WikiIslam:Sandbox
|
This article analyses the claim that Quran told that universe has been constantly expanding, and it is scientifically accurate, and thus it is is Quranic miracle.
Apologetic Claim
Apologists present the following verse
Muhammad Assad: AND IT IS We who have built the universe with [Our creative] power; and, verily, it is We who are steadily expanding it.
Dr. Mohammad Tahir-ul-Qadri: And We built the heavenly universe with great might. And surely, We are expanding (this universe) more and moreZakir Naik writes regarding this verse:
Criticism
Critics point out that:
- This translation of verse 51:47 is not correct.
- Only modern apologists started doing this translation, otherwise no earlier translator did this translation.
- And none of the Qur'an Mufassirin (i.e. Quran interpreters) of last fourteen centuries ever come to this conclusion from this verse.
Correct translation of verse 51:47
The dispute is only about the last two words of the verse 51:47 (i.e. وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ wa-innā lamūsiʿūna)
According to the critics:
- وَإِنَّا (wa-innā) means "and indeed, We (Allah)"
- And لَمُوسِعُونَ (lamūsiʿūna) means "are the Expander".
Therefore, the correct translation of this verse should be:
(Quran 51:47)And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We (Allah) are [its] expander.
The term “lamūsi‘ūn” in this verse is a "NOUN" and not a "Verb", and it describes "God" and not the "heaven" (i.e. the term “lamūsi‘ūn” means "God is the Expander", and not "the Universe is Expanding").
The earlier Quran Translators did the correct translation:
Pickthal: We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).
Shakir: And the heaven, We raised it high with power, and most surely We are the makers of things ample.
Word by Word Translation: And the heaven We constructed it with strength, and indeed, We (are) surely (its) Expanders.Wؒord "وسع": Literal Meaning vs Figurative Meaning
The root word of لَمُوسِعُونَ (lamūsiʿūna) is وسع . However in Quran, this word and it's derivatives have been used in the meanings of "Encompassing".
Look at the following verses:
Sahih Intl: My Lord encompasses all things in knowledge
Yusuf Ali: My Lord comprehendeth in His knowledge all thingsAlso see verses 7:89 and 20:98.
Also see verse 65:12, where directly the word of "احاط" (encompass) has been used instead of "wasi'a"
Sahih Intl: and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge.
Pickthall:and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge.So, then verse 51.47 must be understood as follows: "And the heaven We built it with might and We lamūsi‘ūn (encompasses it)."
This verse confirms that the heaven is completely within and under God’s control. There is no reference whatsoever to expansion of the heaven. The term “lamūsi‘ūn” describes God not the heaven.
ٖThus few translator used this figurative translation:
Abdul Majid Daryabadi: And the heaven! We have built it with might, and verily We are powerful.
Maududi: And heaven – We made it with Our Own Power and We have the Power to do so.