The Earth’s Shape in the Quran

The Quran is filled with verses that encourage people to reflect on the natural world. One of these remarkable verses is from Surah An-Nazi’at (79:30), where Allah describes the Earth’s shape using the word “dahāhā”. This word has been debated among scholars, but modern science provides an astonishing confirmation of its meaning. Let’s explore this connection in scientific terms.

1. The Meaning of "Dahaha" (دَحَىٰهَا) – Spread Out or Egg-Shaped?

The Arabic word "dahaha" comes from the root word "daha", which has multiple meanings:

• To spread out (like stretching a flat surface).
• To shape like an ostrich egg (rounded but slightly flattened).

Interestingly, modern science confirms that Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid—meaning it is slightly flattened at the poles and bulging at the equator, much like an egg.

2. Earth Formed After the Heavens

The verse says Allah spread out the Earth after creating the heavens. Science agrees:

• The Big Bang (13.8 billion years ago) formed stars and galaxies first.
• Earth came much later (4.5 billion years ago) from a cloud of cosmic dust.

3. Plate Tectonics – Earth is Still "Spreading"

The word "dahaha" can also refer to the way Earth’s surface is dynamic:

• Continental drift (tectonic plates move slowly over time).
• Seafloor spreading (new crust forms at ocean ridges).

This matches the Quran’s description of Earth being "spread out" in a way that suggests expansion and movement.

This verse reminds us that:
1. The Quran is not just a religious book—it contains scientific truths revealed 1,400 years ago.

2. Allah’s knowledge is infinite; He described Earth’s shape long before modern technology confirmed it.
3. The more science advances, the more we appreciate the Quran’s accuracy.

Surah An-Nazi’at 79:30 is a scientific miracle of the Quran. The word "dahaha" perfectly describes Earth’s shape and formation in a way that matches modern discoveries.

This should strengthen our faith and make us reflect: Could a book from the 7th century have known these facts without divine guidance?