IBIL, BI'EER, JAMAL
Abu Hind
Camel has 3 names in Quran, IBIL, Bi'eer and Jamal.
THE CAMEL
“Do they not look at the camel; how it is created?”
This 17th verse of Surah Al-Gashiya tells us that the camel is an animal that has to be studied. Let us take a glance at its abilities and characteristics:
Resistance to thirst and hunger: Camels can live without food or water for 8 days in 50-degree Celsius temperatures.
Protection against whirlwinds and storms: They eyes of camels have two rows of eyelashes. The structure of the eyelashes is like two different combs clamping together which protect the eyes from severe sandstorms. Another advantage of this design is the protection of the eyes from strong sunrays. Remarkably, camels can close the openings of their noses in these kinds of storms.
Improved water utilization unit: In a mere 10 minutes, camels can consume 130 liters of water, which is around one third of their body weight. Camels also have a curvy mucus structure in their nose that has a 100 times larger area than the human nose. With this structure, camels have the benefit of about 66% of the moisture in the air.
Maximum benefit from food and water: Most animals die when the accumulated urea in their bodies mixes with the blood in the circulatory system. Yet, camels use this urea by passing it through the liver continuously in order to use it as a protein and water source. The hump is another aid to the camel. One fifth of the camel’s body is stored in the form of fat in its hump. The storage of the body fat in only one part of the camel’s body prevents it from using water all through its body. This allows its body to use the minimum amount of water.
Although a camel with humps can take in 30-50 kg of food in a day, it is able to live for one month on only 2kg. of grass. Camels have very strong rubber-like lips, which permit them to eat thorns sharp enough to pierce leather. Moreover, they possess such a strong digestive system that they can eat everything in sight, like plastic plates, copper wire and reeds. The four-chambered stomach of this wonderful animal is designed to cater for non-food substances as well, which increases its chances of obtaining energy from sources other than food. This adaptability is definitely helpful in surviving in an arid region.
Protection against burning and freezing weather conditions: Thick hair on the camel’s body prevents the burning sunlight from penetrating its skin. This helps the animal to keep cool which in turn increases water-retention and reduces dehydration by lessening the risk of sweating profusely. This thick hair on the skin also protects the animal against very cold weather. While desert camels are not affected by high temperatures up to 70 degrees Celsius, double-humped camels can survive in cold weather with temperatures going down to –52 degrees Celsius. This kind of camel can survive even in high mountains 4000 m. above sea level.
Protection from burning hot sand: The feet of the camel, being very large in proportion to its body, helps the animal not to get stuck in the sand because of its weight. The special thick skin on the soles of the camel’s feet acts as a protection from the hot desert sand.
THE CAMEL AS A BEAST OF BURDEN
“And the carry your heavy loads to lands that you could not otherwise reach except with souls distressed: for your Lord is indeed Most Kind, Most Merciful”(Surah Nahl, 7 – The Meaning of the Qur’an)
Camels are very strong animals. They can travel a distance of 40 kilometers with a load of 250 kilograms, and without any load, they can travel for 300 kilometers. Because of this capability, camels are called the “ships of the desert”. Has the camel adapted its body to suit desert conditions? Has it formed its own nose mucus or the hump on its back?
The rhetorical question in the Qur’an: “Do they not look at the camel, how it is created?” Suggests the awe we should feel at this excellent example of Allah’s creativity.
All praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.
from the book, 'EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THE TRUTH? by Harun Yahya
