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The [[Qur'an|Quran]] has a particular conception of the nature of mountains, their formation, and the geological role they play that is is referenced in multiple verses and several [[Hadith|hadiths]]. In recent times, many Islamic scholars have argued that this conception is both scientifically sound and and instance of [[Scientific Miracles in the Quran|miraculous scientific foreknowledge]] on the part of the Quran which, they argue, could not have arrived at the conception it holds without divine insight. Individuals key to the popularization of this idea include the [[Apologists|apologist]] I. A. Ibrahim, Professor Zaghloul Raghib El Naggar (a geologist specializing in biostratification), and the Saudi-financed surgeon [[Bucailleism|Dr. Maurice Bucaille]].
The [[Qur'an|Quran]] has a particular conception of the nature of mountains, their formation, and the geological role they play that is is referenced in multiple verses and several [[Hadith|hadiths]]. In recent times, many Islamic scholars have argued that this conception is both scientifically sound and and instance of [[Scientific Miracles in the Quran|miraculous scientific foreknowledge]] on the part of the Quran which, they argue, could not have arrived at the conception it holds without divine insight. Individuals key to the popularization of this idea include the [[Apologists|apologists]] I. A. Ibrahim and [[Zakir Naik]], Professor Zaghloul Raghib El Naggar (a geologist specializing in biostratification), and the Saudi-financed surgeon [[Bucailleism|Dr. Maurice Bucaille]].


Parties advocating the description of mountains found in the Quran as a scientific miracle identify two key claims made in the scripture: (1) that Mountains can be described as 'pegs' and (2) that mountains play some role in 'stabilizing the Earth' - these two ideas, advocates hold, are evidence of a miraculous scientific insight. Critics problematize the miracle claim by arguing that its advocates: (1) rely on arbitrarily specific definitions of ambiguous words, (2) rely on arbitrarily specific interpretations of ambiguous phrases, (3) rely on readings that are arbitrarily literal or metaphorical, and (4) reference their own authority as the basis of their correctness while failing to provide adequate argumentation. These tactics, critics suggest, are commonly employed in the presentation of any number of scientific miracles claimed on the part of the Qur'an or other Islamic scripture.
Parties advocating the description of mountains found in the Quran as a scientific miracle identify two key claims made in the scripture: (1) that Mountains can be described as 'pegs' and (2) that mountains play some role in 'stabilizing the Earth' - these two ideas, advocates hold, are evidence of a miraculous scientific insight. Critics problematize the miracle claim by arguing that its advocates: (1) rely on arbitrarily specific definitions of ambiguous words, (2) rely on arbitrarily specific interpretations of ambiguous phrases, (3) rely on readings that are arbitrarily literal or metaphorical, and (4) reference their own authority as the basis of their correctness while failing to provide adequate argumentation. These tactics, critics suggest, are commonly employed in the presentation of any number of scientific miracles claimed on the part of the Qur'an or other Islamic scripture.


==Key verses and terms==
==Key verses and terms==
{{Quote|{{Qtt|31|10}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' He created the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain from the sky, and produce on the earth every kind of noble creature, in pairs.  
{{Quote|{{Quran|31|10}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' He created the heavens without any pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain from the sky, and produce on the earth every kind of noble creature, in pairs.  


'''Pickthal:''' He hath created the heavens without supports that ye can see, and hath cast into the earth firm hills, so that it quake not with you; and He hath dispersed therein all kinds of beasts. And We send down water from the sky and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein.
'''Pickthal:''' He hath created the heavens without supports that ye can see, and hath cast into the earth firm hills, so that it quake not with you; and He hath dispersed therein all kinds of beasts. And We send down water from the sky and We cause (plants) of every goodly kind to grow therein.
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'''Shakir:''' He created the heavens without pillars as you see them, and put mountains upon the earth lest it might convulse with you, and He spread in it animals of every kind; and We sent down water from the cloud, then caused to grow therein (vegetation) of every noble kind.
'''Shakir:''' He created the heavens without pillars as you see them, and put mountains upon the earth lest it might convulse with you, and He spread in it animals of every kind; and We sent down water from the cloud, then caused to grow therein (vegetation) of every noble kind.


Transliteration: Khalaqa alssamawati bighayri AAamadin tarawnaha waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum wabaththa feeha min kulli dabbatin waanzalna mina alssama-i maan faanbatna feeha min kulli zawjin kareemin}}  
'''Transliteration:''' ''Khalaqa alssamawati bighayri AAamadin tarawnaha waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum wabaththa feeha min kulli dabbatin waanzalna mina alssama-i maan faanbatna feeha min kulli zawjin kareemin''}}  


{{Quote|{{Qtt|21|31}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance.  
{{Quote|{{Quran|21|31}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' And We have set on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with them, and We have made therein broad highways (between mountains) for them to pass through: that they may receive Guidance.  


'''Pickthal:''' And We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake with them, and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way.  
'''Pickthal:''' And We have placed in the earth firm hills lest it quake with them, and We have placed therein ravines as roads that haply they may find their way.  


