Shar‘i Evidence for Earth’s Movement and the Stabilizing Role of Mountains
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 152
I have heard that the Earth was in motion, and then Allah placed mountains upon it, causing it to become stable.
Is there any evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah to support this?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
✔ Yes, there is clear evidence for this from both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ﴾
“And He has placed firm mountains in the Earth lest it should shake with you…”
(Surah al-Naḥl: 15)
Allah also says:
﴿وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ﴾
“And He placed mountains on the Earth so that it may not sway with you.”
(Surah Luqmān: 10)
❖ These verses indicate that mountains serve as stabilizing anchors on the Earth to prevent excessive motion or swaying that would affect human life.
Narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“When Allah created the Earth, it began to shake. Then He created the mountains and placed them upon it, and it became stable.
The angels were amazed at the strength of the mountains.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2/174; Mishkāt 1/170; Musnad Aḥmad 3/123)
◈ All narrators of this ḥadīth are reliable (thiqat) except Sulaymān ibn Abī Sulaymān.
◈ Ibn Abī Ḥātim mentioned him, but did not provide explicit criticism or praise.
◈ Ibn Ḥibbān included him in his list of trustworthy narrators.
(Mawsū‘at Rijāl al-Kutub al-Tis‘ah, 2/94, Narrator No. 3431)
✔ It is proven from both the Qur’an and Hadith that the Earth was in a state of movement, and Allah stabilized it by placing mountains upon it.
✔ This concept has firm backing in Islamic sources, and thus there is no room for objection.
Wa-Allāhu A‘lam bi-ṣ-Ṣawāb.
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, p. 152
❖ Question:
I have heard that the Earth was in motion, and then Allah placed mountains upon it, causing it to become stable.
Is there any evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah to support this?
❖ Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ‘alā Rasūlillāh, ammā ba‘d!
✔ Yes, there is clear evidence for this from both the Qur’an and the Sunnah.
① First Evidence: From the Noble Qur’an
Allah ﷻ says:
﴿وَأَلْقَىٰ فِي ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِيَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ﴾
“And He has placed firm mountains in the Earth lest it should shake with you…”
(Surah al-Naḥl: 15)Allah also says:
﴿وَأَلْقَىٰ فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ رَوَٰسِىَ أَن تَمِيدَ بِكُمْ﴾
“And He placed mountains on the Earth so that it may not sway with you.”
(Surah Luqmān: 10)❖ These verses indicate that mountains serve as stabilizing anchors on the Earth to prevent excessive motion or swaying that would affect human life.
② Second Evidence: From the Noble Hadith
Narrated by Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“When Allah created the Earth, it began to shake. Then He created the mountains and placed them upon it, and it became stable.
The angels were amazed at the strength of the mountains.”
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī 2/174; Mishkāt 1/170; Musnad Aḥmad 3/123)❖ About the Chain of Transmission (Isnād):
◈ All narrators of this ḥadīth are reliable (thiqat) except Sulaymān ibn Abī Sulaymān.
◈ Ibn Abī Ḥātim mentioned him, but did not provide explicit criticism or praise.
◈ Ibn Ḥibbān included him in his list of trustworthy narrators.
(Mawsū‘at Rijāl al-Kutub al-Tis‘ah, 2/94, Narrator No. 3431)❖ Conclusion:
✔ It is proven from both the Qur’an and Hadith that the Earth was in a state of movement, and Allah stabilized it by placing mountains upon it.
✔ This concept has firm backing in Islamic sources, and thus there is no room for objection.
Wa-Allāhu A‘lam bi-ṣ-Ṣawāb.
