Tradition

اَلَيْسَ اللّهُ يَقُولُ بِغَيْرِ عَمَد تَرَوْنَها فَقُلْتُ: بَلى قالَ: ثُمَّ عَمَدٌ، لكِنْ، لاتَرَوْنَها!

Imam al-Rida’ (‘a) is narrated to have said to one of his companions: “Does not God say that the skies are established without any pillar (support structure) that can be seen?” His companion replied: “Indeed.” The Imam (‘a) then said: “Therefore, there exists a pillar which is invisible, which you are not able to see.”1

Brief Commentary

Today, it is firmly established that the earth and all of the planets travel in their set orbits through the regulation given to them by the phenomenon of gravity. The laws of attraction act much like a great chain which pulls things together, while the law of repellence pushes things away from each other. This perfect balance has allowed all of these immense planets to travel along their own orbits without the least bit of deviation. This is the same invisible pillar which the Quran has mentioned. What is amazing is that these words were spoken over 1400 years ago at a time when the people were completely unaware of such matters--- this is a great proof of the truthfulness of this religion and its message.

• 1. Tafsir Burhan, vol. 3, p. 278.