Signs of the Quran - Astronomy

From the above verses it is clear that the Lord is talking to us in our limited language and capacities. He mentions the eternal distance first, the heavens (see Universe & Space, Structure). After that he small human habitat called earth, before drawing our attention to what is in between. Finally, he mentions the two-dimensional view we have of the earth (see G2) by describing the fact that the sun rises from different points throughout the year and in different regions.

All three dimensions of space, forwards and backwards, right and left and up and down are covered here. The fourth dimension, time, is covered as well, since we can only measure it by the movement of the sun, which is the centre of our heaven, the solar system.

In the second verse, the four dimensions of the compass are outlined. Firstly, we can measure positions by East and West as in the first verse and secondly, we can measure them by North-east and North-west as well as South-east and South-west. Both verses together fully cover all points of orientation in measurement of space and time, the stars are mentioned indirectly and they were needed for orientation in sea and desert travelling. The starts at night as well as the sun by day and it's different points of rising and setting. In other verses of the Quran the stars are mentioned separately as a guide for travellers again and again.

The picture shows a compass, the ideal instrument for measuring the direction, we can associate the following Ayah to that:

"(He is) Lord of the two Easts and Lord of the two Wests:"

Surah Ar-Rahman 55 Ayah 17