Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p. 97
Science claims that the earth is in motion, while the sun and moon remain fixed. This is compared to a moving train: trees and surroundings appear to move, but in reality the train itself is moving. Similarly, the earth moves while it seems as if the sun and moon are moving.
However, the Qur’an states that the sun and moon travel towards their respective destinations, and that mountains are like pegs for the earth. This appears to be a contradiction between science and the Qur’an. Please clarify.
Furthermore, some people claim that the throne of Prophet Sulaymān (عليه السلام), which traveled through the air, was the result of science rather than a miracle, and likewise, the Miʿrāj of the Prophet ﷺ was due to scientific discovery. Were these events miracles or scientific phenomena? A clear and reassuring explanation is requested.
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
With Allah is all success, and in His Hand lies the key to truth:
◄ The claim of scientists that the earth moves has not yet been proven with absolute, irrefutable evidence.
◄ Even if it is accepted that the earth moves, this is not against the Qur’an and Ḥadīth, because nowhere in Qur’an or Sunnah is it explicitly stated that the earth is stationary.
◄ Therefore, if science establishes it, it does not affect Islam or the truth of Qur’an and Sunnah.
◄ It is incorrect to say that scientists deny the motion of the sun and moon.
◄ All ancient and modern scientists agree that the moon orbits the earth.
◄ Earlier scientists denied the sun’s movement, but in the 20th century it was accepted that the sun also moves, but in its own orbit.
◄ The Qur’an affirms: the sun runs until it reaches its appointed place. At that destined point, its motion will end and it will perish.
◄ Hence, there is no contradiction between Qur’an and science.
◄ Even if science were to deny the sun’s motion, it makes no difference.
◄ Scientific theories often change, whereas Allah’s Word is eternal truth.
◄ The Qur’an is 100% truth; scientific claims are temporary and revisable.
◄ The Qur’an compares mountains to pegs, just as nails stabilize a ship.
◄ Allah states:
﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا﴾ (فاطر: ٤١)
“Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth so that they do not shift away from their places.”
◄ Mountains act as weights and stabilizers for the earth in its motion.
◄ Science says the earth moves around the sun by gravity; mountains play a role in balance.
◄ Example: the idol of Somnath stood suspended by magnetic balance; similarly, the earth remains in its orbit by Allah’s will and the balance provided by mountains.
◄ The mention of “pegs” is metaphorical, as languages use expressions.
◄ Example: “So-and-so is as firm as a mountain in his word.”
◄ The Qur’an, being revealed in eloquent Arabic, also uses such metaphors.
◄ Objections arise from ignorance and haste, while Allah’s Word is clear.
◄ To claim it was a scientific phenomenon denies the Qur’an.
◄ In Sulaymān’s time, science had no such existence.
◄ His throne traveling in air was purely a divine miracle, not science.
◄ A miracle occurs without ordinary means.
◄ Example: today planes allow flight, but Sulaymān’s throne moved without such inventions—by Allah’s command alone, hence a miracle.
◄ Likewise, childbirth through a father’s seed is natural, but the birth of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) without a father was a miracle.
◄ The Miʿrāj of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was a miracle by Allah’s power.
◄ No human strength or technology can ascend to such heights.
◄ Allah says: ﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ﴾ – Indeed Allah is over all things powerful.
◄ To call it a scientific phenomenon is misguidance.
◈ There is no real contradiction between Qur’an and science.
◈ Mountains being “pegs” means they stabilize the earth.
◈ The throne of Sulaymān (عليه السلام) and the Miʿrāj of the Prophet ﷺ were divine miracles, not products of science.
◈ Attributing them to science is denial of the Qur’an and a grave misguidance.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.)
Question
Science claims that the earth is in motion, while the sun and moon remain fixed. This is compared to a moving train: trees and surroundings appear to move, but in reality the train itself is moving. Similarly, the earth moves while it seems as if the sun and moon are moving.
