26-29 on Human Origins

"And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud. And the jinn We created before from scorching fire. And [mention, O Muhammad], when your Lord said to the angels, "I will create a human being out of clay from an altered black mud.

And when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My [created] soul, then fall down to him in prostration." So the angels prostrated - all of them entirely."

This well-known story outlines how God molded Adam, the first human, from clay and then gave him life by breathing part of His eternal spirit into this earthly form. The breath from God served as the animating force for the first man. And just as humans are given life through breath, we must connect back to the Divine by heeding the messages conveyed through God's prophets across time.

Sura 21, Verse 104 on The End of The World

"The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it."

This verse speaks about the end of the world when all that exists shall be destroyed and then created anew. The inference is that just as God initiated creation by breathing life into humankind, the process will repeat itself after the final reckoning. Our current reality relies on oxygen for its genesis and stability, but a new heavenly realm will come into being independent of all the physical rules and constraints of the present world.

Sura 22, Verse 5 on the Stages of Human Development

O People, if you should be in doubt about the Resurrection, then [consider that] indeed, We created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a clinging clot, and then from a lump of flesh, formed and unformed - that We may show you. And We settle in the wombs whom We will for a specified term, then We bring you out as a child, and then [We develop you] that you may reach your [time of] maturity. And among you is he who is taken in [early] death, and among you is he who is returned to the most decrepit [old] age so that he knows, after [once having] knowledge, nothing.

This verse illuminates the various phases of human existence from dust to old age. And in all the stages, from embryo to youth to elderly, breath continues to sustain each individual. Breath is the thread connecting dust to the divine spark, and breath persists from life's first stirrings in a womb until the soul departs from the body after death. Our very consciousness is borne through the breath in our lungs from birth until the grave.

Why Breath and Oxygen Matter

Breathing links the biological processes occurring within the human body to the outside environment providing sustenance. Each inhalation pulls in oxygen, the giver of life, and each exhalation expels carbon dioxide and other waste gases. This exchange keeps organisms alive second by second, minute after minute, for the duration of a lifetime.

And just as physical survival depends on breathing, spiritual life relies on practices connecting individuals to the divine. Prayer, charity, self-reflection and reciting sacred scriptures are types of worship that provide sustenance and growth for the human soul.

Whether you consciously consider it or not, each breath signifies the blessings of health and opportunity that God unceasingly provides humanity. But making an effort to remember and appreciate that divine beneficence adds meaning and fulfillment beyond mere physical existence. Appreciating the constant flow of oxygen allows people to open their eyes to all the other gifts offered by God towards humankind.

FAQs

Does the Quran directly mention oxygen?

No, the Quran does not directly reference oxygen or its chemical properties. However, there are numerous verses about the importance of breath and breathing that provide an analogy for why oxygen is vital for human life.

How does the Quran link breathing and spirituality?

A traditional Islamic saying highlights that just as the body needs oxygen to survive physically, the soul needs remembrance of Allah to survive spiritually. So making effort for religious practices like prayer connects the soul to divine sustenance.

What Quran verses describe God breathing life into humans?

Sura 15, verses 26-29 outline how God molded Adam from clay and then breathed His spirit into this earthly form to give the first human life. So the breath from the Divine served as the animating force for humankind's genesis.

Why does breath signify blessings per the Quran?

Breathing happens automatically without us willing each breath, showing the blessings God provides humanity. And just as physical survival depends on breathing, spiritual life relies on worship practices connecting individuals back to the Divine that sustains existence.