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Islamic Views on the Shape of the Earth: Difference between revisions

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Islamic Views on the Shape of the Earth (view source)

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[[File:Flat Earth The Wonders of Creation.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Taken from Zekeriya Kazvinî's "Acaib-ül Mahlûkat" (The Wonders of Creation). Translated into Turkish from Arabic. Istanbul: ca. 1553. <BR>This map depicts "a traditional Islamic projection of the world as a flat disk surrounded by the sundering seas which are restrained by the encircling mountains of Qaf".<ref>[http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/world/earth.html Views of the Earth] - World Treasures of the Library of Congress, July 29, 2010</ref> ]]
[[File:Flat Earth The Wonders of Creation.jpg|right|thumb|175px|Taken from Zekeriya Kazvinî's "Acaib-ül Mahlûkat" (The Wonders of Creation). Translated into Turkish from Arabic. Istanbul: ca. 1553. <BR>This map depicts "a traditional Islamic projection of the world as a flat disk surrounded by the sundering seas which are restrained by the encircling mountains of Qaf".<ref>[http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/world/earth.html Views of the Earth] - World Treasures of the Library of Congress, July 29, 2010</ref> ]]
This article takes a closer look at some of the [[Qur'an|Qur'anic]] verses that imply its author assumed the earth is flat.
This article takes a closer look at some of the [[Qur'an|Qur'anic]] verses that imply its author assumed the earth is flat.
== Introduction ==
==Introduction==


The fact that the Earth is not flat has been known for thousands of years. The Ancient [[Greece|Greeks]] Pythagoras (570 - 495 BC), Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) and Hipparchus (190 - 120 BC) all knew this. The [[India|Indian]] astronomer and mathematician, Aryabhata (476 - 550 AD) knew this. And so did the early Christian scholars Anicius Boëthius (480 - 524 AD), Bishop Isidore of Seville (560 - 636 AD), Bishop Rabanus Maurus (780 - 856 AD), the monk Bede (672 - 735 AD), Bishop Vergilius of Salzburg (700 - 784 AD) and Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274 AD). In fact, contrary to what we are often told, the sphericity of the Earth was common knowledge among early medieval [[Europe|Europeans]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myth_of_the_Flat_Earth&oldid=556807448|title= Myth of the Flat Earth|publisher= Wikipedia|author= |date= accessed June 12, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMyth_of_the_Flat_Earth&date=2013-06-12|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the Holy Roman Empire from as early as 395 AD used an orb to represent the spherical Earth.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Globus_cruciger&oldid=312872920 Globus cruciger] - Wikipedia, accessed September 9, 2009</ref>
The fact that the Earth is not flat has been known for thousands of years. The Ancient Greeks Pythagoras (570 - 495 BC), Aristotle (384 - 322 BC) and Hipparchus (190 - 120 BC) all knew this. The Indian astronomer and mathematician, Aryabhata (476 - 550 AD) knew this. And so did the early Christian scholars Anicius Boëthius (480 - 524 AD), Bishop Isidore of Seville (560 - 636 AD), Bishop Rabanus Maurus (780 - 856 AD), the monk Bede (672 - 735 AD), Bishop Vergilius of Salzburg (700 - 784 AD) and Thomas Aquinas (1225 - 1274 AD). In fact, contrary to what we are often told, the sphericity of the Earth was common knowledge among early medieval Europeans<ref>{{cite web|url= http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myth_of_the_Flat_Earth&oldid=556807448|title= Myth of the Flat Earth|publisher= Wikipedia|author= |date= accessed June 12, 2013|archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/query?url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FMyth_of_the_Flat_Earth&date=2013-06-12|deadurl=no}}</ref> and the Holy Roman Empire from as early as 395 AD used an orb to represent the spherical Earth.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Globus_cruciger&oldid=312872920 Globus cruciger] - Wikipedia, accessed September 9, 2009</ref>


