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Although the Hejaz region is situated in an area known for being highly unstable
both geologically and ecologically, recent studies in natural geography and
geology have upheld the belief that Almighty Allah has protected this region,
which has been saved from such ecological disasters as earthquakes, volcanic
eruptions and desertification.
This
belief goes all the way back to pre-Islamic times. Abdul Muttalib, the
grandfather of the Prophet Muhammed (may the peace and blessings of Allah be
upon him), showed this belief in the Almighty’s protection when he received an
ultimatum from the Ethiopian governor of Yemen, advising the inhabitants of
Mecca not to resist his invading army, and that he only intended to destroy the
Ka’bah, meaning no harm to the inhabitants. Abdul Muttalib, in the face
of an enemy armed with strong elephants, replied with conviction, “The Lord
will protect His house.”
Dr.
Tal’at Muhammad Abdou, Professor of natural geography at Al-Azhar University,
points out that the Hejaz region is part and parcel of the Great Rift Valley,
the vast fault line that has been a main feature of East Africa since the third
ecological epoch. The fault starts from the Zambezi River and Lake Niassa in the
south, continues through the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea, to end
at the Hawran Plateau and Toros mountains in the north.
Geological,
geophysical and natural geography studies have confirmed that the Great Rift
Valley resulted from crustal separation, a separation of the earth’s crustal
plates, and is therefore characterized by enormous volcanic activity,
represented to a large extent by the huge volcanoes that distort the Eritrean
plateau, the top of which is dotted by many conical volcanoes.
The
limited volcanic activity on the other side of the Red Sea in the Arab Peninsula
is a clear manifestation of Allah the Almighty’s protection of the Hejaz
region, which saw only minor volcanic eruptions of lava that formed the rocks
that are known as Al-Harrat.
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A
hydrovolcanic crater on the basalt field of Harrat Shamah
Photo
by Vic Camp |
Centuries ago, the Arabs observed these rocks and described them as strangely
shaped distinct black rocks that were corroded and burned by the fire that
accompanied the extrusion of lava. These rocks constitute such an important
physiographic landmark (physical geography is geography that deals with the
exterior physical features and changes of the earth) on the road between Eastern
Hejaz and Western Hejaz that Al-Asmai (a philologist who made important
contributions to zoology, botany, and animal husbandry) identified the region by
these rocks, saying that the Arabic name Hejaz is a derivative from the verb
hajaza, which means “to circumscribe or outline”; and because Al-Harrat
outlined the region, it was named the Hejaz.
The
Red Sea . . . or Ocean
Abdou
further states that the Red Sea region stretches between the highly active
volcanic region of Ethiopia and the Arabian Peninsula region, which witnessed
minor volcanic activities. The Red Sea region is fraught with many active
earthquake fault lines; the Red Sea itself is a huge rift valley (which forms
part of the Great Rift Valley) that was filled with water from the Indian Ocean,
forming a longitudinal gulf.
A
geological survey of the bed of the Red Sea conducted by scientists Derek and
Girdler by means of seismic waves and published in the Geophysical Journal of
the Royal Astronomical Society, has confirmed the presence of a vein of igneous
basal rocks stretching alongside the seabed. This means that the seabed
continues to extrude lava up to the present day. In 1966, a geologist estimated
that the Red Sea is widening annually at an average rate of 1 cm from the ridge
that stretches exactly midway along the seabed. Thus the seabed is continuously
moving and the sea increases in width over time. This movement, which scientists
believe will result in the future transformation of the Red Sea into an ocean,
will obviously cause enormous volcanic activities and earthquakes.
Threatening
structural weakness
Natural
geographical studies have shown that the Hejaz region is somewhat affected by
the instability of the earth’s crust in the area, a fact confirmed by various
geographic phenomena in the region: the mountainous masses (within the fault
zone) that stretch to the rift valley of the Red Sea; several lengthwise chasms
that run parallel to the Red Sea; and other transverse chasms that run parallel
to the Mediterranean Sea. Lava seeped into these chasms as was the case in the
valleys of Medina, such as the ‘Aqeeq valley that runs lengthwise, and the
valleys of Hamdh and Qanat that run transversely.
Geographic
studies undertaken by Fisher in 1978 referred to a line of structural weakness
that straddles the entire Hejaz region. Heterogeneous rocks, whereby hard rocks
rest on soft fragile rocks (a formation that would cause a collapse),
characterize this line, which starts from the coastal region of Tehama, west of
the Arabian Pennisula, and runs through the Hejaz mountain region to the Nejd
Plateau. Along this line, there are many signs of structural weakness, such as
the extrusion of lava, and the presence of cracks and rock indentation. Hence,
the Hejaz region is prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity, particularly
along the lines parallel to the transverse chasms. Nonetheless, Allah (SWT), the
Protector, has protected this region against the destructive earthquakes that
afflicted the surrounding regions, such as the earthquake that destroyed the
historical Dam of Marib and the earthquakes that have frequently hit the Elat,
Al-‘Aqabah, Suez and Al-Fayyum areas.
Al-Hejaz:
Immune to Desertification
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Taif
is located in the northern most part of Hejaz |
Allah (SWT) has protected the Hejaz region not only by averting geological
disasters but also by safeguarding it against desertification. Although
the entire region has a hot, dry desert climate, its lithological structure
(which relates to rock characteristics) ensures its protection from
desertification. The upper permeable lava rocks function as a filter to purify
the runoff from rainwater, which falls on highlands and mountains, from
fragmented rocks and other impurities allowing water to seep through. These
rocks provide protection against evaporation, which can be severe in such a hot
climate. On the other hand, the igneous impermeable rocks located underneath
serve as a reservoir that collects the purified water and provides water for
wells and springs, such as the well of Zamzam and the springs and wells
prevalent in the Al-Taif region.
Throughout
history, Allah the Almighty has protected His house, Al-Masjid Al-Haram, not
only against volcanoes, earthquakes, desertification, draughts, and other
natural catastrophes but against all kinds of harm.
Medhat
Al-Azhari is an Egyptian freelance journalist based in Cairo. Your emails will be forwarded to him by contacting the editor at
ScienceTech@islam-online.net
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