> Does the sun revolve around the earth?

[Abdul-Fattah]

Recently somebody posted the following on his facebookacount:

Does the sun revolve around the earth - Fatwaa of Sheikh Muhmammed bin Saalih Al- `Uthaymeen (rahimahullaahu)
Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-`Uthaymeen (rahimahullaah)

Question: Does the sun revolve around the earth?

Answer: It is apparent from the Islaamic evidences that they confirm that it is the sun which revolves around the earth, and by its revolving the alternation of night and day takes place on the surface of the earth. It is not for us to exceed the apparent meanings of these evidences without some evidence stronger than that, which permits us to explain them differently from their apparent meaning. Among the proofs that the sun revolves around the earth in a manner which causes the alternation of the night and day are the following:

1) Allaah, the Most High says, that when Ibraaheem (`alayhi as-Salaam), disputed with the one who argued with him concerning his Lord:
"Verily, Allah brings the sun form the east; then bring it you from the west."
[Soorah al-Baqarah 2:258]

2) He also tells us that Ibraaheem (`alayhi as-Salaam) said:
"When he saw the sun rising up, he said: 'This is my lord. This is greater.' But when it set, he said: 'O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners (in worship with Allaah)."
[Soorah al-An`aam 6:78]

So He described the settings as an attribute of the sun and not that the earth set upon it, for if it was the earth which revolved, He would have said: but when (the earth) set upon it.

3) Allaah the Most High says:
"And you might have seen, the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left."
[Soorah al-Kahf 18:17]

He has described the declining and turning away as descriptions of the sun, and that is a proof that the movement was from the sun. If it was a description of the earth, He would have said: Their Cave declined from it. Likewise, describing the sun as rising and setting proves that it is the sun which revolves, even though the indication of the may be less than the indication in His Words: "declining" and "turning away from them."

4) Allaah, the Most High says:
"And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun, and the moon, each in an orbit floating."
[Soorah al-Anbiyaaa' 21:33]

Ibn `Abbaas (radhiallaahu `anhu) said: "They revolve in an orbit, like the turning of a mill. This was widely reported from him.

5) Allaah, the Most High says:
"He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly."
[Soorah al-Ara'af 7:54]

He described the night as seeking the day, and the seeker rushes and overtakes, and it is well known that the night and the day follow the sun.

6) Allaah, the Most High says:
"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."
[Soorah az-Zumar 39:5]

and His Words:
"He makes the night to go in the day" that is, it turns around it, as a turban is wrapped around, which proves the revolving of the night and the day around the earth. If it were the earth which revolved around them, He would have said: He causes the earth to revolve around the night and day.

And in His words:
"the sun and the moon, each running (on a fixed course)." It is clear from what precedes it that it is a proof that the sun and the moon move in a perceptible orbit, because subjecting something which moves to its movement is more apparent than subjecting something stationary which does not move.

7) Allaah, the Most High say:
"By the sun and its brightness. By the moon as it follows it (the sun)."
[Soorah ash-Shams 91:1-2]

And the meaning of: "follows it" is that 'it comes after it' and this is a proof of their moving and revolving around the earth, for if it were the earth which revolved around them, the moon would not be following the sun; rather it would sometimes be following it and sometimes it would be followed by it, because the sun is higher than it. And deduction from this verse requires study and reflection.

8) Allaah, the Most High say:
"And the sun runs o*n its fixed course for a term {appointed}. That is the Decree of the Almighty, the All-Knowing. And the moon, We have measured for it mansions {to traverse} till it returns like the old dried date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit."
[Soorah Ya-Seen 36:38-40]

So, attributing the movement to the sun and describing it as a Decree from the Almighty, Most Wise proves that it is a real movement with a far-reaching Decree, since the consequence of it is the alternation of the night and day and the seasons.

The measure of the moon's mansions (i.e., stations) is a proof that it traverses them, for if it was the earth which revolves , the measuring of the mansions would be for the earth's movement around the moon and not for the moon's movement around it.

