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Scientific Errors in the Quran: Difference between revisions
→Meteors as stars fired at devils: Have added an error on the locations of the stars.
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Two alternative interpretations popular in modern times are that the Quran is referring to [[w:Coronal mass ejections|coronal mass ejections]] (large eruptions of charged matter from the sun or other stars), or [[w:Cosmic rays|cosmic rays]] (high energy, sub-atomic particles travelling through interstellar space). However, coronal mass ejections move slowly in cosmic terms, disperse over distance and do not come from surprise directions ({{Quran|37|8}} states that the devils are pelted from every side, and pursued by a piercing flame if they escape with anything they overheard). Cosmic rays do not emit light as they travel through space and therefore nor could these be the flaming missiles of fire and smoke in the Quran. | Two alternative interpretations popular in modern times are that the Quran is referring to [[w:Coronal mass ejections|coronal mass ejections]] (large eruptions of charged matter from the sun or other stars), or [[w:Cosmic rays|cosmic rays]] (high energy, sub-atomic particles travelling through interstellar space). However, coronal mass ejections move slowly in cosmic terms, disperse over distance and do not come from surprise directions ({{Quran|37|8}} states that the devils are pelted from every side, and pursued by a piercing flame if they escape with anything they overheard). Cosmic rays do not emit light as they travel through space and therefore nor could these be the flaming missiles of fire and smoke in the Quran. | ||
=== The locations of the stars === | |||
The Quran swears on the places where the stars settings/positions/locations (''mawāqiʿi'')<ref>[https://www.almaany.com/en/dict/ar-en/%D9%85%D9%88%D9%82%D8%B9/#google_vignette موقع] - Almaany dictionary entry</ref> of the stars in Q56:75. Many pre-modern people believed stars were fixed in place,<ref>Pedersen, Olaf (1974). ''Early physics and astronomy : a historical introduction''. Pihl, Mogens. London: MacDonald and Janes. pp. 65–67. ISBN <bdi>0-356-04122-0</bdi>. OCLC 1094297.</ref> as did ancient Arabs as found in pre-Islamic poetry.<ref>Neuwirth, Angelika. The Qur'an: Text and Commentary, Volume 1: Early Meccan Suras: Poetic Prophecy (pp. 166-167). Yale University Press. | |||
''The scattering of the stars alters the ancient Arab cosmic conception, according to which the stars—as perceived by the poet who stays awake at night—appear as if fixed by ropes; see Imruʾ l-Qays, Mu ʿallaqa, v. 47: fa-yā laka min laylin ka-anna nujūmahū / bi-kulli mughāri l-fatli shuddat bi-yadhbulī jandalī (“What a night—as if the stars are held by ropes pulled tight to Mount Yadhbul”; cf. the slightly divergent text in SEAP, 1082).''</ref> | |||
{{Quote|{{Quran|56|75}}|I swear by the locations of the stars.}} | |||
In reality stars don't have fixed settings as they are constantly orbiting e.g. black holes and other stars - they just appear that way from Earth as they are so far away.<ref>''[https://www.wtamu.edu/~cbaird/sq/2013/10/16/why-are-all-the-stars-fixed-in-space/ Why are all the stars fixed in space?]'' Science Questions with Surprising Answers. West Texas A& University Website. Dr Christopher S. Baird. Physics professor at West Texas A&M University. 2013</ref> The verse must be referring to actual stars, as these also 'fall and scatter' ({{Quran|81|2}} and {{Quran|82|2}}) on judgement day, and are thrown at spying jinn; Quran 37:6-10, Quran 67:5, Quran 15:16-18 (''see: [[Shooting Stars in the Quran]])''. However we aren't even seeing the locations of the stars (which the Quran is telling it's audience it is swearing on), but rather light which is centuries to millions of years old<ref>[https://www.pbs.org/seeinginthedark/astronomy-topics/light-as-a-cosmic-time-machine.html#:~:text=The%20Sun%20is%2093%20million,it%20was%208%20minutes%20ago ''Light as a Cosmic Time Machine.''] Andrew Fraknoi. PBS</ref> so the star has since moved away from that 'position', and is constantly orbiting. | |||
Muslims may take a non-literal view of the verse such as arguing it is from a human perspective. But critics argue the Quran could simply have sworn on e.g. the stars (al-nujūm) themselves rather than the literal positions of the stars, to avoid bringing in a concept that would become scientifically outdated as our knowledge of the universe has increased - and adds no value/serves no purpose in the Quran. | |||
===Implied similar size and distance of the sun and moon=== | ===Implied similar size and distance of the sun and moon=== | ||
{{Main|Geocentrism and the Quran|l1=Geocentrism and the Qur'an}} | {{Main|Geocentrism and the Quran|l1=Geocentrism and the Qur'an}} | ||