Introduction
Some may confuse
geocentricism
with the the
idea that the
Earth is flat.
This is not the
case. These are
two different
ideas.
Geocentrism
simply is the
notion that the
earth is the
(immovable)
centre of our
universe, thus
all celestial
bodies mover
around it. The
ancient Greeks
and the
Europeans of the
middle ages
thought that the
celestial bodies
(the sun, the
moon and the 5
known planets)
all moved in
celestial
spheres around a
spherical earth.
It should be
noted that even
though not all
geocentrists are
flat-earthers
invariably all
flat-earthers
seem to be
geocentrists.
It seems the
author of the
Qur'an thought
that the sun
(and the moon
and the five
known planets)
followed a
curved (rounded)
course (a Falak).
According to the
Qur'an this
falak starts in
the east (where
the sun goes
up), goes high
above the earth
and ends after
sunset with the
Sun resting at
night at a
hidden place.
All this took
place around an
earth that was
spread out and
had a firmament
built on
invisible
pillars above
it. This was a
common belief at
the time and can
be found with
the Babylonians,
ancient Hebrews,
the Assyrians
and other
cultures in the
region. In that
regard it may be
interesting to
note that the
Tawaf (the
circling of the
Ka'aba) mimics
these seven
orbits.
Please note that
this article is
meant in no way
to disrespect
the people of
that age and
time. These
people described
the universe as
best they could
using the
available tools
and knowledge
they had at
their disposal.
The evidence
The evidence for
the Qur'an’s
geocentricity
will be dealt
with in several
paragraphs,
supported by
evidence from
the Qur'an,
Muslim daily
practice, Muslim
scientists and
the
Hadith. Even
though some
Muslims reject
the Hadith and
the Sunna as
being
not-divinely
inspired; that
argument
presupposes a
priori that the
Qur'an is
divinely
inspired and
protected whilst
these other
documents are
not. Obviously,
such special
pleading will
not do in a
scholarly
examination of
the Qur'an. The
Qur'an alone
cannot prove
itself to be
Muhammad’s
words (let alone
the words of
Allah)
without the
support of
hadiths. Not
only are these
sources useful
as supporting
evidence; they
also tell us
which
interpretation
is supported by
Muhammad and
(early) Muslims.
This is also why
this article
includes the
views of several
medieval Muslim
Astronomers: if
the Qur'an had
clearly
described a
cosmology that
is not
geocentric, they
would simply not
hold geocentric
views. In
addition, we
will even
include the
opinions of a
modern-day
Muslim
astronomer.
Let us see what
makes the Qur'an
geocentric:
- It is very
clear from the
Qur'an and
scientific
observations
that the moon
makes rounds
around the
earth. The
Qur'an mentions
the sun and the
moon in such a
way as if they
are following
each other
[
Qur'an 13:2
mentions Allah
subjected the
sun and the
moon, each
pursuing an
appointed course
]
- There is
only one moon
and one sun in
the entire
Qur'anic
universe. The
position of all
these celestial
bodies within
this universe
are clearly
described in the
Qur'an. For
example, the
heavens are
above the earth,
and the sun and
the moon are
within the
heavens, and the
earth and the
stars are below
the lowest
heaven to
beautify it.
[
Qur'an
71:15-16 -
Have you not
seen how Allah
created the
seven heavens
one above the
other, setting
in them the moon
as a light and
the sun as a
lantern? ]
- The Qur'an
mentions
heavenly bodies
traveling in
their own
orbits, but so
do the concepts
of day and
night. None of
the bodies are
supposed to run
into each other.
- The heavens
are firmly held
in place lest
they move from
where they are
and fall on the
earth.
[
Qur'an
2:22-29,
Qur'an 35:41,
Qur'an 21:104,
Qur'an 2:65,
Qur'an 17:92,
and
Qur'an 34:9
]
Note that there
is no mention of
orbits for the
heavens or the
earth in the
Qur'an. An orbit
is only
mentioned for
the sun and the
moon. Not even
the stars have
an orbit, for
they are as if
hanging down
from the heavens
like a light
bulb from the
ceiling in a
room. The fixed
position of the
heavens, earth
and the stars,
as well as the
moving sun and
moon in between
them, means
what?