'''Shakir:''' And We have made great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with them, and We have made in it wide ways that they may follow a right direction.  
'''Shakir:''' And We have made great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with them, and We have made in it wide ways that they may follow a right direction.


'''Sher Ali:''' And WE have placed in the earth firm mountains lest it should quake with them; and WE have made therein wide pathways, that they may be rightly guided.
'''Transliteration:''' ''WajaAAalna fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bihim wajaAAalna feeha fijajan subulan laAAallahum yahtadoona''}}


'''Khalifa:''' And we placed on earth stabilizers, lest it tumbles with them, and we placed straight roads therein, that they may be guided.
{{Quote|{{Quran|16|15}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;  
 
'''Palmer:''' And we placed on the earth firm mountains lest it should move with them, and He made therein open roads for paths, haply they may be guided!
 
'''Sale:''' And we placed stable [mountains] on the earth, lest it should move with them; and we made broad passages between them for paths, that they might be directed [in their journeys]:
 
'''Rodwell:''' And we set mountains on the earth lest it should move with them, and we made on it broad passages between them as routes for their guidance;
 
'''“Progressive Muslims”:''' And We made on the earth stabilizers so that it would not tumble with you, and We made in it wide paths that they may be guided.
 
'''Transliteration:''' WajaAAalna fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bihim wajaAAalna feeha fijajan subulan laAAallahum yahtadoona}}
 
{{Quote|{{Qtt|16|15}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' And He has set up on the earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you; and rivers and roads; that ye may guide yourselves;  


'''Pickthal:''' And He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with you, and streams and roads that ye may find a way.  
'''Pickthal:''' And He hath cast into the earth firm hills that it quake not with you, and streams and roads that ye may find a way.  


'''Shakir:''' And He has cast great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with you, and rivers and roads that you may go aright,  
'''Shakir:''' And He has cast great mountains in the earth lest it might be convulsed with you, and rivers and roads that you may go aright,
 
'''Sher Ali:''' And HE has placed in the earth firm mountains lest it quake with you and rivers and routes that you may find the way to your destination.
 
'''Khalifa:''' And He placed stabilizers (mountains) on earth, lest it tumbles with you, as well as rivers and roads, that you may be guided.
 
'''Palmer:''' And He has cast firm mountains on the earth lest it move with you; and rivers and roads; haply ye may be guided.
 
'''Sale:''' And he hath thrown upon the earth [mountains] firmly rooted, lest it should move with you, and [also] rivers, and paths, that ye might be directed:


'''Rodwell:''' And He hath thrown firm mountains on the earth, least it move with you; and rivers and paths for your guidance,
'''Transliteration:''' ''Waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum waanharan wasubulan laAAallakum tahtadoona''}}
'''“Progressive Muslims”:''' And He has cast into the earth stabilizers so that it does not sway with you, and rivers, and paths, perhaps you will be guided.


'''Transliteration:''' Waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum waanharan wasubulan laAAallakum tahtadoona}}
{{Quote|{{Quran|78|6-7}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, And the mountains as pegs?  
 
{{Quote|{{Qtt|78|6-7}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' Have We not made the earth as a wide expanse, And the mountains as pegs?  


'''Pickthal:''' Have We not made the earth an expanse, And the high hills bulwarks?  
'''Pickthal:''' Have We not made the earth an expanse, And the high hills bulwarks?  
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'''Shakir:''' Have We not made the earth an even expanse? And the mountains as projections (thereon)?  
'''Shakir:''' Have We not made the earth an even expanse? And the mountains as projections (thereon)?  


'''Sher Ali:''' Have WE not made the earth as a bed, And the mountains as pegs?
'''Transliteration:''' ''Alam najAAali al-arda mihadan Waaljibala awtadan''}}


'''Khalifa:''' Did we not make the earth habitable? And the mountains stabilizers?
{{Quote|{{Quran|15|19}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.
 
'''Palmer:''' Have we not set the earth as a couch, and the mountains as stakes,
 
'''Sale:''' Have we not made the earth for a bed, and the mountains for stakes [to fix the same]?
 
'''Rodwell:''' Have we not made the Earth a couch? And the mountains its tent-stakes?
 
'''“Progressive Muslims”:''' Did We not make the earth a resting ground? And the mountains as pegs?
 
'''Transliteration:''' Alam najAAali al-arda mihadan Waaljibala awtadan}}
 
{{Quote|{{Qtt|15|19}}|'''Yusuf Ali:''' And the earth We have spread out (like a carpet); set thereon mountains firm and immovable; and produced therein all kinds of things in due balance.


'''Pickthal:''' And the earth have We spread out, and placed therein firm hills, and caused each seemly thing to grow therein.  
'''Pickthal:''' And the earth have We spread out, and placed therein firm hills, and caused each seemly thing to grow therein.  
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'''Shakir:''' And the earth -- We have spread it forth and made in it firm mountains and caused to grow in it of every suitable thing.  
'''Shakir:''' And the earth -- We have spread it forth and made in it firm mountains and caused to grow in it of every suitable thing.  


