The Diversity of Colors in the Qur’an and Science

Abstract

The diversity of colors is one of the most remarkable manifestations of creation, addressed in seven verses of the Holy Qur’an, which invite humans to reflect and contemplate. The term alwān (colors) in the Qur’an is consistently associated with profound meaning, always referring to the “diversity” and “variety” of colors. This diversity not only showcases the beauty of the world but also serves as a divine āyah (sign), a clear indication of God’s wisdom and power, and an invitation for the wise and seekers of knowledge. By emphasizing the word ikhtilāf (difference) alongside alwān, the Qur’an elevates human perception beyond the mere appearance of colors, presenting them as a window for pondering the system of creation. In the verses, this difference is consistently introduced as a sign or a reminder for the wise, scholars, or those who reflect. From fruits and mountains to human skin and tongues, the diversity of colors in all natural phenomena reflects the precise and purposeful order of creation. But what do we, as researchers in the empirical sciences, know about color?

Keywords: Nature of color, diversity of colors, Qur’an and science, color perception.

The diversity of colors is one of the most striking manifestations of creation, addressed in seven verses of the Holy Qur’an, which call upon humans to reflect deeply. The term alwān in the Qur’an is consistently tied to a profound concept, always referring to the “difference” and “variety” of colors. This variety not only displays the beauty of the universe but also serves as a divine āyah—a clear sign of God’s wisdom and power and an invitation for the wise and knowledge seekers. The Qur’an, by emphasizing the word ikhtilāf (difference) alongside alwān, directs human perception beyond the superficial appearance of colors, presenting them as a gateway to contemplating the system of creation. This difference is consistently mentioned in the verses as a sign or reminder for the wise, scholars, or those who reflect. From fruits and mountains to human skin and tongues, the diversity of colors in all natural phenomena mirrors the meticulous and purposeful order of creation. But what do we, as researchers in the empirical sciences, know about color?

Color is a complex, multidimensional phenomenon resulting from the interaction of light, matter, and the human visual system. When light strikes an object, part of it is absorbed, and part is reflected. The reflected light enters the eye, is absorbed by the retina, and is converted into electrochemical signals. These signals are transmitted to the brain, where, after processing, they create a chromatic experience in the mind. This process is not limited to the physical properties of light and matter; rather, the brain’s information processing and psychological factors also influence color perception. The definition of color has always been ambiguous. For instance, the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines color as “a phenomenon of light or visual perception that enables the differentiation of otherwise identical objects.” While this definition acknowledges the role of color, it falls short of explaining its true nature. This ambiguity stems from the multifaceted nature of color, which combines physical, biological, and subjective characteristics [1].

The nature of color has long intrigued humanity. Initially, color served as a tool for survival. The human visual system, the primary source of information about the environment, provided chromatic experiences to aid in understanding the world. Over time, however, color transcended this rudimentary role, becoming integral to aesthetics, art, and design. Today, color is not only present in nature but also plays a vital role in human activities such as painting, design, and product manufacturing. The complexity of color in nature further reinforces this ambiguity. Phenomena such as sunsets, rainbows, the hues of flowers, or reflections in mirrors demonstrate that color is not merely a simple attribute of objects. In daily life, we often simplistically associate colors with objects: an apple is red, the sky is blue, or a banana is yellow. While this simplistic view is practical, it distances us from a deeper understanding of color’s true nature [1].

Color can even be experienced without external stimuli. Under conditions such as migraines, the influence of certain medications, electrical brain stimulation, physical pressure on the eyes, or even in dreams, chromatic experiences emerge without the need for light or matter. These experiences demonstrate that color is more of a subjective phenomenon than one dependent on external objects [2].

Two key realities are essential to understanding color: First, different stimuli can produce similar chromatic experiences. Second, a single stimulus can produce different chromatic experiences under varying conditions. This indicates that color is more a product of mental processing than an intrinsic property of objects. Yet, everyday experiences—such as seeing red blood or a yellow banana—often reinforce the general perception that color is an inherent feature of objects [3].

