The Holy Quran with Five Volume Commentary (Vol 4) — Page 748
CH. 36 YĀ SIN PT. 23 الْقَمَرَ وَلَا الَّيْلُ سَابِقُ النَّهَارِ وَكُلٌّ night outstrip the day. All of فِي فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ them float in an orbit. 3241 وَايَةٌ لَّهُمْ أَنَّا حَمَلْنَا ذُرِّيَّتَهُمْ فِي الْفُلْكِ And a Sign for them is that. 42 الْمَشْحُونِ وَخَلَقْنَا لَهُمْ مِنْ مِثْلِهِ مَا يَرْكَبُونَ We carry their offspring in the laden ship, 43. And We will create for them the like thereof "whereon they will ride. 3242 a21:34. '16:8, 9; 23:23; 43:13. 3241. Important Words: float is derived from) يسبحون which means, he swam. They say سبح i. e. the stars swim, float or glide along swiftly in the firmament (Aqrab & Lane). Commentary: The reference in this verse is to the floating of the heavenly bodies through space or ether. The Quran contradicted the view held for a long time that the heavens were solid in their formation. It is characteristic of the Quran that it uses expressions which not only contradict erroneous religious beliefs and scientific views but also anticipate new discoveries in the domain of science and philosophy. It has revealed, in plain simple language, scientific truths which were unknown to the world at the time of its revelation and which even remained hidden for centuries afterwards. This alone constitutes sufficient proof that the Quran is the revealed Word of Him Who is the Supreme Source of all knowledge and from Whom nothing is hidden. The verse also points to the excellent design and order that pervades the entire universe; all the celestial and terrestrial bodies performing their allotted tasks regularly, punctually and unerringly, without trespassing on one another's sphere of action. "The solar system is but one of hundreds of millions of systems, some of which are incalculably larger than it. Yet the countless millions of suns and stars profusely scattered over the immense void are so arranged and distributed in relation to one another as to secure the safety of one and all and to produce everywhere harmony and beauty. Each orb is reflecting the orbit of every other, yet each proceeds safely on its destined way, and all united, form a glorious harmony of structure and motion. " This immaculate design and perfect order pervading the universe unerringly points to a Designer and Controller behind it. 2662 3242. Commentary: There were no steamships in the