If the [[Qur'an]] is a letter-by-letter dictation from [[Allah]], it should also concur with this fact that was known throughout the world ''before'' its [[revelation]], and it should contradict the flat Earth model widely believed in by the 7<sup>th</sup> century Bedouins of Arabia. Yet the evidence is that the Qur'an supports the flat Earth model (as well as [[Geocentrism and the Quran|geocentrism]]).
If the [[Qur'an]] is a letter-by-letter dictation from [[Allah]], it should also concur with this fact that was known throughout the world ''before'' its [[revelation]], and it should contradict the flat Earth model widely believed in by the 7<sup>th</sup> century Bedouins of Arabia. Yet the evidence is that the Qur'an supports the flat Earth model (as well as [[Geocentrism and the Quran|geocentrism]]).
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For plentiful evidence that the earliest Muslims believed in a flat Earth, and a discussion of the failed attempts by ibn Taymiyyah and others to demonstrate that they believed in a round Earth, see the article [[Did Muhammad and the early Muslims know that the Earth is round|Did Muhammad and the Earliest Muslims Know the Earth is Round?]].
For plentiful evidence that the earliest Muslims believed in a flat Earth, and a discussion of the failed attempts by ibn Taymiyyah and others to demonstrate that they believed in a round Earth, see the article [[Did Muhammad and the early Muslims know that the Earth is round|Did Muhammad and the Earliest Muslims Know the Earth is Round?]].


== Analysis==
==Analysis==
In this analysis, we look at direct references to the shape of the Earth in the Qur'an. Verse 88:20 is particularly worth highlighting for its use of a word that was deeply associated with flat surfaces.  
In this analysis, we look at direct references to the shape of the Earth in the Qur'an. Verse 88:20 is particularly worth highlighting for its use of a word that was deeply associated with flat surfaces.  


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The section after this one discusses indirect evidence that the Qur'an supports a flat Earth model, and perhaps contains even stronger evidence than the direct statements below.
The section after this one discusses indirect evidence that the Qur'an supports a flat Earth model, and perhaps contains even stronger evidence than the direct statements below.


=== Qur'an 2:22 - firashan (thing spread to sit or lie upon)===
===Qur'an 2:22 - firashan (thing spread to sit or lie upon)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|22}}|'''ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا''' وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
{{Quote|{{Quran|2|22}}|'''ٱلَّذِى جَعَلَ لَكُمُ ٱلْأَرْضَ فِرَٰشًا''' وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بِنَآءً وَأَنزَلَ مِنَ ٱلسَّمَآءِ مَآءً فَأَخْرَجَ بِهِۦ مِنَ ٱلثَّمَرَٰتِ رِزْقًا لَّكُمْ ۖ فَلَا تَجْعَلُوا۟ لِلَّهِ أَندَادًا وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ


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فِرَٰشًا = firashan = a thing that is spread upon the ground, a thing that is spread for one to sit or lie upon.<ref>فِرَٰشًا firashan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume6/00000155.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2371</ref>
فِرَٰشًا = firashan = a thing that is spread upon the ground, a thing that is spread for one to sit or lie upon.<ref>فِرَٰشًا firashan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume6/00000155.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2371</ref>


=== Qur'an 15:19 - madad (extend, stretch out)===
===Qur'an 15:19 - madad (extend, stretch out)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|15|19}}|''' والارض مددناها''' والقينا فيها رواسي وانبتنا فيها من كل شئ موزون'''
{{Quote|{{Quran|15|19}}|''' والارض مددناها''' والقينا فيها رواسي وانبتنا فيها من كل شئ موزون'''


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مَدَدْ = madad = extend by drawing or pulling, stretch out, expand<ref>مد madda (مدد) - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000223.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2695</ref>
مَدَدْ = madad = extend by drawing or pulling, stretch out, expand<ref>مد madda (مدد) - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000223.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2695</ref>


=== Qur'an 20:53 - mahdan (bed)===
===Qur'an 20:53 - mahdan (bed)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|53}}| '''الذي جعل لكم الارض مهدا''' وسلك لكم فيها سبلا وانزل من السماء ماء فاخرجنا به ازواجا من نبات شتى
{{Quote|{{Quran|20|53}}| '''الذي جعل لكم الارض مهدا''' وسلك لكم فيها سبلا وانزل من السماء ماء فاخرجنا به ازواجا من نبات شتى


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مَهْدًا = mahdan = cradle or bed; a plain, even, or smooth expanse<ref>مَهْدً mahdan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2739</ref>
مَهْدًا = mahdan = cradle or bed; a plain, even, or smooth expanse<ref>مَهْدً mahdan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2739</ref>


