Planetary Orbits In Quran

it is a scientific fact that all objects in the universe, including stars and planets, have orbits. The orbits of celestial bodies are determined by the gravitational forces acting on them. In the Quran, there are several verses that mention the orbits of celestial objects, including the sun and moon.

📖Quran 21:33
And it is He who created the night and the day and the sun and the moon; all [heavenly bodies] in an orbit are swimming.

📖Quran 21:33
And He is the One Who created the day and the night, the sun and the moon—each travelling in an orbit.

📖Quran 36:40
It is not for the sun to catch up with the moon, nor does the night outrun the day. Each is travelling in an orbit of their own.

The Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way, bringing with it the planets, asteroids, comets, and other objects in our solar system. Our solar system is moving with an average velocity of 450,000 miles per hour (720,000 kilometers per hour). But even at this speed, it takes about 225-250 million years for the Sun to make one complete trip around the Milky Way.

Reference: The Sun orbits the center of the Milky Way

The moon orbits the Earth once every 27.322 days. It also takes approximately 27 days for the moon to rotate once on its axis.

Reference: Does the moon rotate

📖Quran 39:5
He created the heavens and earth in truth. He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running [its course] for a specified term. Unquestionably, He is the Exalted in Might, the Perpetual Forgiver.

The passage “the sun and the moon”, It is scientifically accurate the Sun and the Moon run their courses for a specified term. The Sun and the Moon have their own respective orbits and revolve around the center of the galaxy, completing their orbits in a specific amount of time. The Sun takes about 225-250 million years to complete one orbit around the center of the Milky Way galaxy, while the Moon takes about 27.3 days to complete one orbit around the Earth. The movements of the Sun and the Moon are predictable and follow a regular pattern, which is why we can accurately predict astronomical events such as eclipses. The Quran acknowledges this regularity and predictability in the movements of celestial bodies, and emphasizes the power and wisdom of God who created and controls them.

1. Reference: The sun takes approximately 225-250 million years to complete one journey
2. Reference: Speed of the Sun
3. Reference: Orbit and Phases of the Moon

📖Quran 36:38
The sun travels for its fixed term. That is the design of the Almighty, All-Knowing.

• This verse refer about the movement of the sun in its fixed term, which is consistent with the scientific understanding of the sun’s movement in the Milky Way galaxy. The concept of the “solar apex” is also related to the motion of the sun, as it refers to the direction towards which the sun and our solar system are moving in the Milky Way.

Reference: Solar apex

The destination mentioned in the verse refer to both the Sun’s galactic path (solar apex) and the “wobbling” or gravitational movement around the barycenter.

Reference: NASA, What Is a Barycenter?

Earth is in Motion in the Quran

📖Quran 7:25
Surely, your Lord is Allah who created the heavens and the earth in six days, then He positioned himself on the Throne. He covers the day with the night that pursues it swiftly. He created the sun and the moon and the stars, subjugated to His command. Lo! To Him alone belong the creation and the command. Glorious is Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.

📖Quran 27:88
And you see the mountains, thinking them rigid, while they will pass as the passing of clouds. [It is] the work of Allah , who perfected all things. Indeed, He is Acquainted with that which you do.

In these verses, the rotation of the earth is indirectly referred to through the description of the alternation of day and night, as well as the movement of the sun and the moon. Quran 7:25 states that Allah covers the day with the night, which pursues it swiftly, indicating the Earth’s rotation that causes the alternation of day and night. Similarly, Quran 29:5 describes the subjugation of the sun and the moon, which run their course for a specified term, suggesting their movement across the sky as a result of the Earth’s rotation.

📖Quran 39:5
[Allah] Created the heavens and the Earth in truth. He overlaps the night over the day and overlaps the day over the night, and enslaved the sun and the moon, ALL MOVE to a prerecorded destiny. Is He not the Exalted, the Forgiver?

The Quran is referring to all moving objects, not just the sun and moon but also the Earth. In Arabic grammar, there is a distinction between singular (one), dual (two), and plural (three or more). The dual form is “Kulahuma Yajreean” (كُلاَهُمَا يَجْرِيَانِ), but the Quran uses “Kullon Yajree” (كُلٌّ يَجْرِي), which refers to three or more. Since the sun and moon are only two, but the Quran refers to three or more, this implies that, according to the Quran, all three—the sun, moon, and Earth—are in motion.

Earth rotates once in about 24 hours with respect to the Sun, but once every 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4 seconds with respect to other distant stars (see below). Earth’s rotation is slowing slightly with time.

• Reference: Earth’s rotation

Sunlight falls only on one side of the Earth. This side of the planet will be experiencing daylight. Because the Earth is rotating, the opposite side of the Earth away from the Sun will be experiencing night. After some time, the part of the Earth experiencing daylight will experience night. Rotation of the Earth causes night and day to alternate.

1. Reference: Why do we have Day and Night
2. Reference: The rotation of the Earth gives rise to day and night

Footnote:

The verses from the Quran (7:25, 27:88, and 29:5) are consistent with the scientific understanding that the Earth is not flat, but rather a sphere. In these verses, Allah is described as the Creator of the heavens and the Earth, and the subjugator of the sun, moon, and stars, all of which are consistent with the scientific understanding of the universe. Additionally, the descriptions of the alternation of day and night, and the movement of the sun and moon, are only possible if the Earth is a sphere rotating on its axis and orbiting the sun. Thus, these verses support the idea that the Earth is not flat, but rather a spherical object.

Additional Information

The Qur’an is not a book of science, but it contains timeless truths that remain final and unchangeable, regardless of scientific discoveries. Our belief in the Qur’an remains firm, even if science evolves over time. Islam does not reject science; rather, it encourages seeking knowledge as long as it aligns with Islamic teachings. However, if any scientific claim contradicts the Qur’an, we can simply reject it, as divine revelation holds the ultimate truth. The Qur’an has foretold many scientific realities long before they were discovered. For instance, in Surah Al-Anbiya (21:30), Allah says: Have those who disbelieved not considered that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, and We separated them and made from water every living thing? Then will they not believe?This verse indicates that knowledge about creation came to those who disbelieve, as they later discovered scientific facts such as the, Big Bang theory, and the essential role of water in life. Despite gaining this knowledge, many still reject the truth of the Qur’an. This serves as a reminder that while science may uncover realities, divine revelation is the ultimate and unchanging truth.