Quran Found Underwater by Ian Haggerty: Viral Video Claim Explained

A video circulating across social media platforms claims that South African scuba diver Ian Haggerty discovered an open Quran underwater while diving off the coast of South Africa. The footage shows an intact book lying on the ocean floor at a reported depth of 18 meters, allegedly open to verses detailing Prophet Nuh (A.S.) and the Great Flood.

The discovery has sparked widespread discussion online regarding the condition of the book, its origins, and the context of the underwater footage.

The Claim Behind the Viral Discovery

According to the content shared online, scuba diver Ian Haggerty encountered the book resting face-up on the seabed. Viewers quickly identified the Arabic text visible in the footage as passages from Surah Al-A’raf, specifically referencing the narrative of Prophet Nuh (A.S.) and the deluge.

Key details reported in the viral claims include:

• Location and Depth: The discovery reportedly took place off the coast of South Africa at a depth of approximately 18 meters.
• Condition of the Pages: The text remained legible despite being submerged in seawater.
• Specific Verses: The visible page was identified as containing Quranic verses describing the Great Flood.

Fact Check: Verification and Context

Despite the massive engagement on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X, the footage leaves several analytical questions open. Independent oceanographers, marine experts, and verification organizations have not published formal scientific assessments of the object or the footage.

When evaluating underwater paper discoveries, several environmental factors are typically reviewed by marine specialists:

• Paper Degradation: Standard paper degrades rapidly when exposed to saltwater, currents, and marine life. Laminated, treated, or synthetic material can withstand underwater exposure longer than standard organic paper.
• Seabed Placement: Strong underwater currents often displace light objects, making stationary, face-up open books rare without anchor mechanisms.
• Lack of Formal Chain of Custody: No lab testing or official documentation has verified how long the item was submerged prior to being filmed.

Why the Video Gained Massive Attention

The video resonated strongly with online audiences due to the symbolic connection between the text visible in the video—passages detailing a catastrophic historical flood—and the ocean environment where the object was recorded. This thematic crossover drove high engagement, shares, and commentary across digital communities globally.

While many online users view the clip through a spiritual lens, analysts and journalists emphasize treating unverified video claims with objective scrutiny until formal research or independent verification confirms the origin and history of the item shown.