41
In the creation of the heavens and earth, and the alternation of the
night and day, and the ships which sail the seas to people’s bene-
fit, and the water which Allah sends down from the sky – by which
He brings the earth to life when it was dead and scatters about in
it creatures of every kind – and the varying direction of the winds,
and the clouds subservient between heaven and earth, there are
Signs for people who use their intellect. (Surat al-Baqara: 164)
It is the special structure of the backbone and muscles of the fish that
provide it such power. The backbone keeps the body straight and is
connected to the fins and muscles. Otherwise, it would not be possible
for the fish to move in the water. However, the particular shape of its
backbone is not sufficient to enable it to swim. That is because fish not
only move forward and backward, but also up and down in order to
survive. This movement is made possible by another system in their
bodies; air sacs. By emptying these sacs of air, fish can sink to the bot-
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