The Centuries-Long Debate and the Quran’s Revelation
Until the 15th and 16th centuries, humanity engaged in extensive discussions regarding whether the Earth was flat or round. Remarkably, the Quran provided numerous verses pointing to the Earth’s spherical shape, offering a profound insight into scientific understanding.
Quranic Verses on Earth’s Shape
“…Allah brings forth night and day.” (ez-Zümer, 5)
The term “tekwir” يُكَوِّرُ in this verse refers to the act of wrapping something around a spherical body, like winding a turban – implying rotation.
Furthermore, the verse from Surah Nazeiat:
“Vel-arda ba’de żâlike dehâhâ” (Naziat 30)
is translated as, “And the Earth thereafter He spread.” The word “dehâ” is understood to mean ‘gave an ostrich egg shape,’ thus indicating that the Quran directly references the geoid (a flattened sphere) shape of the Earth.
Beyond Shape: Astronomical Insights
The Quran also demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of time and calendars. When describing the duration of sleep for the Companions of the Cave:
“They remained in their cave for three hundred years, adding nine.” (el-Kehf, 25)
This verse reveals the difference between a solar year (approximately 365.25 days) and a lunar year (approximately 354 days). This discrepancy of roughly ten days over 300 years necessitates an additional nine years, showcasing a profound knowledge of astronomical cycles that was not yet fully understood during the era of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).