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Refuting the Claim that the Quran Says the Earth is Flat

There are several verses in the Quran that critics often misinterpret to suggest that the Quran claims the Earth is flat. The word "spread out" used in various verses is a key point of contention, as some argue that this implies flatness. However, a closer examination reveals that "spread out" does not mean "flattened." Let's address these claims and clarify the Quran's stance on the shape of the Earth.

Verses Commonly Misinterpreted as Indicating Flatness

1. Surah An-Naba (78:6)

   "Have We not made the earth as a bed (or spread out)?"
   (أَلَمْ نَجْعَلِ الْأَرْضَ مِهَادًا)

2. Surah Al-Ghashiyah (88:20)

   "And at the Earth, how it is spread out?"
   (وَإِلَى الْأَرْضِ كَيْفَ سُطِحَتْ)

3. Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:10)

   "He Who made for you the earth like a cradle…"
   (الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا)

4. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:22)

   "He who has made the Earth a resting place for you, and the sky a canopy..."
   (الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ فِرَاشًا وَالسَّمَاءَ بِنَاءً)

5. Surah Al-Hijr (15:19)

   "And the earth We have spread out, and placed therein firm mountains..."
   (وَالْأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَاهَا وَأَلْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ)

6. Surah Qaf (50:7)

   "And the earth—we have spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains..."
   (وَالْأَرْضَ مَدَدْنَاهَا وَأَلْقَيْنَا فِيهَا رَوَاسِيَ)

Understanding "Spread Out"

The term "spread out" (مَدَّ in Arabic) in these verses is often misunderstood. While critics claim it means the Earth is flat, the phrase actually refers to how the Earth is vast and expansive from a human perspective.

The definition of "spread out" is:

• "To open, arrange, or extend over a large area."
  For example: "The city is spread out over a wide area."
  This clearly does not imply flatness, but rather refers to how something covers a large surface.

In this context, the Earth being "spread out" refers to how it appears to us on the surface, vast and suitable for human habitation. From our limited human perspective, the Earth does indeed appear "spread out" as we look across plains, mountains, and valleys.

*The Dough Example A good analogy to understand this is spreading dough. When you spread dough over a surface, it doesn't become flat—it simply distributes over an area. The act of spreading out doesn't inherently mean flattening. For instance, when you spread dough over a curved surface like a ball, it still spreads without flattening the ball itself.

Similarly, the Earth being "spread out" doesn't mean it is flat—it means it is expansive, covering a large area for human living.

The Paint Example Another example is applying paint on a ball. When you spread paint over the surface of a ball, the paint covers the ball but doesn't flatten it. The curvature of the ball remains. In the same way, the Earth can be "spread out" without being flat, simply extending its surface over a vast and curved area.

88:17: Then do they not look at the camels - how they are created? 88:18: And at the sky - how it is raised? 88:19: And at the mountains - how they are erected? 88:20: And at the earth - how it is spread out?

Translation: Saheeh International (English)

Refuting the "Cradle" Interpretation

The term "cradle" is used in Surah Az-Zukhruf (43:10) where Allah says:

"He Who made for you the earth like a cradle..."
(الَّذِي جَعَلَ لَكُمُ الْأَرْضَ مَهْدًا)

Critics argue that a cradle is flat, and therefore the Quran is implying the Earth is flat. However, the word "cradle" is a metaphor, not a literal description of flatness. Let’s break down what a cradle represents:

• A cradle is comfortable for the baby.
• A cradle protects the baby.
• A cradle supports the baby’s needs for growth and development.

Now, which of these characteristics is most applicable to the Earth? Clearly, it is not flatness, but rather comfort and protection. Just as a cradle provides for a baby’s needs, the Earth provides everything necessary for human life: air, water, sustenance, and shelter. This metaphor does not mean the Earth is flat; it means the Earth is designed to support life.

Furthermore, a cradle, though comfortable and protective, does not have to be flat in shape. Cradles often have curved bases, allowing them to rock back and forth, providing even more comfort and ease for the baby. This curved nature of a cradle aligns better with the Earth’s spherical shape, which also offers stability and protection, much like the function of a cradle.

Why We Shouldn’t Take the "Flat" Interpretation

The verse describing the Earth as a cradle is a vague metaphor with no clear evidence (daleel) that it is meant to be taken literally or that it is describing the Earth as flat. Without concrete evidence, we should not impose a flat interpretation.

Moreover, when we examine clearer verses, such as Surah Az-Zumar (39:5), which explicitly refers to the Earth’s spherical nature, it becomes evident that any metaphorical descriptions like "cradle" should be understood in light of the clearer evidence.

Evidence of a Spherical Earth in the Quran

The Quran contains a very clear reference to the spherical nature of the Earth in Surah Az-Zumar (39:5), which states:

"He created the heavens and the earth for a purpose. He wraps the night around the day, and wraps the day around the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon, each orbiting for an appointed term. He is truly the Almighty, Most Forgiving."
(خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ بِالْحَقِّ ۖ يُكورُ اللَّيْلَ عَلَى النَّهَارِ وَيُكَوِّرُ النّهَارَ عَلَى اللَّيْلِ ۖ وَسَخَّرَ الشّمْسَ وَالقمَر ۖ كُلٌّ يَجْرِي لِأَجَلٍ مُسَمًّى ۗ أَلَا هوَ الْعَزِيزُ الْغَفَّارُ)

The word "يُكَوِّرُ" (yukawwir) comes from the root word "كرة" (kurah), meaning ball. This word is used to describe the act of wrapping something around a spherical object. The verse indicates that the night and day wrap around each other, which can only happen on a spherical Earth.

Thus, while the metaphor of the cradle is vague and open to interpretation, Surah Az-Zumar (39:5) provides explicit clarity on the Earth's shape: it is round. We must understand the vague verses in light of the clear ones, and this verse about the spherical shape of the Earth removes any ambiguity.

Clarifying Through Analogies

Consider the use of metaphor in other contexts. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ referred to his uncle Hamza as "the lion of Allah." This does not mean that Hamza had four legs or a tail—it means he was courageous. Similarly, the use of "cradle" for the Earth refers to its suitability for life, not its physical shape.

Conclusion: The Earth is Not Flat According to the Quran

The Quran does not claim the Earth is flat. Instead, the verses in question use language that reflects human experience and perception, while other verses explicitly describe the Earth as spherical. The metaphor of the cradle and the phrase "spread out" are meant to highlight the Earth's suitability for human life, not to provide a scientific description of its shape. With Surah Az-Zumar (39:5) clearly indicating the Earth's roundness, it is evident that the Quran never suggested a flat Earth.