Speed of Light In the Noble Quran

4:32

5 Aug 2008

Miracles / I'jaz, Astronomy

This video, which seems to be intended to convince viewers about the truth of Islam, may be found in a variety of versions and locations.  The visuals are sophisticated and interesting.  The video uses a verse (one of several) and combines it with facts about the speed of light as known today to show that one may derive the speed of light from information given in the Qurʾān.

The original creators of the video and the date created are not known.

There are also videos (and web sites) that critique the logic presented in the video, such as this one on the Portal.

Evaluation:

Understandings of the Qurʾān presented are within the bounds of what Muslims have historically understood as acceptable.

The mathematics done here is tenuous at best. The physics presented — the speed of light and so forth — is accurate. Logically, there are problems trying to “prove” religion with science as well; it’s not as if the Qurʾān specifically says “the speed of light is x”. That one can find a way to reverse engineer the numbers borders on numeracy rather than mathematics.  The Portal includes a video which analyzes the problems.  See it here.

Insufficient historical material on which to base an evaluation.