(Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth

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- dr_sloth
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(Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth
OP - July 26, 2012, 04:45 AM

"It is not permitted to the sun to catch up the moon, nor can the night outstrip the day: Each swims along in orbit "

Muslims now argue that 'each swims along', refers to all celestial bodies, including the earth.

The word in question is wakullun - all/ each. The argument is that this word necessarily is referring to more than 2 things (more than just the sun and moon), and must also be talking about the earth (and every other planet).

If its true that wakallun means more than two things, then i would guess that it is referring to 1. the sun. 2. the moon. 3. the night. 4 the day.

But as a non Arabic speaker, there is not much I can say to people who do (even if i think they are lying).
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Re: (Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth
Reply #1 - July 26, 2012, 05:12 AM

The Earth is not mentioned as a subject, so how can 'each/all' be referring to it?

If anything, it's bad grammar.
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Re: (Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth
Reply #2 - July 26, 2012, 07:57 AM

It just says that the earth is a fix abode and the Night as an object along with the day go around the earth, basically they rotate around the earth, how can this verse make sense anyway??? Where is the days and Nights Orbit if the day and night had an orbit it would obviously be around the earth, in the beginning the day covers the earth and then it rotates and the night comes and so on they rotate around the earth making day and night happen.

I think this is the explanation for it, only if u look at the earth as a fixed abode will this verse make sense otherwise the night nor the day have any orbits.
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Re: (Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth
Reply #3 - July 26, 2012, 11:00 AM

Quote from: Abood on July 26, 2012, 05:12 AM
The Earth is not mentioned as a subject, so how can 'each/all' be referring to it?

well, thats what i said, but the response is something like 'i speak Arabic as a first language, therefore I win'.
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Re: (Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth
Reply #4 - July 26, 2012, 12:58 PM

dr_sloth

What do you think about my argument ?
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Re: (Arabic question): Can 36:40 be intepreted as including the orbit of the earth
Reply #5 - July 26, 2012, 01:38 PM

i am sure it is another example of geocentrism. You dont need to convince me of that. I just wanted to know if you bend over backwards, and are as generous as possible to the Muslim argument, if its possible to interpret the Arabic as suggesting that the earth also 'swims'.
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