Flat Earth Koran 11 Of 13 - Koran Science & Cosmology (part 2)

The Flat Earth Koran 11 of 13 – Koran Science & Cosmology (Part 2)

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An interpretation of the Cosmology of the Koran & a critique of Islamic Fundamentalism

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Classification of the types of Scientific Miracles said to be found in the Koran There are perhaps about 100 – 120 different alleged Scientific Miracles in the Koran, according to Islamic Fundamentalists. They appear to fall into the categories in this chart. These Presentations will focus on the alleged relating to Astronomy, Cosmology & the Physical Sciences. 10th December 2009

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Section 2 – Islam, the Stars & Planets

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Claims about the Stars and Planets 17) The Solar System

25) Splitting the Moon

18) Planetary Orbits

26) Double-Star Sirius

19) Gravity

27) Pulsars

20) Gravity

28) Black Holes

21) Extra-Solar Planets

29) Cats Eye Nebula

22) Solar Orbits

30) Space Exploration

23) Solar Apex

31) Men on the Moon

24) Moon reflects light

All these things and more are supposedly referred to in the Koran, but these claims are all false, as this presentation will show. 10th December 2009

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Claim 17 – The Existence of the Solar System

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Claim 17 Existence of Solar System "We have indeed adorned the lowest Heaven with an ornament, the planets.“ Surah 37:6 Bucaille

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Claim 17 Existence of Solar System 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

According to this claim, the Koran predicted refers to the Solar System with all the Planets in orbit around the Sun at a time when everyone wrongly though that the Sun and Planets orbited the Earth. The idea of a Solar System was not known until AD1543 when Copernicus published his Heliocentric ideas. According to Bucaille and others, The Koran miraculously alludes to the modern concept of a Solar System 900 years before Copernicus. It is argued that Mohammed could not have known about this unless he had been told by God. Thus we are told that Surah 37:6 proves the Korans Divine inspiration and the truth of Islam.

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Surah 37:6 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Lo! we have adorned the lowest Heaven with an ornament, the planets.” Yusuf Ali “We have indeed decked the lower Heaven with beauty (in) the stars.” Hilali-Khan “Verily! we have adorned the near Heaven with the stars (for beauty).” Shakir “Surely we have adorned the nearest Heaven with an adornment, the stars.” Sher Ali “We have adorned the lowest Heaven with an adornment - the planets.” Khalifa “We have adorned the lowest Heaven with adorning planets.”

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Surah 37:6 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “We have adorned the lower Heaven with the adornment of the stars.” Palmer “Verily, we have adorned the lower Heaven with the adornment of the stars.” Rodwell “We have adorned the lower Heaven with the adornment of the stars.” Sale “We have adorned the lower Heaven with the ornament of the stars.” Irving “We have beautified the worldly Sky with the splendour of stars.” Dawood “We have decked the lower Heaven with Constellations.”

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Response to Claim 17 (Surah 37:6) 1. 2. 3.

4.

5.

Nowhere in this verse or any other in the Koran does it actually say that the Earth or other Planets orbit the Sun. Many verses of the Koran refer to the Suns moving relative to a stationary Earth. (Surah 2:258, 21:33, 31:29 & 35:13) This verse merely states that there are Planets (or Stars) visible in the Sky. This had been known for thousands of years before Mohammed and such a statement is not at all remarkable. The Koran does not clearly distinguish between Stars and Planets.This suggests that the author of the Koran wrongly considered them to be similar. The concept of a lower Heaven indicates a belief in a solid Sky with Stars and Planets attached or beneath it.

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Aristarchus of Samos Left: The Ancient Greek Philosopher Aristarchus of Samos (310 – 230 BC) Although most Ancient Greeks, such as Aristotle & Ptolemy believed that the Sun & Planets orbited the spherical Earth, not everyone agreed with this. Aristarchus correctly proposed that all the Planets including the Earth are In orbit around the Sun, 1800 years before Copernicus rediscovered the same thing. This idea is far more advanced than anything in the Koran. 10th December 2009

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Surah 37:6 Stars attached to firmament According to the Koran, the Stars are just little lights attached to the solid Sky. Surah 81:1-2 says that the Stars will eventually fall to the ground.

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Surah 37:6 Stars attached to firmament In the Koran, Stars are just little lights hanging from the underside of the floor of Heaven. They are not unlike these oil lamps hanging from the ceiling of a Mosque.

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Claim 17 - Conclusion 1.

Surah 37:6 does not make any reference to the Solar System.

2.

The concept of a Solar System is not in the Koran or in Medieval Islam.

3.

Surah 37:6 is only describing what was known thousands of years before Mohammed and what can be seen with the naked eye.

4.

This is yet another example of Islamic Fundamentalists misinterpreting the Koran in an attempt to prove their beliefs.

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Claim 18 – The existence of Gravity & Planetary orbits around the Sun

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Claim 18 Gravity and orbits around the Sun “No! I swear by the planets-that recede, that ride their course [and] hide themselves.” Surah 81:15-16 Harun Yahya

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Claim 18 Gravity and orbits around the Sun 1.

2.

3.

4.

This claim is that Surah 81:15-16 is an allusion to the Planets of the Solar System revolving around the Sun under the influence of gravity. These verses are said to contain a reference to the fact that sometimes various Planets can be on opposite sides of the Sun and thus hidden from each other. Such modern ideas in the Koran are said to be evidence of its Divine authorship. Modern Science only developed this concept in the 1600’s and so the Koran is said to be 1000 years ahead of its time. It is therefore argued that we should “revert” to Islam in the face of such compelling evidence.

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Astronomers Copernicus

Galileo

Kepler

Newton

Between 1543 and 1689, modern Science discovered that the Earth is One of several Planets orbiting the Sun & under the control of Gravity. Some Muslims claim that this is alluded to in the Koran in Surah 81:15-16 & elsewhere 1000 years earlier. 10th December 2009

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Surah 81:15-16 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Oh, but I call to witness the planets, the stars which rise & set, Yusuf Ali “So verily I call to witness the planets - that recede, go straight, or hide; Hilali Khan “So verily, I swear by the planets that recede (i.e. disappear during the day & appear during the night). And by the planets that move swiftly and hide themselves, Shakir “But nay! I swear by the stars, that run their course (&) hide themselves Sher Ali “Nay! I call to witness those that recede while advancing, rush ahead & then hide. Khalifa “I solemnly swear by the galaxies. precisely running in their orbits. Notice the inaccurate and misleading translation by Khalifa.Not only is This inaccurate, but it does not make sense as Galaxies do not orbit anything. 10th December 2009

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Surah 81:15-16 Khalifa “I solemnly swear by the galaxies, precisely running in their orbits.” Surah 81:15-16 Khalifa Khalifa dishonestly translates the Arabic word for “Planet” as “Galaxy.” Not only, do the other 11 translations contradict him, but his translation does not make sense. Galaxies do not orbit anything. Also, the concept of a Galaxy is unknown in the Koran. 10th December 2009

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Surah 81:15-16 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “No! I swear by the slinkers, the runners, the sinkers.” Palmer “I need not swear by the stars that slink back, moving swiftly, slinking into their dens!” Rodwell “It needs not that I swear by the stars of retrograde motions which move swiftly and hide themselves away.” Sale “Verily I swear by the stars which are retrograde, which move swiftly, [and] which hide themselves.” Irving “So I swear by the planets moving, sweeping along,and night as it draws on.” Dawood “I swear by the turning planets and by the stars that rise and set.”

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Response to Claim 18 (Surah 81:15-16) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Nowhere in this verse or any other in the Koran does it actually say that the Earth or other Planets orbit the Sun. From the other translations, the most likely meaning of these verses is that they refer to the apparent retrograde motion of Planets in the night Sky which was known from Ancient times. An alternative meaning may be that the verses refer to the Planets apparently leaving the Sky during the daytime only to reappear the following night. The Khalifa interpretation of the verses alluding to Galaxies is not an accurate translation, since it is contradicted by 11 other translations. The Koran is merely referring to apparent retrograde planetary motion or the apparent disappearance of the Planets during the daytime.

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Apparent Retrograde Motion of the Planet Mars

This is a composite photograph of the position of Mars in the Sky at the same time every night over a period of weeks. The position of the Planet moves a little more to the left every night, but then it temporarily moves backwards before resuming it normal motion. 10th December 2009

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Retrograde Motion of the Planet Mars In reality, retrograde motion is an illusion caused by the motion of the Earth relative to Planets such as Mars that have larger orbits. As Earth overtakes Mars (or other outer Planets) the illusion of retrograde motion occurs.The author of the Koran seems to think that retrograde motion is real.

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The Ancient Egyptians knew about the retrograde motion of Mars

The Ancient Egyptians referred to Mars as “Sekded ef em khetkhet” (“He who loops the loop”) 10th December 2009

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Claim 18 - Conclusion 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

6.

Surah 81:15-16 does not make any reference to the Solar System or Planets orbiting the Sun. The concept of a Solar System is not in the Koran or in Medieval Islam. Surah 81:15-16 is only describing the movements of objects in the night Sky.These were known thousands of years before Mohammed and can be seen with the naked eye. Believing that the retrograde movement of Planets was real shows that the author of the Koran did not know about Heliocentric Cosmology. The Khalifa translation is corrupt and not accurate.Creating this translation was probably one of the reasons why Khalifa was murdered by Muslim extremists.No Muslims ever conceived of the idea of a Galaxy before the C20th. This is yet another example of Islamic Fundamentalists misinterpreting the Koran in an attempt to prove their beliefs.

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Claim 19 – The existence of Gravity was referred to in the Koran

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Claim 19 Gravity foretold in Koran “God is the one who raised the Heavens without any pillars you can see, then he firmly established himself on the throne & he subjected the Sun & the Moon .. .” Surah 13:2 “God created the Heavens without any pillars you can see” Surah 31:10

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Claim 19 Gravity foretold in Koran 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

According to some Muslims Surah 13:2 & 31:10 poetically describes gravity over 1000 years before Newton as “unseen pillars.” The pillars that cannot be seen are said to be the force of Gravity that keep Heavenly bodies in their orbits. How, we are asked could Mohammed, a simple and uneducated man have possibly known about such advanced scientific ideas unless he received them from God 1400 years ago? Some Muslims conclude from this that these verses prove the Divine origin of the Koran and the truth of Islam. As with other similar claims, we are urged to accept the truth of Islam and convert (or “revert”) to Islam, the only true religion.

