Please note that any footnote that does not have a link directly attached to it is a reference to something that we do not have the link for, but, regardless, the sources can still be found at the bottom of our article. There are a total of 14 footnotes in this article, discluding links to translation and to WikiIslam. Thanks for reading!
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Heliocentricity in the Quran
Before we get into the idea of 'geocentricity in the Quran', a few things must be remembered:
Firstly, Muslim astronomer Jafar al-Sadiq of the 8th century CE refuted the Ptolemaic geocentric model of the universe and suggested a heliocentric theory (that those at WikiIslam casually glossed over in their articles) [1] [2] [3]. Next, another Muslim astronomer, al-Balkhi, of the 9th century CE, developed a planetary heliocentric model of the solar system [4]. Once again afterwords, Alhazen, another Muslim astronomer of the 11th century CE, proposed the Earth's rotation on its axis. It was clear and accepted that from an Islamic point of view, the heliocentric model was (and is) correct.
Soon enough, several Arab scholars - al-Hashimi, al-Biruni, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi,Sinjari, Qutb al-Din, and Maragha astronomers like al-Qazwini, Urdi, Ibn al-Shatir and others, developed a heliocentric idea and mathematical model for the solar system. In the 16th century CE, Copernicus built upon this, forming many of the astronomical views in the West today towards the end of the Renaissance and towards the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
These were just the proofs in the Islamic world of the heliocentric planetary model, however. These were already common beliefs in the Islamic world due mostly to the Quran. In fact – though often unnoticed by most of the classical commentators due to the traditional worldview of their time – there are in the Quran quite a large number of references to the heliocentric model and Earth’s origin secondary to the Solar origin:
Heliocentricism - One of the Many Miracles of the Quran
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Geocentricism in the Quran? Proven FALSE
To begin, the given page makes an attempt at defaming the Quran through widely ridiculous claims that show a lack of legitimacy in the authors even before they had started their article.
Introduction
Firstly, they make the argument that the Quran's "geocentricity" (not a word) is supported by ancient Muslim scientists and hadith. Hadith can be often fabricated, depending on the books, and Muslim scientists, while they are Muslim, do not represent Islam in any way, shape, or form.
"Such special pleading will not do in a scholarly examination of the Qur'an." - [WikiIslam Authors in their Introduction]
On the contrary, only sahih (authentic) or relatively good (hasan) hadiths should be used to help analyze the Quran.
Secondly, they make the widely ridiculous claim that the Quran cannot be attributed to Muhammad (saw) regardless of the countless direct speeches towards him in the Quran.
"The Qur'an alone cannot prove itself to be Prophet Muhammad’s words (let alone the words of Allah) without the support of hadiths.
Not only are these sources useful as supporting evidence; they also indicate which interpretation is supported by Muhammad and (early) Muslims." [WikiIslam Authors in their Introduction]
Beside this, the numerous linguistic [5] and scientific miracles of the Quran [6] that are not covered on this website are immediately given to anyone willing to learn from the Quran. No doubt that hadith is a fantastic tool, but it may only be used when one knows for sure of the accuracy of the hadith.
To answer the seven pointed bullets of the WikiIslam article:
1. They say the Muslims believe that the moon literally follows the sun in orbit. This is incorrect. They justify it by the use of Surat-as-Shams, "By the sun and its brightness, and [by] the moon when it follows it" [Translation of the Holy Quran 91:1-2]
This would be an issue with science - if it was saying the moon literally followed the sun. The authors of the article show their lack of knowledge in believing this following was physical, as opposed to temporal. The moon comes after the sun in night and day.
The verses even continue, "And [by] the day when it displays it, And [by] the night when it covers it" [Translation of the Holy Quran 91:3-4]
Once again, we can see WikiIslam misconstruing facts through translation to pretend as though the Quran is incorrect.
2. Next, they briefly site many verses where they say the sun is supposed to literally be "floating/swimming/running" [WikiIslam]. Except that they're not literally swimming and the Quran often speaks in metaphors. One cannot be floating, swimming, and running at the same time. This defies basic logic, and would have been pointed out by the early Arabs if it was actually an issue of basic logic like this.
3. The verses discussed by WikiIslam, 36:37-40, could have two meanings, each of which are scientifically and spiritually plausible.
a. As is suggested with many translations, the sun will eventually cease and will run out of its given time. This is supported by science, as scientists believe the star that we call our sun will reach its final stages in about 7 billion years [7]. This could also likely be the time of the actual orbit of the sun around the Milky Way Galaxy, which takes approximately 225 - 250 million years [8]. This is supported by the following translations of the Quran at 36:38 -
Muhsin Khan: "And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing."
Yusuf Ali: "And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing."
Shakir: "And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it; that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing."
b. As is suggested with some other translations, the sun comes to a "resting position" every once in awhile. Hadith #297 in Sahih Muslim [9] tells us that this is something that happens more than just once, but at least twice. The sun does not actually stop, but rather this is the Winter Solstice (or perhaps the Summer Solstice), when the sun appears to have stopped, or slowed down greatly.
4. "There is only one moon and one sun in the entire Qur'anic universe." [WikiIslam]
False. Sadly, this is more WikiIslam propaganda. They cite Quran 71:15-16 as evidence.
"Do you not consider how Allah has created seven heavens in layers And made the moon therein a [reflected] light and made the sun a burning lamp?" [Translation of the Holy Quran 71:15-16]
I do not see one location inside of this ayah that affirms the statement made by WikiIslam. It says three things:
A. God made 7 layers of heaven.
B. God made our moon (notice how in all of translations it only calls the moon a 'light', while it very scientifically accurately says that the sun is 'a burning lamp'.
C. God made our sun.
This is like debating the difference between saying 'our sun' and 'the sun'. It's the exact same thing, and the people at WikiIslam are hopping through linguistic hoops to try to prove things that are not correct.
5. "The Qur'an mentions heavenly bodies traveling in their own orbits, but so do the concepts of day and night each have an orbit. None of the bodies are supposed to run into each other." [WikiIslam]
The WikiIslam authors say this crude statement, but they reinforce it with zero evidence. In fact, what they're saying is actually summarized by the Quran nicely in one of the passages they previously tried to criticize.
