ALL AFLOAT IN ORBITS

33- It is He who created the night and the day, and the sun, and the moon; each of them
floating in an orbit.

21-The Prophets, 33

The word expressing totality in the Arabic language is “kullu” while the Arabic expression
“tasniya” refers to any two objects. In the verse reference is made to the motion of two
celestial bodies, namely the sun and the moon. However, the reason why “tasniya” is not
used indicates that there should be more than two objects. If we suppose that the night and
the day take place on the earth, the other object should be the earth. The Arabic word
“falak” is used in Arabic to denote the orbit traced by stars and planets.

THE MIRACLE IN THE USE OF EVERY SINGLE WORD

As one can see, every single word and suffix has been carefully selected. The Arabic
equivalent of the expression “to float” is “sabaha.” Maurice Bucaille says the harmony of the
movements of the sun, the moon and the earth can be expressed as follows: “The Arabic
verb ‘sabaha’ refers to displacement of an object by its own movement. The meanings of this
verb converge on displacement referring to the motion of the object by itself. When
displacement takes place in water, the movement refers to the act of floating; when it is on
land the displacement takes place by the movement of the object’s own legs. If, on the other
hand, this displacement occurs in space, the motion intended can be described only by the
etymological sense of the word. Thus, ‘sabaha’ should be conceived as a motion in a self-
generating act. The moon rotates around its axis within a space of time equal to its
revolution around the earth; that is 29.5 days. So what we see is always the same face of
the moon. ‘The sun turns about its axis within 25 days approximately. The word ‘sabaha’ that
describes the motions of the sun and the moon conforms to the findings of recent scientific
data. This fact could not have been fancied by a human being in the 7th century, regardless
of his erudition.”

THE SOLAR SYSTEM

The motions of the sun and the moon and the earth continue without the slightest
interference with our life. On the other hand, all the phenomena are brought about to make
life on earth and diversity possible. The earth revolves about the sun, at an angle of
inclination of 23 degrees and 27 minutes. The seasons evolve upon the earth thanks to this
inclination upon which depends also the system of growth of plants. The velocity of rotation
of the earth about its axis attains 1670 km. If the earth did not rotate, its surface facing the
sun would be exposed to continuous light while the rear would be in perpetual darkness. In
such a world, neither vegetation nor beings could exist.

40- Neither can the sun overtake the moon, nor does the night precede the day. Each of
them is floating in an orbit.

36-Ya-Seen, 40
All the motions of the sun, the moon and the earth continue in perfect harmony. Everything
is so excellently arranged that even Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system,
contributes to the life on earth. Astronomer George Wetherill, in his article on Jupiter, says
that had there been no planet of a magnitude equal to the size of Jupiter, the earth would
have had one thousand times more exposure to stray meteors and comets, and that if
Jupiter were not at the place where it happened to be, we could not have been here now to
probe into the mystery of the origin of the solar system. No matter where we turn, we come
across splendors, infinitesimal calculations and works of art provided. Of course, we meditate
on God’s creation using our intelligence. Our Creator displays the evidences of His
omnipotence and omniscience and His compassion everywhere in the universe.

190- Surely, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alteration of night and
day, there are signs for those who posses intelligence.
191- They remember God while standing, sitting, and lying on their sides. And contemplate
on the creation of the heavens and the earth: “Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain.
Be You glorified. Protect us from the torment of the fire.”

3-The Family of Imran, 190-191