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Surah 13:2 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Allah it is who raised up the Heavens without visible supports … and compelled the Sun and the Moon to be of service.” Yusuf Ali “God is we who raised the Heavens without any pillars that ye can see … he has subjected the Sun and the Moon (to his Law)!” Hilali-Khan “Allah is we who raised the Heavens without any pillars that you can see … he has subjected the Sun and the Moon (to continue going round)!” Shakir “Allah is we who raised the Heavens without any pillars that you see … and he made the Sun and the Moon subservient. (to you)” Sher Ali “Allah is he who raised up the Heavens without any pillars that you can see …and he pressed the Sun and the Moon into your service.” Khalifa “God is the one who raised the Heavens without pillars that you can see … he committed the Sun and the Moon, each running (in its orbit) for a predetermined period.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 13:2 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “God is he who raised up the Heavens without pillars you can see …. He subjected the Sun & the Moon, each one running to a term stated.” Palmer “God it is who has raised the Heavens without columns that ye can see …. & subjected the Sun & the Moon; each one runs on to a stated and appointed time.” Rodwell “It is God who hath reared the Heavens without pillars thou canst behold; …. & imposed laws on the Sun & Moon: each travelleth to its appointed goal.” Sale “[It is] God who hath raised the Heavens without visible pillars; …. & compelled the Sun & the Moon to perform their services: Every [of the heavenly bodies] runneth an appointed course.“ Irving “God is the one who has raised up the Heavens without any support you can see.… and regulated the sun and moon; each runs along on a specific course Dawood “It was God who raised the Heavens without visible pillars …. & pressed the Sun and Moon into his service, each pursuing an appointed course.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 31:10 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “He hath created the Heavens without supports that ye can see, and hath cast into the Earth firm hills, so that it quake not with you.” Yusuf Ali “He created the Heavens without any pillars that ye can see; He set on the Earth mountains standing firm, lest it should shake with you.” Hilali-Khan “He has created the Heavens without any pillars, that you see and has set on the Earth firm mountains, lest it should shake with you.” Shakir “He created the Heavens without pillars as you see them, and put mountains upon the Earth lest it might convulse with you.” Sher Ali “He has created the Heavens without any pillars that you can see, and he has placed in the Earth firm mountains that it may not quake with you.” Khalifa “He created the Heavens without pillars that you can see. He established on Earth stabilizers (mountains) lest it tumbles with you.”

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Surah 31:10 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “He created the Heavens without pillars you can see, and He cast on the Earth firm mountains, lest it shake with you.” Palmer “He created the Heavens without pillars that ye can see, and He threw upon the Earth firm mountains lest it should move with you.” Rodwell “Without pillars that can be seen hath He created the Heavens, and on the Earth hath thrown mountains lest it should move with you.” Sale “He hath created the Heavens without visible pillars [to sustain them], and hath thrown on the Earth [mountains] firmly rooted, lest it should move with you.” Irving “He has created the Heavens without any visible support. He has cast headlands on the Earth lest it sway with you.” Dawood “He raised the Heavens without any visible pillars & set firm mountains on the Earth lest it should shake with you.”

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Response to Claim 19 (Surah 13:2/31:10) 1.

2. 3. 4.

5.

How is it that Medieval Muslims never discovered Gravity before Newton if it is in the Koran? Did Muslims misunderstand the Koran for centuries? Various translations of these verses indicate that they refer to the Sky overhead and not the Universe in general. These verses refer to the Sky being lifted up above the Earth when God created the Universe. These verses do not deny the existence of pillars or say that they are invisible.They say that the pillars that hold up the Sky are hidden so as not to be seen. The idea of the Sky being lifted up is common in many Ancient Mythologies.

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Pillars of the Sky (Surah 13:2/31:10) In the time of Mohammed & for centuries before his Pillars were used to hold up the roof in large buildings.

“And we have made the sky a roof withheld (from them). Yet they turn away from its portents.” Surah 21:32 (Pickthall) 10th December 2009

The Koran describes the Sky as being a roof, canopy or dome held up by pillars that are hidden. Surah 2:22 /21:32 /40:64

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Mesopotamian Cosmos

In the Cosmology of Ancient Mesopotamia, the Sky was held up by pillars that could not be seen. (See Item 11) The reason why they could not be seen was because they were underwater.

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Biblical Cosmos

In the Bible, the Sky is also held up by unseen pillars.They are usually described as the pillars or foundations of the Sky or Heaven. (See Item 16)

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The Cosmos of the Koran

It seems that the Koran has a similar concept of the Universe to that of Ancient Mesopotamia & the Bible.The reason for the Pillars of the Sky being unseen is because they are hidden underwater. (See Item 11) 10th December 2009

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Claim 19 - Conclusion 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

There is no explicit reference to Gravity in Surah 13:2, 31:10 or anywhere else in the Koran. The Koran does not say that there are no pillars. It says that they exist but that they are unseen or hidden. The pillars referred to are most likely literal and unseen due to them being hidden out of sight. Such ideas were widespread in the Ancient World thousands of years before Mohammed. The verses do not show any advanced Scientific knowledge.In fact, they show the opposite and are an example of a scientific error in the Koran.

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Claim 20 – More Gravity

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Claim 20 Gravity mentioned in the Koran “Did we not make the Earth a receptacle?” Surah 77:25 According to some Islamic Fundamentalists, this verse is supposed to be a reference to the force of gravity holding, everything On Earth securely on the ground http://www.miraclesofthequran.com/scientific_95.html

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Claim 20 Gravity foretold in Koran 1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

According to some Muslims Surah 77:25 poetically describes gravity over 1000 years before Newton. Due to Gravity, the Earth holds or contains everything on it securely. How, we are asked could Mohammed, a simple and uneducated man have possibly known about such advanced scientific ideas unless he received them from God 1400 years ago? Some Muslims conclude from this that these verses prove the Divine origin of the Koran and the truth of Islam. As with other similar claims, we are urged to accept the truth of Islam and convert (or “revert”) to Islam, the only true religion.

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Surah 77:25-26 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Have we not made the Earth a receptacle,both for the living and the dead.” Yusuf Ali “Have we not made the Earth (as a place) to draw together,the living and the dead.” Hilali-Khan “Have we not made the Earth a receptacle for the living and the dead?” Shakir “Have we not made the Earth to draw together to itself, the living and the dead.” Sher Ali “Have we not made the Earth so as to hold the living and the dead? .” Khalifa “Did we not make the Earth an abode for the living and the dead?”

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Surah 77:25-26 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “Made We not the Earth to be a housing for the living and for the dead?” Palmer “Have we not made for them the Earth to hold the living and the dead? .” Rodwell “Have we not made the Earth to hold The living and the dead?” Sale Have we not made the Earth to contain the living and the dead.“ Irving “Have We not placed the Earth as a round up for the living and the dead?” Dawood “Have we not made the Earth a home for the living and the dead?”

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Response to Claim 20 (Surah 77:25) 1.

There is no mention of Gravity in any translation of this verse.

2.

All that the verse says is that God made the Earth as a home for the living and the dead.There is nothing remarkable about this statement.

3.

This verse is merely saying that the Earths surface is for the living and that underground is for the dead.

4.

The reference to the Earth containing the dead may simply refer to the burial of the dead or it may refer to Hell being underground.

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Surah 77:25 A Container Universe Sky is like a roof

Flat Earth like a floor

Hell

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This verse of the Koran describes the Earth as a home for the living & the dead. This may refer to the Earth being flat like the floor of a house and the Sky being like the roof of a house. Only on a Flat Earth, are being “on” The Earth & being “in” the Earth synonymous.

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Claim 20 - Conclusion 1. 2.

3.

4.

There is no explicit reference to Gravity in Surah 77:25 or anywhere else in the Koran.This is a very weak argument. All that Surah 77:25 says is that Earth was made as a home for the living and the dead.This statement is not at all miraculous in any way. There are hints in this verse that people on the Earths surface are “in” the Earth as well as being “on” the Earth.This only makes sense on a Flat Earth. Surah 77:25 makes no reference at all to gravity and so this alleged Scientific Miracle is yet another fraud by Islamic Fundamentalists.

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Claim 21 – Extra-Solar Planets

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Claim 21 Extra-Solar Planets "God is the One Who created seven Heavens and of the Earth a similar number. The Command descends among them so that you know that God has power over all things and comprehends all things in His knowledge." Surah 65:12 Bucaille Left: Evidence of planets orbiting the Star Beta Pictoris.

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Claim 21 Extra-solar Planets 1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

In recent years, Astronomers have detected planets in orbit around nearby Stars.Some Muslims claim that this was miraculously predicted 1400 years ago in the Koran. (Surah 65:12 ) It is further claimed that Surah 65:12 alludes to the Copernican idea that Stars are Suns like our own and that each has Planets including some like the Earth in orbit, all 900 years before Copernicus. It is claimed that this refutes the erroneous geocentric Cosmology of Ptolemy that was prevalent in the time of Mohammed and that such advanced Scientific knowledge can only have come from God. All this Scientific knowledge, centuries ahead of its time is said to prove the Divine origin of the Koran and the truth of the religion of Islam. However, if we check the Hadith, it becomes apparent that the “Seven Earths” really refer to. 10th December 2009

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Surah 65:12 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Allah “it is who hath created seven Heavens, and of the Earth the like thereof. Yusuf Ali “God is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the Earth a similar number.” Hilali-Khan “It is Allah Who has created seven Heavens and of the Earth the like thereof (i.e. seven).” Shakir “Allah is He Who created seven Heavens, and of the Earth the like of them.” Sher Ali “Allah is he who created seven Heavens, and of the Earth the like thereof.” Khalifa “God created seven Universes and the same number of Earths.” Another dishonest and inaccurate translation by Khalifa. The other 11 contradict him. translations 10th December 2009

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Surah 65:12 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “It is God who created seven Heavens, and of Earth their like.“ Palmer “God it is who created seven heavens, and of the earth the like thereof.” Rodwell “It is God who hath created seven Heavens and as many Earths.” Sale “[It is] God who hath created seven Heavens, and as many [different stories] of the Earth.” Irving “God is the One Who created seven Heavens, and the same [number of planets] which are like the Earth.” Dawood “It is God who has created seven Heavens and Earths as many.”

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Response to Claim 21 (Surah 65:12) 1. 2. 3. 4.