And negating the sun's ability to overtake the moon, and the night's ability to outstrip the day are evidence of the rushing movement on the part of the sun and the moon, and the night and the day.

9) The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said to Aboo Tharr (radhiallaahu `anhu), when the sun had just set: "Do you know where it goes?" He said, "Allaah and His Messenger knows best." He (sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said: "Verily, it goes (i.e., travels) and it prostrates beneath the Throne and seeks permission to rise, and permission is granted to it. Then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but will not be permitted, but it will be ordered: Return from whence you came, and so it will rise in the West."
[Reported by al-Bukhaaree in the Book of the Beginning of Creation, in the Chapter: Description of the Sun and the Moon (#3199), and by Muslim in the Book of Faith, in the Chapter: Explanation of the Time when Faith will not be accepted (#159)].

So and it is extremely clear from his words: Return from whence you came that it revolves around the earth and through its revolving the sunrise and sunset occur.

10) It is clear from the many ahaadeeth which attribute rising, setting, and declining from its zenith to the sun, that it is the sun which does so and so and the earth.

I think such controversial views while at one hand they serve no benefit for the Muslims, they can be very damaging in the process of dawah. So I think it would be wiser of the scholars not to indulge in such tefsir.

My response:
First of all, all movement in space is considered relative according to Einstein's general relativity. So whether it is earth which moves around it's axis, or the sun which moves around the earth, makes no significant difference. You could build a model of our solar system from either starting point.

However, If rather then the earth spinning around it's axis, the sun would revolve the earth, then consider:
The average distance from the Sun to the Earth is 1.496 x 10^11metres. Let's say for simplicity's sake that the sun would revolve the earth in circular path; then the path the sun would traverse would be: 2*pi*r which comes at: 9.400 x 10^11 meters per 24h. This means the sun would have to circle the earth with a velocity of 39 165 188.41km/h or 10879219 m/s.

Not only that, but all other planets which according to observation orbit the sun, would then according to this scholar's proposed model have to orbit earth along with the sun.
The average distance of Pluto to earth is 5,913,520,000 km. For the model that the scholar proposes to be consistent with direct observation, Pluto would have to move faster then the speed of light! Clearly this causes major difficulties for this model to work. This means this model contradicts direct observation! For if Pluto would actually traverse with such a speed, doing so would affect it's mass and shape. Not to mention an infinite amount of energy is needed to accelerate an object up to the speed of light, let alone beyond it.

And as replied to your previous post, none of these verses actually state "explicitly" that it is the sun which revolve around the earth. A much more logical approach would be that the wording in the Qur'an was chosen by Allah from a pragmatical position rather then to show us that the sun revolves the earth. Remember that the Qur'an is not meant as a book of science, but a book of guidance. So it is perfectly plausible that a simplification of the actual model took place for pragmatic reasons. Especially since the interpretation you copy pasted here contradicts direct observation.
And I have no knowledge and Allah subhana wa ta'ala knows best.

[salamfromrom]

This is the first time I am hearing that any scholar said sun revolves around the earth.

The sheikh, as learned as he is, is not a scientist. It is sad that he did not read up on the science of the matter before making his opinion public.


Salam

[salman]

akh salamfromrom

And it does not befit ignorant laypeople to go out of their way to make such remarks about the scholars and their views.

akh Abdul

Jazak Allah khayran but I don't think there is much benefit in refuting such odd opinions of scholars when hardly any people use them or are aware of them. They made their ijtihad and may Allah reward them for that.

[Tema]

I think such controversial views while at one hand they serve no benefit for the Muslims, they can be very damaging in the process of dawah. So I think it would be wiser of the scholars not to indulge in such tefsir.

Really? And when the others go and point out this verse says so and so about the sun, when it is apperant that it doesn't.

Waht does this verse say to you?

"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."
[Soorah az-Zumar 39:5]

Sun does move~!