For the Qur'an
to be
scientific, it
must contain
accurate
statements in
regards to all
that is visible
i.e. material
objects and
phenomena. How
can Allah appeal
to such things
as proof of his
power and
existence if he
fails to make
his case
obvious? A
confusing text
is no proof of
anything other
than
foolishness,
ignorance,
weakness or
imperfection. If
the Qur'an tells
us the heavens
and the earth
are firmly held
it their places,
what are we to
make of this?
Why does the
Qur'an not
mention the same
for the sun and
the moon i.e.
that they too
are firmly held
in their places?
Instead the
Qur'an indicates
they are keeping
strictly to
their courses.
All the evidence
in the Qur'an
points very
strongly to the
fact that the
author had been
observing the
universe, not
from the
heavens, but
from the Arabian
Desert. The
author tells us
that the heavens
are above the
earth. Why?
Because he was
looking at the
heavens from the
Arabian floor
and not from the
vast space above
or below.
Otherwise Allah
would have seen
the Milky Way as
a disc. Our
solar system too
is a disc. The
earth is just
one of the
planets moving
around the sun.
However, in the
the Qur'an we
find the sky
mistakenly being
referred to as
if it were a
solid structure
that could fall
upon the earth
and crush people
and things
between them.
There are verses
upon verses
which lead us to
these
conclusions.
The sun and moon are signs from
Allah
According to the
Qur'an, the sun
and the moon are
some of the
signs (al ayaat)
that are created
by Allah. In the
Qur'an, Allah
also promises to
"explain his
signs in detail,
for people who
have knowledge."
It is He Who
made the sun a
shining thing
and the moon as
a light and
measured out its
(their) stages,
that you might
know the number
of years and the
reckoning. Allāh
did not create
this but in
truth. He
explains the
signs in detail
for people who
have knowledge.
yussuf Ali -
(he explains in
detail) al ayaat
(the signs) Li
(for) Qawmin
(people)
Yalamoon
(knowing).
Muslims
apologist may
say that these
detailed
explanation are
only correctly
understood by
them (since only
they have
knowledge); but
this is of
course circular
reasoning. ("You
first have to
believe the
Qur'an to be
100% true to be
qualified to
criticize its
veracity.") Even
if this were
true, these
Muslim
possessors of
'true' knowledge
should be able
to provide us
with a coherent,
unambiguous
explanation of
the Qur'an and
its miraculous
signs - and if
we look at how
early learned
Muslims,
including
Muhammad
himself,
explained these
verses, we will
find that they
confirm a
geocentric
cosmology.
Here is another
verse where we
see basically
the same
sentiment
expressed:
Allah is He who
raised the
heavens without
any pillars that
you can see; is
firmly
established on
the throne; He
has subjected
the sun and the
moon! Each one
runs for a term
appointed. He
regulates the
matter,
explaining the
signs in detail,
so you can be
certain of
meeting with
your Lord.
yudabbiru (he
arranges /
regulates) al
amra (the
matter)
yufassilu (he
explains in
detail) al ayaat
(the signs) la
allakum (so you
may) biliqai
(meeting)
rabbikum (with
your Lord)
tūqinūna (be
certain)
The sun and moon
running their
courses are
signs (ayaat) to
mankind and thus
they must be
visible (or
known) to a 7th
century Arab
audience. The
Qur'an also
promises to
explain these
signs in detail.
And with good
reason because
they are proofs
for the people
so they can be
certain that
someday they
will meet Allah.
The visibility of the Sun's
movement
The movement of
the sun (as well
as the course of
the moon) is
visible
according the
author of the
Qur'an.
