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Geocentrism and the Quran: Difference between revisions
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The word translated "running" (yajree يَجْرِىٓ<ref>jiim-ra-ya جرى [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume2/00000051.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 415</ref>) in this and the next few verses quoted below was used for the physical travelling of heavenly bodies along their courses, and in general means to run, or to flow like water. It is used two verses later for the sailing of ships ({{Quran|31|31}}). | The word translated "running" (yajree يَجْرِىٓ<ref>jiim-ra-ya جرى [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume2/00000051.pdf Lane's Lexicon] page 415</ref>) in this and the next few verses quoted below was used for the physical travelling of heavenly bodies along their courses, and in general means to run, or to flow like water. It is used two verses later for the sailing of ships ({{Quran|31|31}}). | ||
The following verse says that the sun and moon running their courses are signs (ayaat) to mankind and thus they must be visible (or known) to a 7th century Arab audience. It says they are explained in detail in the Qur'an to strengthen the faith of its listeners, which again seems problematic for the galactic orbit interpretation, since for | The following verse says that the sun and moon running their courses are signs (ayaat) to mankind and thus they must be visible (or known) to a 7th century Arab audience. It says they are explained in detail in the Qur'an to strengthen the faith of its listeners, which again seems problematic for the galactic orbit interpretation, since for fourteen centuries they had no option but to interpret the words geocentrically. | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|13|2}}| […] '''He has subjected the sun and the moon! Each one runs for a term appointed'''. He regulates the matter, '''explaining the signs in detail''', so you can be certain of meeting with your Lord.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|13|2}}| […] '''He has subjected the sun and the moon! Each one runs for a term appointed'''. He regulates the matter, '''explaining the signs in detail''', so you can be certain of meeting with your Lord.}} | ||
''yudabbiru (he arranges / regulates) al amra (the matter) yufassilu (he explains in detail) al ayaat (the signs) la allakum (so you may) biliqai (meeting) rabbikum (with your Lord) tūqinūna (be certain)'' | ''yudabbiru (he arranges / regulates) al amra (the matter) yufassilu (he explains in detail) al ayaat (the signs) la allakum (so you may) biliqai (meeting) rabbikum (with your Lord) tūqinūna (be certain)'' | ||
In the following verses the Qur'an states that the sun follows a daily cycle, which ends every night when the sun goes to its resting place ( | In the following verses the Qur'an states that the sun follows a daily cycle, which ends every night when the sun goes to its resting place (ِmustaqarrin مُسْتَقَرٍّ)<ref name="mustaqarrin" />. As usual in the Qur'an (13:2 being the only exception), the sun's movement is mentioned in the context of night and day. | ||
{{Quote|{{cite quran|36|37|end=40|style=ref}}| A token unto them is night. '''We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness and the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him.''' That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.}} | {{Quote|{{cite quran|36|37|end=40|style=ref}}| A token unto them is night. '''We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness and the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him.''' That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.}} | ||
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The 225 million year galactic orbit interpretation would have no relevance to human timescales, nor would it be "a token" or sign for 7<sup>th</sup> century listeners, nor would it make sense in the context about the night-day cycle. | The 225 million year galactic orbit interpretation would have no relevance to human timescales, nor would it be "a token" or sign for 7<sup>th</sup> century listeners, nor would it make sense in the context about the night-day cycle. | ||
The | The phrase "It is not for the sun to overtake the moon" in verse 40 seems awkward from a heliocentric perspective, though quite natural from a 7<sup>th</sup> century perspective where the sun and moon were believed to orbit the same world, and indeed, will one day be joined together (see below). The word translated 'for' in the phrase 'It is not for the sun...' in verse 36:40 is يَنۢبَغِى yanbaghee, which means is fit, suitable, or proper, or behoves, or is right and allowable, or good, or facilitated or easy, or practicable or manageable<ref>ba-ghayn-ya [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume1/00000269.pdf Lane's Lexicon Book 1 page 233]</ref> and the word translated 'overtake' is تُدْرِكَ tudrika, which means catches up and comes upon<ref>dal-ra-kaf [http://www.studyquran.org/LaneLexicon/Volume3/00000039.pdf Lane's Lexicon Book 1 page 873]</ref>) | ||
In the following verse the Qur'an tells of an indirect observation of the sun's movement. | In the following verse the Qur'an tells of an indirect observation of the sun's movement. | ||
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{{Quote|{{cite quran|36|37|end=40|style=ref}}|A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness and the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.}} | {{Quote|{{cite quran|36|37|end=40|style=ref}}|A token unto them is night. We strip it of the day, and lo! they are in darkness and the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise. And for the moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.}} | ||
In the above verse, the sun's movement (as well as day and night) is a token, or sign, that the hearers can readily observe. Many other verses mention the sun and moon together | In the above verse, the sun's movement (as well as day and night) is a token, or sign, that the hearers can readily observe. Many other verses mention the sun and moon together: | ||
{{Quote|{{Quran|21|33}}|And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They all float in rounded courses.}} | {{Quote|{{Quran|21|33}}|And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They all float in rounded courses.}} | ||