Whoever Allah wills to guide, He opens their heart to Islam. But whoever He wills to leave astray, He makes their chest tight and constricted as if they were climbing up into the sky. This is how Allah dooms those who disbelieve. [  Surah Al-An’yam 6:125  ]

Surah Al-An’am Verse 125

Verse 125 of Surah Al-An’am describes the tightness and constriction of the human chest. But why does it then mention ascension to the sky? What is the connection between the constriction of the chest and rising towards the sky?

The first noticeable effect of chest constriction is difficulty in breathing, leading to an inability to breathe normally. Along with breathing difficulties, the oxygen levels in our body begin to decrease.

This shortness of breath is closely linked to ascension, as both oxygen concentration and atmospheric pressure decrease with altitude.

As one ascends above the Earth’s surface, air pressure and oxygen levels decrease significantly. This makes normal breathing nearly impossible without supplemental oxygen or air pressure. Studies show that at altitudes exceeding 2,500 meters (8,200 feet), fluid can accumulate in the lungs, a condition known as High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE). This leads to severe breathing difficulties and can even be fatal.

To counteract these effects, planes and spacecraft are pressurized and equipped with artificial oxygen systems. Similarly, climbers tackling high-altitude peaks like Mount Everest always carry supplemental oxygen to ensure survival in such extreme environments.

Surah Al-An’am Verse 125

Fourteen hundred years ago, no one could have known that the higher one ascends, the more difficult it becomes to breathe. Like many other miracles mentioned in the Quran, this verse too is a remarkable revelation.

Undeniable Miracle of Quran – Difficulty of breathing at higher altitudes.