ASM Sc. J.

, 19, 2024

https://doi.org/10.32802/asmscj.2023.1399

Iapetus Equatorial Ridge: The Understanding

from The Quran and The Hadith
N. Ramli1∗, H. Noor Isa2, A.F. Ramli3 and R. Awang4

1
Faculty of Quranic and Sunnah Studies, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Bandar Baru Nilai, 71800 Nilai, Negeri
Sembilan, Malaysia
2
Departmant Physics, Kulliyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jln Gombak, 53100 Kuala Lumpur,
Selangor, Malaysia
3
Faculty of Human Science, Sultan Idris Education University, 35900 Tanjong Malim, Perak
4
Independent Researcher

This research studies the statement about the splitting of the Moon into two as narrated by Quran &
Hadith in accordance to scientific studies related to the subject. The author suggests that current
scientific findings of the formation of the equatorial ridge on Iapetus differs from the Islamic
classical scholars’ opinions are not in tandem regarding the splitting and fusing of the moon. This
research also applies the methodology of hadith from the writings given from various narrations and
hadith literature. The application of document analysis methodology is applied to current concepts
by the geologists and astrophysicists on the formation of the equatorial ridge of Iapetus and the ice
ridge in Antarctica. The findings establishes that the Iapetus equatorial ridge is a genuine existence
that occurred, which split into two and fused back. This image was captured by the satellite sent to
Saturn.
Keywords: equatorial ridge; moon split; Islam and scientific; Exegesis

I. INTRODUCTION meaning the moon. This article describes the event of the
moon splitting into two and most Quranic exegesis anticipate
The Holy Quran is a primary reference source for Muslims for
the event as; the coming Judgement Day (Juan E. Campo,
learning and discussing several religious issues (Ahmad
2009).
Faizuddin Ramli et al., 2020) regarding theology, ethics,
Muhammad Asad (1900–1992), the contemporary Qur’anic
jurisprudence, history, the universe, science (Ali Muhammad
exegesis commented on this Ayah as he said that most
Bhat, 2017) etc. In terms of theology, miracles have been
commentators (he might be referring to the earlier Qur’anic
included as part of the Islamic theology and creed. One of the
commentators before him) consider that the Ayah refers to a
polemics which have been debated amongst the Quranic
phenomenon said to have been witnessed by several of the
exegesis and scholars was the miracle of Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬on
prophet’s companions and contemporaries of his time. Here,
the splitting of the moon phenomena. In general, it has been
it is understandable that the witnesses may have lived within
written in the Quran and the traditions regarding this miracle
the prophet’s lifetime, which is around 570CE – 632CE. Even
of the prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. It is stated in the Quran: "The
though Asad believes that there is no reason to doubt the
Hour has drawn near, and the moon has been cleft asunder”
subjective veracity of these reports, due to the limitations on
(The Quran 54:1). The Quran mentions the moon 27 times.
the understanding about the universe and its infrastructure.
On one occasion the word "‫ "ﻗﻤﺮا‬was mentioned once (QS 25:
Asad assumes that the meaning of the Ayah is actually the
61). One of its chapters, is also named al-Baqi, (2002)
possibility of an unusual partial lunar eclipse which produced

*Corresponding author: [email protected]

