Surah 25:53. It is He Who has let free the two bodies of flowing water: One palatable and sweet, and the other salt and bitter; yet has He made a barrier between them, a partition that is forbidden to be passed.
[53] Dan Dialah yang membiarkan dua laut mengalir (berdampingan); yang ini tawar lagi segar dan yang lain asin lagi pahit; dan Dia jadikan antara keduanya dinding dan batas yang menghalangi.
3.0pt;margin-left:1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;page-break-after:avoid’>It is possible for salt and fresh water to mix and this is a scientific error.
Even the writer Bucaille (of the Bible, the Quran and Science) admits, “the mixing of their waters with the salt water usually does not take place until far out at sea.”
Muslim response
According to Yusuf Ali, this is a symbolic statement. Sweet water represents the wholesome spiritual desires of man and salt water the worldly desires. These two do not mix.
Christian response
There is nothing in the verse to indicate that it is a symbolic statement. In fact, you have to interpret it literally because the next verse is also talking about another of God’s creation – man. And man is created from water – real water, not symbolic water.
Furthermore, the teaching of Surah 25:53 is repeated in another part of the Quran. There it is absolutely clear that you cannot adopt a symbolic explanation.
Surah 55:19. He has let free the two bodies of flowing water, meeting together:
20. Between them is a Barrier which they do not transgress:
21. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
22. Out of them come Pearls and Coral:
23. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
24. And His are the Ships sailing smoothly through the seas, lofty as mountains:
25. Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?
[19] Dia membiarkan dua lautan mengalir yang keduanya kemudian bertemu,
[20] antara keduanya ada batas yang tidak dilampaui oleh masing-masing.
[21] Maka nikmat Tuhan kamu yang manakah yang kamu dustakan?
[22] Dari keduanya keluar mutiara dan marjan.
[23] Maka nikmat Tuhan kamu yang manakah yang kamu dustakan?
[24] Dan kepunyaan-Nya lah bahtera-bahtera yang tinggi layarnya di lautan laksana gunung-gunung.
[25] Maka nikmat Tuhan kamu yang manakah yang kamu dustakan?
Out of this sea water comes Pearls and Corals and ships sail through it. How can it be symbolical?