There is no explicit mention of extra-solar Planets in this or any other verse in the Koran. If we check the Hadith, it becomes apparent that the “Seven Earths” really refer to – seven layers of Hell under the Earths surface. The “Seven Earths” or Seven Hells are similar to that in other ancient Mythologies and resemble Hell in Dante’s Divine Comedy. The belief in “Seven Earths” beneath our feet is ultimately derived from the writings of other Ancient Religions in the Middle East and possibly India.

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Seven Earths or levels of Hell below us. Al-Tirmidhi 5735 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah He (Mohammed) then asked, "Do you know what is below you?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) knew best, he said, "It is the earth." He then asked, "Do you know what is under that?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) knew best, he said, "Under it there is another Earth with a journey of five hundred years between them," and so on till he had counted seven earths with a journey of five hundred years between each pair. He then said, "By Him in Whose hand Muhammad's soul is, if you were to drop a rope to the lowest earth it would not pass out of Allah's knowledge."

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Hell is under the Earths surface

Earth

Hell (Seven Earths)

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According to Al-Tirmidhi, Mohammed explicitly stated that seven Earths or levels of Hell are a place under the Earths surface.

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Seven Earths = Seven Hells Flat Earth

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 10th December 2009

Seven Hells under the

The Seven Earths have nothing to do with extra-solar planets. They refer to the seven levels of the Islamic Hell which supposedly exist underground.

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Medieval Christian Hell with multiple levels.

In the Middle Ages, Christians also believed in a multi-level Hell where sinners were tormented.

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Surah 65:12 Seven Levels of Hell

The Koran seems to refer to Hell having seven layers. This is a similar concept to that in Dante’s Divine Comedy. Indeed, Dante may have been influenced by the Koran. 10th December 2009

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Seven layer Hell under the Earth Al-Bukhari Volume 3 Book 43 Number 632: Narrated Said bin Zaid: Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever usurps the land of somebody unjustly, his neck will be encircled with it down the seven earths (on the Day of Resurrection). " Al-Bukhari Volume 3 Book 43 Number 633: Narrated Abu Salama: That there was a dispute between him and some people (about a piece of land). When he told 'Aisha about it, she said, "O Abu Salama! Avoid taking the land unjustly, for the Prophet said, 'Whoever usurps even one span of the land of somebody, his neck will be encircled with it down the seven earths." Al-Bukhari Volume 3 Book 43 Number 634: Narrated Salim's father (i.e. 'Abdullah): The Prophet said, "Whoever takes a piece of the land of others unjustly, he will sink down the seven earths on the Day of Resurrection." 10th December 2009

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Seven layer Hell under the Earth Al-Bukhari Volume 4 Book 54 Number 417: Narrated Muhammad bin Ibrahim bin Al-Harith: from Abu Salama bin 'Abdur-Rahman who had a dispute with some people on a piece of land, and so he went to 'Aisha and told her about it. She said, "O Abu Salama, avoid the land, for Allah's Apostle said, 'Any person who takes even a span of land unjustly, his neck shall be encircled with it down seven earths.' " Al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 418: Narrated Salim's father: The Prophet said, "Any person who takes a piece of land unjustly will sink down the seven earths on the Day of Resurrection." Al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 54, Number 420: Narrated Said bin Zaid bin Amr bin Nufail: That Arwa sued him before Marwan for a right, which she claimed, he had deprived her of. On that Said said, "How should I deprive her of her right? I testify that I heard Allah's Apostle saying, 'If anyone takes a span of land unjustly, his neck will be encircled with it down seven earths on the Day of Resurrection." 10th December 2009

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Buddhist Hells The idea of a multi layered Underworld where the wicked were punished was known in India many centuries before Jesus or Mohammed lived. Flat Earth

Multi-layered Underworld

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Response to Claim 21 (Surah 65:12) 1.

If this claim is correct, then why did Muslims not predict extra-solar planets hundreds of years ago before Copernicus.

2.

According to the Hadith that the Seven Earths refer to Hell and not Alien Planets.

3.

This claim is complete nonsense and is based on wishful thinking and taking verses from the Koran out of context.

4.

The non-existence of seven Earths or layers of a Hell is yet another Scientific Error in the Koran which disproves its supposed Divine origin.

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Claim 22 – The Koran refers to the Suns motion around the Galaxy & its rotation on its axis

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Claim 22 Suns motion around Galaxy and upon its axis

Surah 21:33 & Surah 36:40 Bucaille (See next slide)

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Claim 22 Suns motion around Galaxy and upon its axis "(God is) the One Who created the night, the day, the Sun and the Moon. Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion." Surah 21:33 Bucaille "The Sun must not catch up the Moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. Each one is traveling in an orbit with its own motion." Surah 36:40 Bucaille

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Claim 22 Suns motion around Galaxy and upon its axis 1.

This claim is that the Koran predicted two modern Astronomical discoveries 1300 years before modern Science.

2.

Firstly, the Suns orbit around the our Galaxy which occurs once every 200 million years or so & secondly, the fact that the Sun rotates on its axis approximately once per month.

3.

This is said to prove the Korans Divine origin, since people living 1400 years ago could not have known such things.

4.

As in the case of other supposed Scientific Miracles, proponents of this argument urge us to reflect on this “miracle” and urge us to convert (or “revert”) to Islam.

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Surah 21:33 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “And he it is who created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon. They float, each in an orbit.” Yusuf Ali “It is he who created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon: all (the celestial bodies) swim along, each in its rounded course.” Hilali-Khan “And he it is who has created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon, each in an orbit floating.” Shakir “And he it is who created the night and the day and the Sun and the Moon; all (orbs) travel along swiftly in their celestial spheres.” Sher Ali “And he it is who created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon, each gliding along smoothly in its orbit.” Khalifa “And he is the one who created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon; each floating in its own orbit.”

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Surah 21:33 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “It is he who created the night and the day, the Sun and the Moon, each swimming in a sky.” Palmer “He it is who created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon, each floating in a sky.” Rodwell “And he it is who hath created the night and the day, and the Sun and the Moon, each moving swiftly in its sphere”. Sale “It is he who hath created the night, and the day, and the Sun, and the Moon; all [the celestial bodies] move swiftly, [each] in [its respective] orb.” Irving “He is the One Who has created night and daylight, and the sun and the moon; each floats along in an orbit.” Dawood “It was he who created the night and the day, the Sun and the Moon:each moves swiftly in an orbit of its qwn.”

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Surah 36:40 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “It is not for the Sun to overtake the Moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day. They float each in an orbit.” Yusuf Ali “It is not permitted to the Sun to catch up the Moon, nor can the Night outstrip the Day: Each (just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law).” Hilali-Khan “It is not for the Sun to overtake the Moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.” Shakir Neither is it allowable to the Sun that it should overtake the Moon, nor can the night outstrip the day; and all float on in a sphere.” Sher Ali “It is not for the Sun to overtake the Moon, nor can the night outstrip the day. All of them float smoothly in an orbit.” Khalifa “The Sun is never to catch up with the Moon - the night and the day never deviate - each of them is floating in its own orbit.”

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Surah 36:40 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “It behoves not the Sun to overtake the Moon, neither does the night outstrip the day, each swimming in a sky”. Palmer “Neither is it proper for it (the Sun) to catch up the Moon, nor for the night to outstrip the day, but each one floats on in its sky.” Rodwell “To the Sun it is not given to overtake the Moon, nor doth the night outstrip the day; but each in its own sphere doth journey on.” Sale “It is not expedient that the Sun should overtake the Moon [in her course]; neither doth the night outstrip the day: But each [of these luminaries] moveth in a [peculiar] orbit.” Irving “The Sun dare not overtake the Moon nor does night outpace the day. Each floats along in its own orbit. Dawood “The Sun is not allowed to overtake the Moon nor does the night outpace the day.Each in its own orbit swims,” 10th December 2009

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Response to Claim 22 (Surah 21:33/36:40) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

If this claim is correct, then why did Muslims not predict the Suns orbit of the Galaxy hundreds of years ago? There is no reference to the Galaxy in these verses or any other verses in the Koran.The concept of a Galaxy is unknown in the Koran. There are no references to the Sun rotating on its axis in the Koran. These verses imply that the Sun and Moon have similar orbits associated with the passage of night and day. The motion of the Sun is actually referring to a belief in Geocentric Cosmology with the Sun & Moon moving relative to a stationary Earth. The existence of such Scientific errors in the Koran disproves its alleged Divine origin.

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Copernicus & Ptolemy

Ptolemy (AD90 - 168)

For most of Human History, it was believed that the Earth was stationary at the centre of the Universe & that the Sun was just a little light that moved across the Sky. This incorrect Geocentric view was popularised by the Ancient Greek writer Ptolemy. Copernicus first proposed the correct modern view that the Earth orbits the Sun & not Vice-verse.

Copernicus (AD1473 -1543) 10th December 2009

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Surah 21:33 Sun and Moon above Earth This verse makes no reference to the Milky Way Galaxy. Such as concept is not known in the Koran. This is what this verse & others like it are really referring to.

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Suns movement literal before Copernicus When the Koran speaks of the Sun rising and setting, it means this literally and not figuratively. Before Copernicus, when people used terms like “Sunrise” & “Sunset”, they meant Them literally.

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Claim 22 (Surah 21:33/36:40) - Conclusion 1.

Nowhere in the Koran are there explicit references to the Sun orbiting the Galaxy or rotating on its axis.

2.

Before Copernicus, the Suns orbit referred to it supposedly orbiting the Earth.

3.

Such ideas were prevalent during the time of Mohammed and reflect contemporary views rather than divine revelation.

4.

The presence of such erroneous Astronomical views demonstrate that the Koran is a human inspired book.

5.

Far from supporting the Korans supposed divine origin Surah 21:33 & 36:40 refute this claim.

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Claim 23 – The Koran refers to the Sun moving toward the Constellation of Lyra

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Claim 23 Sun moving towards Constellation Lyra "The Sun runs its course to a settled place. This is the decree of the All Mighty, the full of Knowledge.“ Surah 36:38 Bucaille & Harun Yahya

Recently, it has been discovered that the Solar System is moving towards the Constellation Lyra. 10th December 2009

According to this claim, Surah 36:38 is an example of a Scientific Miracle in the Koran which proves the truth of Islam.

