The concept of Earth (Arabic: Arḍ, أرض) in Islamic tradition is laden with profound cosmological, theological, and mythological dimensions. Through the lenses of the Qurʾān, Ḥadīth, and classical Islamic scholars’ commentaries, the Earth unfolds as a realm interwoven with both spiritual and physical elements.
Definition and Etymology
Arḍ (أرض) is the Arabic word for ‘Earth.’ While the term broadly indicates the planetary body we inhabit, Islamic texts often imbue it with additional layers of meaning and significance. The word ‘Arḍ’ appears numerous times in the Qurʾān, often emphasizing its created nature and its role as the habitat for humanity.
Background and Theological Foundations
Islamic teachings, rooted in the Qurʾān and the teachings of Muḥammad, present a unique cosmology in which Earth figured both as a physical realm and as a stage for human morality and spirituality. Notable is the idea, found in various traditions, that just as there are seven heavens [HEAVEN], there are also seven Earths situated one beneath the other, the journey between regions believed to be equivalent to five hundred years.
In the Qurʾān, Earth’s flat-like expanse is highlighted in verses like Surah Al-Baqarah (2:20) and Surah Ar-Ra’d (13:3). Classical commentators understood these descriptions metaphorically, inferring Earth to be both vast and finite.
Cosmography and Mythical Landscapes
Islamic tradition paints Earth surrounded by a vast sea called al-Baḥru ʾl-Muḥīt̤ (the circumambient ocean), encircled by the mythical Mountains of Qāf, said to be made of green chrysolite. Within this extraordinary scenery are numerous fascinating elements, including:
- Thriving Civilizations and Wastes: Earth comprises varied geographies, including uninhabited deserts, regions inhabited by Gog and Magog (Yājūj wa Mājūj), and civilized lands.
- Mysterious Entities: The jinn, or genii, reputedly dwell in inaccessible parts within these landscapes.
- Center of Worship: Makkah (or Jerusalem, according to some traditions) is considered the center of Earth.
Cultural Perspectives: Myths and Realities
The narrative of Earth’s structure blends literal and figurative storytelling, with Islamic theologians often seeking symbolic or allegorical meanings behind such descriptions.
Synonyms and Antonyms
- Synonyms: World (Dunya, الدنيا), Earthly realm, Terra Firma.
- Antonyms: Heaven (Jannah, جنة), Celestial realm, Undimensioned space.
Related Terms
- Al-Baḥru ʾl-Muḥīt̤: The circumambient ocean said to surround the Earth.
- Mountains of Qāf: A mythical range said to enclave the Earth’s ocean and impart a green hue to the sky.
- Kujūta: The cosmic bull supporting the Earth.
- Bahamūt: The enormous fish upon which Kujūta stands.
Exciting Facts
- The city of al-Khiḍr’s Fountain of Life reputedly lies at the Earth’s southwestern corner.
- The “Sea of Darkness” (Baḥru ʾz̤-Z̤ulmāt) represents the western portion of the Muḥīt̤.
Quotations from Notable Writers
Al-Ghazālī highlighted the symbolic import of Earth as God’s vast creation, teaching humility and introspection.
Literature and Further Studies
- “The Qur’an” translated by M.A.S. Abdel Haleem
- “Islamic Cosmology and Astronomy” by F. Sureyyya Kaplan
- “The Marvels of the World” by Al-Qazwini
Inspire yourself with these narratives, noting how they blend faith and imagination, providing broader cosmological context to our transient earthly abode.
Take this knowledge as a journey not only into understanding but into appreciating the profound world of Islamic cosmology as it overlays the physical realm with spiritual resonances.
Farewell,
Fatima Haddad
With every step into learning, may our hearts find clarity and our spirits touch upon wonder.