"And the moon - We have determined for it phases, until it returns [appearing] like the old date stalk. It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming." - [Translation of the Holy Quran 36:39-40]
This verse is extremely scientifically accurate in many following ways:
a. The moon goes through a number of phases in which a number of different shapes can be seen from earth, regardless of the actual moon itself staying the same size. The Quran discusses how the moon goes through each phase until finally returning back to the stage when it can be seen as plump as an old date stalk.
b. The passage also discusses how the sun cannot reach the moon. This can be seen in the above picture, as their two different orbits can never meet. This shows the two distinct orbits and a separation between their orbits due to their disability to reach each other.
c. It separates the two orbits by saying that they're each in their own orbits. Just as well, the fact that, 1400 years ago, it was known in the middle of the desert by an unlearned man (who soon became the best of us all) that the sun and the moon had orbits in the first place AND around the sun as well, which every other major society that actually researched science managed to totally overlook. Truly stunning.
6. "Note that there is no mention of orbits for the heavens or the earth in the Qur'an... An orbit is only mentioned for the sun and the moon. Not even the stars have an orbit, for they are as if hanging down from the heavens like a light bulb from the ceiling in a room." [WikiIslam]
There are a few issues with this.
a. The sun is a star.
b. The Quran says in its Translation of 21:33 (which they footnoted earlier, but casually "glossed over"),
Sahih International - "And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming."
Yusuf Ali - "It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course."
Shakir - "And He it is Who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all (orbs) travel along swiftly in their celestial spheres."
WikiIslam then tries to use various Quran verses to say that Muslims believe the heavens can "fall on Earth" [WikiIslam].
They try to use 2:22-29, 35:41, 21:104, 17:92, and 34:9 to prove this. I will disprove their claims on all of these.
a. The Holy Quran 2: 22 - 29
God (swt) does not mention the heavens in these passages until 2:29 in which he says [in translation],
"It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things."
This just simply states the creation of Earth and the heavens and gives no validity to any of their points (as if it would though...).
b. The Holy Quran 35: 41
God (swt) shows his power in 35:41 as he says [in translation],
"Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving."
Once again, this is just a statement of God's power saying that He, and only He, can maintain the heavens because he is the only one powerful enough - no one else could maintain them. Never does it threaten that the heavens will 'drop' on the earth.
c. The Holy Quran 21: 104
God (swt) discusses the heavens in more detail where he says [in translation] at 21:104,
"The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it."
Once again, God (swt) says nothing about 'dropping the heavens on earth' or making them 'fall on earth', as WikiIslam carelessly and falsely stated.
d. The Holy Quran 17: 92
God (swt) shows the ridiculous demands of people by those who don't believe upon Muhammad (saw) [in translation],
"Or you make the heaven fall upon us in fragments as you have claimed or you bring Allah and the angels before [us]"
This is not God (swt) saying it's possible for the heavens to fall on us, or that they will. God (swt) is literally only telling us the ridiculous demands of people. Once again, WikiIslam pulls whatever they can from context.
e. The Holy Quran 34: 9
God (swt) is once again stating what he could do, not even what he will do of people who tell lies against him [in translation],
"Then, do they not look at what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and earth? If We should will, We could cause the earth to swallow them or [could] let fall upon them fragments from the sky. Indeed in that is a sign for every servant turning back [to Allah ]."
God (swt) is simply showing his powers here to those who are in disbelief, stating things that are easily within the realm of his abilities. There is no falling of the heavens down into the Earth.
"The earth is just one of the planets moving around the sun. However, in the the Qur'an, the sky is mistakenly being referred to as if it were a solid structure that could fall upon the earth and crush people and things between them" [WikiIslam]
Once again, false. The sky does not encompass just clouds. This would be stupidity. There is rubble, asteroids, and far more mass in space all around the mass of our Earth. To believe only planets or stars exist outside of our Earth is stupidity.
The Sun and the Moon are Signs From Allah (swt)
"According to the Qur'an, the sun and the moon are some of the signs (al ayaat) that are created by Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah also promises to "explain his signs in detail, for people who have knowledge." [WikiIslam]
Clearly this person has the inability to see simple logic. Honestly, what are the chances that gravity would have the perfect force in order to keep us in a perfect orbit around the sun that maintains us not as too hot or too cold, but just the right temperatures. What are the chances that we would also have the moon in perfect orbit around our Earth to keep us in line around the sun and to give us things like tides? To those who want to see, the moon and sun, even by themselves, are truly miraculous.
"Apologists may say that these detailed explanation are only correctly understood by them (since only they have knowledge); but this is of course circular reasoning." [WikiIslam]
No. If a person is willing to learn, they will understand the idea of faith. It is clear that the person here has never felt faith in anything and couldn't see the proof in even scientific fact without doubting it first.
"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. The Qur'an also promises to explain these signs in detail." [WikiIslam]
Even these people understood the miraculous nature of our universe better than the author of this WikiIslam article did - they saw the creation, and they knew there had to be some creator, even when they were pagans.
The Sun's Visibility from Earth
"These (the sun and the moon) were all visible phenomena to the people of the 7th century" [WikiIslam]
Yes, the sun and the moon have been visible to humans for a very long time. These were visible proofs of God's creation to those who wanted to know of God. If one doesn't try to seek for God, he won't find God. God isn't hiding; He's waiting to be seen.
Once again, those at WikiIslam can be seen misconstruing the truth through translation:
"According to the Qur'an, the shadow that the sun casts are moving because of the sun. And humans should be able to see this. Of course, this is exactly how it would appear to someone observing the phenomena standing on earth; however, this is not how it would be described if it was being viewed from outside our solar system." [WikiIslam]
For this observation they made, they specifically chose a translation that did not specify what was moving, so that they could try to criticize the Quran. However, the Muhsin Khan translation of the Holy Quran 25:45 shows them to be wrong,
"Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He willed, He could have made it still then We have made the sun its guide [i.e. after the sunrise, it (the shadow) squeezes and vanishes at midnoon and then again appears in the afternoon with the decline of the sun, and had there been no sun light, there would have been no shadow]."