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Surah 36:38 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “And the sun runneth on unto a resting-place for him. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Wise.” Yusuf Ali “And the sun runs his course for a period determined for him: that is the decree of (Him), the Exalted in Might, the All-Knowing.” Hilali-Khan ”And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing.” Shakir “And the sun runs on to a term appointed for it; that is the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing.” Sher Ali “And the sun is moving on to its determined goal. That is the Khalifa “The sun sets into a specific location, according to the design of the Almighty, the Omniscient.”

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Surah 36:38 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “And the sun -- it runs to a fixed resting-place; that is the ordaining of the All-mighty, the All-knowing.” Palmer “And the sun runs on to a place of rest for it; that is the Rodwell “And the Sun hasteneth to her place of rest. This, the ordinance of the Mighty, the Knowing!” Sale “And the sun hasteneth to his place of rest. This [is] the disposition of the mighty, the wise [God].” Irving “The sun runs along on a course of its own. Such is the design of the Powerful, the Aware!” Dawood “The Sun hastens to its resting place:Its course is laid for it by the Mighty One, the All Knowing.”

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Response to Claim 23 (Surah 36:38) 1. 2.

3.

4. 5.

Surah 36:38 does not mention the Constellation Lyra or any other location in Outer Space. Reading multiple translations shows that the reference Suns movement is describing the apparent motion of the Sun across the Sky during the hours of daylight.The Koran does not know that this apparent motion is not real & that it is due to the Earths rotation. The resting place of the Sun is not in Lyra.It is the location on the horizon where the Sun appears to set.Surah 18:85-86 describes the Sun going underwater to its resting place. Surah 36:38 is saying that at night the Sun leaves the Sky and goes somewhere else.This implies a flat stationary Earth. See the following slides for more on the resting place of the Sun.

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Surah 18:85-86 The Sun going to its resting place. The Sun sets in a muddy pool of water in the West. The Koran describes this as being a specific place that people can go to

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Surah 18:85-86 Resting place of the Sun. Pickthall “And he followed a road till, when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring.” Yusuf Ali “One (such) way he followed, until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it set in a spring of murky water.” Hilali-Khan “So he followed a way. until, when he reached the setting place of the sun, he found it setting in a spring of black muddy (or hot) water. Shakir “So he followed a course. until when he reached the place where the sun set, he found it going down into a black sea.” Sher Ali “The he followed a certain way. until when he reached the setting-place of the sun, he found it setting as if in a pool of murky water.” Khalifa “Then, he pursued one way. When he reached the far west, he found the sun setting in a vast ocean.”

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Surah 18:85-86 Continued Arberry “Then he followed a way until, when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a muddy spring Palmer “Then he followed a way until when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it setting in a black muddy spring Rodwell ”Then followed he a route,until when he reached the setting of the sun, he found it to set in a miry fount Sale “Then he continued [his] way until he came to the place where the sun setteth; [and] he found it to set in a spring of black mud Irving “So he followed a [certain] course until when he reached the place where the sun sets, he found it setting in a mucky spring.” Dawood “He journeyed on a certain road until he reached the West and saw the Sun setting in a pool of black mud.”

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Allah on his throne up in Heaven

West

Earth

East

Where does the Sun go at night? According to the Hadith, at night, the Sun leaves the Sky and prostrates itself in its resting place beneath the throne of Allah. Later on, just before dawn, it leaves and then rises in the East.

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Where does the Sun go at night? (Al-Bukhari) Volume 4, Book 54, Number 421: Narrated Abu Dhar: The Prophet asked me at sunset, "Do you know where the sun goes (at the time of sunset)?" I replied, "Allah and His Apostle know better." He said, "It goes (i.e. travels) till it prostrates Itself underneath the Throne and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted and then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the Statement of Allah: "And the sun runs its fixed course For a term (decreed). that is The Decree of (Allah) The Exalted in Might, The All-Knowing." (36.38) 10th December 2009

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Where does the Sun go at night? (Al-Bukhari) Volume 9, Book 93, Number 528: Narrated Abu Dharr: I asked the Prophet regarding the Verse:--'And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term decreed for it.' (36.28) He said, "Its fixed course is underneath Allah's Throne."

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Where does the Sun go at night? (Sahih Muslim) Book 001, Number 0297: It is narrated on the authority of Abu Dharr that the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) one day said: Do you know where the sun goes? They replied: Allah and His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) observed: Verily it (the sun) glides till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it falls prostrate and remains there until it is asked: Rise up and go to the place whence you came, and it goes back and continues emerging out from its rising place and then glides till it reaches its place of rest under the Throne and falls prostrate and remains in that state until it is asked: Rise up and return to the place whence you came, and it returns and emerges out from it rising place and the it glides (in such a normal way) that the people do not discern anything ( unusual in it) till it reaches its resting place under the Throne. Then it would be said to it: Rise up and emerge out from the place of your setting, and it will rise from the place of its setting. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said. Do you know when it would happen? It would happen at the time when faith will not benefit one who has not previously believed or has derived no good from the faith. 10th December 2009

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Where does the Sun go at night? (Sahih Muslim) Book 001, Number 0299: Abu Dharr reported: I entered the mosque and the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) was sitting there. When the sun disappeared (from the sight) he said: O Abu Dharr! Do you know where it goes? He (the narrator) said: Allah and His Apostle know best. He (the Holy Prophet) said. Verily it goes and begs permission, for prostration (to Allah) and the permission is granted to it. Once it would be said: Return to the place whence you came, and then it would rise from its setting place. Then he, after the recitation of 'Abdullah recited it: And that is its appointed term. Book 001, Number 0300: Abu Dharr reported: I asked the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) the (implication of the) words of Allah, the Exalted: The sun glides to its appointed resting place. He replied: Its appointed resting place is under the Throne. 10th December 2009

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Claim 23 (Surah 36:38) - Conclusion 1.

References in the Koran and Hadith make it clear that when the Koran mentions the Suns motion, it is wrongly assuming Geocentric Cosmology with the Sun literally moving above a stationary Earth.

2.

The resting place of the Sun is beneath the throne of God.It gets there by coming down from the Sky at night and going underwater.From there, gets above the Sky dome and goes up to Heaven.

3.

Such absurd ideas prove that the Koran is a human book with the limited knowledge of Mohammed and his contemporaries.

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Claim 24 – The Koran says that the Moon shines by reflected light

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Claim 24 Moon shines by reflected light & the phases of the Moon "Blessed is the One Who placed the constellations in heaven & placed therein a lamp & a moon giving light." Surah 25:61 Bucaille & Harun Yahya Also, Surah 71:15-16, Surah 78:12-13

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Claim 24 Moon shines by reflected light unlike the Sun “Blessed be He Who hath placed in the Heaven mansions of the Stars, & hath placed therein a great lamp & a Moon giving light!” Surah 25:61 Pickthall “See ye not how Allah hath created seven heavens in harmony & hath made the Moon a light therein, & made the Sun a lamp?” Surah 71:15-16 Pickthall According to this claim, the Sun is described as a lamp, an object that creates light, while the Moon is merely described as a light, implying that its light is different in nature since it is merely reflected. Lamp = Source of light. Light = Reflected light

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Claim 24 Moon shines by reflected light 1.

According to some Muslims, the Koran refers to the Moon as shining by reflected light rather than by light of its own centuries before modern Science discovered this.

2.

The claim is that “Lamp” = Source of light but that “Light” = Reflected light.

3.

This advanced Scientific knowledge is said to be further proof that the Koran contains information from God that Mohammed or anyone else in the C7th could have known.

4.

As with other similar examples, we are supposed to reflect on this and “revert” to Islam in the light of such compelling evidence.

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Surah 25:61 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Blessed be he who hath placed in the Heaven mansions of the Stars, and hath placed therein a great lamp and a Moon giving light!” Yusuf Ali “Blessed is he who made constellations in the Skies, and placed therein a lamp and a Moon giving light” Hilali Khan “Blessed be he who has placed in the Heaven big Stars, and has placed therein a great lamp (Sun), and a Moon giving light.” Shakir “Blessed is he who made the constellations in the Heavens and made therein a lamp and a shining Moon.” Sher Ali “Blessed is he who has made in the Heaven mansions of Stars and has placed therein a lamp producing light and a Moon that reflects light.” Khalifa “Most blessed is the one who placed constellations in the Sky, and placed in it a lamp, and a shining Moon.”

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Surah 25:61 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “Blessed be he who has set in Heaven constellations, and has set among them a lamp, and an illuminating Moon.” Palmer “Blessed be he who placed in the Heavens zodiacal signs, and placed therein the lamp and an illuminating Moon!” Rodwell “Blessed be he who hath placed in the Heaven the sign of the Zodiac! who hath placed in it the lamp of the Sun, and the light-giving Moon!” Sale “Blessed be he who hath placed [the twelve] signs in the Heavens; and hath placed therein a lamp [by day], and the Moon which shineth [by night]!” Irving “Blessed is the one who has placed constellations in the Sky and set a beacon in it, plus a shining Moon!” Dawood “Blessed be he who decked the Sky with constellations and set in it a lamp and a shining Moon.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 71:15-16 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “See ye not how Allah hath created seven Heavens in harmony, & hath made the Moon a light therein, & made the Sun a lamp?” Yusuf Ali “See ye not how God has created the seven Heavens one above another, & made the Moon a light in their midst, & made the Sun as a (Glorious) lamp?” Hilali-Khan “See you not how Allah has created the seven Heavens one above another, & has made the Moon a light therein, & made the Sun a lamp?” Shakir “Do you not see how Allah has created the seven Heavens, one above another & made the Moon therein a light, & made the Sun a lamp?” Sher Ali “See you not how Allah has created seven Heavens in perfect harmony, & has placed the Moon, therein a light, & made the Hun a lamp?” Khalifa “Do you not realize that God created seven Universes in layers? He designed the Moon therein to be a light, & placed the Sun to be a lamp.” Notice the biased & inaccurate Khalifa translation which is contradicted by The other 11 translations & which does not make sense.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 71:15-16 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “Have you not regarded how God created seven Heavens one upon another, and set the Moon therein for a light and the Sun for a lamp?” Palmer “Do ye not see how God has created the seven Heavens in stories, and has set the Moon therein for a light, and set the Sun for a lamp?” Rodwell “See ye not how God hath created the seven Heavens one over the other? And He hath placed therein the Moon as a light, and hath placed there the Sun as a torch.” Sale “Do ye not see how God hath created the seven Heavens, one above another; and hath placed the Moon therein for a light, and hath appointed the Sun for a taper?” Irving “Have you not (all) considered how God created seven matching Heavens? He has set the Moon as a light among them, and set the Sun up as a source of light.” Dawood “Can you not see how God created the seven Heavens, one above the other, placing in them the Moon for a light & the Sun for a lantern.” 10th December 2009

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Response to Claim 24 (Surah 25:61 ) 1. 2.

