Science and Signs in the Qur’an

“It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; all (heavenly bodies) swim along, each in its orbit” (Quran 21:33)

The Spherical Shape and Rotation of the Earth: Scientific Insights and Miracles of Al-Qur’an

By A.S.M Razan

The Earth’s rotation and the science of the Holy Quran present a grand, astonishing wonder for human thought. From the universe’s microscopic atoms to its magnificent stars, everything orbits in its designated path. Simultaneously, the Earth we live on rotates steadily on its axis at a speed of approximately 465 meters per second. Modern science proved that the Earth rotates on its axis and orbits the Sun only in recent centuries.

However, 1,400 years ago—in a desert background devoid of scientific instruments or technology—the Holy Qur’an captured this planetary movement and rotation in exquisitely subtle, artistic language.

The Holy Quran cites the Earth’s rotation and the resulting phenomena as signs in numerous places. In the verse, “He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night” (Quran 39:5), the Arabic word ‘Yukawwir’ denotes a continuous rotational motion, much like winding a turban around a rounded head.

This flawlessly conveys both the spherical shape of the Earth and the idea that night and day succeed each other due to its rotation. Furthermore, the verse “You see the mountains and think them firmly fixed, but they shall pass away like the passing of clouds” (Quran 27:88) reveals the scientific truth through striking imagery: mountains move along with the Earth due to its axial rotation.

Beyond the Earth’s rotation on its axis, the Quran proclaims that all entities in the cosmos move within their own orbits: *”It is He Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon; all (heavenly bodies) swim along, each in its orbit”* (Quran 21:33). It is precisely because the Earth rotates on its axis while orbiting the Sun that seasonal shifts and day-night cycles—essential for living beings—occur seamlessly.

Without this flawlessly calibrated rotational system designed by God, one half of the Earth would be frozen in perpetual sunlight while the other remained in eternal darkness, rendering life impossible. Moreover, verses describing how mountains were set as pegs to stabilize the Earth so humans would not be thrown off balance reflect both the beauty and supreme power of creation.

Thus, the Earth’s rotation is not a mere natural coincidence; rather, it is a grand system meticulously calculated and constructed by the Lord of the worlds. When humans use their intellect to explore cosmic rotation and terrestrial motion, science and Quranic verses align along the same plane. Revealing this secret of Earth’s rotation to humanity 1,4 centuries ago, the uninterrupted rotation of our planet serves as an enduring testament that the Holy Quran is indeed the word of God.

References:

1. Earth’s Rotation & Speed Qur’anic Reference: Surah An-Naml 27:88 — “You see the mountains and think them firmly fixed, but they pass away like the passing of clouds.”

Scientific Reference: Earth’s equatorial rotational speed is about 1,674 km/h. Source: NASA Earth Fact Sheet — D. R. Williams.

2. Spherical Earth & Day/Night Qur’anic Reference: Surah Az-Zumar 39:5 — “He wraps the night over the day and wraps the day over the night.”

Scientific Reference: Yukawwir refers to wrapping; day and night continuously move across the spherical Earth.

Source: Astronomical Algorithms — Jean Meeus.

3. Orbits of Celestial Bodies Qur’anic Reference: Surah Al-Anbya 21:33; Surah Ya-Sin 36:40 — “All swim along, each in an orbit.”

Scientific Reference: Celestial bodies follow orbital paths governed by gravity.

Sources: Kepler’s Laws; Orbital Mechanics for Engineering Students — H. D. Curtis.

4. Mountains as Pegs Qur’anic Reference: Surah An-Naba 78:6–7; Surah An-Nahl1 6:1 5 — mountains described as “pegs.

Scientific Reference: Isostasy explains deep crustal roots beneath mountain ranges.

Source: Understanding Earth — Grotzinger & Jordan (201 4).

About the Author:
A.S.M. Razan (Abdul Salam Mohamed Razan) writes on Islam and science, with particular interest in the relationship between Qur’anic revelation and discoveries in biology, astronomy and cosmology. He is a physiotherapy student at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, and has a background in Biological Sciences. He is a guest writer for PEACE Magazine.

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