The Course of the Sun in Relation to the Course of the Moon
In this section, those at WikiIslam just repeat all of the things they had said before. They make their central point,
"The courses of the sun and the moon are also a pair of sorts" [WikiIslam]
However, in not even one of their quotes do they have the Quran saying that they, or even their orbits, are a pair. This is not to mention that the Quran each have their own paths.
"He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving." [Translation of the Holy Quran 39:5]
Whether you choose to pair the sun and the moon together or not, as they do, this is irrelevant to anything Islamic, as anyone can pair literally anything they want together ideologically. There isn't really a logical point made in this section. The Quran does not say they are a pair, and even the verse they tried to quote doesn't say that:
"He causes the night to enter the day, and He causes the day to enter the night and has subjected the sun and the moon - each running [its course] for a specified term. That is Allah , your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed." [Translation of the Holy Quran 35:13]
However, the Quran doesn't say they are a pair either. One can choose to believe either one, as the Quran does not accept or deny this thought.
The Regular Cycle of the Sun
Next, the authors of WikiIslam try to criticize the Islamic use of the sun and the moon for timekeeping.
"There is a reason why this is important: the sun's daily cycle and the moons monthly cycle are used for timekeeping in Islam." [WikiIslam]
However, they once again fail to see reason, or even basic science. The sun has been used for accurate timekeeping even in the Western world for calendars for over 1000 years. The reason for this can be found in the Quran:
"The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.)." [Translation of the Holy Quran 55:5]
"A standard apologetic claim is that references to the sun's movement concern its 225 million year orbit around the milky way. Such a meaning would have no relevance to human timescales, nor would it be "a token" or sign for 7th century listeners, nor would it make sense in the context about the night-day cycle. Moreover, the idea that the sun is prevented from overtaking the moon is a concept that would only make any kind of sense from a naive human perspective where they orbit the same world." [WikiIslam]
Once again, those at WikiIslam have simply shown their ignorance.
Firstly, they simply use keywords such as "apologetic claim" to try to lock out all debate and discussion from the other side on that particular topic. It is obviously very clear that the passage of 55:5, for example, is talking about the fixed course of the sun, which it has been scientifically proven to have [10].
Secondly, it's because of the Earth's gravity that the moon doesn't go straight towards the sun. This is the only reason why we still have the moon beside the Earth [11]. So, actually, the sun is being prevented from overtaking the moon.
The Movement of the Sun and Timekeeping
"The only solar movement Muslims use for timekeeping is the apparent daily course of the Sun (from east up and then down to the west). To this very day, Muslims use the (crude) lunar calender, and the waqt (prescribed time) of their daily salats (prayers) is determined entirely by the position of the Sun along it’s apparent course." [WikiIslam]
1. The lunar calendar is not crude. Upon doing research, one can easily find a couple of things.
A. It's not spelled "calender". It's spelled "calendar".
B. The Lunar calendar isn't crude, just a different way of calculating the exact same thing. 33 lunar years, actually, are equal to 32 solar years, regardless.
"A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to 12 days. It comes back to the position it had in relation to the solar year approximately every 33 Islamic years." [12]
Thus, the lunar calendar is simpler to track and just as accurate as the solar calendar because they both come back to the exact same spot. In fact, the only reason why the solar calendar is actually used today is because it tracks the seasons directly, unlike the Lunar calendar.
C. The sun's location in the sky is used to calculate the daily time of prayer likely because it can be tracked during the day as well as the night. It is accurate, and it is simple.
God tells us this in the Quran, "[He is] the cleaver of daybreak and has made the night for rest and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing." [Translation of the Holy Quran 6:96]
The Shape of the Sun's Course
Likely because those who are at WikiIslam ran out of logical questions, at this point, they have subjected themselves to attacking common terminology that is found in the Quran.
In 2:258 of the Holy Quran, Abraham (as) says that the sun rises from the east. This is just basic terminology, even in English. Nobody says "the Earth has rotated, making it look as though the sun has appeared over the horizon to the east". People say "the sun has risen from the east". WikiIslam continues to totally misquote 2:78 of the Holy Quran. The Quran then discusses how Moses (as) says that towards noon, when the sun appears to be at its highest in the sky (20:59, 20:130), then as it continues to go down along the horizon towards sunset (20:130, 17:78, 6:77-78)
WikiIslam then tries to make an argument based upon 18:17 of the Holy Quran:
"And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [laying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah . He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray - never will you find for him a protecting guide." [Translation of the Holy Quran 18:17]
The WikiIslam authors attempt to say "the rising of the sun is compared (again) to the rising of the moon" [WikiIslam]
This is quite obviously false for a multitude of reasons, including the fact that the moon is not mentioned once in this verse and that the Quran has repeatedly separated their orbits saying they each have their own (discussed above in our analyzation of 36:39-40).
"The Qur'an clearly assumes the sun ends its daily cycle every night when the sun goes to its resting place." [WikiIslam Analyzation of 36:37-38]
Once again, this is just directly false. See subpoint 3 of the introduction - they are just trying to rehash old arguments.
Lastly in this section, the 'authors' of WikiIslam try to use the story of Dhu-al-Qarnayn and use the special language of the Quran and its subsequent translation into English against it - for the thousandth time. In some translations, it appears as though, "he reached the setting place of the sun". I will be showing three popular translations, one of which will be of those translations.
Sahih International Translation - "So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness.""
Yusuf Ali Translation - "One (such) way he followed, Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.""
Muhsin Khan Translation - "So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness.""
A simple scholarly analyzation of this by Yusuf Ali can be found in seconds.