3. 4.

5.

The fact that the moon shines by reflected light was known in Ancient times. The Ancient Greek Philosophers Anaxagoras (500 BC – 428 BC) & Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) both knew that the Moon shone by reflected light and understood the phases of the Moon. There is nothing remarkable about the Koran apparently referring to this 1000 years later. It is unclear if the author of the Koran actually knows that that the Moon shines by reflected light.The terms “lamp” and “light” are used interchangeably in the Koran. Surah 33:45-46 and 24:35 suggests that the Koran does not distinguish between light emitted from a source and reflected light.

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Anaxagoras – Moon shines by reflected light

Anaxagoras (500 BC – 428 BC)

Around 500 BC, the Ancient Greek Philosopher Anaxagoras proposed the idea that the Moon was a large rock that shone by reflected sunlight. He argued that this was true since the Moon was dark during a lunar eclipse. The Athenians imprisoned him for blasphemy since they thought that the Moon was a God.

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Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC)

Aristotle – Moon shines by reflected light Aristotle also knew that the Moon shines by reflected sunlight. One of his proofs that the Earth is a sphere is that its shadow on the Moon after an eclipse is always curved. (On the Heavens Book 2 Ch 14) His observation that the Moon only lights up outside Earths shadow shows that he knew that it shone by reflected light.

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The terms “lamp” and “light” in the Koran “O Prophet! Lo! We have sent thee as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner. And as a summoner unto Allah by His permission, and as a lamp that giveth light.” Pickthall 33:45-46 “Allah is the light of the Heavens and the Earth. The similitude of His light is as a niche wherein is a lamp. The lamp is in a glass. The glass is as it were a shining star. (This lamp is) kindled from a blessed tree, an olive neither of the East nor of the West, whose oil would almost glow forth (of itself) though no fire touched it. Light upon light. Allah guideth unto His light whom He will. And Allah speaketh to mankind in allegories, for Allah is Knower of all things.” Pickthall 24:35 These verses show that the words “lamp” and “light” are used interchangeably. Furthermore if the Koran Science interpretation is correct then Allah is merely the reflected light of Mohammed. 10th December 2009

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Surah 36:39 Phases of the Moon in the Koran. According to the Koran, the Moon withers each month. In reality only the lighting changes. the Moon itself is unchanged.

“And for the Moon We have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf.” Surah 36:39 Pickthall 10th December 2009

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Surah 36:39 The Moon withers every month Pickthall “And for the Moon we have appointed mansions till she return like an old shrivelled palm-leaf.” Yusuf Ali “And the Moon, - we have measured for her mansions (to traverse) till she returns like the old (and withered) lower part of a datestalk.” Hilali-Khan “And the Moon, we have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk.” Shakir “And (as for) the Moon, we have ordained for it stages till it becomes again as an old dry palm branch.” Sher Ali “And for the Moon we have appointed stages, till it becomes again like an old dry twig of a palm-tree.” Khalifa “The Moon we designed to appear in stages, until it becomes like an old curved sheath.“ 10th December 2009

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Surah 36:39 Continued Arberry “And the Moon -- We have determined it by stations, till it returns like an aged palm-bough.” Palmer “And the Moon, we have ordered for it stations, until it comes again to be like an old dry palm branch.” Rodwell “And as for the Moon, we have decreed stations for it, till it change like an old and crooked palm branch.” Sale “And for the Moon have we appointed [certain] mansions, until she [change and] return [to be] like the old branch of a palm-tree.” Irving “And We have designed phases for the Moon so it finally appears again like an old palm frond.” Dawood “We have ordained phases for the Moon, which daily wanes and in the end appears like a bent old twig.”

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Surah 36:39 Mansions of the Moon Seven Heavens

Mansions of the Moon

Flat Earth

There is no indication in the Koran that the Earth is spherical and rotating. In order to explain the disappearance of the Moon during the daytime, the Koran assumes “Mansions” in the Sky for the Moon to retreat into

The Koran refers to the moon entering Mansions in the Sky every night. In Medieval Astronomy, there were 28 Mansions, one for each day of the month 10th December 2009

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Claim 24 (Surah 36:39) - Conclusion 1.

There is nothing miraculous about somebody 1400 years ago understanding the phases of the Moon and that it shines by reflected light.This was known for over 1000 years before Mohammed.

2.

The Koran does not explicitly state that the Moon shines by reflected light.

3.

The terms “light”and “lamp” are used interchangeably and imply nothing about light emission or reflection.

4.

It is doubtful if the author of the Koran understood the phases of the Moon or that the Moon shines by reflected light.This cast doubt upon the books supposed Divine origin.

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Claim 25 – There is Scientific evidence for Mohammed splitting the Moon

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Claim 25 Moon Split Evidence “The hour drew nigh & the moon was rent in twain. And if they behold a portent they turn away and say: Prolonged illusion. They denied (the Truth) and followed their own lusts. Yet everything will come to a decision” Surah 54:1-3 Al-Bukhari Volume 4, Book 56, Number 831: Narrated Anas: “That the Meccan people requested Allah's Apostle to show them a miracle, & so he showed them the splitting of the moon.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 54:1 The Moon split in two Left: Traditional Islamic representation of the supposed miracle of the splitting of the Moon over Mecca.Mohammed (with face covered) is said to have performed this miracle in order to convince an especially stubborn group of unbelievers.

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Surah 54:1 Checking the translation Pickthall “The hour drew nigh and the Moon was rent in twain.” Yusuf Ali “The Hour (of Judgment) is nigh, and the Moon is cleft asunder.” Hilali-Khan “The Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder (the people of Makkah requested Prophet Muhammad to show them a miracle, so he showed them the splitting of the Moon). Shakir “The hour drew nigh and the Moon did rend asunder.” Sher Ali “The Hour has drawn nigh, and the Moon is rent asunder.” Arberry “The Hour has drawn nigh: the Moon is split. “ Palmer “The Hour draws nigh, and the Moon is split asunder.” Sale “The hour [of judgement] approacheth; and the Moon hath been split in sunder.” Irving “The Hour approaches and the Moon is splitting apart.” Dawood “The hour of doom is drawing near, & the Moon is cleft in two.”

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Surah 54:1-3 Mohammed splits the Moon 1.

According to the Koran and Hadith, around the year AD 617, Mohammed is supposed to have split the Moon in two.

2.

Some Muslims claim that this miracle has been verified by the discovery of huge cracks on the Moon that show where it was split in two and rejoined.

3.

Vague references are sometimes made to American Space Scientists who are said to have verified this and converted (or “reverted”) to Islam.

4.

This is said to be conclusive proof of a miracle in the Koran and proof of its Divine origin and the truth of Islam. 10th December 2009

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Response to Claim 25 (Surah 54:1 ) 1. 2. 3.

4. 5.

If the Moon really did split in two and rejoin, how come nobody else saw it.Such an event would have been seen by millions, yet there is no record of this happening. Vague stories about an Indian King witnessing this and becoming a Muslim are vague and have no evidence to substantiate them.They are just made up stories. There is no geological evidence to support this.The “cracks” are close up pictures of Rilles or collapsed lava tubes from ancient lava flows.They are just canyons only a few hundreds of meters deep at most.The majority are much smaller. Aerial pictures of Canyons on Earth are no proof that the Earth split in two, so why should Canyons on the Moon be any different? The Moon has been geologically dead for billions of years.If it had split 1400 years ago, it would have re-accreted and the ancient impact craters on its surface would have been wiped out. 10th December 2009

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Earth split in two? Left: An aerial view of the Grand Canyon in Arizona. This is not taken to be evidence that the Earth split in two in the past. However, canyons on the Moon are misinterpreted by Islamic Fundamentalists as evidence of the Moon splitting 1400 years ago.

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What would occur if the Moon split? 1 2

3

5

6

1 The Moon before splitting. 2 Moon split in 2. Both halves collapse. 3 Two smaller Moons formed. 10th December 2009

The Moon has a diameter of 2190 miles. Any object over 300 miles in diameter naturally collapses in on itself forming sphere due to gravity. That is why there are no non-spherical objects.

4

4 Two smaller Moons move together. 5 Two smaller Moons crash together. 6 A new Moon re-accretes.

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Surah 54:1 The Moon did not split in two 1. Firstly, there is no actual record of anyone else on Earth seeing this supposed event. 1. Such an event would produce sufficient debris to destroy all life on Earth. 3. Such an event would cause the Moon to re-accrete and destroy all the surface features such as craters.

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Surah 54:1 The Moon split in two This cartoon is shows the view of the Moon that is in the Koran.If the Moon were considered as being just a little light in the sky, then splitting it would have no consequences on Earth.

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How are Lunar Rilles really formed? There is no need to invoke miracles In order to explain Lunar Rilles. They can be better explained as the remains of collapsed Lava Tubes such as those found on Earth, although on a larger scale. The picture on lower the LHS shows people walking inside a Lava Tube in Hawaii. Volcanic Lava Tubes can explain Lunar Rilles.The Moon has had no Volcanic activity for 3.2 Billion years though. 10th December 2009

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Lunar Rilles are collapsed Lava Tubes 1

Ancient Lava Flow 3.9 – 3.2 Billion years ago

2

Lava erodes / melts ground underneath

3 A Solid Crust forms as surface of Lava cools

Moons surface

4

Lava flows away leaving an empty Lava Tube

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5

Billions of years of Erosion by meteorites destroy the top of the Lava Tube

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Lunar Rilles can be explained by this perfectly natural Geological Process.

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Claim 25 (Surah 54:1) - Conclusion 1.

There is no evidence of the Moon splitting in two 1400 years ago and lots of Historical and Scientific evidence to prove that this did not occur.

2.

The Moon has been Geologically dead for billions of years. Astronauts have been there and checked.

3.

The “cracks” on the Moon are normal Geological features and the cover only a small area and do not go around the Moon.

4.

We can be confident that the Moon did not split in two and this is yet another example of a Scientific error in the Koran which proves its human origin.