=== Qur'an 43:10 - mahdan (bed)===
===Qur'an 43:10 - mahdan (bed)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|43|10}}| '''الذي جعل لكم الارض مهدا''' وجعل لكم فيها سبلا لعلكم تهتدون
{{Quote|{{Quran|43|10}}| '''الذي جعل لكم الارض مهدا''' وجعل لكم فيها سبلا لعلكم تهتدون


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مَهْدًا = mahdan = cradle or bed; a plain, even, or smooth expanse<ref>مَهْدً mahdan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2739</ref>
مَهْدًا = mahdan = cradle or bed; a plain, even, or smooth expanse<ref>مَهْدً mahdan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2739</ref>


=== Qur'an 50:7 - madad (expand, stretch out)===  
===Qur'an 50:7 - madad (expand, stretch out)===  
{{Quote|{{Quran|50|7}}| '''والارض مددناها''' والقينا فيها رواسي وانبتنا فيها من كل زوج بهيج
{{Quote|{{Quran|50|7}}| '''والارض مددناها''' والقينا فيها رواسي وانبتنا فيها من كل زوج بهيج


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مَدَدْ = madad = extend by drawing or pulling, stretch out, expand<ref>مد madda (مدد) - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000223.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2695</ref>
مَدَدْ = madad = extend by drawing or pulling, stretch out, expand<ref>مد madda (مدد) - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000223.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2695</ref>


=== Qur'an 51:48 - farasha (spread out) mahidoon (spreaders) ===
===Qur'an 51:48 - farasha (spread out) mahidoon (spreaders)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|51|48}}| والارض فرشناها فنعم الماهدون
{{Quote|{{Quran|51|48}}| والارض فرشناها فنعم الماهدون


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}}
}}


=== Qur'an 71:19 - bisaatan (carpet)===
===Qur'an 71:19 - bisaatan (carpet)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|71|19}}| والله جعل لكم الارض بساطا
{{Quote|{{Quran|71|19}}| والله جعل لكم الارض بساطا


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So the derived verb ''basata'' refers to spreading out (thus flattening) a carpet.
So the derived verb ''basata'' refers to spreading out (thus flattening) a carpet.


=== Qur'an 78:6-7 - mihadan (bed)===
===Qur'an 78:6-7 - mihadan (bed)===
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|78|6|7}}|أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَٰدًا وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا
{{Quote|{{Quran-range|78|6|7}}|أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ ٱلْأَرْضَ مِهَٰدًا وَٱلْجِبَالَ أَوْتَادًا


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مِهَٰدًا (same as مَهْدًا mahdan) = cradle or bed; a plain, even, or smooth expanse<ref>مَهْدً mahdan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2739</ref>
مِهَٰدًا (same as مَهْدًا mahdan) = cradle or bed; a plain, even, or smooth expanse<ref>مَهْدً mahdan - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume7/00000267.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 2739</ref>


=== Qur'an 79:30 - daha (spread out or ostrich egg?)===
===Qur'an 79:30 - daha (spread out or ostrich egg?)===
Many Islamist apologists attempt to deflect criticism that the Qur'an promotes the mistaken belief of a flat earth by the word دَحَىٰهَآ (dahaha) used in Qur'an 79:30, commonly translated as ‘He spread it’ or ‘He stretched it’.  
Many Islamist apologists attempt to deflect criticism that the Qur'an promotes the mistaken belief of a flat earth by the word دَحَىٰهَآ (dahaha) used in Qur'an 79:30, commonly translated as ‘He spread it’ or ‘He stretched it’.  
{{Quote|{{Quran|79|30}}| '''Arabic:'''  والارض بعد ذلك دحاها
{{Quote|{{Quran|79|30}}| '''Arabic:'''  والارض بعد ذلك دحاها
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}}
}}
Word by word:
Word by word:
* وَٱلْأَرْضَ
 
** وَ - ''wa'' - and  
*وَٱلْأَرْضَ
** ٱلْ - ''al'' - the
**وَ - ''wa'' - and
** أَرْضَ - ''ard'' - Earth
**ٱلْ - ''al'' - the
*** feminine in Arabic
**أَرْضَ - ''ard'' - Earth
* بَعْدَ - ''ba'ada'' - after
***feminine in Arabic
* ذَٰلِكَ - ''dhalika'' - that
*بَعْدَ - ''ba'ada'' - after
* دَحَىٰهَآ
*ذَٰلِكَ - ''dhalika'' - that
** دَحَىٰ - ''dahaa'' - (he) spread
*دَحَىٰهَآ
*** verb <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/wordmorphology.jsp?location=(79:30:4)</ref>
**دَحَىٰ - ''dahaa'' - (he) spread
** هَآ - ''ha'' - her
***verb <ref>http://corpus.quran.com/wordmorphology.jsp?location=(79:30:4)</ref>
*** or "it" in the English translation, referring to the Earth.
**هَآ - ''ha'' - her
***or "it" in the English translation, referring to the Earth.


