Keywords: Math in Nature, Allah’s patterns in nature, Islamic view of mathematics, Divine patterns in creation, Mathematics and Islam, Quran and mathematics

“Math in Nature—Discovering Allah’s Patterns”

"The book of nature is written in the language of mathematics." (Galileo Galilei)

What is mathematics?  

The word "mathematics" comes from the Greek "μαθήμα" (máthēma), which, in the ancient Greek language, means "that which is learnt," or "lesson" in modern Greek. "Mathēma" is derived from "manthano," while the modern Greek equivalent is "mathaino," which means "to learn." The study of mathematics and the use of generalized mathematical theories and proofs are the key differences between Greek mathematics and the mathematics of preceding civilizations.

Why do you need to study mathematics? 

According to John William Navin Sullivan, a famous science writer, "Mathematics, as much as music or any other art, is one of the means by which we rise to a complete self-consciousness. The significance of mathematics resides precisely in the fact that it is an art; by informing us of the nature of our own minds, it informs us of much that depends on our minds." Mathematics is evident in ancient arts, Egyptian architecture, and music. In fact, Pythagoras (570-495 BC), the "Father of Numbers," discovered numerical reasons in musical harmony.

Mathematics has always been around us; it has always been the secret behind the beauty of the various creations of God. Words aren’t the perfect medium to describe the brilliant theories and discoveries of those great minds who uncovered sequences and patterns in nature and gave us a new way of understanding the world around us called ‘mathematics.’

Nature of Mathematics

Mathematics is visible everywhere in nature, even where we are not expecting it. It can help explain the way galaxies spiral, a seashell curves, patterns replicate, and rivers bend.

Mathematics is deeply woven into the fabric of nature. From flowers to galaxies, Allah ﷻ has designed everything with perfect balance, symmetry, and proportion—showing that every creation follows divine calculation. Allah says:

“إِنَّ فِي خَلْقِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ وَاخْتِلَافِ اللَّيْلِ وَالنَّهَارِ لَآيَاتٍ لِأُولِي الْأَلْبَابِ”

“Indeed, in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day are signs for those of understanding.” (Surah Aal-Imran 3:190)

The field of mathematics was invented, not discovered—it is just a creation of the human mind. Math is the missing link between the physical and theoretical worlds. The physical world is what we see, observe, and feel, meaning we can understand its technicalities just by feeling them or solve its problems by practical means.

Five Patterns in Nature Explained by Maths

In this article, I’ll discuss the following awe-inspiring mathematical patterns found in nature: the Fibonacci Sequence, Symmetry, Fractals, Waves, Cycles & Periodicity, and Geometry in Islamic Art & Architecture

1. Fibonacci Sequence & Spiral Patterns

The Fibonacci sequence is an infinite sequence in which every number in the sequence is the sum of two numbers preceding it in the sequence and is given by 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, ... The ratio of consecutive numbers in the Fibonacci sequence approaches the golden ratio, a mathematical concept that has been used in art, architecture, and design for centuries. This sequence also has practical applications in computer algorithms, cryptography, and data compression. Allah says: 

       (Surah An-Nahl, 16:18)                           “وَإِن تَعُدُّوا نِعْمَةَ اللَّهِ لَا تُحْصُوهَا”

“And if you try to count the blessings of Allah, you will never be able to number them.”

2. Symmetry & Hexagonal Patterns (Honeycomb & Snowflakes)

Insect The compound eye often has thousands of lens-like facets, each hexagonal, that are fitted together as in a mosaic. Honeycombs, snowflakes, the compound eyes of various insects, benzene and other cyclic compounds, and certain types of minerals are among the most well-known examples of hexagonal structures in nature. 

                                                                    

Snowflakes

Snowflake on a wool coat snowflake on a wool An individual snowflake on the threads of a wool coat. The laws of physics are also at work when six-sided snowflakes form. Depending on the weather conditions, snowflakes often begin as small, regular hexagonal plates, formed by water molecules as they freeze. Because each of the hexagon’s internal angles is 120 degrees, such a plate has an unusually stable structure. 

Hexagons have a long history in human designs, particularly in tile patterns and in some architectural structures. More recently, hexagons have also been used to represent geographic data on computer-generated maps. Allah says:

                                   “الَّذِي خَلَقَ فَسَوَّىٰ”             

“He who created and proportioned.” (Surah Al-A‘la 87:2)

3. Fractals & Self-Similarity in Nature

A fractal is a complex geometric shape made using math that repeats the same pattern over and over, no matter how closely you zoom in. This quality is called self-similarity, meaning each small part looks like a tiny version of the whole. 

The term "fractal" was introduced in 1975 by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot, who explored patterns that didn’t fit into the neat shapes of traditional geometry. 

He noticed that many irregular or jagged shapes, like clouds or coastlines, weren’t random. Instead, they followed simple math rules and repeated in smaller and smaller parts. 

To describe these endlessly repeating patterns, he coined the word “fractal,” based on the Latin “fractus,” meaning “broken.” Allah says:

                                 “تُولِجُ اللَّيْلَ فِي النَّهَارِ وَتُولِجُ النَّهَارَ فِي اللَّيْلِ”         

“You cause the night to enter into the day, and You cause the day to enter into the night.”

 (Surah Aal-Imran, 3:27)

4. Waves, Cycles & Periodicity

Waves are yet another common pattern found in nature. Think about it: waves can be seen crashing on a beach, at the snap of a rope, or as sound traveling through a speaker. 
A wave cycle is one full "up and down" of a periodic wave. In the simulation, one wave cycle consists of a black circle (water disturbed below equilibrium) and the blue circle that follows it (water disturbed above equilibrium). The pattern repeats after each wave cycle. Allah says:

                                          “وَالْقَمَرَ قَدَّرْنَاهُ مَنَازِلَ حَتَّىٰ عَادَ كَالْعُرْجُونِ الْقَدِيمِ”

“And the moon—we have determined its phases until it returns like the old date stalk.” 

(Surah Yasin, 36:39)

5. Geometry in Islamic Art & Architecture

Islamic geometric patterns are one of the major forms of Islamic ornament, which tends to avoid using figurative images, as it is forbidden to create a representation of an important Islamic figure according to many holy scriptures.
The geometric designs in Islamic art are often built on combinations of repeated squares and circles, which may be overlapped and interlaced, as can arabesques (with which they are often combined), to form intricate and complex patterns, including a wide variety of tessellations. These may constitute the entire decoration, may form a framework for floral or calligraphic embellishments, or may retreat into the background around other motifs. The complexity and variety of patterns used evolved from simple stars and lozenges in the ninth century, through a variety of 6- to 13-point patterns by the 13th century, and finally to include also 14- and 16-point stars in the sixteenth century.

Conclusion:
Math shows the beauty and order in Allah’s creation. Every shape, pattern, and number in nature reminds us of His wisdom and power. Through math, we see how perfectly Allah has made everything.