Don't you see
that Allah
merges night
into day and he
merges day into
night and he has
subjected the
sun, and the
moon each
running its
course for a
term appointed.
And Allah is
aware of what
you do.
These were all
visible
phenomena to the
people of the 7th
century; they
could 'see' the
night turn into
day and vise
versa, they
could see the
sun and the moon
run their
courses around
the earth. The
people could see
Allah's signs,
and Allah could
see them. At
various places
in the Qur'an
numerous
observers 'see'
the sun go up,
reach its
highest point,
then go back
down to its
resting place.
أَلَمْ تَرَ =
Alam Tara
(”Don’t you
see?")
It could be
argued that
"don't you see"
means "don't you
know" or "aren't
you aware" or
"don't you
realise". Of
course this does
not make much of
a difference. In
this case, the
Qur'an clearly
reinforces the
common but
incorrect
beliefs of the
time, and
further uses
these erroneous
beliefs to
support the
existence of
Allah.
[…] He made the
Sun and the moon
subservient;
each one pursues
its course to an
appointed time;
He regulates the
affair, making
clear the signs
Here's how the
Qur'an tells us
of an indirect
observation of
the sun's
movement. The
author of the
Qur'an explains
how the shadow
cast by the sun
is guided by the
sun's movement:
Have you not
seen see how
your Lord spread
the shadow. If
He willed he
could make it
stationary. Then
do We make the
sun its guide.
الشَّمسَ عَلَيهِ
دَلِيل = ash
shamsa (the sun)
`alayhi (for it)
dalilaan (a
guide / an
indication)
According to the
Qur'an, the
shadow that the
sun casts are
moving because
of the sun. And
we should be
able to see
this. Of course,
this is exactly
how it would
appear to
someone
observing the
phenomena
standing here on
earth; however,
this is not how
you would
describe it if
you were viewing
from outside our
solar system. It
is not the sun
but the rotation
of earth which
causes shadows
to change shape.
Interestingly,
the length of
the shadow cast
by the sun is
also used to
determine the
start of the Asr
prayer time; the
apparent
movement of the
sun is still
used by Muslims
as a clock of
sorts.
Art thou not
aware of thy
Sustainer
[through His
works]? - how He
causes the
shadow to
lengthen
[towards the
night] when, had
He so willed, He
could indeed
have made it
stand still: but
then, We have
made the sun its
guide;
However,
according to a
better English
translation of
the Qur'an, the
sun's influence
over the shadow
is only part of
the hypothetical
situation in
which Allah
makes the shadow
constant. In
such a case,
indeed, the
earth's
influence over
the shadow's
length becomes
naught (since it
only arises if
the earth stops
moving), and the
sun's influence
becomes
singular.
The course of the Sun in
relation to the course of the
Moon
The courses of
the sun and the
moon are also a
pair of sorts,
according to the
Qur'an:
Glory to Allah,
Who created in
pairs all things
[...] And the
sun runneth on
unto a
resting-place
for him. That is
the measuring of
the Mighty, the
Wise. And as
night occurs the
sun goes of to
its resting
place, before
returning the
following day.
And the moon,-
We have measured
for her mansions
(to traverse)
till she returns
And He it is Who
created the
night and the
day, and the sun
and the moon.
They all float
in rounded
courses.
...khalaqa
(created)
allayla (the
night)
waalnnahara (and
the day)
waalshshamsa
(and the sun)
waalqamara (and
the moon) kullun
(each) fee (in)
falakin (a
rounded course)
yasbahoona (they
swim)
He has made
subject to you
the Night and
the Day; the Sun
and the moon
And He hath made
subject to you
the Sun and the
moon, both
diligently
pursuing their
courses; and the
night and the
day hath he
(also) made
subject to you.
Among His Signs
are the Night
and the Day, and
the Sun and the
Moon. [...]
Here it is
again: heavens
and earth, night
and day, sun and
moon.