دَحَىٰهَآ is a verb with a suffixed pronoun, so it cannot mean a noun "ostrich egg". In the apologist interpretation the verb would have to mean "he made it in a shape of an ostrich egg". It is absurd to think that such a little word could mean something so complex.
دَحَىٰهَآ is a verb with a suffixed pronoun, so it cannot mean a noun "ostrich egg". In the apologist interpretation the verb would have to mean "he made it in a shape of an ostrich egg". It is absurd to think that such a little word could mean something so complex.
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So the ''-ha'' in 79:30 is a pronoun as well as in other verses and the pronoun is completely missing in the translation "ostrich egg".
So the ''-ha'' in 79:30 is a pronoun as well as in other verses and the pronoun is completely missing in the translation "ostrich egg".


==== Qur'an Translations ====
====Qur'an Translations====
{{quote ||  
{{quote ||  
'''Yusuf Ali:''' And the earth, moreover, hath He extended (to a wide expanse); <ref name="ia-79-30"/> }}
'''Yusuf Ali:''' And the earth, moreover, hath He extended (to a wide expanse); <ref name="ia-79-30"/> }}
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In a flat 2d image without texture or shading oblate and prolate spheroids might look the same, but in three dimensions you cannot make one look like the other no matter how you turn it. They are fundamentally different shapes.
In a flat 2d image without texture or shading oblate and prolate spheroids might look the same, but in three dimensions you cannot make one look like the other no matter how you turn it. They are fundamentally different shapes.


==== Daha and Duhiya ====
====Daha and Duhiya====
In Arabic, each word must be derived from its root. The root usually consists of three letters that can be manipulated, by adding vowels, prefixes and suffixes in order to produce different words with different meanings. For example, "ka-ta-ba" (to write) is the root for many words such as kitab (book), maktaba (library), katib (author), maktoob (written), kitabat (writings) et cetera.
In Arabic, each word must be derived from its root. The root usually consists of three letters that can be manipulated, by adding vowels, prefixes and suffixes in order to produce different words with different meanings. For example, "ka-ta-ba" (to write) is the root for many words such as kitab (book), maktaba (library), katib (author), maktoob (written), kitabat (writings) et cetera.


Let's now take the word claimed to mean egg of an ostrich, "Duhiya". This word is ''not'' a root. It is a noun and is derived from "da-ha-wa" (دحو)<ref name="LanesLexiconDaHaWa">دحو dahawa - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume3/00000023.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 857</ref>, the same root that the verb "dahaha" (دَحَىٰهَآ) in 79:30 comes from (the 'ha' at the end there is just a pronoun suffix meaning 'it'). Furthermore, Duhiya does not even mean the egg of an ostrich. This is what the most respected dictionaries have to say on this subject:  
Let's now take the word claimed to mean egg of an ostrich, "Duhiya". This word is ''not'' a root. It is a noun and is derived from "da-ha-wa" (دحو)<ref name="LanesLexiconDaHaWa">دحو dahawa - [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume3/00000023.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 857</ref>, the same root that the verb "dahaha" (دَحَىٰهَآ) in 79:30 comes from (the 'ha' at the end there is just a pronoun suffix meaning 'it'). Furthermore, Duhiya does not even mean the egg of an ostrich. This is what the most respected dictionaries have to say on this subject:  