"This is the first of the three episodes here mentioned, his expedition to the west. "Reaching the setting of the sun" does not mean the extreme west, for there is no such thing. West and East are relative terms. It means a western expedition terminated by a "spring of murky water." This has puzzled Commentators, and they have understood this to mean the dark, tempestuous sea. If Dhu al Qarnayn is Alexander the Great, the reference is easily understood to be the Lychnitis (now Ochrida), west of Macedonia. It is fed entirely by underground springs in a limestone region, where the water is never very clear. (See Appendix VI at the end of the Surah)." [13]
Thus, we can see that the sun did not literally go inside of the sea, otherwise, this would have been identified as its "resting place" (which has already been disproven above).
"The Qur'an is quite clear about the course of the sun. It does not even describe a complete orbit" [Non-scholarly WikiIslam Analyzation]
The scholarly and learned Muslims who have analyzed the Quran for decades disagree with the above statement from WikiIslam.
For instance, it says verse 36:40 in the Quran says (in translation):
"It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming." [Translation of the Holy Quran 36:40]
The scholarly analyzation by Yusuf Ali of this is as follows:
"Though the sun and the moon both traverse the belt of the Zodiac, and their motions are different, they never catch up each other. When the sun and the moon are on the same side and on a line with the earth there is a solar eclipse, and when on opposite sides in a line, there is a lunar eclipse, but there is no clash. Their Laws are fixed by Allah, and form the subject of study in astronomy. Similarly Night and Day follow each other, but being opposites cannot coincide, a fit emblem of the opposition of Good and Evil, Truth and Falsehood: see also n. 3982 above." [14]
The Similar Size and Distance of the Sun and the Moon
To attempt to prove that the Quran says the size of the moon and sun are the same (false), they take a verse from the chapter about the Day of Judgement.
"Nay! (Man denies Resurrection and Reckoning. So) he desires to continue committing sins. He asks: "When will be this Day of Resurrection?" So, when the sight shall be dazed, And the moon will be eclipsed, And the sun and moon will be joined together (by going one into the other or folded up or deprived of their light, etc.)" [Translation of the Holy Quran 75:5-9]
This could be two things:
1. The moon and the sun join
Or, more likely, since 75:8 was already talking about the loss of light upon the moon,
2. The moon and the sun are both deprived of their light (discussed in 75:8. If the moon loses its light, the sun must also lose its light because its light is reflected upon the moon).
One can choose to believe either one, despite the second being more likely, because the Day of Judgement will be a very tumultuous time. What the author really shows here is their lack of spirituality or faith in the power of God, who can manipulate the universe at will.
"Supporting" Evidence
Muslim Astronomer from 1684: Astronomers who happen to be Muslim are not evidence. People have their own personal beliefs. This is not to mention tens of famous Muslim astronomers who agreed with heliocentricity and came long before 1684 and were supported by the Quran.
Hadith: The given hadiths in this section were already analyzed in the introduction to this article. The summary of my personal analyzations are as follows:
"As is suggested with some other translations, the sun comes to a "resting position" every once in awhile. Hadith #297 in Sahih Muslim [10] tells us that this is something that happens more than just once, but at least twice. The sun does not actually stop, but rather this is the Winter Solstice (or perhaps the Summer Solstice), when the sun appears to have stopped, or slowed down greatly."
Thus, the sun does not literally stop, rather this is from the perspective of Earth during the winter solstice. A real resting place would have been mentioned inside of hadith if it were considered to be a valid thought.
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Conclusion
From a variety of locations, we can see that it was of common thought even in the early Islamic world that heliocentricism was the common thought of Muslim scientists and astronomers, who repeatedly proved the heliocentric nature of the solar system.
To answer each of the subpoints of the WikiIslam article:
We have proven here through basic logic and Quran scholars that:
1. The Quran discusses and proves that which a human could not have known, including the natural orbits of the sun and the moon, and the fact that the solar system is heliocentric.
2. The course of the sun and the moon are never actually compared even in one verse, but rather, this was a vague extrapolation of the WikiIslam author.
3. The orbit of the sun is mentioned a good few times, as it is one of God's signs.
4. The sun and moon are often mentioned together due to their contrasting binary.
5. The sun is used by Muslims for timekeeping, particularly in prayers.
6. The sun has a clear orbit, and our orbit around the sun makes it look like the sun is rising/falling, which gives us these common terms of phrase that are used in the Quran and in common English.
In their conclusion, WikiIslam said,
"In addition to all these facts; great ancient, and even modern-day, Muslim astronomers agree that the Qur'an is geocentric" [WikiIslam]
We have proven this to be directly false with lists of Muslim astronomers, including Jafar al-Sidiq, al-Balkhi, Alhazen, al-Hashimi, al-Biruni, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi,Sinjari, Qutb al-Din, and Maragha astronomers like al-Qazwini, Urdi, and Ibn al-Shatir.
On the other hand, WikiIslam only managed to quote an Iraqi man from MEMRI TV in 1684, who believed the sun was flat. [37]
WikiIslam authors:
"In ancient times, many people - but certainly not all - did not know any better than what they seemed to observe everyday: the sun appeared to be going around the earth through our skies. This belief could be expected from a 7th century Bedouin, but not from an omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient creator." [WikiIslam]
And this is why the Quran, in its proof of heliocentricism, is so magnificent. It is shown to truly be from God (swt).
[2] Reseach Committee of Strasburg University, Imam Jafar Ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq A.S. The Great Muslim Scientist and Philosopher, translated by Kaukab Ali Mirza, 2000. Willowdale Ont. ISBN 0969949014.
[3] "Islam, Science & Renaissance: Their Impact on Universe & Society" By Prof Syed Akheel Ahmed Ph. D. & Syed Akheel Ahmed ISBN 9781466987852
For more reading, I found this to be a disorganized, but otherwise great, resource:
Heliocentric concepts in the Quran
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Heliocentricity in the Quran
Before we get into the idea of 'geocentricity in the Quran', a few things must be remembered:
Firstly, Muslim astronomer Jafar al-Sadiq of the 8th century CE refuted the Ptolemaic geocentric model of the universe and suggested a heliocentric theory (that those at WikiIslam casually glossed over in their articles) [1] [2] [3]. Next, another Muslim astronomer, al-Balkhi, of the 9th century CE, developed a planetary heliocentric model of the solar system [4]. Once again afterwords, Alhazen, another Muslim astronomer of the 11th century CE, proposed the Earth's rotation on its axis. It was clear and accepted that from an Islamic point of view, the heliocentric model was (and is) correct.