 ASM Science Journal, Volume 19, 2024

ِ
a rare optical illusion. He also chooses to translate his - ُ‫اﻪﻠﻟ‬
‫ ﻓَﺄَﻧْـَﺰَل ﱠ‬،‫ ﻧـَﻌَ ْﻢ ﻗَ ْﺪ َرأَﻳْـﻨَﺎ‬:‫ﻮﻫ ْﻢ ﻓَـ َﻘﺎﻟُﻮا‬
ُ ُ‫ﱠﺎر ﻓَ َﺴﺄَﻟ‬ ْ َ‫ ﻓ‬،‫ َﻫ َﺬا ﺳ ْﺤ ُﺮ اﺑْ ِﻦ أَِﰊ َﻛﺒْ َﺸﺔَ َﺳ َﺤَﺮُﻛ ْﻢ‬:‫ﺶ‬
َ ‫ﺎﺳﺄَﻟُﻮا اﻟ ﱡﺴﻔ‬ ٌ ْ‫ﺖ ﻗـَُﺮﻳ‬
ْ َ‫ﻓَـ َﻘﺎﻟ‬
understanding of the Ayah by saying that it is referring to a
{‫ﺿﻮا َوﻳـَ ُﻘﻮﻟُﻮا ِﺳ ْﺤٌﺮ ُﻣ ْﺴﺘَ ِﻤﱞﺮ‬
ُ ‫ﺎﻋﺔُ َواﻧْ َﺸ ﱠﻖ اﻟْ َﻘ َﻤ ُﺮ َوإِ ْن ﻳـََﺮْوا آﻳَﺔً ﻳـُ ْﻌ ِﺮ‬ ِ
َ ‫ }اﻗََْﱰﺑَﺖ اﻟ ﱠﺴ‬- ‫َﻋﱠﺰ َو َﺟ ﱠﻞ‬
future event specifically to the approaching of the last hour.
Which can be translated as follows: Abu Hakim ‘Aqil ibn
Here, Asad quotes from Raghib’s Arabic linguistic points. He
Muhammad al-Jurjani informed us (through verbal
interprets the phrase ‘inshaqqa 'l-qamar ("the moon is split
authorisation); Abu’l-Faraj al-Qadi; Muhammad ibn Jarir;
asunder") as a sign of an apocalyptic cosmic cataclysm at the
al-Husayn ibn Abi Yahya al-Maqdisi; Yahya ibn Hammad;
end of time prior to the advent of the day of Resurrection
Abu ‘Awanah; al-Mughirah; Abu’l-Duha; Masruq; ‘Abd Allah
(Asad, 1980). He also quotes that Zamakhshari supports the
who said: “The moon was split at the time of the Prophet
above-mentioned proposition. Muhammad Asad later
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬so the Quraysh said: ‘This is an act of
concluded that there is none of the Quranic allusions to the
sorcery/witchery from the son of Abu Kabshah; he has cast a
‘nearness’ of the Last Hour or also known as the Doomsday
spell on you. Ask, therefore, the travellers whether they saw
based on the human concept of ‘time’. Raghib al-Isfahani
the moon split. They asked some travellers, and they
(1997) interprets the Ayah into three meanings:
confirmed it. Allah exalted is He, then revealed (the coming
1) The moon has been split at the time of prophet Muhammad
day of the Judgement, and the moon was broken apart or split
‫ ﷺ‬based on the narration of the hadith
into two things (two halves). And if they catch sight of the
‘‫’وﻗﻴﻞ اﻧﺸﻘﺎﻗُﻪ ﰱ زﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﱮ ﺻﻠﻰ ﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﺳﻠﻢ‬
miracle or (sign), they turn away and say: this is persistent
2) The moon will be split in half during the coming days of
sorcery/witchery). (Abū al-hasan ‘Ālī ibn Ahmad ibn
Judgement based on the hadith
Muhmmad ibn Ālī al-wāhidī al-Naysābūrī al-Shāfi’īy, 1992).
ِ ‫’وﻗﻴﻞ ﻫﻮ اﻧﺸﻘﺎق ﻳﻌ ِﺮض ﻓﻴﻪ ِﺣﲔ ﺗَـ ْﻘﺮب‬
‘ُ‫اﻟﻘﻴَ َﺎﻣﺔ‬ ُ ُ َْ ُ َ More details about the historical event are discussed by ibn
3) It is an explicit phenomenon based on the hadith ‘Āshūr where he writes that the majority of Quranic
‘‫ﺿ َﺢ اﻷ َْﻣ ُﺮ‬
َ ‫’وﻗﻴﻞ ﻣﻌﻨﺎﻩ َو‬. commentors believe that this ayah has been revealed upon
the polytheists and they witnessed it through the greatness of
In Tafsir Jalalayn, the Ayah
signs and part of miracles bestowed upon Prophet
‫ﺖ اﻟ ِْﻘﻴَ َﺎﻣﺔ‬
ْ َ‫ﺎﻋﺔ{ ﻗَـُﺮﺑ‬ ِ
َ ‫}اﻗََْﱰﺑَﺖ اﻟ ﱠﺴ‬
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬which is the splitting of the moon
translated as: “The Day of Judgement is coming near or close
(Muhammad al-Ṭāhir ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-
(to)” While the following Ayah
Ṭāhir ibn ‘Āshūr al-Tūnisiy, 1992).
َ ‫اﻪﻠﻟ َﻋﻠَْﻴ ِﻪ َو َﺳﻠﱠ َﻢ َوﻗَ ْﺪ ُﺳﺌِﻠَ َﻬﺎ ﻓَـ َﻘ‬
‫ﺎل ا ْﺷ َﻬ ُﺪوا‬ ‫ﺻﻠﱠﻰ ﱠ‬ ِ ْ َ‫}واﻧْ َﺸ ﱠﻖ اﻟْ َﻘﻤﺮ{ اﻧْـ َﻔﻠَ َﻖ ﻓِﻠْ َﻘﺘ‬
ٍ ‫ﲔ َﻋﻠَﻰ أَِﰊ ﻗـُﺒَـْﻴ‬
َ ُ‫ﺲ َوﻗَـﻴْـ َﻘ َﻌﺎ َن آﻳَﺔ ﻟَﻪ‬ َ َ He also quotes from the hadith narrated by al-Tarmizī
ِ ‫رواﻩ اﻟﺸﱠﻴﺨ‬
‫ﺎن‬ saying that this event happened while the pilgrims were
َ ْ ُ ََ

