Ptolemaic astronomers maintained that the sun circles around...
Ptolemaic astronomers maintained that the sun circles around the earth once in twenty four hours as a result of which a different exegesis was provided for the blessed Verse in question, but it is proved by modern scientists that the earth circles around the sun in twenty four hours and the blessed Verse 48 saying: “How Excellent Spreader are We!” is substantiated by modern discoveries and is regarded as one of Qur’anic miracles.
Two quite precise points may be derived from the blessed Verse concerning the creation of the earth. The first clause: “And We have spread out the earth” likens the earth to a carpet prepared and spread for rest. The second clause: “How Excellent Spreader are We!” indicates that the earth which serves as a carpet on which one may rest is like a cradle moving permanently.
The beauty of expression lies in the point that despite its permanent motion, the earth likened to a carpet on which one may rest and its motion is not tangible. God Almighty glorifies Himself herein and concerning Creation, the Creator and the Provider of the world says that He has created the world in the best manner.
In other words, the expression “how Excellent Spreader are We!” is a delicate one reflecting that God Almighty prepared the earth with all the means of rest for the life of mankind. The Arabic word mahid is a cognate of mahd and the latter is applied to cradle or any place prepared for rest. Such place is supposed to be quiet, safe, and comfortable and all these conditions are applicable to the earth.
On the one hand, by Divine Command stones are softened and pulverized and on the other, rigidity of mountains and the crust of the earth make it resistant against the pressure caused by the ebb and flow; on the other hand, the atmosphere encompassing the earth preserves the solar heat blanketing the widespread bed shielding it against collision of meteorites burning them into ashes. Thus, all the means of welfare has been Divinely prepared for human comfort on the globe.