Melayu | English

Introduction

Centuries ago, there were many great works explaining the shape of the Earth, with the general belief being that the Earth was flat and smooth like a tray. Ancient civilizations believed the Earth to be flat and stationary because they lacked the ability to observe the curved horizon of the Earth from an altitude of at least 10.7 km. The highest recorded settlement in history, La Rinconada, Peru, only reached around 5 km in altitude.

Human observation of the Sun’s apparent movement—rising from the edge of the eastern horizon—reinforced the perception that the Earth was indeed flat. This belief was common among the Mesopotamians, Sumerians, ancient Greeks, as well as in India, China, and various indigenous cultures. This view was consistent with Thales, considered by historians as one of the greatest Greek philosophers of his time.

Thales: A Renowned Greek Philosopher

Another notable figure, Ptolemy, a Greek astronomer who lived centuries before the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), also contributed to such beliefs. Some religious texts, like the Torah of the Jews, mention the Earth being flat, placed upon an elephant standing on a turtle, or covered by a dome separating it from the heavenly waters.

The Earth in the Bible

Galileo Galilei, a familiar figure, faced persecution for claiming that the Earth orbits the Sun. In 1633, he was sentenced to life imprisonment by the Roman Catholic Church for this heresy.

Human Advancements

Centuries of technological advancement, coupled with observation, logical explanation, and mathematics, led the general public, religious figures, and scientists to accept that the Earth is not flat. This was further solidified with visual confirmation of the Earth’s spherical nature when humans began using telescopes in space and even set foot on the Moon.

However, in modern times, in the Western world, the flat Earth polemic has resurfaced as a debate topic. Fueled by their growing paranoia of government control, some reject science and distort facts. For Muslims, returning to the Quran and Sunnah provides the best guidance, as a source of answers and truth.

The Quranic Perspective on This Issue

There are numerous verses in the Quran, such as Surah Al-Baqarah (2:22), Surah Al-Hijr (15:19), Surah An-Nazi’at (79:30), and others, that seemingly suggest the Earth is flat. The Federal Territory Mufti’s Office has issued a fatwa with detailed explanations regarding this issue on their website.

https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/bayan-linnas/3127-bayan-linnas-siri-166-polemik-flat-earth-sisi-pandang-islam

Meanwhile, let us explore this issue linguistically using online Arabic dictionaries to add value to our understanding of the Quran’s beauty.

Almaany & Lexicon

To better understand certain words, we will use Almaany.com, an Arabic online dictionary project involving contributions from Arab countries such as Jordan, Turkey, and Egypt. Direct translations from this dictionary provide meanings that vary based on the context of the verse.

We need to adjust the category of a word to grasp its precise context. This dictionary also reveals the root word or origin of a term used. Now, let’s proceed by searching for Surah Az-Zumar (39:5) on Quran.com.

This site offers a word-for-word translation, as demonstrated here. After copying the word from Quran.com, we paste it into Almaany.com. The direct translation already conveys that the verse refers to something spherical: “ball,” “conglobe,” “englobe.” All these words signify a round shape or to encircle.

The root word for يُكَوِّر (yukawwir) is كَوَّرَ (kawwara). In cases where additional information isn’t provided, we turn to a lexicon. Lexicons are essentially dictionaries with broader and more detailed word entries. On this website, Lexicon Lane compiles all Arabic word entries from dictionaries and translations published in Arab countries into English.

Explanation of the Word “Kawwiru” (كوَّر)

This term means “to wrap a turban around the head” or “to wrap repeatedly over the head.” Such a meaning can only apply to a spherical or round surface, consistent with the idea of a spherical Earth. For instance, one cannot wrap a turban around a flat plate, right?

Now, let’s examine the next verse, Surah Luqman (31:29):

Using the same lexicon, the word here means “to insert.”

To understand why this term suggests a spherical Earth, consider this example:

Imagine entering a house. You wouldn’t appear inside instantaneously like teleportation. Instead, if you moved slowly, your nose would enter first, followed by your face and then the front part of your body. Gradually, your entire body, including your back, would enter last.

Now observe this image: the light represents the Sun, where daylight gradually “inserts” into “night.”

The image below is the matt when it’s being flattened.

Expanse | Spread Out

The Quran says that Allah has made the Earth expanse for us. Does this indicate a flat Earth? This question refers to Surah Nuh:

Surah Nuh (71:19)

“And Allah has made for you the earth an expanse” – Saheeh International
“‘And Allah has made the earth for you as a carpet (spread out)” – A. Yusuf Ali

A similar message is repeated in Surah Taha:

Surah Taha (20:53)

“[It is He] who has made for you the earth as a bed [spread out]” – Saheeh International
“He Who has, made for you the earth like a carpet spread out;” – A. Yusuf Ali

Carpet as a Crust Over Earth’s Molten Layers

The Earth’s crust is less than 30 miles thick and very thin compared to the Earth’s radius of approximately 3,750 miles. The deeper layers are extremely hot, molten, and uninhabitable. The Earth’s crust is a frozen shell where life can thrive. The Quran aptly refers to it as a surface, allowing us to traverse paths and roads upon it. Without this “surface,” we would sink into the Earth’s molten layers.