He created the
heavens and the
earth in true
(proportions):
He makes the
Night overlap
the Day, and the
Day overlap the
Night: He has
subjected the
sun and the moon
(to His law):
Each one follows
a course for a
time appointed.
Is not He the
Exalted in Power
- He Who
forgives again
and again?
And again: the
Qur'an explains,
not only are
humans
created in pairs
(male and
female), so are
the two bodies
of flowing
waters (one salt
and one sweet),
and the night
and the day and
the sun and the
moon.
[…]1 And Allah
did create you
from dust; then
from a
sperm-drop; then
He made you in
pairs. And no
female
conceives, or
lays down (her
load), but with
His knowledge.
Nor is a man
long-lived
granted length
of days, nor is
a part cut off
from his life,
but is in a
Decree
(ordained). All
this is easy to
Allah. Nor are
the two bodies
of flowing water
alike,- the one
palatable,
sweet, and
pleasant to
drink, and the
other, salt and
bitter. Yet from
each (kind of
water) do ye eat
flesh fresh and
tender, and ye
extract
ornaments to
wear; and thou
seest the ships
therein that
plough the
waves, that ye
may seek (thus)
of the Bounty of
Allah that ye
may be grateful.
He merges Night
into Day, and he
merges Day into
Night, and he
has subjected
the sun and the
moon (to his
Law): each one
runs its course
for a term
appointed. Such
is Allah your
Lord: to Him
belongs all
Dominion.
Notice how
frequently the
sun and the moon
are mentioned
together as a
pair. Its
clearly implied
that the sun and
the moon are a
pair of sorts,
just like
(according to
the Qur'an) the
heavens and the
earth or the
night and the
day. In Qur'an
36:36 and
35:11-35:13 this
belief is
expressly
stated. The sun
and the moon
(along with
their courses)
are mentioned
amongst a range
of other things
that are created
in pairs.
The regular cycle of the Sun
According to the
Qur'an, the
sun's cycle is
repeated on a
regular basis
(exactly
computed even)
just like that
of the Moon and
night and day.
[…] He made the
Sun and the moon
subservient (to
you); each one
pursues its
course to an
appointed time;
He regulates the
affair, making
clear the signs
Seest thou not
that Allah
merges night
into day and he
merges day into
night and he has
subjected the
sun, and the
moon each
running its
course for a
term appointed.
And Allah is
aware of what
you do.
The Sun and the
moon follow
courses
(exactly)
computed
This Surah
reads: Alshamsu
(the sun)
waalqamaru (and
the moon)
bihusbanin.
Husban
can mean a
number of
things: definite
reckoning,
appointed
courses,
numbering,
revolving
firmament,
running
appointed and
scheduled
course. In many
English
translations we
see the word
'course' or
'celestial
sphere' but note
that the word 'falak'
isn't mentioned
here; this verse
only indicates
that the sun and
the moon behave
in a calculated
/ scheduled /
appointed
manner.
There is a
reason why this
is important:
the sun's daily
cycle and the
moons monthly
cycle are used
for timekeeping
in Islam.
This cycle is
repeated every
day:
A token unto
them is night.
We strip it of
the day, and lo!
they are in
darkness and the
sun runneth on
unto a
resting-place
for him. That is
the measuring of
the Mighty, the
Wise. And for
the moon We have
appointed
mansions till
she return like
an old
shrivelled
palm-leaf.
The Qur'an
clearly tells us
that the sun
follows a daily
cycle, which
ends every night
when the sun
goes to its
resting place.
(ِمُسْتَقَرٍّ)
Waalshshamsu
(and the sun)
tajree (runs)
limustaqarrin (a
resting point)
laha (of it).
The movement of the Sun and time
keeping
In the days of
Muhammad it was
common practice
to use the sun
for timekeeping,
so there's
little wonder
that the Qur'an
tells us the
supposed course
of the Sun is a
sign from Allah
to keep track of
the time of day
(and likewise
the course of
the moon is a
monthly
calendar)
He it is that
cleaves the
day-break (from
the dark): He
makes the night
for rest and
tranquility and
the sun and moon
for the
reckoning [of
time])
It is He Who
made the Sun to
be a shining
glory and the
moon to be a
light (of
beauty), and
measured out
stages for her;
that ye might
know the number
of years and the
count [of time].