Soon enough, several Arab scholars - al-Hashimi, al-Biruni, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi,Sinjari, Qutb al-Din, and Maragha astronomers like al-Qazwini, Urdi, Ibn al-Shatir and others, developed a heliocentric idea and mathematical model for the solar system. In the 16th century CE, Copernicus built upon this, forming many of the astronomical views in the West today towards the end of the Renaissance and towards the beginning of the Scientific Revolution.
These were just the proofs in the Islamic world of the heliocentric planetary model, however. These were already common beliefs in the Islamic world due mostly to the Quran. In fact – though often unnoticed by most of the classical commentators due to the traditional worldview of their time – there are in the Quran quite a large number of references to the heliocentric model and Earth’s origin secondary to the Solar origin:
Heliocentricism - One of the Many Miracles of the Quran
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Geocentricism in the Quran? Proven FALSE
To begin, the given page makes an attempt at defaming the Quran through widely ridiculous claims that show a lack of legitimacy in the authors even before they had started their article.
Introduction
Firstly, they make the argument that the Quran's "geocentricity" (not a word) is supported by ancient Muslim scientists and hadith. Hadith can be often fabricated, depending on the books, and Muslim scientists, while they are Muslim, do not represent Islam in any way, shape, or form.
"Such special pleading will not do in a scholarly examination of the Qur'an." - [WikiIslam Authors in their Introduction]
On the contrary, only sahih (authentic) or relatively good (hasan) hadiths should be used to help analyze the Quran.
Secondly, they make the widely ridiculous claim that the Quran cannot be attributed to Muhammad (saw) regardless of the countless direct speeches towards him in the Quran.
"The Qur'an alone cannot prove itself to be Prophet Muhammad’s words (let alone the words of Allah) without the support of hadiths.
Not only are these sources useful as supporting evidence; they also indicate which interpretation is supported by Muhammad and (early) Muslims." [WikiIslam Authors in their Introduction]
Beside this, the numerous linguistic [5] and scientific miracles of the Quran [6] that are not covered on this website are immediately given to anyone willing to learn from the Quran. No doubt that hadith is a fantastic tool, but it may only be used when one knows for sure of the accuracy of the hadith.
To answer the seven pointed bullets of the WikiIslam article:
1. They say the Muslims believe that the moon literally follows the sun in orbit. This is incorrect. They justify it by the use of Surat-as-Shams, "By the sun and its brightness, and [by] the moon when it follows it" [Translation of the Holy Quran 91:1-2]
This would be an issue with science - if it was saying the moon literally followed the sun. The authors of the article show their lack of knowledge in believing this following was physical, as opposed to temporal. The moon comes after the sun in night and day.
The verses even continue, "And [by] the day when it displays it, And [by] the night when it covers it" [Translation of the Holy Quran 91:3-4]
Once again, we can see WikiIslam misconstruing facts through translation to pretend as though the Quran is incorrect.
2. Next, they briefly site many verses where they say the sun is supposed to literally be "floating/swimming/running" [WikiIslam]. Except that they're not literally swimming and the Quran often speaks in metaphors. One cannot be floating, swimming, and running at the same time. This defies basic logic, and would have been pointed out by the early Arabs if it was actually an issue of basic logic like this.
3. The verses discussed by WikiIslam, 36:37-40, could have two meanings, each of which are scientifically and spiritually plausible.
a. As is suggested with many translations, the sun will eventually cease and will run out of its given time. This is supported by science, as scientists believe the star that we call our sun will reach its final stages in about 7 billion years [7]. This could also likely be the time of the actual orbit of the sun around the Milky Way Galaxy, which takes approximately 225 - 250 million years [8]. This is supported by the following translations of the Quran at 36:38 -
Muhsin Khan: "And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing."
Yusuf Ali: "And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing."
Shakir: "And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it; that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing."
b. As is suggested with some other translations, the sun comes to a "resting position" every once in awhile. Hadith #297 in Sahih Muslim [9] tells us that this is something that happens more than just once, but at least twice. The sun does not actually stop, but rather this is the Winter Solstice (or perhaps the Summer Solstice), when the sun appears to have stopped, or slowed down greatly.
4. "There is only one moon and one sun in the entire Qur'anic universe." [WikiIslam]
False. Sadly, this is more WikiIslam propaganda. They cite Quran 71:15-16 as evidence.
"Do you not consider how Allah has created seven heavens in layers And made the moon therein a [reflected] light and made the sun a burning lamp?" [Translation of the Holy Quran 71:15-16]
I do not see one location inside of this ayah that affirms the statement made by WikiIslam. It says three things:
A. God made 7 layers of heaven.
B. God made our moon (notice how in all of translations it only calls the moon a 'light', while it very scientifically accurately says that the sun is 'a burning lamp'.
C. God made our sun.
This is like debating the difference between saying 'our sun' and 'the sun'. It's the exact same thing, and the people at WikiIslam are hopping through linguistic hoops to try to prove things that are not correct.
5. "The Qur'an mentions heavenly bodies traveling in their own orbits, but so do the concepts of day and night each have an orbit. None of the bodies are supposed to run into each other." [WikiIslam]
The WikiIslam authors say this crude statement, but they reinforce it with zero evidence. In fact, what they're saying is actually summarized by the Quran nicely in one of the passages they previously tried to criticize.
"And the moon - We have determined for it phases, until it returns [appearing] like the old date stalk. It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming." - [Translation of the Holy Quran 36:39-40]
This verse is extremely scientifically accurate in many following ways:
a. The moon goes through a number of phases in which a number of different shapes can be seen from earth, regardless of the actual moon itself staying the same size. The Quran discusses how the moon goes through each phase until finally returning back to the stage when it can be seen as plump as an old date stalk.
b. The passage also discusses how the sun cannot reach the moon. This can be seen in the above picture, as their two different orbits can never meet. This shows the two distinct orbits and a separation between their orbits due to their disability to reach each other.
c. It separates the two orbits by saying that they're each in their own orbits. Just as well, the fact that, 1400 years ago, it was known in the middle of the desert by an unlearned man (who soon became the best of us all) that the sun and the moon had orbits in the first place AND around the sun as well, which every other major society that actually researched science managed to totally overlook. Truly stunning.