===== Lisan Al Arab =====
=====Lisan Al Arab=====
{{quote || الأُدْحِيُّ و الإدْحِيُّ و الأُدْحِيَّة و الإدْحِيَّة و الأُدْحُوّة مَبِيض النعام في الرمل , وزنه أُفْعُول من ذلك , لأَن النعامة تَدْحُوه برِجْلها ثم تَبِيض فيه وليس للنعام عُشٌّ . و مَدْحَى النعام : موضع بيضها , و أُدْحِيُّها موضعها الذي تُفَرِّخ فيه .ِ}}
{{quote || الأُدْحِيُّ و الإدْحِيُّ و الأُدْحِيَّة و الإدْحِيَّة و الأُدْحُوّة مَبِيض النعام في الرمل , وزنه أُفْعُول من ذلك , لأَن النعامة تَدْحُوه برِجْلها ثم تَبِيض فيه وليس للنعام عُشٌّ . و مَدْحَى النعام : موضع بيضها , و أُدْحِيُّها موضعها الذي تُفَرِّخ فيه .ِ}}
Translation: Al-udhy, Al-idhy, Al-udhiyya, Al-idhiyya, Al-udhuwwa:The place in sand where an ostrich lays its egg. That's because the ostrich '''spreads out''' (تَدْحُوه, ''tadhooh'') the earth with its feet then lays its eggs there, an ostrich doesn't have a nest.
Translation: Al-udhy, Al-idhy, Al-udhiyya, Al-idhiyya, Al-udhuwwa:The place in sand where an ostrich lays its egg. That's because the ostrich '''spreads out''' (تَدْحُوه, ''tadhooh'') the earth with its feet then lays its eggs there, an ostrich doesn't have a nest.
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Then it mentions a couple of Arabic poems that confirm this meaning. Anyone who can read Arabic will find this to be the definitive proof that Daha means to spread out.
Then it mentions a couple of Arabic poems that confirm this meaning. Anyone who can read Arabic will find this to be the definitive proof that Daha means to spread out.


===== Al Qamoos Al Muheet =====  
=====Al Qamoos Al Muheet=====  
{{quote || (دَحَا): الله الأرضَ
{{quote || (دَحَا): الله الأرضَ
(يَدْحُوهَا وَيَدْحَاهَا دَحْواً) بَسَطَها}}
(يَدْحُوهَا وَيَدْحَاهَا دَحْواً) بَسَطَها}}
Translation: Allah daha the Earth: He spread it out.
Translation: Allah daha the Earth: He spread it out.


===== Al Waseet =====
=====Al Waseet=====
{{quote || دَحَا الشيءَ: بسطه ووسعه. يقال: دحا اللهُ الأَرض }}
{{quote || دَحَا الشيءَ: بسطه ووسعه. يقال: دحا اللهُ الأَرض }}
Translation: To daha something: means to spread it out. For example: Allah daha the Earth.
Translation: To daha something: means to spread it out. For example: Allah daha the Earth.


===== Lane's Lexicon =====
=====Lane's Lexicon=====
{{quote ||2=Dahw (دحو)
{{quote ||2=Dahw (دحو)


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Of course it isn't, because "ostrich egg" needs two words. "Egg" is بَيْضِ (baydi) and "ostrich" is النَّعَامِ (an-na'ami). So ostrich egg is called ''baydi an-na'ami'' and not ''dahaha'' in Arabic.
Of course it isn't, because "ostrich egg" needs two words. "Egg" is بَيْضِ (baydi) and "ostrich" is النَّعَامِ (an-na'ami). So ostrich egg is called ''baydi an-na'ami'' and not ''dahaha'' in Arabic.


=== Qur'an 88:20 - sutihat (spread out flat) ===
===Qur'an 88:20 - sutihat (spread out flat)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|88|20}}| وَإِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ
{{Quote|{{Quran|88|20}}| وَإِلَى ٱلْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ


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And the earth how it was laid out flat? and thus infer from this the power of God exalted be He and His Oneness? The commencing with the mention of camels is because they are closer in contact with it the earth than any other animal. '''As for His words sutihat ‘laid out flat’ this on a literal reading suggests that the earth is flat which is the opinion of''' most '''of the scholars * of the revealed Law and not a sphere as astronomers ahl al-hay’a have it''' even if this latter does not contradict any of the pillars of the Law.
And the earth how it was laid out flat? and thus infer from this the power of God exalted be He and His Oneness? The commencing with the mention of camels is because they are closer in contact with it the earth than any other animal. '''As for His words sutihat ‘laid out flat’ this on a literal reading suggests that the earth is flat which is the opinion of''' most '''of the scholars * of the revealed Law and not a sphere as astronomers ahl al-hay’a have it''' even if this latter does not contradict any of the pillars of the Law.
}}
}}
* (*) The Arabic original says "وعليه علماء الشرع", literally "and-on-it (are) scholars (of) law"<ref>http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=8&tSoraNo=88&tAyahNo=20&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1</ref>. The word "most" was added by English translators, probably to make it less embarrassing.
* The phrase "flat earth" today is commonly translated as الأرض مسطحة (''al-ard musattaha'')<ref>http://context.reverso.net/translation/english-arabic/flat+earth</ref>, the word ''musattaha'' is from the same root as the word ''sutihat''.


