Quran claims that Heaven is not expanding

4:31

19 Jan 2015

Cosomology, History of Science

Safiyyah Ally

Shabir Ally

This compilation from of a video blog (vlog) by IrishInfidel opens with a brief undated clip of Safiyyah and Shabir Ally (from “Let the Quran Speak”) discussing the idea of an expanding universe based on verse 51:47 of the Qurʾān.  When this ends just before the two minute mark, the video’s creator, who does not speak or appear in the video, includes English translations (using Pickthall’s translation) of a variety of Qurʾānic verses to suggest that A) this interpretation of verse 51:47 has only been used since we have known about the expanding universe scientifically and B) there are many other verses that discuss the creation of the universe that do not mention its expansion.  The video’s creator then compares 51:47 to Jeremiah 51:15 from the Bible.  All of this seems to be intended as a refutation of both the Allys and Islam generally.

Shabir Ally in his discussion mentions Maurice Bucaille, the Big Bang, cosmic radiation.

Evaluation:

Although the material presented by Shabir Ally within the bounds of what Muslims have historically understood as acceptable — he explicitly notes that parts of verse 51:47 confused premodern interpreters — most of the material in the second half of the video does not cohere with Muslims’ understanding.  The consistent use of Pickthall’s translation is rather odd, as its language was used in order to sound more Biblical.  Every translation is also an interpretation, so that more current translation include the most recent interpretations is not surprising.

The science presented by Shabir Ally is accurate.  The author of the material in the second part of the video does not include scientific information.

There is insufficient historical material on which to base an evaluation.