6. "Note that there is no mention of orbits for the heavens or the earth in the Qur'an... An orbit is only mentioned for the sun and the moon. Not even the stars have an orbit, for they are as if hanging down from the heavens like a light bulb from the ceiling in a room." [WikiIslam]
There are a few issues with this.
a. The sun is a star.
b. The Quran says in its Translation of 21:33 (which they footnoted earlier, but casually "glossed over"),
Sahih International - "And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming."
Yusuf Ali - "It is He Who created the Night and the Day, and the sun and the moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course."
Shakir - "And He it is Who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all (orbs) travel along swiftly in their celestial spheres."
WikiIslam then tries to use various Quran verses to say that Muslims believe the heavens can "fall on Earth" [WikiIslam].
They try to use 2:22-29, 35:41, 21:104, 17:92, and 34:9 to prove this. I will disprove their claims on all of these.
a. The Holy Quran 2: 22 - 29
God (swt) does not mention the heavens in these passages until 2:29 in which he says [in translation],
"It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things."
This just simply states the creation of Earth and the heavens and gives no validity to any of their points (as if it would though...).
b. The Holy Quran 35: 41
God (swt) shows his power in 35:41 as he says [in translation],
"Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving."
Once again, this is just a statement of God's power saying that He, and only He, can maintain the heavens because he is the only one powerful enough - no one else could maintain them. Never does it threaten that the heavens will 'drop' on the earth.
c. The Holy Quran 21: 104
God (swt) discusses the heavens in more detail where he says [in translation] at 21:104,
"The Day when We will fold the heaven like the folding of a [written] sheet for the records. As We began the first creation, We will repeat it. [That is] a promise binding upon Us. Indeed, We will do it."
Once again, God (swt) says nothing about 'dropping the heavens on earth' or making them 'fall on earth', as WikiIslam carelessly and falsely stated.
d. The Holy Quran 17: 92
God (swt) shows the ridiculous demands of people by those who don't believe upon Muhammad (saw) [in translation],
"Or you make the heaven fall upon us in fragments as you have claimed or you bring Allah and the angels before [us]"
This is not God (swt) saying it's possible for the heavens to fall on us, or that they will. God (swt) is literally only telling us the ridiculous demands of people. Once again, WikiIslam pulls whatever they can from context.
e. The Holy Quran 34: 9
God (swt) is once again stating what he could do, not even what he will do of people who tell lies against him [in translation],
"Then, do they not look at what is before them and what is behind them of the heaven and earth? If We should will, We could cause the earth to swallow them or [could] let fall upon them fragments from the sky. Indeed in that is a sign for every servant turning back [to Allah ]."
God (swt) is simply showing his powers here to those who are in disbelief, stating things that are easily within the realm of his abilities. There is no falling of the heavens down into the Earth.
"The earth is just one of the planets moving around the sun. However, in the the Qur'an, the sky is mistakenly being referred to as if it were a solid structure that could fall upon the earth and crush people and things between them" [WikiIslam]
Once again, false. The sky does not encompass just clouds. This would be stupidity. There is rubble, asteroids, and far more mass in space all around the mass of our Earth. To believe only planets or stars exist outside of our Earth is stupidity.
The Sun and the Moon are Signs From Allah (swt)
"According to the Qur'an, the sun and the moon are some of the signs (al ayaat) that are created by Allah. In the Qur'an, Allah also promises to "explain his signs in detail, for people who have knowledge." [WikiIslam]
Clearly this person has the inability to see simple logic. Honestly, what are the chances that gravity would have the perfect force in order to keep us in a perfect orbit around the sun that maintains us not as too hot or too cold, but just the right temperatures. What are the chances that we would also have the moon in perfect orbit around our Earth to keep us in line around the sun and to give us things like tides? To those who want to see, the moon and sun, even by themselves, are truly miraculous.
"Apologists may say that these detailed explanation are only correctly understood by them (since only they have knowledge); but this is of course circular reasoning." [WikiIslam]
No. If a person is willing to learn, they will understand the idea of faith. It is clear that the person here has never felt faith in anything and couldn't see the proof in even scientific fact without doubting it first.
"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. The Qur'an also promises to explain these signs in detail." [WikiIslam]
Even these people understood the miraculous nature of our universe better than the author of this WikiIslam article did - they saw the creation, and they knew there had to be some creator, even when they were pagans.
The Sun's Visibility from Earth
"These (the sun and the moon) were all visible phenomena to the people of the 7th century" [WikiIslam]
Yes, the sun and the moon have been visible to humans for a very long time. These were visible proofs of God's creation to those who wanted to know of God. If one doesn't try to seek for God, he won't find God. God isn't hiding; He's waiting to be seen.
Once again, those at WikiIslam can be seen misconstruing the truth through translation:
"According to the Qur'an, the shadow that the sun casts are moving because of the sun. And humans should be able to see this. Of course, this is exactly how it would appear to someone observing the phenomena standing on earth; however, this is not how it would be described if it was being viewed from outside our solar system." [WikiIslam]
For this observation they made, they specifically chose a translation that did not specify what was moving, so that they could try to criticize the Quran. However, the Muhsin Khan translation of the Holy Quran 25:45 shows them to be wrong,
"Have you not seen how your Lord spread the shadow. If He willed, He could have made it still then We have made the sun its guide [i.e. after the sunrise, it (the shadow) squeezes and vanishes at midnoon and then again appears in the afternoon with the decline of the sun, and had there been no sun light, there would have been no shadow]."