translated as: “The moon was broken apart or split into two sitting together with the prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬at Minā and

parts (two halves) on top of mount ‘Abi Qubais’ and mount the Moon was broken apart (split into two) which supports

‘qa’qa’ani’ as a sign which leads or directs one to something the information that it occured during the time of Hajj.

important bestowed to the prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬and when (Muhammad al-Ṭāhir ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-

he was asked about it, he said ‘Bear witness now or watch it! Ṭāhir ibn ‘Āshūr al-Tūnisiy, 1992).

As reported by two Scholars, al-Bukhari and Muslim” (Jalāl Through the biography of al-Halabī, ibn ‘Āshūr stated that

al-Dīn Muhammad ibn ahmad al-mahalli and jalāl al-Dīn it is on the night of 14th zu al-Hijjah (the last day of nights at

Abd Rahman ibn Abi Bakr al-Suyuṭī, 1440). Abu al-Hasan ‘Alī Minā during nights of yaum al-Nafr) where during that time,

ibn Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Alī al-Wahīdī al-Naysabūrī the polytheists assemble at Minā and among them were al-

al-Shāfi’iy write the ‘Asbāb al-Nuzūl for this ayah by referring Walīd ibn al-Mughīrah, and Abū Jahl, and al-‘Āṣī ibn wābil

to the Hadith below: and al-‘Āṣī ibn Hishām, and al-Aswad ibn Abd yagūth, and al-

‫َﺧ ََﱪَ� ُﳏَ ﱠﻤ ُﺪ ﺑْ ُﻦ‬ ِ ‫اﳉﺮﺟ ِﺎﱐﱡ إِﺟ َﺎزةً ﺑِﻠَ ْﻔ ِﻈ ِﻪ أَ ﱠن أَﺎﺑ اﻟْ َﻔﺮِج اﻟْ َﻘ‬ ٍ ِ ٍِ Aswad ibn Abd al-Muṭṭalib, and Zam’ah ibn al-Aswad, and al-
َ َ‫َﺧ ََﱪُﻫ ْﻢ ﻗ‬
ْ ‫ أ‬:‫ﺎل‬ ْ ‫ﺎﺿﻲ أ‬ َ َ َ َ ُْْ ‫ﻴﻞ ﺑْ ُﻦ ُﳏَ ﱠﻤﺪ‬
ُ ‫َﺧ ََﱪَ� أَﺑُﻮ َﺣﻜﻴﻢ َﻋﻘ‬
ْ‫أ‬
Nadhru ibn al-Hāris; they asked prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬if he
،ِ‫ َﻋ ِﻦ اﻟ ُْﻤﻐِ َﲑة‬،َ‫ أﺧﱪ� أَﺑُﻮ َﻋ َﻮاﻧَﺔ‬:‫َﺧ ََﱪَ� َْﳛ َﲕ ﺑْ ُﻦ ﲪﺎد ﻗﺎل‬ َ َ‫ﲔ ﺑْ ُﻦ أَِﰊ َْﳛ َﲕ اﻟ َْﻤ ْﻘ ِﺪ ِﺳ ﱡﻲ ﻗ‬
ْ ‫ أ‬:‫ﺎل‬ ْ �‫ أﺧﱪ‬:‫َﺟ ِﺮﻳ ٍﺮ ﻗﺎل‬
ُ ْ ‫اﳊُ َﺴ‬
was a true/genuine/authentic prophet, if so prove to them by
- ‫ﺻﻠﱠﻰ ﷲُ َﻋﻠَْﻴ ِﻪ َو َﺳﻠﱠ َﻢ‬ ِ‫ﻮل ﱠ‬ِ ‫ اﻧْ َﺸ ﱠﻖ اﻟْ َﻘﻤﺮ َﻋﻠَﻰ َﻋ ْﻬ ِﺪ رﺳ‬:‫ﺎل‬
َ َ‫اﻪﻠﻟِ ﻗ‬
‫وق َﻋ ْﻦ َﻋْﺒ ِﺪ ﱠ‬
ٍ ‫ ﻋﻦ ﻣﺴﺮ‬،‫ﻋﻦ أَِﰊ اﻟﻀﱡﺤﻰ‬
َ - ‫اﻪﻠﻟ‬ َُ َُ ُْ َ ْ َ َ َْ