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Claim 26 – The Koran alludes to the Star Sirus being a Double-Star

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Claim 26 Sirius double Star

According to this claim, the Koran predicted that the Star Sirius was a double Star, 1400 years ago. 10th December 2009

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Claim 26 Sirius double Star “It is He Who is the Lord of Sirius.” Surah 53:49 Harun Yahya “He was two bow-lengths away or even closer.” Surah 53:9 Harun Yahya

The reference to “two bows” is said to refer to the two orbits of Sirius A and Sirius B respectively.Sirius A has been known for thousands of years, but Sirius B was only discovered in 1862. 10th December 2009

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Sirius – The Dog Star Sirius is often called the “Dog Star” as it is the brightest Star in the Constellation of Canis Major. It is also the brightest Star in the Night Sky.

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Claim 26 Sirius double Star 1.

This claim is that the Koran predicted that the Star Sirius was in fact, a Double Star over 1300 years before this was discovered to be true.

2.

It is asked, how Mohammed could have known this, when it was unknown to the Science of his day?

3.

The only explanation, we are told can only be Divine Revelation.

4.

This is said to prove that the Koran is from God and therefore totally true.

5.

Following this claim, readers are urged to “revert” to Islam.

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Surah 53:49 Checking the translation Pickthall “And that he it is who is the lord of Sirius.” Yusuf Ali “That he is the lord of Sirius. (the Mighty Star)” Hilali-Khan “And that he (Allah) is the lord of Sirius.(the star which the pagan Arabs used to worship)” Shakir “And that he is the lord of the Sirius.” Sher Ali “And that he is the lord of Sirius.” Khalifa “He is the lord of the galaxies.” Arberry “And that it is he who is the Lord of Sirius.” Palmer “And that he is the lord of the Dog-star.” Rodwell “And that he is the lord of Sirius.” Sale “And that he is the lord of the dog-star.” Irving “He is even lord of the dog star.” Dawood “He who is the lord of Sirius.” Notice the inaccurate and misleading translation by Khalifa.The concept of a Galaxy is nowhere in the Koran.The other 11 translations contradict him. 10th December 2009

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Surah 53:7-9 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “When he was on the uppermost horizon. Then he drew nigh and came down till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer.” Yusuf Ali “While he was in the highest part of the horizon: Then he approached and came closer and was at a distance of but two bowlengths or (even) nearer.” Hilali-Khan “While he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] was in the highest part of the horizon, then he [Jibrael (Gabriel)] approached and came closer, and was at a distance of two bows' length or (even) nearer.” Shakir “And he is in the highest part of the horizon. Then he drew near, then he bowed so he was the measure of two bows or closer still.” Sher Ali “And he revealed his word when he was on the uppermost horizon. Then the Prophet drew near to Allah; then Allah leaned down towards him, so that he became, as it were, one chord to two bows, or closer still.” Khalifa “At the highest horizon he drew nearer by moving down until he became as close as possible.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 53:7-9 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “Being on the higher horizon, then drew near and suspended hung, two bows' length away, or nearer.” Palmer “He being in the loftiest tract. Then drew he near and hovered o'er! until he was two bows length off or nigher still!” Rodwell “In the highest part of the horizon: Then came he nearer and approached, And was at the distance of two bows, or even closer.” Sale “In the highest part of the horizon. Afterwards he approached [the prophet], and drew near [unto him]; until he was at the distance of two bows length [from him], or yet nearer.” Irving “He soared up and stood, poised at the highest [point on the] horizon. Then he approached and came right down, and stood two bow-lengths off or even closer.” Dawood “He stood on the uppermost horizon, then drawing near, he came down within two bows length or even closer.” 10th December 2009

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Response to Claim 26 (Surah 53:49/53:9 ) 1.

The Koran does not actually say that Sirius is a Double-Star. Surah 53:49 merely states that God controls Sirius just like everything else in the Universe.

2.

This is probably a remark aimed at Pagan Arabs who worshiped the Star Sirius as a Divine being.

3.

Surah 53:9 has nothing to do with Sirius. It refers to the Angel Gabriel approaching Mohammed during one of his revelations and coming really close.

4.

These two verses refer to totally different things and are not related.Neither contain any Scientific knowledge.

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Surah 53:49 Sirius Worship condemned This is the Egyptian Goddess Soptet. Soptet was the Egyptian name for Sirius who was thought to be a Goddess. Many other peoples, including the Pagan Arabs also worshiped Sirius under various names. Surah 53:49 condemns this but it does not contain any Astronomical information.

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Surah 53:9 Mohammed & the Angel Gabriel According to the Traditional interpretation Of Surah 53:9, this is referring to Gabriel appearing as a giant To show his true size. Mohammed is said to Have fainted with shock and fear.Gabriel then resumed a human size and went over to Mohammed to revive him. This is unrelated to Sirius. 10th December 2009

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Two Bows length? In Archery, a Bows length is the distance between the shaft of the Bow and the Bowstring. The Koran seems to be using the phrase as a metaphor for a short distance. It has nothing to do with Sirius. 10th December 2009

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Claim 26 (Surah 53:49/9) - Conclusion 1.

Surah 53 contains no Astronomical information about Sirius.

2.

This Claim is based on tasking two unrelated verses out of context and stretching their interpretation beyond breaking point.

3.

This Claim is based on the claimants imagination rather than on what the Koran actually says.It is totally out of step with the traditional Muslim interpretation.

4.

There is no need to explain how advanced Astronomical information got into the Koran because it is not there in the first place.

5.

The Koran does not say that Sirius is a Double-Star. 10th December 2009

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Claim 27 – The Koran mentions the existence of Pulsars

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Claim 27 Pulsars “[I swear] by Heaven and the Tariq! And what will convey to you what the Tariq is? The Star piercing [the darkness]!” Surah 86:1-3 Harun Yahya

“Tariq” is said to mean “Knocker”. The beam of radio waves that come from Pulsars are said to knock and pierce the darkness. 10th December 2009

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Claim 27 Pulsars (Surah 86:1-3) Pulsars are collapsed Stars that rotate extremely fast and send out beams of Radio waves in regular pulses as they do so. They were discovered in 1967 by Jocelyn Bell Burnell. Some Muslims claim that they are referred to in the Koran 1300 years earlier.

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Claim 27 Pulsars (Surah 86:1-3) 1.

This is another example of what some Muslims say is Scientific foreknowledge in the Koran.It follows the same routine.

2.

They argue that Mohammed could not possibly have conceived of ideas that were not discovered until 1300 years after his death.

3.

It is argued that the only possible explanation for such insight is Divine Revelation.

4.

Such Revelation, we are told is proof of the Divine origin of the Koran and the truth of Islam.

5.

We are therefore urged to “revert” to Islam in the face of such overwhelming evidence.

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Surah 86:1-3 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “By the Heaven and the Morning Star - ah, what will tell thee what the Morning Star is! - the piercing Star!” Yusuf Ali “By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein); - And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is? - (It is) the Star of piercing brightness.” Hilali-Khan “By the Heaven, and Al-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star); And what will make you to know what Al-Tariq (night-comer) is? (It is) the star of piercing brightness.” Shakir “I swear by the Heaven and the comer by night; And what will make you know what the comer by night is? The star of piercing brightness.” Sher Ali “By the Heaven and the Morning Star - and what should make thee know what the Morning Star is? It is the star of piercing brightness.” Khalifa “By the Sky and Al-Taareq. Do you know what Al-Taareq is? The bright star.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 86:1-3 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “By Heaven and the night-star! And what shall teach thee what is the night-star? The piercing star!” Palmer “By the Heaven and by the night star! And what shall make thee know what the night star is?- The star of piercing brightness.” Rodwell “By the Heaven, and by the night comer! But who shall teach thee what the night-comer is?” Sale “By the Heaven, and that which appeareth by night: nearer: But what shall cause thee to understand what that which appeareth by night [is]? 'Tis the star of piercing radiance. [ It is] the star of piercing brightness.” Irving “By the Sky and the night comer! What will make you realize what the night comer is? The star shining [before dawn]!” Dawood “By the Heaven and by the nightly visitant.Would that you know what the nightly visitant is.It is the Star of piercing brightness.”

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Response to Claim 27 (Surah 86:1-3 ) 1.

This Surah is very vague and it says noting about Stars emitting Radio waves.There is no concept of Radio waves in the Koran.

2.

By comparing different translations, it can be seen that “Tariq” or the “Knocker” is a very bright object that is called both a morning Star and a Night Star.

3.

Such an object corresponds not to a Pulsar, but to the Planet Venus.In Mohammed's time, the distinction between Stars and Planets was not clear.

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“Tariq” (Venus) piercing the darkness with its bright light.

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Claim 27 (Surah 86:1-3) - Conclusion 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The Koran is vague as to what “Tariq” is, but there is no evidence that it refers to a Pulsar as there is no mention of Radio waves. Those who claim that “Tariq = Pulsar “provide no evidence to support such an assertion. From the description in the Koran, the Planet Venus, is the most likely candidate to be Tariq, since it is very bright and appears both before dawn and after dusk. There is no evidence that the Koran makes any reference to Pulsars or even knows\that they exist. This claim is just wishful thinking by people who are desperate for Scientific Miracles in the Koran.There is nothing miraculous in knowing that Venus is very bright in the Sky.

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Claim 28 – The Koran mentions the existence of Black Holes

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Claim 28 Black Holes

“When the stars are extinguished.” Surah 77:8 Harun Yahya “[I swear] by Heaven and the Tariq! And what will convey to you What the Tariq is? The Star Piercing [the darkness]!” Surah 86:1-3 Harun Yahya 10th December 2009

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Claim 28 Black Holes (Surah 77:8/86:1-3) 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6.

This is a further example of what some Muslims say is Scientific foreknowledge in the Koran. It is claimed that “Tariq” might be a Black Hole.Piercing the darkness is said to be a reference to a Black Hole punching a hole in the fabric of Space. (Surah 86:1-3 Surah 77:8 is invoked to suggest that “Tariq” is a dead Star in the form of a Black Hole Black Holes were postulated in 1916 and evidence for their existence was first observed in 1971. Some say that Mohammed could not possibly have conceived of ideas that were not discovered until 1300 years after his death. It is argued that the only possible explanation for such insight is Divine Revelation and the truth of Islam. 10th December 2009

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Surah 77:8 Checking the translation Pickthall “So when the stars are put out.” Yusuf Ali “Then when the stars become dim.” Hilali-Khan “Then when the stars lose their lights.” Shakir “So when the stars are made to lose their light.” Sher Ali “So when the stars are made to lose their light, .” Khalifa “Thus, when the stars are put out.” Arberry “When the stars shall be extinguished.” Palmer “And when the stars shall be erased! “ Rodwell “When the stars, therefore, shall be blotted out.” Sale “When the stars, therefore, shall be put out.” Irving “When the stars fade away.” Dawood “When the Stars are blotted out.”

