Earth

Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only astronomical object known to harbor life. According to radiometric dating and other sources of evidence, Earth formed over 4.5 billion years ago.

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Earth . Qur'an

Does the Quran say anything to suggest that the Earth is flat or otherwise?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 years ago

Quran never said that the earth is flat as some ignorant claim, on the contrary, Quran says والأرض بعد ذلك دحاها )( Then after that He made the earth like an egg) (79:30). Dahwah دحوة means in Arabic an egg. Some people translate this verse wrongly claiming that it means spreading it like a flat surface. They need to refer to original word Dahw and Dahwah.

We also read in Quran يكوّر الليل على النهار ويكوّر النهار على الليل(39:5) : He who makes the night like a ball turning on the day, and daylight like a ball turning on the darkness of the night.

Those claim that earth is flat have misunderstood the meanings of Quranic verses.

Wassalam.

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Soul . Earth . Body . Burial . Murder

What happens to the soul if one is murdered? Does the soul wander the earth if the body is never found and buried?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answered 6 years ago

The soul will continue on its journey to the next phase of its existence, whether or not the body is buried. If it were necessary for a body to be buried in order for the soul to progress, the earth would be packed with lost souls since so many people throughout time have died and have not had burials!

However, it is likely that performing the appropriate funeral rites may ease the transition into the next phase of existence.

If you are concerned about someone's soul, you could pray for it.

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Earth . Salah (Prayers)

Which direction would we be praying if we were away from Earth?...

Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi, Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi went to the Hawza-e ‘Ilmiya-e Qum, Iran where he attended the dars-e kharij lectures of Ayatullah Wahid Khurãsãni. He also obtained an MA degree in History in 1991 from Simon... Answer imported 7 years ago

You have asked hypothetical questions. I will attempt to answer what has been discussed by our `ulama.

1. In the light of the Islamic belief of the end of this world and the death of all living beings, the question of human beings surviving the disintergration of the earth does not arise at all.

2. It is true that the Qur'an talks about "praying/worship" by non-human creatures. However, as far as the concept of "worship -- ibadat" by other beings is concerned, their "worship" is not same as that done by human beings. "Ibadat" is more broader in meaning than the term "salat/namaz". "Ibadat" means the act of submission to the Almighty whereas "salat" means the ritual prayers done by Muslims. It is in salat that one has to face towards the direction of the Mecca as required by the specific order of the Qur'an (2:144). But for other prayers (du`as) you can face any direction you want. Wherever you turn, you will find Allah in that direction.

3. Our mujtahidin have also discussed the issue of qiblah for those who travel in space-crafts or visit other planets (e.g. the Moon). They say that when you are on the earth, your qiblah for salat is Mecca; but when you are in the space, your qiblah for salat is the planet earth.