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 ASM Science Journal, Volume 19, 2024

making the moon split (break apart) into two parts or by half approached. It is Haq (the Truth) regarding the end of times.
and thus the Moon split into two (Muhammad al-Ṭāhir ibn Even though if the moon was split as stated in the Hadith
Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Ṭāhir ibn ‘Āshūr al-Tūnisiy, (Muhammad ibn ‘Umar ibn al-Husain ibn al Hasan ibn ‘aliyy
1992). Al-Imām Fakhru al-rāzī in Tafsīr al-Kabīr or Mafātīhu al-Taimimī al Bakrī al-Rāzīy al-Shāfi’īy, 2004). The list of the
al-Ghaib writes that this ayah is similar to the meaning of companions of the prophet that witnessed the event as

ayah an-Najm :57 ٥۷ ُ‫ﺖ ۡٱﻷٓ ِزﻓَﺔ‬

ِ َ‫أَ ِزﻓ‬, The hour of Judgement has narrated below:

Table 1. List of Hadiths pertaining the splitting of the moon

No. Name of the Narrators of the hadiths The book of hadith and the number of
the hadiths
companions
1. Abdullah bin Mas‘ud Abu Dawud al-Tayalisi Musnad Abi Dawud al-Tayalisi [no. 278, 293]
(d. 32H/752CE) (d.204H)
Al-Humaydi (d. 219H) Musnad al-Humaydi [no. 86]
Ahmad bin Hanbal (d. 241H) Musnad Ahmad [no. 3583, 3924, 4360]
Al-Bukhari (d.256H) Sahih al-Bukhari [no. 3636, 3969, 3871, 4864,
4865]
Muslim (d. 261H) Sahih Muslim [no. 2800]
Al-Nasa’i (d. 303H) Al-Sunan al-Kubra [no. 11488, 22489].
Abi Ya‘la al-Mawsili (d. Musnad Abi Ya‘la [no. 4968].
307H)
Al-Tabarani (d. 360H) Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir [no. 9996]
Al-Hakim (d. 405H) Al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihayn [no. 3757]
2. Abdullah bin Umar Abu Dawud al-Tayalisi Musnad Abi Dawud al-Tayalisi [no.2003].
(d. 73H/692AD) (d.204H)
Ibn Hibban (d.354H) Sahih Ibn Hibban [no. 6496].
Al-Tabarani (d. 360H) Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir [no. 13473].
Al-Hakim (d. 405H) Al-Mustadrak ‘ala al-Sahihayn [no. 3756, 3759]
3. Anas bin Malik Ahmad bin Hanbal (d. 241H) Musnad Ahmad [no. 13918, 13919, 13959].
(d. 93H/711AD)
Al-Bukhari (d.256H). Sahih al-Bukhari [no. 4866].
Muslim (d.261H). Sahih Muslim [no. 2802, 3287].
Abu Ya‘la al-Mawsili (d. Musnad Abi Ya‘la [no. 2929, 3141, 3254].
307H).
Al-Tabarani (d. 360H). Musnad al-Syamiyyin [no. 2581].
Al-Hakim (d. 405H) al-Mustadrak ‘ala Sahihayn [no. 3761]
4. Ibn ‘Abbas Al-Bukhari (d. 256H) Sahih al-Bukhari [no. 4866].
(d. 68H/687AD)
Al-Tabarani (d. 360H). Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir [no. 10734].
5. Father of Jubayr ibn Al-Tirmidhi (d. 279H) Sunan al-Tirmidhi [no. 3289].
Mut‘im
Ibn Hibban (d. 354H) Sahih Ibn Hibban [no. 6497].
Al-Tabarani (d. 360H). Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir [no. 1559].

