RE: Quran says the Earth is flat
May 4, 2013 at 2:28 pm
(This post was last modified: May 4, 2013 at 2:29 pm by L.A.F..)
I have searched for this specific verse in the Qu'ran and consulted the six available translations (i.e. Sahih Int., Muhsin Khan, Pickthall, Yusuf Ali, Shakir and Dr. Ghali) and it states very clearly that the Earth is flat.
Other verses (2:22; 13:3; 20:53; 43:10, etc.) state the same.
Thus, it seems to be true what you mention in your thread: we have collected a vast heap of evidence that proves the opposite statement (i.e. Earth is an oblate spheriod).
Yet, the Qu'ran as such was not written down by Muhammad in order to present and report scientific data, but for spreading religious teachings.
Furthermore, we must keep in mind that the Qu'ran was written in the 7th century in the Arabic language. It is possible that 'spread out' does not mean 'flat' (although I cannot refute nor accept this statement due to my lack of knowledge about the Arabic language).
So, all I can say is that the writer has made an error and was possibly not known with the findings of Greek scientists (e.g. Eratosthenes).
Other verses (2:22; 13:3; 20:53; 43:10, etc.) state the same.
Thus, it seems to be true what you mention in your thread: we have collected a vast heap of evidence that proves the opposite statement (i.e. Earth is an oblate spheriod).
Yet, the Qu'ran as such was not written down by Muhammad in order to present and report scientific data, but for spreading religious teachings.
Furthermore, we must keep in mind that the Qu'ran was written in the 7th century in the Arabic language. It is possible that 'spread out' does not mean 'flat' (although I cannot refute nor accept this statement due to my lack of knowledge about the Arabic language).
So, all I can say is that the writer has made an error and was possibly not known with the findings of Greek scientists (e.g. Eratosthenes).
