In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful The Bestower of Mercy
Imaam Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen was asked: ”The astrologers hold that the earth rotates; is there a legislated proof to establish that?”
Answer:
They do not have a legislated proof for that; Their statement that the earth rotates and that the sun is stationary is in opposition to what is witnessed, and (it is in opposition to) the legislated texts. Allaah (The Most High) said concerning what Ibraaheem said: ‘’Verily! Allah causes the sun to rise from the east; then cause it you to rise from the west.” [Soorah al-Baqarah Ayah2:258]
And Allaah (The Most High) said: ‘’And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed).’’ [Soorah Yaaseen: Ayah: 38]. And He (The Most High) said about the moon: ‘’and has subjected the sun and the moon, each running its course for a term appointed; and that Allah is All-Aware of what you do.’’ [Soorah Luqmaan: Ayah: 29]
The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) said to Abu Dharr (radiyallaahu-anhu) at the time of the setting of the sun: ‘’Do you know where it goes?’’ (1)
Narrated Abu Dharr (radiyallaahu-anhu): The Prophet (sallal-laahu-alayhi-wasallam) asked me at sunset, ‘’Do you know where the sun goes?’’ I replied: ‘’Allaah and His Messenger know best.’’ He said: ‘’It goes till it prostrates itself underneath the Throne, and takes the permission to rise again, and it is permitted. And then (a time will come when) it will be about to prostrate itself but its prostration will not be accepted, and it will ask permission to go on its course, but it will not be permitted, but it will be ordered to return whence it has come, and so it will rise in the west. And that is the interpretation of the statement of Allaah (The Most High): ‘’And the sun runs on its fixed course for a term (appointed). That is the Decree of Allaah The All-Mighty, The All-Knowing.’’(2)
Question to Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz about the sun’s return to its course
Question: Does it (the sun) return to its course?
Answer: It returns to its course and comes out in the east, and sets in the west. When it faces the Throne, it prostrates a prostration that is befitting for it, and Allaah knows its how-ness. Allaah (The Most High) said: ‘’See you not that to Allah prostrates whoever is in the heavens and whoever is on the earth…’’ [Soorah Al-Hajj: Ayah:18] (3)
Sources:
[1][Source:Fataawaa Fadeelatus Shaikh Al-Allaama Muhammad Bin Saaleh Al-Uthaymeen Fil Aqeedah: Vol: 1-2: page:126: Question Number:52]
[2]Saheeh Al-Bukhaari: Vol: 4; Number: 3199; English Translation, Daarus Salaam Publishers]
[3]Al-Hulalul Ibreeziyyah Min At-Ta’liqaat Al-Baaziyyah Alaa Saheeh Al-Bukhaari: Vol: 3; page: 44; footnote: 1]
Abu Mu-aawiyyah (Abdullaah al-Gambi)