Spreading a carpet Need Not Be Flat

A carpet can be spread over uneven terrain.

Notice that no verse in the Quran explicitly states that the Earth is flat. The Quran only compares the Earth’s crust to a carpet. Some may think that a carpet can only be laid on a completely flat plane. In reality, a carpet can be spread over a large ball or even on stairs. What’s the issue?

A surface spread over stairs.

Surfaces are often placed on uncomfortable terrains to facilitate movement. The Quran describes the Earth’s crust as a carpet; without it, humans would not survive due to the hot, molten, uninhabitable layers beneath. Therefore, the Quran is not only rational but also highlights scientific facts discovered by geologists centuries later.

The Earth Spread Out

Adding to the argument for the English translation of “spread out”: this is a metaphor. Many things can be “spread out,” and it does not inherently mean they are spread over a flat surface, a sphere, or even an infinite space. Easy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when examining this issue through authentic interpretations and sources, we see that the Quran never directly states that the Earth is flat. Instead, it uses subtle and profound language to describe the Earth as spread out, without contradicting modern scientific understanding.

By utilizing online Arabic dictionaries like Almaany, we can see that the terms used in the Quran, such as “yukawwiru” in Surah Az-Zumar, clearly indicate that the Earth is spherical. This demonstrates that the Quran is not only relevant to current scientific discoveries but also a miracle containing extraordinary knowledge for humanity, despite being revealed over 1,400 years ago.

Let us continue to delve deeper into the Quran with broader understanding, leveraging technology and interpretations to strengthen our faith and address any arising questions wisely. In doing so, we can further enhance our knowledge and spread the truth within our communities.

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References

1. Baugh, L. S. (2023, December 19). Flat Earth | Theory, model, Meaning, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/flat-Earth
2. Thales | COSMOS. (n.d.). https://astronomy.swin.edu.au/cosmos/T/Thales
3. Hannam, J. (2023, September 22). A square, flat earth and round heaven meant the world to ancient China. Atlas Obscura. https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/flat-earth-ancient-china
4. McGlathery, G. (1980). Towards a Flat Earth Theory. Science and Children, 17(4), 13–15. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43160440
5. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, December 23). World Turtle. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Turtle
6. History of Mathematical Astronomy in India | Encyclopedia.com. (n.d.). https://www.encyclopedia.com/science/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/history-mathematical-astronomy-india#hmaien33
7. Lindegaard Knudsen, T. (2021). Three Purāṇic statements on the shape of the earth. History of Science in South Asia, 9, 128-166. https://doi.org/10.18732/hssa55
8. Bible; New International Version:

Flat Earth

i – Job 28:24

24 for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.

ii – Matthew 4:8

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

iii – Psalms 75:3

3 When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm.

iv – Revelation 7:1

1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree.

v – Daniel 4:10-11

10 These are the visions I saw while lying in bed: I looked, and there before me stood a tree in the middle of the land. Its height was enormous. 11 The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth

Earth in circular shape

vi – Isaiah 40:22

22 He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth,

   and its people are like grasshoppers.

• New King James Version

Earth standing on a base/pillars/foundation

i- Psalms 104:5

 You who laid the foundations of the earth,

So that it should not be moved forever,

1. Complete Jewish Bible:

Earth have dome

i – 6 God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the water; let it divide the water from the water.” 7 God made the dome and divided the water under the dome from the water above the dome; that is how it was, 8 and God called the dome Sky. So there was evening, and there was morning, a second day.

1. Jesus Christ Flat Earth – the truth of the Creator and His Creation. (n.d.). http://jesuschristflatearth.com/
2. Zainal, F. (2021, April 29). “Makin dibaca Al-Quran itu, makin aku yakin Bumi ini datar” ROTIKAYA. https://www.rotikaya.com/makin-dibaca-al-quran-itu-makin-aku-yakin-bumi-ini-datar/
3. Pejabat Mufti Wilayah Persekutuan – BAYAN LINNAS SERIES 166: FLAT EARTH POLEMIC: AN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE. (2019, February 17). https://muftiwp.gov.my/en/artikel/bayan-linnas/3127-bayan-linnas-series-166-flat-earth-polemic-an-islamic-perspective
4. Wikipedia contributors. (2024b, January 3). Almaany. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Almaany
5. Wikipedia contributors. (2023a, December 1). List of highest settlements. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_settlements
6. Ancient-Origins, & Ancient-Origins. (2019, January 3). Flat Wrong: The misunderstood history of flat Earth theories. Ancient Origins Reconstructing the Story of Humanity’s Past. https://www.ancient-origins.net/news-science-space/flat-earth-0011265
7. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. (2024, January 25). Coriolis force | Description, Examples, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Coriolis-force
8. Galileo | Biography, Discoveries, Inventions, & Facts. (2024, January 4). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Galileo-Galilei/Telescopic-discoveries