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Surah 86:1-3 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “By the Heaven and the Morning Star - ah, what will tell thee what the Morning Star is! - the piercing Star!” Yusuf Ali “By the Sky and the Night-Visitant (therein); - And what will explain to thee what the Night-Visitant is? - (It is) the Star of piercing brightness.” Hilali-Khan “By the Heaven, and Al-Tariq (the night-comer, i.e. the bright star); And what will make you to know what Al-Tariq (night-comer) is? (It is) the star of piercing brightness.” Shakir “I swear by the Heaven and the comer by night; And what will make you know what the comer by night is? The star of piercing brightness.” Sher Ali “By the Heaven and the Morning Star - and what should make thee know what the Morning Star is? It is the star of piercing brightness.” Khalifa “By the Sky and Al-Taareq. Do you know what Al-Taareq is? The bright star.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 86:1-3 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “By Heaven and the night-star! And what shall teach thee what is the night-star? The piercing star!” Palmer “By the Heaven and by the night star! And what shall make thee know what the night star is?- The star of piercing brightness.” Rodwell “By the Heaven, and by the night comer! But who shall teach thee what the night-comer is?” Sale “By the Heaven, and that which appeareth by night: nearer: But what shall cause thee to understand what that which appeareth by night [is]? 'Tis the star of piercing radiance. [ It is] the star of piercing brightness.” Irving “By the Sky and the night comer! What will make you realize what the night comer is? The star shining [before dawn]!” Dawood “By the Heaven and by the nightly visitant.Would that you know what the nightly visitant is.It is the Star of piercing brightness.”

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Response to Claim 28 (Surah 77:8 /86:1-3) 1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6.

This claim is based on connecting two different verses that together refer to an extinguished Star, and the Star Tariq piercing the darkness. It is unclear if these two verses are related. Claim 27 says that “Tariq” is a Pulsar or Neutron Star. Tariq cannot also be a Black Hole. The word “Piercing” is never used in the Koran to describe piercing the fabric of Space.However, it is used to describe a very bright light from a heavenly body. (e.g.: Surah 37:10) Surah 77:8 refers to Stars going out. However, in the Koran, this is not like in modern Astronomy. When Stars in the Koran go out, they fall to the ground since they are portrayed as tiny little lights attached to a solid Sky Dome.The Koran does not know just how big Stars really are.(Surah 81:1-3)

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Surah 37:10 Piercing the Darkness

“Piercing the darkness” has nothing to do with Black Holes piercing the fabric of Space.The phrase merely refers to a bright light in the Sky at night. 10th December 2009

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Surah 37:6-10 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “Lo! We have adorned the lowest Heaven with an ornament, the planets; With security from every forward devil. Save him who snatcheth a fragment, and there pursueth him a piercing flame.” Yusuf Ali “We have indeed decked the lower Heaven with beauty (in) the stars, - (For beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits, Except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming fire, of piercing brightness.” Hilali-Khan “Verily! We have adorned the near Heaven with the stars (for beauty). And to guard against every rebellious devil. Except such as snatch away something by stealing and they are pursued by a flaming fire of piercing brightness.” Shakir “Surely We have adorned the nearest Heaven with an adornment, the stars, And (there is) a safeguard against every rebellious Shaitan. Except him who snatches off but once, then there follows him a brightly shining flame.” 10th December 2009

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Surah 37:6-10 Checking the translation 2 Sher Ali “We have adorned the lowest Heaven with an adornment - the planets & have guarded it against all rebellious satans. They cannot listen to anything from the exalted assembly of angels …. But if any of them snatches away something by stealth, he is pursued by a piecing flame”. Khalifa We have adorned the lowest Heaven with adorning planets. We guarded it from every evil devil. They cannot spy on the high society …. If any of them ventures to charge the outer limits, he gets struck with a fierce projectile. Arberry “We have adorned the lower Heaven with the adornment of the stars & to preserve against every rebel Satan.They listen not to the high council …. except such as snatches a fragment, and he is pursued by a piercing flame. Palmer “Verily, we have adorned the lower Heaven with the adornment of the stars, & to preserve it from every rebellious devil that they may not listen to the exalted chiefs …. save such as snatches off a word, and there follows him a darting flame! 10th December 2009

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Surah 37:6-10 Checking the translation 3 Rodwell “We have adorned the lower Heaven with the adornment of the stars. They serve also as a guard against every rebellious Satan, That they overhear not what passeth in the assembly on high …. While, if one steal a word by stealth, a glistening flame pursueth him”. Sale “We have adorned the lower Heaven with the ornament of the stars: And [we have placed therein] a guard, against every rebellious devil; that they may not listen to [the discourse of] the exalted princes …. except him who catcheth a word by stealth, and is pursued by a shining flame.” Irving “We have beautified the worldly Sky with the splendour of stars plus a safeguard against every stubborn devil so they may not listen to the supreme council …. except for someone who tries to eavesdrop so that a blazing meteor follows him.” Dawood “We have decked the lower Heaven with constellations.They guard against rebellious devils that they might not listen in to those on high …. Eavesdroppers are pursued by fiery comets.” 10th December 2009

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“Tariq” (Venus) piercing the darkness with its bright light.

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Surah 37:6 Stars attached to firmament According to the Koran, the Stars are just little lights attached to the solid Sky. Surah 81:1-2 says that the Stars will all eventually darken & fall to the ground. This has nothing to do with Black Holes.

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Claim 28 (Surah 77:8 /86:1-3) - Conclusion 1.

The Koran does not explicitly mention Black Holes.

2.

”Tariq” is Venus whose light pierces the darkness of the night.

3.

When Stars go out in the Koran they also fall to the ground as they are described as being just little lights on the underside of the floor of Heaven.This is nothing to do with Black Holes.

4.

This is another example of some Muslims reading things into the Koran that are not there.

5.

The Korans concept of the death of Stars shows that it is in error and therefore not of divine origin.

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Claim 29 – The Koran mentions the Cats Eye Nebula

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Claim 29 Cats Eye Nebula “And when the Heaven splitteth asunder and becometh rosy like red hide.” Surah 55:37-38 According to some Muslims, 1400 years ago, the Koran alluded to the Cats Eye Nebula which was not discovered until 1786.

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Claim 29 Cats Eye Nebula 1.

This is one of the most bizarre claims of a Scientific Miracle in the Koran. Surah 55:37-38 is said by some to have alluded to the Cats Eye Nebula almost 1200 years before its discovery in1786.

2.

Mohammed, we are told, could not possibly have known about this unless God had revealed it to him.

3.

Therefore, we are told that this proves the Divine origin of the Koran and the truth of Islam.

4.

Such claims are usually followed by the usual routine.( An exhortation to accept Allah and “revert” to Islam.)

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Surah 55:37-38 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “And when the Heaven splitteth asunder and becometh rosy like red hide - Which is it, of the favours of your Lord, that ye deny?” Yusuf Ali “When the Sky is rent asunder, and it becomes red like ointment: Then which of the favours of your Lord will ye deny?” Hilali-Khan “Then when the Heaven is rent asunder, and it becomes rosy or red like red-oil, or red hide. Then which of the Blessings of your Lord will you both (jinns and men) deny?” Shakir “And when the Heaven is rent asunder, and then becomes red like red hide. Which then of the bounties of your Lord will you deny?” Sher Ali “And when the Heaven is rent asunder and become red like red hide. Which, then, of the favours of your Lord will ye twain, deny?” Khalifa “When the Sky disintegrates, and turns rose colored like paint. Which of your Lord's marvels can you deny?”

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Surah 55:37-38 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “And when Heaven is split asunder, and turns crimson like red leather -- O which of our lord's bounties will you and you deny?” Palmer “And when the Heaven is rent asunder and become rosy red (melting) like grease! Then which of your lord's bounties will ye twain deny?” Rodwell “When the Heaven shall be cleft asunder, and become rose red, like stained leather: Which then of the bounties of your lord will ye twain deny?” Sale “And when the Heaven shall be rent in sunder, and shall become [red as] a rose, [and shall melt] like ointment: Which, therefore, of your lord's benefits will ye ungratefully deny?” Irving “When the sky splits open and becomes like a rose [painted] by some artist,so which of your Lord's benefits will both of you deny?” Dawood “When the Sky splits asunder and reddens like a rose or stained leather, which of your lords blessings would you deny?” 10th December 2009

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Response to Claim 29 (Surah 55:37-38) 1.

This claim is so weak that it scarcely deserves a response.However, some Islamic Fundamentalists are so gullible that they actually believe this and so their claims should not be left unchallenged.

2.

Surah 55:37-38 makes no mention of any Nebula.Such a concept is not mentioned anywhere in the Koran.

3.

Surah 55:37-38 mentions the Sky itself and not a Nebula turning red.

4.

These verses are referring to events that will occur in the future on Judgement Day and not referring to the present day and the things that currently exist.

5.

The Cats Eye Nebula is not really red.The famous picture is using false colour to represent an X-Ray image. 10th December 2009

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What Surah 55:37-38 is really describing

These verses describe the Sky turning red on Judgement Day & not a supposedly red Nebula that currently exists. 10th December 2009

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Surah 55:37-38 Solid Sky split open Many verses of the Koran refer to the Sky being split open or rolled up on Judgement Day. This suggests a belief that the Sky was solid.

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Claim 29 (Surah 55:37-38) - Conclusion 1.

The Koran does not explicitly mention any Nebula.

2.

The Cats Eye Nebula is not really red.

3.

This claim is based on changing the words and context of the verses.

4.

The verse imply that the Sky is solid since it can be split open.

5.

This claim is completely contrary to both the Koran and Science.

6.