'''Sher Ali:''' And the earth have WE spread out, and set therein firm mountains and cause every thing to grow therein in proper proportion.
'''Transliteration:''' ''Waal-arda madadnaha waalqayna feeha rawasiya waanbatna feeha min kulli shay-in mawzoonin''}}  
 
'''Khalifa:''' As for the earth, we constructed it, and placed on it stabilizers (mountains), and we grew on it a perfect balance of everything.
 
'''Palmer:''' And the earth we have stretched out and have thrown on it firm mountains, and have caused to grow upon it of everything a measured quantity.
 
'''Sale:''' We have also spread forth the earth, and thrown thereon stable [mountains]; and we have caused every kind of [vegetable] to spring forth in the same, according to a determinate weight:
 
'''Rodwell:''' And the Earth have We spread forth, and thrown thereon the mountains, and caused everything to spring forth in it in balanced measure:  
 
'''“Progressive Muslims”:''' And the land We have stretched, and placed stabilizers in it, and We have planted in it everything in balance.
 
'''Transliteration:''' Waal-arda madadnaha waalqayna feeha rawasiya waanbatna feeha min kulli shay-in mawzoonin}}  
 
The relevant Arabic terms are: awtad for pegs/bulwarks/stabilizers/ projections;<ref name="Zakir Naik">Dr. Zakir Naik - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ediscoverislam.com/Quran-Islam-and-Science/Islam-Quran-and-Science/the-holy-quran-and-modern-science|2=2011-10-02}} The Quran and Modern Science: Compatible Or Incompatible?] - Islamic Research Foundation</ref> rawasiya for mountains, and tameeda for tumble/shake/quake/convulse/sway etc.<ref name="Campbell">Dr. William Campbell - [{{Reference archive|1=http://answering-islam.org./Campbell/s4c2a.html|2=2011-10-02}} The Qur'an and the Bible in the light of history and science] - PP. 170 - 182</ref>
 
Wehr translates this word as unshakable mountains. The Munjid says (al-jibal al-thawabat al-ruwasikh) firmly established, fixed mountains. The word comes from the root (arsa), the same root used for the Arabic word for anchor. To throw out or cast the anchor is (alqa almirsah). So instead of "cast the anchor to keep the ship from moving", we have "cast the mountains to keep the earth from shaking."<ref name="Campbell"></ref>
 
Dr. [[Zakir Naik]] translated awtad as stakes or pegs (like those used to anchor a tent).<ref name="Zakir Naik"></ref>


The most pertinent verse is 16:15 transliterated as follows:  
Key Arabic terms in the discussion surrounding the proposed miracle include ''awtad,'' meaning 'pegs/bulwarks/stabilizers/projections'<ref name="Zakir Naik">Dr. Zakir Naik - [{{Reference archive|1=http://www.ediscoverislam.com/Quran-Islam-and-Science/Islam-Quran-and-Science/the-holy-quran-and-modern-science|2=2011-10-02}} The Quran and Modern Science: Compatible Or Incompatible?] - Islamic Research Foundation</ref>, ''rawasiya'', meaning 'mountains', and ''tameeda'', meaning 'tumble/shake/quake/convulse/sway'<ref name="Campbell">Dr. William Campbell - [{{Reference archive|1=http://answering-islam.org./Campbell/s4c2a.html|2=2011-10-02}} The Qur'an and the Bible in the light of history and science] - PP. 170 - 182</ref>.


:''Waalqa fee al-ardi rawasiya an tameeda bikum waanharan wasubulan laAAallakum tahtadoona''.
The word ''rawasiya'' comes from the root ''arsa'', the same root used for the Arabic 'anchor'. To 'throw out' or 'cast' 'the anchor' is ''alqa al-mirsah''. Using these terms, similar to the phrase "cast the anchor to keep the ship from moving", one can say "cast the mountains to keep the earth from shaking."<ref name="Campbell"></ref> Dr. [[Zakir Naik]] translates ''awtad'' as 'stakes' or 'pegs' (like those used to anchor a tent).<ref name="Zakir Naik"></ref>


Note the verse uses the word 'ard' which can be used to describe the Earth, its surface, or the ground in general, an example of apologetic language vagueness – meaning that it can refer to anything from the Earth, the crust, the lithosphere, the mantle or any combination of the above that suits the apologist's argument at the time.  
{{Quran|16|15}} uses the word ''ard'' which can be used to describe the Earth, its surface, or the ground in general, an example of apologetic language vagueness – meaning that it can refer to anything from the Earth, the crust, the lithosphere, the mantle or any combination of the above that suits the apologist's argument at the time.  


Also note that the word ‘tameeda’ is claimed to refer to shaking or disturbance, as opposed to ‘zalzala’ which means ‘earthquake.’ A further dissection of this term will be given later.  
Also note that the word ‘tameeda’ is claimed to refer to shaking or disturbance, as opposed to ‘zalzala’ which means ‘earthquake.’ A further dissection of this term will be given later.  
IbnPinker
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