Back to search

What is the interpretation of the Noble Verse: "And the sun runs on to its place of rest: That is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing," and what does the Islamic religion say regarding the Earth's rotation?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Definitive revelations and definitive reason do not contradict each other. If presumptive revelation and presumptive reason contradict, then presumptive revelation takes precedence. The Earth's rotation around itself and around the Sun is a scientific fact that does not contradict the texts of the Quran; rather, it supports them. Quranic verses such as: "And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing" (Ya-Sin: 38), and "And He is the One Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit swimming" (Al-Anbiya: 33), indicate the movement of celestial bodies. As for the verses that describe the Earth as a "resting place" (قرار) such as: "Allah, Who made for you the earth a dwelling place" (Ghafir: 64), they refer to it being a resting place for us as humans, and do not contradict the fact of its rotation and movement. Its stability due to mountains prevents it from shaking despite its movement, just like a ship stable with its cargo despite its motion. The entire universe swims and moves, and science has proven that, and there is nothing in the Quran that denies it.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

Read the full answer on Ftawy