Furthermore, the reference to a solid Sky being torn open proves that the Koran is not of divine origin. 10th December 2009

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Claim 30 – The Koran accurately predicted Space Exploration

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Claim 30 Space Exploration

"O assembly of Jinn's and Men, if you can penetrate regions of the Heavens & the Earth, then penetrate them! You will not penetrate them save with a Power." Surah 55:33 Bucaille "Even if We opened unto them a gate to Heaven and they were to continue ascending therein, they would say. our sight is confused as in drunkenness. Nay, we are people bewitched.“ Surah15:14-15 Bucaille 10th December 2009

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Claim 30 Space Exploration 1.

This is more of an alleged prophecy than a Scientific Miracle.This claim is that the Koran foretells Space Exploration 1400 years before it happened.

2.

Mohammed, we are told, could not possibly have predicted this unless God had revealed it to him.

3.

Therefore, we are told that this proves the divine origin of the Koran and the truth of Islam.

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Surah 55:33 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “O company of jinn and men, if ye have power to penetrate (all) regions of the Heavens and the Earth, then penetrate (them)! Ye will never penetrate them save with (Our) sanction.” Yusuf Ali “O ye assembly of jinns and men! If it be ye can pass beyond the zones of the Heavens and the Earth, pass ye! not without authority shall ye be able to pass!” Hilali-Khan “O assembly of jinns and men! If you have power to pass beyond the zones of the Heavens and the Earth, then pass (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allah)!” Shakir “O assembly of the jinn and the men! If you are able to pass through the regions of the Heavens and the Earth, then pass through; you cannot pass through but with authority.”

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Surah 55:33 Checking the translation 2 Sher Ali “O company of jinn and men! if you have power to break through the confines of the Heavens and the Earth, then break through them. But you cannot break through save with authority.” Khalifa “O you jinns and humans, if you can penetrate the outer limits of the Heavens and the Earth, go ahead and penetrate. You cannot penetrate without authorization.” Arberry “O tribe of jinn and of men, if you are able to pass through the confines of Heaven and Earth, pass through them! You shall not pass through except with an authority.” Palmer “O assembly of ginns and mankind! if ye are able to pass through the confines of Heaven and Earth then pass through them!- ye cannot pass through save by authority!”

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Surah 55:33 Checking the translation 3 Rodwell “O company of djinn and men, if ye can overpass the bounds of the Heavens and the Earth, then overpass them. But by our leave only shall ye overpass them.” Sale “O ye collective body of genii and men, if ye be able to pass out of the confines of Heaven and Earth, pass forth: Ye shall not pass forth but by absolute power.” Irving “O company of sprites and humankind, if you can manage to penetrate beyond the realms of Heaven and Earth and then pass beyond them! Yet you will only penetrate them through some authority.” Dawood “Mankind and djinn, if you have the power to penetrate the confines of Heaven and Earth, then penetrate them.But this you shall not do except with our own authority.”

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Surah15:14-15 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “And even if we opened unto them a gate of Heaven and they kept mounting through it, they would say: Our sight is wrong nay, but we are folk bewitched.” Yusuf Ali “Even if we opened out to them a gate from Heaven, and they were to continue (all day) ascending therein,they would only say: "Our eyes have been intoxicated: nay, we have been bewitched by sorcery." Hilali-Khan “And even if we opened to them a gate from the Heaven and they were to continue ascending thereto, they would surely say: "Our eyes have been (as if) dazzled. Nay, we are a people bewitched." Shakir “And even if we open to them a gateway of Heaven, so that they ascend into it all the while, they would certainly say: only our eyes have been covered over, rather we are an enchanted people”. 10th December 2009

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Surah15:14-15 Checking the translation 2 Sher Ali “And even if we open to them a gate in Heaven, and they kept ascending through it, they would surely say, `only our eyes are dazed; rather we are a bewitched people” Khalifa “Even if we opened for them a gate into the Sky, through which they climb; they will say, “our eyes have been deceived. We have been bewitched." Arberry “Though we opened to them a gate in Heaven, and still they mounted through it, yet would they say, ‘our eyes have been dazzled; nay, we are a people bewitched!‘” Palmer “But had we opened to them a door of the Sky and they had mounted up into it all the while; then also had they said, ‘our eyesight is only intoxicated; nay, we are an enchanted people!‘”

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Surah15:14-15 Checking the translation 3 Rodwell “Even were We to open above them a gate in Heaven, yet all the while they were mounting up to it, they would surely say: It is only that our eyes are drunken: nay, we are a people enchanted.” Sale “If we should open a gate in the Heaven above them, and they should ascend thereto all the day long, they would surely say, our eyes are only dazzled; or rather we are a people deluded by inchantments.” Irving “Even though we opened up a gate to Heaven for them so they might keep on climbing into it, they still would say: “our eyesight has been dazzled-in fact, we are enchanted folk!" Dawood “If we opened for the unbelievers a gate in Heaven, and they ascended through it higher and higher, still they would say “our eyes were dazzled, truly we must have been bewitched.”

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Response to Claim 30 (Surah15:14-15 / 55:33 ) 1.

These verses say nothing about Space Exploration.They concern God challenging Humanity and the Djinn to climb up to Heaven in the Sky.

2.

Neither the American or Russian Space Programmes have involved Djinn.

3.

The reference to “Gates of Heaven” in Surah 15:14-15 imply that the Sky is solid.

4.

Other Ancient writers speculated on Space Travel without any divine inspiration.However, the Koran does not refer to Space Exploration.

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Surah 15:14-15 Opening the Gates of Heaven for Men and Djinn Heaven Gates of Heaven opened

Gates of Heaven opened

Men & Djinn Earth

The Koran mentions God opening the Gates of Heaven in order to let both Humanity and the Djinn enter Heaven. The reference to Gates in the Sky that can be opened implies that the Sky is solid. 10th December 2009

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The Djinn Left: Imam Ali battles the Djinn. Ali was the cousin and nephew of Mohammed. In Islam, Good created three categories of sentient beings. Humans from clay, Angels from light & Djinn from fire. Neither the Americans or Russians have used Djinn in their Space Programmes.

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Lucian of Samosata (c120 AD - 180 AD) The Koran does not refer to Space Travel. However, even if it did, such speculation would not prove Divine inspiration. Around AD160, The Greek writer Lucian of Samosata wrote the Worlds first Science Fiction Story. In the story, the Hero was kidnapped by Aliens and taken to the Moon. If Lucian had been a Muslim, modern Muslims would probably say that he was the first man on the Moon.

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Claim 30 (Surah15:14-15 /55:33 ) Conclusion 1.

The Koran does not mention Space Travel, but other earlier writers did.

2.

These verses refer to the possibility of God opening Gates in the solid Sky Dome in order to allow the Djinn and Humanity to climb up to Heaven in the Sky.

3.

The reference to a solid Sky disproves the Korans alleged Divine Authorship.

4.

This is just another desperate, but unsuccessful attempt by dishonest Islamic Fundamentalists to prove that their Religion is true. 10th December 2009

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Claim 31 – Men on the Moon

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Claim 31 Lunar exploration “And the Moon when it is full you will surely ride from stage to stage. So, why do they not believe?” Surah 84:18-20 Harun Yahya

This is said to be a Prophecy of Men travelling to the Moon in a Multi-Stage Rocket, 1400 years before it happened.

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Surah 84:18-20 Checking the translation 1 Pickthall “And by the Moon when she is at the full, that ye shall journey on from plane to plane.” Yusuf Ali “And the Moon in her fullness: ye shall surely travel from stage to stage.” Hilali-Khan “And by the Moon when it is at the full, you shall certainly travel from stage to stage (in this life and in the Hereafter).” Shakir “And the Moon when it grows full, that you shall most certainly enter one state after another.” Sher Ali “And the Moon when it becomes full, that you shall, assuredly, pass on from one stage to another.” Khalifa “And the Moon and its phases, you will move from stage to stage.”

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Surah 84:18-20 Checking the translation 2 Arberry “And the Moon when it is at the full, you shall surely ride stage after stage.” Palmer “Or by the Moon when it is at its full, ye shall be surely transferred from state to state!” Rodwell “And by the Moon when at her full, that from state to state shall ye be surely carried onward.” Sale “And by the Moon when she is at the full; ye shall surely be transferred [successively] from state to state.” Irving “And the moon when it blossoms full,you shall ride along stage by stage.” Dawood “By the Moon in her full perfection that you shall march onward from state to state.”

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Surah 84:18-20 Checking the context In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. When the Heaven is split asunder And attentive to her Lord in fear, And when the Earth is spread out And hath cast out all that was in her, and is empty And attentive to her Lord in fear! Thou, verily, O man, art working toward thy Lord a work which thou wilt meet (in His presence). Then whoso is given his account in his right hand He truly will receive an easy reckoning And will return unto his folk in joy. But whoso is given his account behind his back, He surely will invoke destruction And be thrown to scorching fire. He verily lived joyous with his folk, He verily deemed that he would never return (unto Allah). Nay, but lo! his Lord is ever looking on him! Oh, I swear by the afterglow of sunset, And by the night and all that it enshroudeth, And by the Moon when she is at the full, That ye shall journey on from plane to plane. What aileth them, then, that they believe not And, when the Qur'an is recited unto them, worship not (Allah)? Nay, but those who disbelieve will deny; And Allah knoweth best what they are hiding. So give them tidings of a painful doom, Save those who believe and do good works, for theirs is a reward unfailing. 10th December 2009

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Surah 84:18-20 Islamic Judgement Day

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Claim 31 (Surah 84:18-20 ) - Conclusion 1.

These verses do not refer to Space travel. They refer to the fate of the living and the dead on Judgement Day.

2.

Harun Yahya and others like him are taking these verses out of context.The context is God discussing the fate of Humanity following the last Judgement.

3.

This Stages referred to are not stages of a Rocket, but rather stages of life and the afterlife.

4.

This claim is based on a complete fantasy and distortion of the text of the Koran.

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Conclusion Conclusion for Koran Science & Cosmology (Part 2) 1. 2. 3. 4.

5.

In this Presentation, we have looked at another 15 examples of alleged Scientific Miracles in the Koran and found them to be fraudulent. Most claims of Scientific Miracles involve reading a few vague words out of context and reading things into them that are not there. In some cases the alleged miracles referred to things already known in the time of Mohammed. These alleged miracles are extremely weak and most people using them appear to be just copying and pasting them from websites and blindly accepting them on faith without understanding them. In many cases when the alleged miracles are investigated, wed find Scientific mistakes in the Koran which disprove its supposed divine origin.

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Continued on next Presentation ……