=== Qur'an 91:6 - taha (spread out)===
*(*) The Arabic original says "وعليه علماء الشرع", literally "and-on-it (are) scholars (of) law"<ref>http://www.altafsir.com/Tafasir.asp?tMadhNo=1&tTafsirNo=8&tSoraNo=88&tAyahNo=20&tDisplay=yes&UserProfile=0&LanguageId=1</ref>. The word "most" was added by English translators, probably to make it less embarrassing.
*The phrase "flat earth" today is commonly translated as الأرض مسطحة (''al-ard musattaha'')<ref>http://context.reverso.net/translation/english-arabic/flat+earth</ref>, the word ''musattaha'' is from the same root as the word ''sutihat''.
 
===Qur'an 91:6 - taha (spread out)===
{{Quote|{{Quran|91|6}}| والارض وماطحاها
{{Quote|{{Quran|91|6}}| والارض وماطحاها


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By the Earth and its (wide) expanse}}
By the Earth and its (wide) expanse}}


== Further Proof ==
==Further Proof==


===Qur'an 18:86 - Setting and rising places of the sun===
===Qur'an 18:86 - Setting and rising places of the sun===
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If the Quran claimed that the Earth is spherical, Muhammad and his followers, who spoke the Arabic language of that time, including respected interpreters such as Ibn 'Abbas, would have shown some inkling of this knowledge. Instead, hadith narrations record only flat Earth beliefs (see the article [[Did Muhammad and the early Muslims know that the Earth is round|Did Muhammad and the Earliest Muslims Know the Earth is Round?]]). Some even held a belief that the Earth is placed on the back of [[The Islamic Whale|"the whale"]].
If the Quran claimed that the Earth is spherical, Muhammad and his followers, who spoke the Arabic language of that time, including respected interpreters such as Ibn 'Abbas, would have shown some inkling of this knowledge. Instead, hadith narrations record only flat Earth beliefs (see the article [[Did Muhammad and the early Muslims know that the Earth is round|Did Muhammad and the Earliest Muslims Know the Earth is Round?]]). Some even held a belief that the Earth is placed on the back of [[The Islamic Whale|"the whale"]].


== General Apologetics ==
==General Apologetics==
===Qur'an 22:61, 31:29, & 39:5 - night and day merging / overlapping===
===Qur'an 22:61, 31:29, & 39:5 - night and day merging / overlapping===
{{Quote|{{Quran|22|61}}| ذلك بان الله يولج الليل في النهار ويولج النهار في الليل وان الله سميع بصير
{{Quote|{{Quran|22|61}}| ذلك بان الله يولج الليل في النهار ويولج النهار في الليل وان الله سميع بصير
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In addition, these verses, as well as others, erroneously refer to night and day as two active entities. They are in fact simply the times when, for an observer on the surface of the Earth, they are on the sunlit or shadowed side of the planet as it rotates upon its axis. The night does not "overlap" or "wrap" around the day because there is only light, and darkness is nothing but the absence of light. The Qur'an could hardly be more wrong here. A less bad description would be to say that the Earth passes through night and day. Moreover, attempts to interpret 39:5 as the rotation of the Earth require contradictory shifts in the meaning of the words halfway through the sentence, as explained in a more detailed discussion of 39:5 on the page [[Geocentrism and the Quran#Counter-arguments|Geocentrism and the Qur'an]].
In addition, these verses, as well as others, erroneously refer to night and day as two active entities. They are in fact simply the times when, for an observer on the surface of the Earth, they are on the sunlit or shadowed side of the planet as it rotates upon its axis. The night does not "overlap" or "wrap" around the day because there is only light, and darkness is nothing but the absence of light. The Qur'an could hardly be more wrong here. A less bad description would be to say that the Earth passes through night and day. Moreover, attempts to interpret 39:5 as the rotation of the Earth require contradictory shifts in the meaning of the words halfway through the sentence, as explained in a more detailed discussion of 39:5 on the page [[Geocentrism and the Quran#Counter-arguments|Geocentrism and the Qur'an]].


