Scientific Concepts in the Quran:
Astronomy and Celestial Motion
Author:
G. Mustafa Shahzad, Research Scholar, Director Qalim Institute
Quranic Arabic Research Scholar | Discoverer of Islamic Meditation for
Healing | Theorist of ADNS
Let us examine in detail the Quranic verse found in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:33), which makes a strong connection between scientific observation, introspection, and divine truth. The quoted verse is one of several that describe celestial phenomena, and many align precisely with modern discoveries in astrophysics, orbital mechanics, time cycles, and cosmic structure.
📖 Main Quranic Verse:
Surah Al-Anbiya (21:33)
🔹 Arabic Verse:
وَهُوَ
ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ وَٱلشَّمْسَ وَٱلْقَمَرَ ۖ كُلٌّۭ فِى
فَلَكٍۢ يَسْبَحُونَ
🔹 Transliteration:
Wa huwa alladhī khalaqa al-layla wa an-nahāra wa ash-shamsa wa al-qamara; kullun fī falakin yasbaḥūn.
🔹 English Translation:
"And He is the One who created the night and the day and the
sun and the moon; all are swimming in an orbit."
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21:33)
🔭 Breakdown of the Verse: Scientific Implications
Let’s examine each term and its scientific relevance:
🔹 1. Night and Day (ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ)
· These are caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis, not by movement of the sun around the Earth.
· The Quran describes both as created phenomena, hinting at an ordered physical mechanism.
✅ Scientific Insight: The alternation of night and day is due to Earth’s axial rotation—a discovery confirmed long after the Quran was revealed.
🔹 2. The Sun (ٱلشَّمْسَ) and the Moon (ٱلْقَمَرَ)
· Both are heavenly bodies placed in specific orbits.
· The sun produces its own light; the moon reflects sunlight—both known today but not in 7th century Arabia.
✅ Related Verse:
"Blessed is the One who placed constellations in the sky and
placed therein a lamp (sun) and a reflecting light (moon)."
(Surah Al-Furqan 25:61)
·
Arabic:
سِرَاجًا = lamp (the sun)
— a source of heat and light.
قَمَرًا مُّنِيرًا =
illuminated moon — not a light source itself.
✅ Scientific Insight: Clear indication that the moon’s light is derived, not original — a truth confirmed only with telescopic astronomy.
🔹 3. “All are swimming in an orbit” (كُلٌّۭ
فِى فَلَكٍۢ يَسْبَحُونَ)
Word analysis:
· "Fī falakin" (فَلَكٍ): means orbit or circular path.
· "Yasbaḥūn" (يَسْبَحُونَ): literally means swimming or floating—indicating smooth motion in space, not stationary.
✅ Scientific Confirmation:
· The sun, once believed stationary, is now known to orbit the center of the Milky Way galaxy at ~828,000 km/h.
· The moon orbits the Earth, and the Earth orbits the sun — a complex but harmonious cosmic dance.
🌌 Other Quranic Verses Supporting Astronomical Knowledge
🔹 Surah Yasin (36:38–40): The Ordered Paths
"And the sun runs its fixed course for a term appointed... The moon—we have ordained for it phases until it returns like the old date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each in an orbit is floating."
Arabic Excerpt:
كُلٌّۭ
فِى فَلَكٍۢ يَسْبَحُونَ
· This emphasizes the cyclical nature and orbital separation of the sun, moon, and Earth.
· The moon has phases due to its orbit around Earth and its position relative to the sun.
✅ Scientific Match: Confirms phases of the moon, rotation and revolution, and the impossibility of eclipses except under precise alignment.
🔹 Surah Ar-Rahman (55:5):
"The sun and the moon follow precise calculations."
(55:5)
Arabic:
ٱلشَّمْسُ
وَٱلْقَمَرُ بِحُسْبَانٍۢ
· "Bi-ḥusbān" — derived from ḥisāb (حساب) = mathematical calculation.
· Suggests that celestial bodies follow mathematically predictable orbits.
✅ Scientific Insight: Acknowledges orbital mechanics and mathematical astronomy—concepts formalized by Kepler, Newton, and Einstein.
🔹 Surah Al-Mulk (67:3): Cosmic Balance
"He who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see any inconsistency in the creation of the Most Merciful. So look again: do you see any flaw?"
· Points to spatial layers, interpreted by some scholars as references to multiple levels of space or even modern analogs like atmospheric or cosmic layers.
✅ Scientific Reflection: Encourages critical observation and rational thinking about the harmony and stability of cosmic structures.
🌠 Summary Table: Quranic Astronomy & Modern Science
|
Quranic Concept |
Arabic Word /
Phrase |
Scientific
Equivalent |
|
Celestial orbits |
كُلٌّۭ فِى فَلَكٍۢ |
Orbital motion of planets, stars, galaxies |
|
Sun and moon functions |
سِرَاجًا / قَمَرًا مُّنِيرًا |
Sun emits light, moon reflects it |
|
Cosmic calculations |
بِحُسْبَانٍۢ |
Precise orbital paths and mathematical laws |
|
Alternation of night and day |
ٱلَّيْلَ وَٱلنَّهَارَ |
Earth's axial rotation |
|
Layered heavens |
سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَاتٍۢ |
Cosmic structure, possibly multi-layered space |
🌠 Final Reflection
The Quran's references to astronomy are not poetic coincidence—they are scientifically aligned, conceptually precise, and encourage rational inquiry into the cosmos. The Quran invites humankind to:
"Lift up your eyes to the sky: Who created it? Who ordered the sun and moon to follow their precise paths?"
"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)
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