THE SPLITTING OF THE MOON
The 54th Surah of the Qur’an is called “Surat
al-Qamar.” In English qamar means moon. In several instances,
this Surah tells about the destruction that befell the people
of Nuh, Ad, Thamud, Lut and Pharaoh, because they rejected
the warnings of the prophets. At the same time, there is a
very important message stated in the first verse, concerning
the Last Day.
The Hour has drawn near and the moon has
split. (Surat al-Qamar: 1)
The word “split” used in this verse
is the Arabic shaqqa, which in Arabic it has various
meanings. In some commentaries on the Qur’an, the meaning
“split” is preferred. But shaqqa in Arabic
can also mean “ploughing” or “digging”
the earth.
As an example of the first usage, we can refer
to the 26th verse of Surat al-Abasa:
We pour down plentiful water, then split
the earth into furrows. Then We make grain grow in it, and
grapes and herbs and olives and dates. (Surah ‘Abasa:
25-29)
It can be clearly seen that the meaning of shaqqa
here is not to “split.” It means to plough the
earth in order to grow various plants.
If we went back to the year 1969, we would see
one of the great wonders of the Qur’an. The experiments
carried out on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, may
be hinting at the fulfilment of news given 1,400 years ago
in Surat al-Qamar. On that date, American astronauts set foot
on the moon. Digging at the lunar soil they carried out scientific
experiments and collected samples of stones and soil. It is
surely very interesting that these developments are in complete
agreement with the statements in the verse.
The exploration of the moon is identified with
the slogan: “One small step for man; one giant leap
for mankind.” This was an historic moment in space research;
it was an event documented by cameras, and everyone from that
time to this has witnessed it. As it is stated in the first
verse of Surat al-Qamar, this great event may also be a sign
of the Last Day. It may be a sign that the world is in the
End Times before the Judgment. (Allah surely knows best)
Finally, let us point out that there is a very
important warning following these verses. There is a reminder
that these signs are an important opportunity for people to
turn from error, and that those who do not heed these warnings
will be disappointed when they will be brought back to life
on that Day of Judgment which is described in the Qur'an as
“something unspeakably terrible”:
The Hour has drawn near and the moon has split.
If they see a Sign they turn away, saying “There is
no end to this witchcraft!” They have denied the truth
and followed their whims and desires, but everything has
its time. News has come to them which contains a threat:
consummate wisdom—but warnings are profitless. Turn
away from them then. On the Day the Summoner summons them
to something unspeakably terrible, they will emerge from
their graves with downcast eyes, like swarming locusts,
necks outstretched, eyes transfixed, rushing headlong to
the Summoner. The disbelievers will say, “This is
a pitiless day!” (Surat al-Qamar: 1-8)
|