Nowise did Allah
create this but
in truth and
righteousness.
(Thus) doth He
explain His
Signs in detail,
for those who
have knowledge.
And We have made
the night and
the day two
signs, then We
have made the
sign of the
night to pass
away and We have
made the sign of
the day
manifest, so
that you may
seek grace from
your Lord, and
that you might
know the
numbering of
years and the
reckoning; and
We have
explained
everything with
distinctness.
The moon (the
sign of the
night) is to be
used to count
the years (12
lunar years
make up the
Islamic year)
and the sun is
to be used to
keep track of
time. The only
solar movement
Muslims use for
timekeeping is
the apparent
daily course of
the Sun (from
east up and then
down to the
west). To this
very day,
Muslims use the
(crude) lunar
calender, and
the waqt
(prescribed
time) of their
daily
salats
(prayers) is
determined
entirely by the
position of the
Sun along it’s
apparent course.
Daily salats:
- Salat Al
Fajr – right
before sun rise.
(mentioned in
Qur'an 24:58)
- Salat Al
Zuhr – right
after the Sun’s
zenith, but
before the
shadow of the
Sun becomes
twice its length
from midday.
- Salat Al Asr-
between zenith
and sunset (when
the length of a
shadow of a
stick is either
once or twice
its length)
- Salat Al
Maghrib – right
after sunset.
(Mentioned in
Qur'an 17:78)
- Salat Al
Isha'a – between
sunset and
sunrise.
The picture is
pretty clear:
the apparent
daily course of
the sun dictates
the time of each
and every daily
prayer. And this
is important for
Muslims.
[...]'
prayers are
enjoined on
believers at
stated times.
There are other
examples of how
the sun's
apparent
movement along
the sky is used
to know what
time it is or to
make
appointments
during the day:
Therefore be
patient with
what they say,
and celebrate
(constantly) the
praises of thy
Lord, before the
rising of the
Sun, and before
its setting;
yea, celebrate
them for part of
the hours of the
night, and at
the sides of the
day: that thou
mayest have
(spiritual) joy
Establish
worship at the
going down of
the Sun until
the dark of
night, and (the
recital of) the
Qur'an at dawn.
Lo! (the recital
of) the Qur'an
at dawn is ever
witnessed.
The Qur'an is
clear; the
apparent course
of the sun is to
be used for
timekeeping
('reckoning')
and the only
examples of the
sun being used
for timekeeping
in the Qur'an
employs the
sun's daily
movement along
the sky.
The shape of the Sun's course
Take a look at
these verses
which explain to
us the shape of
the sun's
course.
Apparently the
sun goes up from
east, travels
high and
eventually goes
down to the
west.
The sun rises
(goes up) in the
east:
But it is Allah
that causes the
sun to rise from
the east
And when he saw
the sun rising
up[…]
The sun's course
has a high
point:
[…] and let the
people assemble
when the sun has
risen high.
The sun goes up
and down:
[…] the rising
of the sun and
ere the going
down thereof
The sun goes
down again in
the west:
Establish
worship at the
going down of
the Sun until
the dark of
night, and (the
recital of) the
Qur'an at dawn.
Lo! (the recital
of) the Qur'an
at dawn is ever
witnessed.
When he saw the
moon rising in
splendor, he
said: "This is
my Lord." But
when the moon
set, He said:
"unless my Lord
guide me, I
shall surely be
among those who
go astray." When
he saw the Sun
rising in
splendor [...]
Here the course
of the sun is
described as a
sign (ayat).
Note that the
rising of the
sun is compared
(again) to the
rising of the
moon (the same
words are used).
However, the
moon is in an
orbit around the
earth, whilst
the sun is not.