=== Earth is flat only from our perspective ===
===Earth is flat only from our perspective===
{{Quote||According to the people of knowledge the Earth is round. Indeed, Ibn Hazm and other scholars have declared that there is consensus on this matter among the people of knowledge This means that all of the surface of the Earth is connected together so that the form of the planet is like a sphere.
{{Quote||According to the people of knowledge the Earth is round. Indeed, Ibn Hazm and other scholars have declared that there is consensus on this matter among the people of knowledge This means that all of the surface of the Earth is connected together so that the form of the planet is like a sphere.


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Most importantly, the argument ignores the indirect and further evidence in the [https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Flat_Earth_and_the_Quran#Further_Proof Further Proof] section above. That section contains the best evidence for a flat Earth cosmography in the Qur'an, stronger even than the verses that directly describe the creation of the Earth.
Most importantly, the argument ignores the indirect and further evidence in the [https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Flat_Earth_and_the_Quran#Further_Proof Further Proof] section above. That section contains the best evidence for a flat Earth cosmography in the Qur'an, stronger even than the verses that directly describe the creation of the Earth.


== Conclusion ==  
==Conclusion==  


Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz, the former supreme religious authority of [[Saudi Arabia]], believed the earth is flat,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/12/world/muslim-edicts-take-on-new-force.html|2=2011-11-30}} Muslim Edicts Take on New Force] - New York Times, February 12, 1995.</ref><ref>Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ben Baz (1395 AH [1974 AD]), ''"Evidence that the Earth is Standing Still"'', Islamic University of Medina, Saudi Arabia. First edition, p. 23.</ref> and so does Muslim Researcher on Astronomy Fadhel Al-Sa'd, who declared in a televised debate aired on [[Iraq|Iraqi]] Al-Fayhaa TV (October 31, 2007) that the Earth is flat as evidenced by Qur'anic verses and that the sun is much smaller than the Earth and revolves around it.<ref>[http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1684.htm Iraqi Researcher Defies Scientific Axioms: The Earth Is Flat and Much Larger than the Sun (Which Is Also Flat)] - MEMRI TV, Video No. 1684</ref>  
Shaykh Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz, the former supreme religious authority of [[Saudi Arabia]], believed the earth is flat,<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/12/world/muslim-edicts-take-on-new-force.html|2=2011-11-30}} Muslim Edicts Take on New Force] - New York Times, February 12, 1995.</ref><ref>Sheikh Abdul Aziz Ben Baz (1395 AH [1974 AD]), ''"Evidence that the Earth is Standing Still"'', Islamic University of Medina, Saudi Arabia. First edition, p. 23.</ref> and so does Muslim Researcher on Astronomy Fadhel Al-Sa'd, who declared in a televised debate aired on [[Iraq|Iraqi]] Al-Fayhaa TV (October 31, 2007) that the Earth is flat as evidenced by Qur'anic verses and that the sun is much smaller than the Earth and revolves around it.<ref>[http://www.memritv.org/clip/en/1684.htm Iraqi Researcher Defies Scientific Axioms: The Earth Is Flat and Much Larger than the Sun (Which Is Also Flat)] - MEMRI TV, Video No. 1684</ref>  
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{{Core Science}}
{{Core Science}}


== See Also ==
==See Also==


{{Hub4|Cosmology|Cosmology}}
{{Hub4|Cosmology|Cosmology}}
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*[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islam-watch.org/SujitDas/MuslimGenius.htm|2=2011-03-26}} A Tribute to a Muslim Genius (Sheik Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz)] ''- [[Islam Watch]]''
*[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.islam-watch.org/SujitDas/MuslimGenius.htm|2=2011-03-26}} A Tribute to a Muslim Genius (Sheik Abdul-Aziz Ibn Baaz)] ''- [[Islam Watch]]''


== References ==
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
[[Category:Islam and Science]]
[[Category:Islam and Science]]
IbnPinker
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