[salman]

Sister, hold your horses please. Let's not turn another thread into bickering and unnecessary harsh comments.

It is well known among the people of knowledge that the view of the shaykh is odd and incorrect. He made his ijtihad and may Allah reward him for that, ameen.

We have no problem accepting anything from science as long as it doesn't contradict Islam.

PS: Regarding your signature, the Qur'an is not taken literally rather it is understood by dhair (apparent) meaning

[Tema]

It is well known among the people of knowledge that the view of the shaykh is odd and incorrect. He made his ijtihad and may Allah reward him for that, ameen.

And who are your people of knowledge? Proof your claim. The shaykh is not propagating the fatwa, Adbul is.

[salman]

Akh Abdul, I would appreciate if you would let me handle this insha'Allah. Jazak Allah khayran

Originally Posted by Unknown

And who are your people of knowledge? Proof your claim. The shaykh is not propagating the fatwa, Adbul is.

Sister, may Allah preserve you, you need to remember that no scholar is free of a mistake so let's not act like math-habis. The scholars greater than Shaykh ibn Uthaymeen (rahimahullah) have made mistakes and people of knowledge have pointed out those mistakes. Imam Malik (rahimahullah) said that everyone can be refuted except Prophet (sal-allahu alayhi wa salaam). So let's remember this insha'Allah.

Secondly, I have to remind you again that this is not the way of correcting other brothers and sisters. I understand your feelings because I am in the same shoe; however, we need to use best of manners when giving da'wah and correcting and reminding others.

Thirdly, there is nothing in the Qur'an which says that sun revolves around earth. The Qur'an says that the sun and earth move in their orbits.

Fourtly, my people of knowledge are not different than your people of knowledge; I take from the same scholars from whom you take. So let's turn this into a hizbi war. No early mufasir made such a tafsir; in fact, the statement of Abdullah ibn Abbass (radiAllahu anho) is contrary to the view of the shaykh (rahimahullah) even though he quoted it.

[Tema]

We have no problem accepting anything from science as long as it doesn't contradict Islam

That isn't what you said under :Should allegorical verses of the Qur'aan be interpreated?

---------- Post added at 03:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:38 PM ----------

Originally Posted by salman

Akh Abdul, I would appreciate if you would let me handle this insha'Allah. Jazak Allah khayran

Goodbye. Your forum isn't any better tan sunniforum or LI .

[Abdul-Fattah]

Selam aleykum brother Salman

Jazak Allah khayran but I don't think there is much benefit in refuting such odd opinions of scholars when hardly any people use them or are aware of them. They made their ijtihad and may Allah reward them for that.

I didn't know wheter his view was widespread or not. I was just schocked to find that there are still people in this day and age who have this view, and felt compelled to provide a descent reply to it. I'm relieved to hear hardly any people hold this view.

Selam aleykum sister Unknown

Originally Posted by Unknown

Really? And when the others go and point out this verse says so and so about the sun, when it is apparent that it doesn't.

If others say something that is mistaken then they are mistaken, and if others say something that is right they are right. None of that has any bearing on this sheiks tefsir. Two wrongs don't make a right, and each tefsir should be judged on it's own merits.

What does this verse say to you?

Which one? One of them or all of them?

Sun does move~!

Yes, it circles the supermassive black hole found at the centre of our galaxi. But that's beside the point. This is not about wheter or not the sun moves, but rather wheter or not it revolves the earth.

[salman]

Originally Posted by Unknown

That isn't what you said under :Should allegorical verses of the Qur'aan be interpreated?

What I said there doesn't contradict what I said here. Please show me that I have contradicted myself. Jazak Allah khayran

Originally Posted by Unknown

Goodbye. Your forum isn't any better tan sunniforum or LI .

Jazak Allah khayran for your kind comments. May Allah reward you greatly for putting up with us, reminding us to correct ourselves and benefiting us greatly, ameen. May Allah perserve you and write you among the people of Jannat al-Firdaws for having such geerah for your deen, ameen