Chapter 1: The Perplexing Verse

I once found myself puzzled by the Quranic verse stating, "And of all things We created pairs, so that you may be mindful." (Q51:49). The verses preceding this one discuss the heavens and the Earth, leading me to interpret "all things" as encompassing both living and non-living entities. However, the concept of pairs raises questions.

If "pairs" pertains to gender, its application is limited to living organisms. Yet, this does not hold true universally; many trees are not dioecious, and bacteria do not exhibit gender differentiation. Thus, even within the realm of living things, the assertion does not consistently apply.

If we consider "pairs" to mean "opposites," one might creatively devise examples such as mountains versus valleys or islands against lakes. However, certain entities lack oppositional counterparts altogether—clouds and soil come to mind. One could argue existence versus nonexistence as a pair, yet that interpretation stretches the meaning significantly.

The assertion that "of all things We have created pairs" initially seems to lack universal validity. If the Quran is a human creation, why would its author make such a sweeping and evidently inaccurate claim, which could undermine the text's credibility? Conversely, if I believe the Quran is divinely revealed by an omniscient God, then the verse warrants deeper contemplation. It encourages mindfulness and reflection, suggesting a hidden significance.

Then, a realization struck me!

If "pairs" encompasses all things, it must refer to the fundamental constituents of everything—specifically, atoms and subatomic particles. In this context, pairs do exist, namely, matter and antimatter!

The modern understanding of antimatter traces back to Paul Dirac, who, in the late 1920s and early 1930s, predicted the presence of antielectrons—particles identical to electrons but with a positive charge. These were later discovered and named positrons, which now play a critical role in medical applications like positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.

The antiproton was first created in 1955 through the bombardment of copper with high-energy protons, and later it was detected naturally in the Van Allen radiation belt surrounding Earth. Antineutrons emerged in 1956 via proton-antiproton collisions. Protons and neutrons consist of quarks, and antiquarks have also been identified. It is now well recognized that antimatter is produced in natural processes, such as cosmic ray collisions and specific forms of radioactive decay.

When a matter particle encounters its antimatter counterpart, they annihilate each other, resulting in a release of energy, neutrinos, or other less massive particle-antiparticle pairs.

Atoms of all elements are constructed from electrons, protons, and neutrons (excluding the common isotope of hydrogen, which lacks neutrons). The existence of positrons, antiprotons, and antineutrons opens the possibility for the artificial creation of anti-atoms, antimolecules, and various types of anti-substances. Recently, in September 2023, it was announced that a stable antihydrogen atom was successfully created, controlled, and manipulated, demonstrating that antihydrogen responds to gravity in the same manner as regular hydrogen.

In my view, the statement "of all things We have created pairs" accurately refers to the existence of matter and antimatter, validated at the level of the fundamental constituents of existence. Moreover, one could speculate about the potential existence of antimatter elsewhere in the universe or even in entirely separate universes composed of antimatter. Ultimately, the true extent of this remains known only to God Almighty.

Thank you for taking the time to read my reflections. If this piece resonated with you, I encourage you to ponder its implications and find mindfulness in your own interpretations.

Chapter 2: Learning About Perplexity

In this chapter, we will explore the meaning of the term "perplex" and its relevance in understanding complex concepts.

The first video titled "What is the meaning of perplex? Learn English with MisterDuncan" provides insights into this intriguing word.

Additionally, the second video titled "Perplexed meaning in English" delves deeper into the nuances of the term and its application in everyday language.