The Quran Mentions that the Sun Rotates about its Axis 1400 years ago - Dr Zakir Naik

Summary

The script explores the history of humanity's understanding of the solar system, from the geocentric model of Ptolemy to the heliocentric theory proposed by Copernicus. It also highlights the groundbreaking work of Johannes Kepler and how modern science eventually confirmed that the sun rotates, a fact once thought to be stationary. The speaker reflects on how, during their school years, they were taught the sun did not rotate, only to later discover that the Quran, centuries earlier, alluded to the sun's rotation, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science.

Takeaways

• 😀 The belief in geocentrism, where the Earth was considered the center of the universe, lasted from the time of Ptolemy in the 2nd century BC to the 16th century.
• 😀 Copernicus revolutionized our understanding of the solar system in 1512 by proposing the heliocentric theory, where the Sun is the center and planets revolve around it.
• 😀 Johannes Kepler, in 1609, further advanced the understanding of planetary motion by asserting that planets, including Earth, rotate on their own axes.
• 😀 The speaker's education in 1982 involved learning that planets revolve around the Sun and rotate on their own axes, but the Sun was believed to be stationary.
• 😀 The Quran, in Surah Al-Ambiya (21:33), mentions that the Sun and Moon not only revolve but also rotate about their own axes, which aligns with modern scientific findings.
• 😀 The Arabic word 'yasbahun' used in the Quran describes the motion of celestial bodies and indicates rotation, not just linear motion through space.
• 😀 When 'yasbahun' is used in the Quran for a celestial body, it signifies rotation, similar to how we describe a person walking, running, or swimming.
• 😀 Modern science has confirmed that the Sun does indeed rotate on its axis, taking about 25 days to complete a full rotation.
• 😀 The speaker's experience of being taught that the Sun was stationary in school contrasts with the modern understanding that the Sun rotates, a fact mentioned in the Quran centuries ago.
• 😀 The alignment of modern scientific discoveries with the Quranic descriptions of celestial bodies showcases how ancient texts contained knowledge that was later verified by science.

Q & A

What was the belief about the Earth's position in the universe before the heliocentric theory?

Before the heliocentric theory, scientists believed in geocentrism, the idea that the Earth was the center of the universe, and that the sun, moon, and planets all revolved around the Earth.

Who proposed the heliocentric theory and when?

The heliocentric theory was proposed by Nicolaus Copernicus in 1512. He suggested that the Sun, not the Earth, was at the center of the solar system, and that all planets, including Earth, revolved around the Sun.

What contribution did Johannes Kepler make to the understanding of planetary motion?

Johannes Kepler, in 1609, wrote 'Astronomiae Novae' in which he stated that not only do the planets revolve around the Sun, but they also rotate around their own axis.

What did the speaker learn about planetary motion in school?

The speaker learned that the planets and the Earth revolve around the Sun and also rotate on their own axes. However, they were taught that the Sun did not rotate about its own axis.

What does Surah Al-Anbya, verse 33 in the Quran say about the Sun and Moon?

Surah Al-Anbya, verse 33 mentions that the Sun and the Moon both travel in orbits and have their own motion, implying that they not only revolve around the center but also rotate about their own axes.

What is the significance of the Arabic word 'yasbahun' in the Quranic verse?

'Yasbahun' is derived from the Arabic root 'sabaha,' which describes movement. When applied to celestial bodies, it indicates that the Sun and Moon rotate on their axes, similar to the movement of a person walking, running, or swimming.

How does the Quranic description of the Sun's rotation align with modern scientific understanding?

The Quran describes the Sun as rotating, which modern science has confirmed. The Sun's rotation is observed through sunspots, which take about 25 days to complete one rotation, indicating the Sun rotates on its axis.

Why can't we see the Sun's rotation directly?

We can't see the Sun's rotation directly because looking at the Sun without protection can cause blindness. However, scientific equipment can capture images of the Sun, which reveal the spots that rotate with it.

What was the speaker's experience in learning about the Sun's motion in school?

The speaker was taught that the Sun was stationary when they were in school. They were unaware of its rotational motion until they later discovered that the Sun does indeed rotate, a fact confirmed by modern science.

How has scientific knowledge about the Sun changed in recent decades?

Over time, scientific understanding has evolved, with the discovery that the Sun rotates on its axis, which was not initially known or taught in schools. This knowledge has since been incorporated into educational curricula.