33- It is He who
created the night and the day, and the sun, and the moon; each of them floating
in an orbit.
21-The Prophets, 33
The word expressing totality in the Arabic language is “kullu” while the Arabic
expression “tasniya” refers to any two objects. In the verse reference is made
to the motion of two celestial bodies, namely the sun and the moon. However, the
reason why “tasniya” is not used indicates that there should be more than two
objects. If we suppose that the night and the day take place on the earth, the
other object should be the earth. The Arabic word “falak” is used in Arabic to
denote the orbit traced by stars and planets.
THE MIRACLE IN THE USE OF EVERY SINGLE WORD
As one can see, every single word and suffix has been carefully selected. The
Arabic equivalent of the expression “to float” is “sabaha.” Maurice Bucaille
says the harmony of the movements of the sun, the moon and the earth can be
expressed as follows: “The Arabic verb ‘sabaha’ refers to displacement of an
object by its own movement. The meanings of this verb converge on displacement
referring to the motion of the object by itself. When displacement takes place
in water, the movement refers to the act of floating; when it is on land the
displacement takes place by the movement of the object’s own legs. If, on the
other hand, this displacement occurs in space, the motion intended can be
described only by the etymological sense of the word. Thus, ‘sabaha’ should be
conceived as a motion in a self-generating act. The moon rotates around its axis
within a space of time equal to its revolution around the earth; that is 29.5
days. So what we see is always the same face of the moon. ‘The sun turns about
its axis within 25 days approximately. The word ‘sabaha’ that describes the
motions of the sun and the moon conforms to the findings of recent scientific
data. This fact could not have been fancied by a human being in the 7th century,
regardless of his erudition.”
THE SOLAR SYSTEM
The motions of the sun and the moon and the earth continue without the slightest
interference with our life. On the other hand, all the phenomena are brought
about to make life on earth and diversity possible. The earth revolves about the
sun, at an angle of inclination of 23 degrees and 27 minutes. The seasons evolve
upon the earth thanks to this inclination upon which depends also the system of
growth of plants. The velocity of rotation of the earth about its axis attains
1670 km. If the earth did not rotate, its surface facing the sun would be
exposed to continuous light while the rear would be in perpetual darkness. In
such a world, neither vegetation nor beings could exist.
40- Neither can the sun overtake the moon, nor does the night precede the day.
Each of them is floating in an orbit.
36-Ya-Seen, 40
All the motions of the sun, the moon and the earth continue in perfect harmony.
Everything is so excellently arranged that even Jupiter, the largest planet in
the solar system, contributes to the life on earth. Astronomer George Wetherill,
in his article on Jupiter, says that had there been no planet of a magnitude
equal to the size of Jupiter, the earth would have had one thousand times more
exposure to stray meteors and comets, and that if Jupiter were not at the place
where it happened to be, we could not have been here now to probe into the
mystery of the origin of the solar system. No matter where we turn, we come
across splendors, infinitesimal calculations and works of art provided. Of
course, we meditate on God’s creation using our intelligence. Our Creator
displays the evidences of His omnipotence and omniscience and His compassion
everywhere in the universe.
190- Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alteration of
night and day, there are signs for those who posses intelligence.
191- They remember God while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides. And
contemplate on the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, You did not
create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Protect us from the torment of the
fire.”
3-The Family of Imran, 190-191