Thou wouldst
have seen the
sun, when it
rose, declining
to the right
from their Cave,
and when it set,
turning away
from them to the
left, while they
lay in the open
space in the
midst of the
Cave. Such are
among the Signs
of Allah: He
whom Allah,
guides is
rightly guided;
but he whom
Allah leaves to
stray.
The Qur'an
clearly tells
the sun ends its
daily cycle
every night when
the sun goes to
its resting
place.
(ِمُسْتَقَرٍّ or
musttaqar).
And a Sign for
them is the
night: We
withdraw
therefrom the
day, and behold
they are plunged
in darkness. A
token unto them
is night. And
the sun runs his
course for a
period
determined for
him: that is the
decree of (Him),
the Exalted in
Might, the
All-Knowing. And
the sun runneth
on unto a
resting-place
for him.
The Qur'an also
describes the
locations where
the sun can be
seen to go up
and down. It can
be seen by human
eyes in the
story of
Dhul-Qarnayn
(possibly
Alexander the
Great):
Lo! We made him
strong in the
land and gave
him unto every
thing a road.
And he followed
a road. Till,
when he reached
the
setting-place of
the sun, he
found it setting
in a muddy
spring, and
found a people
thereabout. We
said: O
Dhu'l-Qarneyn!
Either punish or
show them
kindness. Then
he followed a
road. Till, when
he reached the
rising-place of
the sun, he
found it rising
on a people for
whom We had
appointed no
shelter
therefrom.
The place where
the sun goes
down has a name
'Mahgreb' (from
the root ghuroob,
meaning "to set"
or "to be
hidden"). Today,
North-Western
Africa (Morocco
in particular)
is denoted by
this very name.
Interestingly,
if one stands
there and looks
at the ocean at
sunset one could
'observe' the
sun going to its
hidden resting
place.
The Qur'an is
quite clear
about the course
of the sun. It
does not even
describe a
complete orbit,
but merely a
rounded course (falak)
that has a
beginning, an
end, and a
highest point.
Ancient and Modern-Day Muslim
Astronomers
Muslims living
in Muhammad’s
day
unequivocally
accepted the
Qur'an's
geocentric
cosmology.
References in
the Hadith of
any of the
ansari or others
in Muhammad's
environment
arguing about
this point with
their prophet or
amongst
themselves are
unknown. Famous
Muslim
astronomers
(people who
certainly read,
and knew the
Qur'an) like the
Arab astronomer
Ibn al-Shatir
and the Persian
Nasir al-Din
al-Tusi used
Greek
(geocentric)
astronomy to
create complex
models of our
‘universe’
(basically only
our solar
system, which
they believed
constituted the
entire universe)
that were
geocentric just
like the Qur'an.
In a televised
debate aired on
Iraqi Al-Fayhaa
TV (October 31,
2007), Muslim
Researcher on
Astronomy
Fadhel Al-Sa'd
also declared :
The sun circles
the Earth
because it is
smaller than the
Earth, as is
evident in
Koranic verses.
Have you ever
seen how the sun
moves? I have
seen the sun
moving. The sun
makes one move
every 24 hours.
What I say is
based on Koranic
science. He
bases his
arguments on the
kind of science
that I reject
categorically --
the modern
science that
they teach in
schools. This
science is a
heretic
innovation that
has no
confirmation in
the Koran. No
verse in the
Koran indicates
that the Earth
is round or that
it rotates.
Anything that
has no
indication in
the Koran is
false.
According to
Fadhel Al-Sa'd,
the moon's
diameter is
1,200,000 km,
while that of
the sun is only
2,400,000 km.
The Hadith
In the Hadiths
we read
Muhammad's own
words, and they
clearly paint
the same
picture: the sun
moves around the
earth and goes
to a resting
place at night.
