Do MUSLIMS really believe that the SUN SETS IN A MUDDY SPRING? Impossible or amazing?

Question

Quran 18:86 “(Zul-qarnain TRAVELLED till) when he reached the setting of the sun, he FOUND IT set IN A SPRING of murky water: NEAR IT (sun in spring) he found a People” http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/quran/018.qmt.html#018.086

Read any Quran translation you find credible. The link I provide is from the most popular Islamic website amongst muslims and provides several translations side by side (cant beat that, but try).

Aya 18:86 in the Quran is literally the most perfect religious textual error ever written. Paradoxical I know, but see if you dont agree.

First, HISTORICALLY speaking, in Muhammad's time, the belief that the sun actually sets into a place on earth was very common. People literally watched it set, and not knowing any better, thought that its set into the earth itself, cause it looks that way visually (when you dont know any better).

Now try this. Suppose you REALLY DID BELIEVE the sun set into the earth. Try expressing this falsehood more clearly than 18:86 does.

Ok fine you say, but you still dont believe that most Muslims today could be so stupid right?

Well try this yourself, with Muslims you know (Overseas Muslims gives the best "representative sample), ask them this precise question:

"Do you agree that the sun could never be found in a muddy spring?"

I know I know, you still think Im hating a bit, but if you just try my little experiment, on a good sample, you will be amazed.

Common Answers from Muslims:

M "The Quran doesnt say that" --

"Great, so answer my question. again do you agree that..."

M "It doesnt say that"

"than answer the question. Do you agree that..."

M "If you look at if from a certain angle it appears this way"

"I agree. So again, do you agree that..."

M "its a metaphor"

"So we do agree that....

M "its a metaphor thats all"

"Ok, you still wont answer, but tell me, if something so plainly false on its face could be called 'metaphor', couldnt all errors in a be dismissed this way"?

Answer 1

The Point Morpheos raised was regarding Surah Kahf Chapter No.18, Verse No.86, that… ‘Zulqarnain sees the sun setting in murky water… in turbid water - Imagine sun setting in murky water… unscientific.’ The Arabic word used here is… it is 'wajada' meaning, ‘it appeared to Zulqarnain.’ And If Morpheos knows Arabic. So 'wajada' means "Appeared" - if you look up in the dictionary also, it means it appeared.’ So Allah Subhanawataala is describing what appeared to Zulqarnain. If I make a statement that… ‘The student in the class said, 2 plus 2 is equal to 5.’ And you say… ‘Oh Razi said, 2 plus 2 is equal to 5. I did not say. I am telling…‘The student in the class said, 2 plus 2 is equal to 5.’ I am not wrong - The student is wrong. There are various ways to try and analyze this verse. One is this way - according to Muhammad Asad, that 'wajada' means… ‘It appeared to’… ‘It appeared to Zulqarnain.’ Point no.2 - The Arabic word used is 'Magrib' - It can be used for time, as well as place. When we say ‘sunset’ – ‘sunset’ can be taken for time. If I say… ‘The sun sets at 7 p.m.’; I am using it for time. If I say… ‘The ‘Sun sets in the West’, it means I am taking it for place. So here if we use the word 'Magrib' for time. So Zulqarnain did not reach that place of sunset - used - as time - He reached at the time of sun set. The problem is solved. Further more, you can solve them in various ways. Even if Morpheos says… ‘No No, the basic assumption is too much - It is not… ‘Appeared to’… it is actually this.’ Let us analyze it further. The Qur'anic verse says… the Sun set in murky water.’ Now we know, when we use these words, like ‘sunrise’ and ‘sunset’ - does the sunrise? Scientifically, sun does not rise - neither does the sunset. We know scientifically, that the sun does not set at all. It is the rotation of the earth, which gives rise to sunrise and sunset. But yet you read in the everyday papers mentioning, sunrise at 6 a.m. sun sets at 7.00 p.m. Oh! The newspapers are wrong – Unscientific!’ If I use the word ‘Disaster’, Oh! There is a disaster’ – ‘Disaster’ means there is some calamity which has taken place. Literally, ‘disaster’ means ‘an evil star.’ So when I say… ‘This disaster’ every one knows what I mean is ‘a calamity’, not about the evil star.’ Morpheos and I know, when a person who is mad, we call him a lunatic - Yes or no? At least I do, and I believe This Lady also will be doing that. We call a person ‘a lunatic’ – He is ‘mad.’ What is the meaning of ‘lunatic’? It means… ‘struck by the moon’ - But that is how the language has evolved. Similarly sun rise, is actually, it is just a usage of words. And Allah has given the guidance for the human beings also - He uses so, that we understand. So it is just ‘sunset’ - Not that it is actually setting - Not that sun is actually rising. So this explanation clearly gives us a clear picture, that the Verse of the Qur’an of Surah Kahf, Chapter.18, Verse No 86, is not in contradiction with established science - That is the way how people speak.
Hope This Answers The Question

Answer 2

doin some muslim hatin today? it's not surprising as it is mainly in a dessert region so water and springs will be important to them and hold high places in stories. no different from any religious stories. muddy water or any water in the desert is a good find, you filter that out with a straw and some sand. and unless you are some new age cult or athiest you share these same roots in the developement of your religion. and if you are better than them then why are you so angry?

Answer 3

it says he observed the sunlight set IN a muddy spring! it says it units in one, in what? a muddy spring! there is not any interpretation available of this different then it being literal. human beings can communicate approximately it being symbolic or a metaphor yet what are they precisely? It states some guy accompanied the sunlight to its placing place, it then says he observed it set, yet the place? right into a MUDDY spring! that's what it says. until eventually, whilst he reached the placing of the sunlight, he found it [as though] placing in a spring of dark airborne dirt and dust, and he found close to it a human beings. Allah stated, "O Dhul-Qarnayn, the two you punish [them] in the different case undertake between them [a fashion of] goodness." you would be conscious the words in brackets (as though are in brackets in easy terms by using fact they are not in the Arabic. it incredibly is mandatory whether to put in the brackets by using fact it would be embarrassing. devoid of it, it embarrassingly reads " he found it placing in a spring of dark airborne dirt and dust!" or muddy spring or muddy pool ect ect ect. what's it metaphorical for? please somebody tell me? it does not advise the path of the sunlight the two by using fact it evidently provides its the suns direction, which become DOWN! Down the place? right into a muddy spring! purple the verse the place did it bypass? we are conversing some guy following the sunlight, accomplishing its placing place, then looking it going right into a muddy spring. The sunlight is trillions of cases extra effective then the earth. Does that sound like it incredibly is conceivable? use your brains!

Answer 4

That's from Surah Kahf.
It is a story of Ashab Kahf.
It is basically talking about a certain time in the story.

Answer 5

Maybe you should go see where the sun really sets and bring back the news.

Answer 6

Dear friend ,
Muslims thank you because you make them laughing.Islam tell people if you do not know go to the one who knows,you're in bad situation, go to Imam and inform please.
www.aswatalislam.com
www.aswatalislam .net
thanks

Answer 7

no we dont