The complexity of color’s nature is also reflected in language. We still cannot precisely define the nature of sensory experiences such as sweetness, joy, or blueness. For this reason, scientific and lexical definitions of color often remain ambiguous and incomplete. Nevertheless, color has become an inseparable part of human experience—one that transcends physical properties, lending meaning to aesthetics, communication, and emotions, making the world vibrant and dynamic for us [4].

The diversity of colors permeates all aspects of life. It is a fundamental concept in science and technology, playing a vital role in various fields. This phenomenon results from differences in the wavelengths of light reflected by objects and their perception by the human visual system, and it is utilized across numerous scientific and technological disciplines. In manufacturing industries such as textiles, plastics, and automotive production, color difference is a metric for quality control. Instruments like spectrophotometers and colorimeters enable precise color measurement, minimizing errors and ensuring that final products meet standards [5][6].

In printing and graphic design, color difference between digital designs and final products is of particular importance. Color management systems ensure consistency across all production stages, from design to print. In medicine, color difference plays a key role in analyzing medical images such as MRI and CT scans, aiding in disease and anomaly diagnosis. Similarly, in pathology and medical laboratories, color variations in samples indicate chemical or cellular changes.

In agriculture, color difference is used to assess crop quality and diagnose plant health. Satellite and aerial imagery of farmlands rely on color analysis to identify areas suffering from water stress or nutrient deficiencies. In environmental sciences, changes in the color of water, soil, and vegetation are monitored to track ecological shifts. The psychology of colors also discusses the varying effects of colors. These properties are applied in color therapy, a modern medical technique that aids in improving patients’ psychological and physical conditions [7].

In industrial design and architecture, color difference helps create visual contrast, enhance spatial identity, and achieve environmental harmony. In materials engineering, color changes indicate chemical or physical transformations, enabling process control and material quality improvement. In artificial intelligence and machine vision technologies, color difference is a tool for object detection, image processing, and classification. These applications also assist in military and security industries, such as in designing camouflage and target recognition [8].

In the food industry, color difference is an indicator of quality, freshness, and product health. Color detection systems in production lines evaluate the quality of fruits, vegetables, and beverages [9]. In digital art and visual design, color difference is a tool for creating depth, motion, and emotion, utilized in film, animation, and advertising.

In summary, color difference serves as a tool for enhancing quality, increasing precision, and creating beauty in the world. Its pivotal role in advancing science and technology underscores its significance in human life. This article aims to examine the role of color and its diversity in cutting-edge sciences and technologies while proposing directions for future research in this field.

  

     “Color variation, which is presented in the Quran as a divine sign, has now found vital applications across various scientific fields from medicine to artificial intelligence.”

“While the Holy Quran considers color diversity as a sign of divine wisdom, modern science identifies it as the product of complex interactions between light, matter, and the human perceptual system.”

References:

1.          Principles of Light and Color, in Understanding Color Management. 2018. p. 37-63.

2.         Li, K. and T. Nagai, Increasing magnitude of color differences amplifies category effects. Scientific Reports, 2024. 14(1): p. 13665.

3.         Kuehni, R.G., Color: An introduction to practice and principles. 2015: John Wiley & Sons.

4.          Gegenfurtner, K.R., Cortical mechanisms of colour vision. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2003. 4(7): p. 563-572.

5.         Measuring Instruments, in Understanding Color Management. 2018. p. 95-120.

6.         Color by Numbers, in Understanding Color Management. 2018. p. 65-94.

7.         Xu, Y., et al., Contrast Sensitivity, Visual Field, Color Vision, Motion Perception, and Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2024. 25(8): p. 105098.

8.         Lin, C.J., et al., Optimization of color design for military camouflage in CIELAB color space. Color Research & Application, 2019. 44(3): p. 367-380.

9.         Ismail, B.P., Nielsen’s Food Analysis. (No Title), 2024.