MOON

al-Baqarah 2:189

- and the sun, see SUN.

- travels through appointed mansions till it returns, Ya Sin 36:39. Is this statement merely poetic in nature? Is it only talking about the phases of the moon? What is the meaning of "mansions"? Shakir translates it as stages, while both Pickthall and Yusuf Ali plainly states "mansions". This article takes a closer look and quotes from various classical Muslim commentators to clarify the statement.

- Crescent Moon Symbol.

- the splitting of the moon, al-Qamar 54:1. The meaning of this verse is hotly disputed between Muslim scholars. The conservative scholars hold that Muhammad performed the miracle of splitting the moon as a sign of his prophethood. Many modern or more liberal Muslims either see it in some sense metaphorical or as a future event that will happen as a sign for the end of the world. See also these comments.

  Statements by various Muslims: *, *, *, *, *

  Others even try to read it as a scientific prophecy that has been fulfilled in the landing on the moon, see this discussion.

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