Did the Prophet, may God’s prayers and peace be upon him, know scientific facts such as the sphericity of the Earth, or did he interpret the verses that mention the flatness of the Earth literally?
The knowledge of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was derived from revelation, guidance, and legislation, as Allah the Almighty said: "And Allah has sent down upon you the Book and Wisdom and has taught you that which you did not know. And ever has been upon you the grace of Allah great" (4:113), and "It is nothing but a revelation revealed, taught to him by one intense in strength" (53:4-5), and "And thus We have sent to you an inspiration of Our command. You did not know what is the Book or [what is] faith, but We have made it a light by which We guide whom We wish of Our servants. And indeed, you guide to a straight path" (42:52).
As for worldly sciences and experiences, they were not part of revelation. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, denied his knowledge of some details of worldly affairs, as in the Hadith about the pollination of date palms: "You are more knowledgeable in the affairs of your world." This indicates that his infallibility (ismah) was in matters of religion and Sharia, not in worldly affairs.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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