From Geocentric to Heliocentric Models: The Qur’an’s Insight on the Sun’s Motion

Epigraph: Science can never be at odds with faith; simply because the source of science and faith are one! Science serves as a means of understanding the divine order. The challenge today is not atheism. On the very contrary the real challenge to the world is that of Islam.

"And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit." — Qur’an 21:33

Ancient Cosmology: The Geocentric and Heliocentric Models

Historically, civilizations believed in a geocentric universe, where Earth was the center and celestial bodies, including the sun, revolved around it. This belief was upheld by Aristotle and formalized by Ptolemy in the 2nd century CE. It remained the dominant point for over a thousand years and was endorsed by religious authorities in medieval Europe.

In the 16th century, Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model, where the Earth and planets revolve around the sun. This revolutionary idea faced resistance but was later supported by Galileo’s telescopic discoveries and Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. However, even within the heliocentric framework, the sun itself was considered stationary, serving as the fixed center of the planetary system.

Modern Scientific Discovery: The Sun is Not Stationary

Contrary to early assumptions, modern astronomy confirms that the sun is not stationary but moves through space. It travels at an astonishing speed of 828,000 km/h (514,000 mph), orbiting the center of the Milky Way galaxy. It completes one full orbit approximately every 225–250 million years. This knowledge was unavailable to early astronomers but it is a fact today.

The Quranic Statement on the Sun’s Motion

The Qur’an, revealed in the 7th century CE, stated the following about the movement of celestial bodies:

“And He it is Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon. They float, each in an orbit.” (Qur’an 21:33)

“And the sun runs on course toward its stopping point. That is the determination of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” (Qur’an 36:38)

These verses explicitly affirm that the sun is in motion, a reality unknown to any human at the time. The term “float” (yasbahun in Arabic) conveys continuous movement, akin to swimming in an ocean—an apt description of celestial bodies in space.

These verses were recited by a man in 7th-century Arabia, without telescopes or access to sophisticated astronomical models. I

If the Qur’an were a product of human knowledge at the time, it would have reflected the geocentric view dominant in that era. Instead, it aligns with 21st-century astrophysical discoveries, proving that its source could not have been human.

Scientists Only Discover What God Has Arranged

The progress of science is, in essence, the unveiling of what God has already arranged. The laws governing celestial mechanics, gravity, and orbital motion existed long before they were discovered. Scientists do not create these realities; they merely uncover them. This realization echoes the Qur’anic assertion:

“We will show them Our signs in the horizons and within themselves until it becomes clear to them that it is the truth.” (Qur’an 41:53)

Science can never be at odds with faith; simply because the source of science and faith are one! Science serves as a means of understanding the divine order. Every discovery, from the vastness of the cosmos to the intricacies of quantum mechanics, is a testament to the perfection of God’s creation.

A Thoughtful Exploration for Scientists and Atheists: A Reality Worth Considering

Today, as we celebrate advancements in space exploration, physics, and cosmology, it is imperative for the scientific community to recognize that these discoveries are not merely random occurrences but insights into the divine blueprint of existence. The Qur'an, in its description of natural phenomena, stands as a profound testament to its divine origin.

The motion of the sun, a fact revealed in the Qur’an and confirmed by modern science, serves as one of many indications that this book is not a product of human intellect but of divine revelation. The challenge today is not atheism. On the very contrary the real challenge to the world is that of Islam. If the Qur’an were merely a 7th-century text, its articulation of scientific truths—confirmed centuries later—remains unparalleled.

The Qur’an invites reflection, urging humanity to observe the universe and recognize the hand of the Creator in every celestial motion. As science progresses, it only further illuminates the wisdom embedded in divine revelation—an undeniable truth that continues to unfold before our eyes.

“[Certainly not! It is precisely this towards which the Qur’ān reminds;] it is a blessed book which We have revealed to you [O Prophet] so that people ponder on its verses and so that those endowed with intellect are reminded by it.” Qur’an (38:29)

 

Aamir Yazdani