Gravitational Lensing in the Quran
WikiIslam Archive,
Archives of the first iteration of WikiIslam, prior to acquisition and revamp by Ex-Muslims of North America
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Some Islamic apologists claim that the Quranic verses 81:15-16 talk about gravitational lensing.
The verses
Apologetic translation
The verses say nothing about gravitational lensing, even in the apologetic translation:
I swear by those that are invisible (Khunnas خنس), that move, that sweep.
Here's a table which shows amount of specific scientific information in the verses:
Topic | Amount of information |
---|---|
Gravitation | (nothing) |
Lensing | (nothing) |
Dark Matter | (nothing) |
Actual translation
Although apologists stressed that the word خنس means "invisible", other translations don't translate it as "invisible":
Yusuf Ali: So verily I call to witness the planets (خنس) - that recede, Go straight, or hide;
Dr. Ghali: Then no! swear by the constant sinkers, The running "stars", the constant sinkers,
Muhsin Khan: So verily, I swear by the planets that recede (i.e. disappear during the day and appear during the night). And by the planets that move swiftly and hide themselves,
Pickthall: Oh, but I call to witness the planets, The stars which rise and set,
Sahih International: So I swear by the retreating stars - Those that run [their courses] and disappear -
Mufti Taqi Usmani: So, I swear by those (stars) that recede, that proceed, that withdraw from the scene,
See also
- Wind Snaps Trees in the Quran Miracle
- Honey Healing in the Quran Miracle
- Scientific Miracles in the Quran