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Most fish are known to respire
through their gills, but lungfish have lungs
and breathe air. These fish live in the rivers
and swamps of Central Africa, Australia, and
in the southern region of the Amazon River.
Both high temperatures and drought in these
tropical regions lead many animals to enter
into a state of aestivation, for they cannot
withstand the harsh conditions. As soon as the
dry season arrives and there is little or no
water available, lungfish make special
shelters by digging holes in the mud to make
nests where they stay until the water rises..
They remain dormant until the water returns
and they lower their metabolism and can
survive up to two years in this way.
The amount of fat in their
bodies during their period of activity is
considered their final reserve that provides
them with the basic necessities of life during
their period of dormancy. The lungfish found
in Africa digs into mud almost two feet, curls
its tail around its body and adapts to its
environment by producing mucus that covers its
entire body, and draws air through a long tube
while living on the breakdown of body fat.
It is interesting, if not
miraculous to note that the length of the
fasting period varies according to the
different years and conditions. Thus, when
rain falls heavily, these fish move away from
their nests, shake off the translucent layer
that had enveloped them and break their fast
with drafts of water, until they find their
favorite food to consume.
However, if the dry conditions
persist, they can do nothing but continue
their fast, and remain in their nests,
praising and glorifying their Lord and
invoking Him to provide them with provision.
Some studies have proven that
these fish have been able to continue their
fast throughout dry periods that lasted for
four consecutive years. Following the long and
difficult period of aestivation, these fish
resume their activity with full vitality as
soon as the rain returns and the first signs
of water and food are observed.
Almighty Allah informs us in
the Noble Qur'an about the story of the People
of the Cave. The youth in this story remained
in the cave for three hundred and nine years.
This story and the one above are from real
life; they clearly and distinctly illustrate
the following verse: (You do not see in the
creation of the Most Merciful any
inconsistency) (Al-Mulk 67:3).
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