The Course of the Sun in Relation to the Course of the Moon
In this section, those at WikiIslam just repeat all of the things they had said before. They make their central point,
"The courses of the sun and the moon are also a pair of sorts" [WikiIslam]
However, in not even one of their quotes do they have the Quran saying that they, or even their orbits, are a pair. This is not to mention that the Quran each have their own paths.
"He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving." [Translation of the Holy Quran 39:5]
Whether you choose to pair the sun and the moon together or not, as they do, this is irrelevant to anything Islamic, as anyone can pair literally anything they want together ideologically. There isn't really a logical point made in this section. The Quran does not say they are a pair, and even the verse they tried to quote doesn't say that:
"He causes the night to enter the day, and He causes the day to enter the night and has subjected the sun and the moon - each running [its course] for a specified term. That is Allah , your Lord; to Him belongs sovereignty. And those whom you invoke other than Him do not possess [as much as] the membrane of a date seed." [Translation of the Holy Quran 35:13]
However, the Quran doesn't say they are a pair either. One can choose to believe either one, as the Quran does not accept or deny this thought.
The Regular Cycle of the Sun
Next, the authors of WikiIslam try to criticize the Islamic use of the sun and the moon for timekeeping.
"There is a reason why this is important: the sun's daily cycle and the moons monthly cycle are used for timekeeping in Islam." [WikiIslam]
However, they once again fail to see reason, or even basic science. The sun has been used for accurate timekeeping even in the Western world for calendars for over 1000 years. The reason for this can be found in the Quran:
"The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each (for reckoning, etc.)." [Translation of the Holy Quran 55:5]
"A standard apologetic claim is that references to the sun's movement concern its 225 million year orbit around the milky way. Such a meaning would have no relevance to human timescales, nor would it be "a token" or sign for 7th century listeners, nor would it make sense in the context about the night-day cycle. Moreover, the idea that the sun is prevented from overtaking the moon is a concept that would only make any kind of sense from a naive human perspective where they orbit the same world." [WikiIslam]
Once again, those at WikiIslam have simply shown their ignorance.
Firstly, they simply use keywords such as "apologetic claim" to try to lock out all debate and discussion from the other side on that particular topic. It is obviously very clear that the passage of 55:5, for example, is talking about the fixed course of the sun, which it has been scientifically proven to have [10].
Secondly, it's because of the Earth's gravity that the moon doesn't go straight towards the sun. This is the only reason why we still have the moon beside the Earth [11]. So, actually, the sun is being prevented from overtaking the moon.
The Movement of the Sun and Timekeeping
"The only solar movement Muslims use for timekeeping is the apparent daily course of the Sun (from east up and then down to the west). To this very day, Muslims use the (crude) lunar calender, and the waqt (prescribed time) of their daily salats (prayers) is determined entirely by the position of the Sun along it’s apparent course." [WikiIslam]
1. The lunar calendar is not crude. Upon doing research, one can easily find a couple of things.
A. It's not spelled "calender". It's spelled "calendar".
B. The Lunar calendar isn't crude, just a different way of calculating the exact same thing. 33 lunar years, actually, are equal to 32 solar years, regardless.
"A feature of the Islamic calendar is that a year is always 12 months, so the months are not linked with the seasons and drift each solar year by 11 to 12 days. It comes back to the position it had in relation to the solar year approximately every 33 Islamic years." [12]
Thus, the lunar calendar is simpler to track and just as accurate as the solar calendar because they both come back to the exact same spot. In fact, the only reason why the solar calendar is actually used today is because it tracks the seasons directly, unlike the Lunar calendar.
C. The sun's location in the sky is used to calculate the daily time of prayer likely because it can be tracked during the day as well as the night. It is accurate, and it is simple.
God tells us this in the Quran, "[He is] the cleaver of daybreak and has made the night for rest and the sun and moon for calculation. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing." [Translation of the Holy Quran 6:96]
The Shape of the Sun's Course
Likely because those who are at WikiIslam ran out of logical questions, at this point, they have subjected themselves to attacking common terminology that is found in the Quran.
In 2:258 of the Holy Quran, Abraham (as) says that the sun rises from the east. This is just basic terminology, even in English. Nobody says "the Earth has rotated, making it look as though the sun has appeared over the horizon to the east". People say "the sun has risen from the east". WikiIslam continues to totally misquote 2:78 of the Holy Quran. The Quran then discusses how Moses (as) says that towards noon, when the sun appears to be at its highest in the sky (20:59, 20:130), then as it continues to go down along the horizon towards sunset (20:130, 17:78, 6:77-78)
WikiIslam then tries to make an argument based upon 18:17 of the Holy Quran:
"And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [laying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah . He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray - never will you find for him a protecting guide." [Translation of the Holy Quran 18:17]
The WikiIslam authors attempt to say "the rising of the sun is compared (again) to the rising of the moon" [WikiIslam]
This is quite obviously false for a multitude of reasons, including the fact that the moon is not mentioned once in this verse and that the Quran has repeatedly separated their orbits saying they each have their own (discussed above in our analyzation of 36:39-40).
"The Qur'an clearly assumes the sun ends its daily cycle every night when the sun goes to its resting place." [WikiIslam Analyzation of 36:37-38]
Once again, this is just directly false. See subpoint 3 of the introduction - they are just trying to rehash old arguments.
Lastly in this section, the 'authors' of WikiIslam try to use the story of Dhu-al-Qarnayn and use the special language of the Quran and its subsequent translation into English against it - for the thousandth time. In some translations, it appears as though, "he reached the setting place of the sun". I will be showing three popular translations, one of which will be of those translations.
Sahih International Translation - "So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it [as if] setting in a spring of dark mud, and he found near it a people. Allah said, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, either you punish [them] or else adopt among them [a way of] goodness.""
Yusuf Ali Translation - "One (such) way he followed, Until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water: Near it he found a People: We said: "O Zul-qarnain! (thou hast authority,) either to punish them, or to treat them with kindness.""
Muhsin Khan Translation - "So he followed a way. Until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. And he found near it a people. We (Allah) said (by inspiration): "O Dhul-Qarnain! Either you punish them, or treat them with kindness.""
A simple scholarly analyzation of this by Yusuf Ali can be found in seconds.