It is narrated
on the authority
of Abu Dharr
that the
Messenger of
Allah (may peace
be upon him) one
day said: Do you
know where the
Sun goes? They
replied: Allah
and His Apostle
know best. He
(the Holy
Prophet)
observed: Verily
it (the Sun)
glides till it
reaches its
resting place
under the
Throne. Then it
falls prostrate
and remains
there until it
is asked: Rise
up and go to the
place whence you
came, and it
goes back and
continues
emerging out
from its rising
place and then
glides till it
reaches its
place of rest
under the Throne
and falls
prostrate and
remains in that
state until it
is asked: Rise
up and return to
the place whence
you came, and it
returns and
emerges out from
it rising place
and the it
glides (in such
a normal way)
that the people
do not discern
anything
(unusual in it)
till it reaches
its resting
place under the
Throne. Then it
would be said to
it: Rise up and
emerge out from
the place of
your setting,
and it will rise
from the place
of its setting.
The Messenger of
Allah (may peace
be upon him)
said. Do you
know when it
would happen? It
would happen at
the time when
faith will not
benefit one who
has not
previously
believed or has
derived no good
from the faith.
Narrated Abu
Dharr: The
Prophet asked me
at sunset, "Do
you know where
the sun goes (at
the time of
sunset)?" I
replied, "Allah
and His Apostle
know better." He
said, "It goes
(i.e. travels)
till it
prostrates
Itself
underneath the
Throne and takes
the permission
to rise again,
and it is
permitted and
then (a time
will come when)
it will be about
to prostrate
itself but its
prostration will
not be accepted,
and it will ask
permission to go
on its course
but it will not
be permitted,
but it will be
ordered to
return whence it
has come and so
it will rise in
the west. And
that is the
interpretation
of the Statement
of Allah: ‘And
the sun Runs its
fixed course for
a term
(decreed). That
is The Decree of
(Allah) The
Exalted in
Might, The
All-Knowing.’"
Narrated Abu
Dharr: I entered
the mosque while
Allah's Apostle
was sitting
there. When the
sun had set, the
Prophet said, "O
Abu Dharr! Do
you know where
this (sun)
goes?" I said,
"Allah and His
Apostle know
best." He said,
"It goes and
asks permission
to prostrate,
and it is
allowed, and
(one day) it, as
if being ordered
to return whence
it came, then it
will rise from
the west." Then
the Prophet
recited, "That:
‘And the sun
runs on its
fixed course
(for a term
decreed),"
Even though
these Hadiths
are all deemed '
sahih'
(authentic)
according to
Islamic
scholars, some
Muslims will
deny them
without any
valid reason
other than for
their stupidity.
Of course the
Hadiths, at the
very least, tell
us what Muslims
around the time
of Muhammad (or
not long after
his demise)
believed about
the sun and how
to interpret the
Qur'an
correctly.
Conclusion
A lot of details
about the sun’s
movement are
contained within
the Qur'an.
According to the
Qur'an, the
supposed course
of the sun:
- is clearly
visible.
- is (almost
always) compared
to the Moon's
course.
- is repeated
regularly.
- is to be
used by the
Muslims for
timekeeping.
- has a
destination.
Beginning in the
east, it goes up
to a high point,
then goes down
to the west.
In addition to
all these facts;
great ancient,
and even
modern-day,
Muslim
astronomists
agree that the
Qur'an is
geocentric, and
the Hadiths also
affirm this
geocentric
cosmology (so
Muhammad or at
least the people
around him agree
with it)
What else can
one conclude,
other than the
Qur'an is
geocentric?
Whoever wrote
the Qur'an
thought that the
sun orbits our
planet. We know
this is not
true: the sun is
not orbiting our
planet and it is
certainly not in
some bizarre
daily rounded
path that looks
like half a
circle.
In ancient
times, many
people - but
certainly not
all - did not
know any better
than what they
seemed to
observe
everyday: the
sun appeared to
be going around
the earth
through our
skies. We cannot
blame a 7th
century Bedouin
for not knowing
this, but should
not the
omnipresent,
omnipotent,
omniscient
creator of the
universe know
better?