Welcome to this week’s episode of the series Let’s Know Islam.

The sun and the moon regularly move round an orbit and serve mankind. However, their order is not eternal. This calculated and precise order does not continue forever and comes to an end, which is concurrent with the end of the world.

God in the 1^st and 2^nd ayahs of Surat al-Takwir has referred to this fact, noting: “When the sun is wound up, when the stars scatter.”

In this episode, we study other scientific miraculous aspects of Holy Quran.

In a number of ayahs of Holy Quran, God has referred to the movement of the sun and the moon in a specific order and for a specific period of time.

For instance, the 38^th ayah of Surat Ya Sin notes: “And the sun runs on its place of rest: That is the ordaining of the All-mighty, the All-knowing.”

This ayah clearly points out the continuous movement of the sun.

In relation to the movement of the sun and the moon, the 40^th ayah of Surat Ya Sin, notes: “Neither it behooves the sun to overtake the moon, nor may the night outrun the day, and each swims in an orbit.”

One should note that these ayahs were descended when Ptolemaic astronomy was the accepted theory in the global scientific circles. In that point in time, the floatation of the sun was not accepted. However, in the light of the scientific achievements and discoveries of mankind, the pillars of the Ptolemaic astronomy crumbled; and the theory which pointed to the sun as the center of the solar system was reinforced. This theory also pointed out that all planets of the solar system circle round the sun.

In accordance to the studies carried out by scientists, sun swiftly circles round itself. Scientists have also discovered that sun, coupled with the planets of the Solar System in the Milky Way galaxy, moves within a specific orbit. Other moves have also been mentioned for the sun and in the future other forms of sun’s movements may also be discovered.

It can be said that reference of Holy Quran to the movements of the sun is one of the miraculous aspects of this Holy Book. We know that the volume and mass of the sun are respectively 1.3m and 330,000 folds more than the planet earth. Given these aspects, movement of this heavy star in space, in a regular and calculated manner, can be only accomplished by the one and only creator of the world, the omnipotent God Almighty.

Nonetheless, the movement and circulation of the sun and the moon is not eternal.

This fact has been stated in the 13^th ayah of Surat Fatir, which notes: “He makes the night pass into the day and makes the day pass into the night, and He has disposed the sun and the moon, each moving for a specific term. That is Allah, your Lord; to Him belongs all sovereignty.”

This ayah refers to the gradual transition of the day into the night, and the night into the day. This gradual transition prevents the dangers which could surface upon the sudden transition of darkness into light or vice versa, and prepares mankind for this transition. Undoubtedly, night and day are both necessary and beneficial for mankind and other creatures on earth. Consecutive and perpetual transition of day into night, and night into day plays an important role in regulation of human life. Additionally, other developments, such as growth of plants; blossoming of buds; ripeness of fruits; the currents of streams; operation of factories; and production of different types of goods, all and all are dependent on sunrays, which is the main source of energy.

On the other hand, the darkness of the night is also vital for mankind because of its profound contribution to calmness of man’s body and soul, and prevention of the dangers resulting from incessant exposure to sunrays. If days would have not passed into nights and nights would have not passed into days; the temperature of earth would have risen to an extent that would have burnt everything. In this manner, days and nights both, are signs of God’s prudence.

This ayah also points out that He has disposed the sun and the moon; which serves mankind and is the source of countless blessings for human life. The sun, the moon, and earth all are involved in provision of the livelihood of mankind. Meanwhile, man should always remember God, who has bestowed these blessings to human beings.

Meanwhile, scientists have also carried out studies on end of the universe. A number of different viewpoints have been presented on this topic of importance. As we previously said; the universe continues to expand and galaxies are swiftly drifting apart from each other. Based on this view, scientists have predicted a number of different forms for the end of the worlds. Some say that in the final phase, the force of gravity would halt the expansion of the universe, as a result of which masses would move toward each other and would ultimately gather at a single point. However, another view states that the universe will continue to expand. Now, the scientists intend to find out which one of these states may occur in the future.

The other point about the end of the world is the fate of the sun, the moon, and the stars. According to calculations of scientists, sun loses millions of tons of its mass every second. Given sun’s reserves, this star can shine for up to 10 billion years; of which 4.5 billion years have passed. Thus, sun is currently in the mid-stage of its lifetime. So, our planet, earth, will also circle round the sun for another 5 billion years.

The ayahs of Holy Quran which refer to the darkening of the sun, the moon, and stars, are compatible with the current scientific findings about the end of the universe.

According to Holy Quran, the main source of light in the Solar System will darken. On the verge of the Day of Judgment, stars will also lose their light and will scatter.

The 2^nd ayah of Surat al-Infitar notes: “When the stars are scattered.”

In other words, it seems as though in that phase in time, the balance between the forces of gravity and repulsion of planets is disrupted and the existing order of the universe crumbles. This fact has been pointed out by Holy Quran.

Although human knowledge has not specified a precise time for the fall of stars; scientists have concluded that over time, the energy of stars will decline and they will ultimately go dark.

As it was shown, Holy Quran has mentioned some of the developments which take place at the end of the world and the end of existence of the sun and stars. This Holy Book has predicted the future developments of the universe and the fate of the moon, the sun, and the stars, fourteen centuries ago, while these predictions are compatible with the latest scientific discoveries. Undoubtedly, this is one of the miraculous aspects of Holy Quran.

MR/MG