The Quran and Mountains: Difference between revisions

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Moreover, the critics claim that the writer of Quran made two scientific mistakes regarding the creation of mountains.  
Moreover, the critics claim that the writer of Quran made two scientific mistakes regarding the creation of mountains.  


==='''First Mistake''': Allah 'placed جعل' the Mountains 'from above '''من فوقها'''<nowiki/>' into the earth according to the Quran===
===First Mistake: Allah 'placed جعل' the Mountains 'from above من فوقها' into the earth according to the Quran===
According to the modern science, mountains are formed  when two plates tectonic collide with each other, and thus the mountains rise '''from within''' the earth.   
According to the modern science, mountains are formed  when two plates tectonic collide with each other, and thus the mountains rise '''from within''' the earth.   


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Moreover, there are other type of mountains too, which are formed when Lava comes out from inside the earth. When this lava cools down, it forms high and big mountains, which are known as [http://www.universetoday.com/29833/how-mountains-are-formed/ Volcanic Mountains].  
Moreover, there are other type of mountains too, which are formed when Lava comes out from inside the earth. When this lava cools down, it forms high and big mountains, which are known as [http://www.universetoday.com/29833/how-mountains-are-formed/ Volcanic Mountains].  
==='''Second Mistake''': Allah had already made the mountains on the day of Sunday at time of the creation of the universe===
===Second Mistake: Allah had already made the mountains on the day of Sunday at time of the creation of the universe===
Quran claims that Allah had already created the mountains on the 2nd day of creation.  
Quran claims that Allah had already created the mountains on the 2nd day of creation.  
{{Quote|1=[https://quranx.com/41.9?context=4 Quran 41:9-11]|2=Say, "Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created '''the earth in two days''' and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds. '''And He placed on the earth firmly set mountains over its surface''', and He blessed it and determined therein its [creatures'] sustenance in (next) four days without distinction - for [the information] of those who ask. Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."}}
{{Quote|1=[https://quranx.com/41.9?context=4 Quran 41:9-11]|2=Say, "Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created '''the earth in two days''' and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds. '''And He placed on the earth firmly set mountains over its surface''', and He blessed it and determined therein its [creatures'] sustenance in (next) four days without distinction - for [the information] of those who ask. Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke and said to it and to the earth, "Come [into being], willingly or by compulsion." They said, "We have come willingly."}}
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*And older mountains erode and disappear with time, and new mountains start forming.  
*And older mountains erode and disappear with time, and new mountains start forming.  


==== Islam advocates: The days of creation with Allah were different than days on the Earth and are of 'unspecified' period of time ====
====Islam advocates: The days of creation with Allah were different than days on the Earth and are of 'unspecified' period of time====
Islam advocates claim<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201103111946/https://www.dar-alifta.org/Foreign/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=8031]</ref>:
Islam advocates claim<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20201103111946/https://www.dar-alifta.org/Foreign/ViewFatwa.aspx?ID=8031]</ref>:


* The days of creation  with Allah are different than the earth.  
*The days of creation  with Allah are different than the earth.
* Thus those 6 days were of '''unspecified''' period of time.  
*Thus those 6 days were of '''unspecified''' period of time.
* Allah didn't tell the length of that period, as humans are unable to '''comprehend''' it.  
*Allah didn't tell the length of that period, as humans are unable to '''comprehend''' it.


The Critics of Islam answer that claim of "unspecified time" is false, as the writer of the Quran  described the '''specified time''' in the following verses:
The Critics of Islam answer that claim of "unspecified time" is false, as the writer of the Quran  described the '''specified time''' in the following verses:
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The above and similar studies are referenced by advocates as specific evidence of mountains stabilizing the Earth's crust and undermining seismic activity. Critics respond that although the phenomenon described has a limited stabilizing effect on certain regions favorably positioned vis-à-vis the mountain range, the mountains do not prevent the earthquake outright and, more importantly, that the limited stabilizing effect observed is only relevant if the inhabited area happens to be favorably positioned vis-à-vis the mountain range - this means that if, for instance, the city were located between the mountain and the fault line where the quake originated, even if the city was located near the foot of the mountain, then the destruction experienced by the city would not be reduced in any significant way. Critics have also stated that the dampening effect described above although real in some cases, is, yet again, not a phenomenon that can be described in any plausible way as being peg-like.
The above and similar studies are referenced by advocates as specific evidence of mountains stabilizing the Earth's crust and undermining seismic activity. Critics respond that although the phenomenon described has a limited stabilizing effect on certain regions favorably positioned vis-à-vis the mountain range, the mountains do not prevent the earthquake outright and, more importantly, that the limited stabilizing effect observed is only relevant if the inhabited area happens to be favorably positioned vis-à-vis the mountain range - this means that if, for instance, the city were located between the mountain and the fault line where the quake originated, even if the city was located near the foot of the mountain, then the destruction experienced by the city would not be reduced in any significant way. Critics have also stated that the dampening effect described above although real in some cases, is, yet again, not a phenomenon that can be described in any plausible way as being peg-like.
==Extra-textual considerations==
===Biblical precedents to the idea of mountains' role in stabilizing the Earth===
There is some evidence to suggest that the Quranic idea of mountains playing a peg-like role in stabilizing the Earth was preceded by Christian/Biblical sources which are some 400 years older and had widespread influence in the region Muhammad lived in. Critics suggest that this also tends to undermine the idea that the Quran is unique or novel in its description of mountains. Advocates respond that it may be the case that the miracle was revealed to Abrahamic prophets prior to Muhammad<ref>[{{Reference archive|1=http://www.bibleandscience.com/bible/books/genesis/genesis1_pillarsearth.htm|2=2011-10-02}} Pillars of the Earth] - Institute for Biblical & Scientific Studies, April 30, 2008</ref>.


==See Also==
==See Also==
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