Question:

Does the sun revolve around the earth?

Answer:

The apparent meaning of the textual proofs establishes that it is the sun that revolves around the earth, and through its revolution, the alternation of night and day occurs on the surface of the earth. We are not permitted to depart from the apparent meaning of these texts except by a stronger proof that justifies interpreting them other than literally. Among the proofs that the sun revolves around the earth in a manner that causes the alternation of night and day are the following:

1. Almighty Allah says regarding Abraham in his debate with the one who argued with him about his Lord: “Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” [Al-Baqarah: 258]. The fact that the sun is brought from the east is an apparent proof that it is the one revolving around the earth.

2. He also said regarding Abraham: “And when he saw the sun rising, he said, ‘This is my lord. This is greater.” But when it set, he said: “O my people! I am indeed free from all that you join as partners in worship with Allah.’“ [Al-An’am: 78]. He attributed the setting to the sun and not away from it; if it were the earth that revolved, he would have said, “When it set away from it.”

3. Almighty Allah says: “And you might have seen the sun, when it rose, declining to the right from their Cave, and when it set, turning away from them to the left,…“ [Al-Kahf: 17]. He attributed the inclination and passing to the sun, which is a proof that the movement originates from it. If it were from the earth, He would have said that their cave inclined away from it. Likewise, attributing the rising and setting to the sun indicates that it is the one that revolves, even if its indication is less explicit than His statements “inclining” and “passing.”

4. Almighty Allah says: “And He it is Who has created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon, each in an orbit floating.” [Al-Anbiya: 33]. Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said: “They revolve in an orbit like the whorl of a spindle.” This is famously reported from him.

5. Almighty Allah says: “He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly,…“ [Al-A’raf: 54]. He made the night a pursuer of the day, and a pursuer is moving and catching up. It is well known that the night and day are subordinate to the sun.

6. Almighty Allah says: “He has created the heavens and the earth with truth. He makes the night to go in the day and makes the day to go in the night. And He has subjected the sun and the moon. Each running (on a fixed course) for an appointed term. Verily, He is the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.” [Az-Zumar: 5]. His statement “He makes the night to go in the day”—meaning He causes it to rotate over it like the winding of a turban—is proof that the rotation of the night and day happens over the earth. If it were the earth revolving over them, He would have said, “He wraps the earth over the night and the day.” Furthermore, His statement “He has subjected the sun and the moon (to continue going round)! Each running (its course)…“ [Ar-Ra’d: 2], which clarifies what preceded it, is proof that the sun and moon have an actual physical motion in space, for the subjection of something that moves through its own motion is more apparent than the subjection of something stationary that does not move.

7. Almighty Allah says: “And by the sun and its brightness; And by the moon as it follows it (the sun);” [Ash-Shams: 1–2]. The meaning of “follows it” is that it comes after it. This is a proof of their journey and revolution around the earth. If the earth were the one revolving around them, the moon would not simply follow the sun; rather, it would sometimes follow the sun and sometimes be followed by it, because the sun is higher than it. Though reasoning using this verse requires contemplation.

8. Almighty Allah says: “And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of the All-Mighty, the All-Knowing. And the moon, We have measured for it mansions (to traverse) till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk. It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit.” [Ya-Sin: 38–40]. Attributing the running course to the sun and designating it as a decree from the Almighty, the Knowing, indicates that it is a real journey with a precise measure, resulting in the variation of night, day, and seasons. The determination of phases for the moon indicates its movement through them; if the earth were revolving, the determination of the phases would be for the earth by the moon, not for the moon itself. The negation of the sun overtaking the moon and the night preceding the day indicates a forward movement of the sun, moon, night, and day.

9. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said to Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) when the sun had set: “Do you know where it goes?” He said: Allah and His Messenger know best. He said: (“Indeed, it goes and prostrates beneath the Throne, then asks permission [to rise], and it is permitted for it. It is soon that it will ask permission, but it will not be permitted, and it will be said to it: ‘Return from whence you came,’ and it will rise from its west.” Or as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said. Agreed upon (Muttafaq ‘alayh). His statement, “Return from whence you came, and it will rise from its west” is very clear that it revolves around the earth, and through its revolution, the rising and setting take place.

10. The numerous traditions attributing rising, setting, and midday declension to the sun are clear that these occurrences emanate from the sun itself, not from the earth moving relative to it.

Perhaps there are other proofs that do not come to mind right now, but what has been mentioned opens the door and is sufficient for what I intend. And Allah is the Grantor of success.