"This is the first of the three episodes here mentioned, his expedition to the west. "Reaching the setting of the sun" does not mean the extreme west, for there is no such thing. West and East are relative terms. It means a western expedition terminated by a "spring of murky water." This has puzzled Commentators, and they have understood this to mean the dark, tempestuous sea. If Dhu al Qarnayn is Alexander the Great, the reference is easily understood to be the Lychnitis (now Ochrida), west of Macedonia. It is fed entirely by underground springs in a limestone region, where the water is never very clear. (See Appendix VI at the end of the Surah)." [13]
Thus, we can see that the sun did not literally go inside of the sea, otherwise, this would have been identified as its "resting place" (which has already been disproven above).
"The Qur'an is quite clear about the course of the sun. It does not even describe a complete orbit" [Non-scholarly WikiIslam Analyzation]
The scholarly and learned Muslims who have analyzed the Quran for decades disagree with the above statement from WikiIslam.
For instance, it says verse 36:40 in the Quran says (in translation):
"It is not allowable for the sun to reach the moon, nor does the night overtake the day, but each, in an orbit, is swimming." [Translation of the Holy Quran 36:40]
The scholarly analyzation by Yusuf Ali of this is as follows:
"Though the sun and the moon both traverse the belt of the Zodiac, and their motions are different, they never catch up each other. When the sun and the moon are on the same side and on a line with the earth there is a solar eclipse, and when on opposite sides in a line, there is a lunar eclipse, but there is no clash. Their Laws are fixed by Allah, and form the subject of study in astronomy. Similarly Night and Day follow each other, but being opposites cannot coincide, a fit emblem of the opposition of Good and Evil, Truth and Falsehood: see also n. 3982 above." [14]
The Similar Size and Distance of the Sun and the Moon
To attempt to prove that the Quran says the size of the moon and sun are the same (false), they take a verse from the chapter about the Day of Judgement.
"Nay! (Man denies Resurrection and Reckoning. So) he desires to continue committing sins. He asks: "When will be this Day of Resurrection?" So, when the sight shall be dazed, And the moon will be eclipsed, And the sun and moon will be joined together (by going one into the other or folded up or deprived of their light, etc.)" [Translation of the Holy Quran 75:5-9]
This could be two things:
1. The moon and the sun join
Or, more likely, since 75:8 was already talking about the loss of light upon the moon,
2. The moon and the sun are both deprived of their light (discussed in 75:8. If the moon loses its light, the sun must also lose its light because its light is reflected upon the moon).
One can choose to believe either one, despite the second being more likely, because the Day of Judgement will be a very tumultuous time. What the author really shows here is their lack of spirituality or faith in the power of God, who can manipulate the universe at will.
"Supporting" Evidence
Muslim Astronomer from 1684: Astronomers who happen to be Muslim are not evidence. People have their own personal beliefs. This is not to mention tens of famous Muslim astronomers who agreed with heliocentricity and came long before 1684 and were supported by the Quran.
Hadith: The given hadiths in this section were already analyzed in the introduction to this article. The summary of my personal analyzations are as follows:
"As is suggested with some other translations, the sun comes to a "resting position" every once in awhile. Hadith #297 in Sahih Muslim [10] tells us that this is something that happens more than just once, but at least twice. The sun does not actually stop, but rather this is the Winter Solstice (or perhaps the Summer Solstice), when the sun appears to have stopped, or slowed down greatly."
Thus, the sun does not literally stop, rather this is from the perspective of Earth during the winter solstice. A real resting place would have been mentioned inside of hadith if it were considered to be a valid thought.
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Conclusion
From a variety of locations, we can see that it was of common thought even in the early Islamic world that heliocentricism was the common thought of Muslim scientists and astronomers, who repeatedly proved the heliocentric nature of the solar system.
To answer each of the subpoints of the WikiIslam article:
We have proven here through basic logic and Quran scholars that:
1. The Quran discusses and proves that which a human could not have known, including the natural orbits of the sun and the moon, and the fact that the solar system is heliocentric.
2. The course of the sun and the moon are never actually compared even in one verse, but rather, this was a vague extrapolation of the WikiIslam author.
3. The orbit of the sun is mentioned a good few times, as it is one of God's signs.
4. The sun and moon are often mentioned together due to their contrasting binary.
5. The sun is used by Muslims for timekeeping, particularly in prayers.
6. The sun has a clear orbit, and our orbit around the sun makes it look like the sun is rising/falling, which gives us these common terms of phrase that are used in the Quran and in common English.
In their conclusion, WikiIslam said,
"In addition to all these facts; great ancient, and even modern-day, Muslim astronomers agree that the Qur'an is geocentric" [WikiIslam]
We have proven this to be directly false with lists of Muslim astronomers, including Jafar al-Sidiq, al-Balkhi, Alhazen, al-Hashimi, al-Biruni, Nasir al-Din al-Tusi,Sinjari, Qutb al-Din, and Maragha astronomers like al-Qazwini, Urdi, and Ibn al-Shatir.
On the other hand, WikiIslam only managed to quote an Iraqi man from MEMRI TV in 1684, who believed the sun was flat. [37]
WikiIslam authors:
"In ancient times, many people - but certainly not all - did not know any better than what they seemed to observe everyday: the sun appeared to be going around the earth through our skies. This belief could be expected from a 7th century Bedouin, but not from an omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient creator." [WikiIslam]
And this is why the Quran, in its proof of heliocentricism, is so magnificent. It is shown to truly be from God (swt).
[2] Reseach Committee of Strasburg University, Imam Jafar Ibn Muhammad As-Sadiq A.S. The Great Muslim Scientist and Philosopher, translated by Kaukab Ali Mirza, 2000. Willowdale Ont. ISBN 0969949014.
[3] "Islam, Science & Renaissance: Their Impact on Universe & Society" By Prof Syed Akheel Ahmed Ph. D. & Syed Akheel Ahmed ISBN 9781466987852
For more reading, I found this to be a disorganized, but otherwise great, resource:
Heliocentric concepts in the Quran