However, the Qur’an states that the sun and moon travel towards their respective destinations, and that mountains are like pegs for the earth. This appears to be a contradiction between science and the Qur’an. Please clarify.
Furthermore, some people claim that the throne of Prophet Sulaymān (عليه السلام), which traveled through the air, was the result of science rather than a miracle, and likewise, the Miʿrāj of the Prophet ﷺ was due to scientific discovery. Were these events miracles or scientific phenomena? A clear and reassuring explanation is requested.
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
With Allah is all success, and in His Hand lies the key to truth:
Earth’s Movement
◄ The claim of scientists that the earth moves has not yet been proven with absolute, irrefutable evidence.
◄ Even if it is accepted that the earth moves, this is not against the Qur’an and Ḥadīth, because nowhere in Qur’an or Sunnah is it explicitly stated that the earth is stationary.
◄ Therefore, if science establishes it, it does not affect Islam or the truth of Qur’an and Sunnah.
Movement of the Sun and Moon
◄ It is incorrect to say that scientists deny the motion of the sun and moon.
◄ All ancient and modern scientists agree that the moon orbits the earth.
◄ Earlier scientists denied the sun’s movement, but in the 20th century it was accepted that the sun also moves, but in its own orbit.
◄ The Qur’an affirms: the sun runs until it reaches its appointed place. At that destined point, its motion will end and it will perish.
◄ Hence, there is no contradiction between Qur’an and science.
The Shifting Claims of Science
◄ Even if science were to deny the sun’s motion, it makes no difference.
◄ Scientific theories often change, whereas Allah’s Word is eternal truth.
◄ The Qur’an is 100% truth; scientific claims are temporary and revisable.
Mountains as Pegs
◄ The Qur’an compares mountains to pegs, just as nails stabilize a ship.
◄ Allah states:
﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُمْسِكُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ أَن تَزُولَا﴾ (فاطر: ٤١)
“Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth so that they do not shift away from their places.”
◄ Mountains act as weights and stabilizers for the earth in its motion.
◄ Science says the earth moves around the sun by gravity; mountains play a role in balance.
◄ Example: the idol of Somnath stood suspended by magnetic balance; similarly, the earth remains in its orbit by Allah’s will and the balance provided by mountains.
Figurative Expression in the Qur’an
◄ The mention of “pegs” is metaphorical, as languages use expressions.
◄ Example: “So-and-so is as firm as a mountain in his word.”
◄ The Qur’an, being revealed in eloquent Arabic, also uses such metaphors.
◄ Objections arise from ignorance and haste, while Allah’s Word is clear.
The Throne of Sulaymān (عليه السلام)
◄ To claim it was a scientific phenomenon denies the Qur’an.
◄ In Sulaymān’s time, science had no such existence.
◄ His throne traveling in air was purely a divine miracle, not science.
Difference Between Miracles and Natural Causes
◄ A miracle occurs without ordinary means.
◄ Example: today planes allow flight, but Sulaymān’s throne moved without such inventions—by Allah’s command alone, hence a miracle.
◄ Likewise, childbirth through a father’s seed is natural, but the birth of ʿĪsā (عليه السلام) without a father was a miracle.
The Miʿrāj of the Prophet ﷺ
◄ The Miʿrāj of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was a miracle by Allah’s power.
◄ No human strength or technology can ascend to such heights.
◄ Allah says: ﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ قَدِيرٌ﴾ – Indeed Allah is over all things powerful.
◄ To call it a scientific phenomenon is misguidance.
Conclusion
◈ There is no real contradiction between Qur’an and science.
◈ Mountains being “pegs” means they stabilize the earth.
◈ The throne of Sulaymān (عليه السلام) and the Miʿrāj of the Prophet ﷺ were divine miracles, not products of science.
◈ Attributing them to science is denial of the Qur’an and a grave misguidance.
ھذا ما عندي واللہ أعلم بالصواب
(This is what I hold; and Allah knows best what is correct.)
