Revisiting Qur’anic Terminology of Lunar Illumination through Modern Astronomy

الملخص

The relationship between Qur’anic terminology of celestial phenomena and contemporary scientific knowledge continues to attract scholarly attention, particularly regarding the nature of lunar illumination. A longstanding debate concerns whether the Qur’an’s designation of the moon as nūr (light) is compatible with the scientific view that moonlight is primarily reflected sunlight. Previous discussions have often approached this issue through a dichotomous framework that either interprets Qur’anic terminology metaphorically or views it as conflicting with established astronomical explanations. Addressing this gap, the present study examines Qur’anic terminology related to lunar and solar illumination by analysing the semantic distinctions between nūr, ḍiyāʾ, and related expressions in the Qur’an, alongside relevant prophetic traditions and contemporary astronomical findings. Employing a qualitative interdisciplinary approach, the study integrates linguistic analysis of classical Arabic sources, examination of major Qur’anic commentaries, and review of scientific literature concerning electromagnetic radiation and lunar illumination. The findings indicate that the Qur’anic distinction between the sun as ḍiyāʾ and the moon as nūr reflects a nuanced differentiation between forms of illumination rather than a simplistic contrast between luminous and non-luminous bodies. While classical exegetes differed in explaining the mechanism of moonlight, contemporary astronomical evidence demonstrates that the moon not only reflects visible sunlight but also emits thermal infrared radiation that is undetectable to the unaided human eye. This broader understanding of illumination provides a meaningful context for interpreting the Qur’anic description of the moon as nūr. The study argues that the Qur’anic terminology accommodates a wider conception of light than that recognised by ordinary visual perception, thereby illustrating a constructive harmony between revealed knowledge and scientific observation. These findings contribute to contemporary discussions on Qur’anic scientific interpretation and reinforce the relevance of interdisciplinary approaches in understanding cosmological references in the Qur’an.