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 ASM Science Journal, Volume 19, 2024

6. Father of Muhammad Al-Tabarani (d. 360H) Al-Mu‘jam al-Kabir [1561].

ibn Jubayr
7. Grandfather of Jubayr Al-Hakim (d. 405H) al-Mustadrak ‘ala Sahihayn [no. 3760].
ibn Mut‘im

It is interesting to note the hadiths has been reported by The hadith without a doubt is authentic hence is
many people in various books of hadiths by various narrators unquestionable and fully accepted by all scholars from every
on the same subject. section, there is no element of falsehood.
It was narrated by al-Tayalis as a general announcement on It even makes sense to accept the miracles had happened
important events that happened at the time of Prophet and it is not something that can be confused by other similar
Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. “Narrated `Abdullah bin Masud: During the events like the moon eclipse or refractions of light in space or
lifetime of the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬the moon was split into two parts an exceptional phenomenon that happened once in China
and on that, the Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, "Bear witness (to thus).” (al- where there were two suns in the sky. Besides, researchers
Tayalisi, no. 278; al-Nasa’i, no. 11888). believe that the companions who have had seen the
It was narrated within a crowd or a group of people. As for phenomenon of the moon eclipse and solar eclipse were able
the example, narrated by al-Tirmidhi (Sunan, no. 3285): to differentiate the difference between these rare occurrences
“Narrated Ibn Mas'ud, may Allah be pleased with him: We and the miracle of the moon split. There is a time where
were with the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬in Mina, when the moon prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬mentions about these two phenomena
was cleft asunder into two parts. Part of it was behind the (moon and solar eclipse) as below.
mountain, and part of it before it. The Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬ Narrated Abu Mas`ud: The Prophet (‫ )ﷺ‬said, "the sun and
said to us: 'Bear witness' meaning: The house has drawn near, the moon do not eclipse because of the death or life of
and the moon has been cleft asunder (54:1)". It was a someone, but they are two signs amongst the Signs of Allah.
statement and an answer from the challenge of a group of So, if you see them, offer the Prayer (of eclipse) (Sahih al-
people as narrated by al-Bukhari (Sahih, no. 3637): “Narrated Bukhari 3204).”
from Anas: That the Meccan people requested Allah's Thus, this shows the significant differences between eclipse

Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬to show them a miracle, and so he showed them and moon splitting. In fact, the refractions of the light can

the splitting of the moon." “Narrated from `Abdullah: The only happen during the day and in the sky, which in contrast

moon was cleft asunder while we were in the company of the to the occurrence of the moon split that happened in the night

Prophet, and it became two parts. The Prophet ‫ ﷺ‬said, as mentioned in the hadith at the night of Mina with several

Witness, witness (this miracle).” Even though there are witnesses looking at the moon with two halves. The word used

several versions on the hadith proclamations, yet the focal in the Qur’an is “‫ ”اﻧﺸﻖ‬which is similar to the other Arabic

point of the subject matter remains the same as documented; word “ َ‫ ”ﺗَﻔ ﱠَﺮق‬meaning “be split “(apart) (Yūsuf syukrī farhāt,

the integrity of the miracle, including the places; the moon 2005), which confirms without a doubt that the object was

split; and the time of its occurrences was proven as had indeed split into two, as the witnesses saw it in a real situation

happened at the time of Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬was still alive. according to the hadiths stated in this article. Moreover, some

These hadiths demonstrate the communication methods on of the witnesses genuinely agreed that the moon split and as

delivering knowledge from one generation to the next a consequence, they accused the prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬of

generation. It is almost impossible to deny the miracles of the bewitching them in order to deny the truth. The denial and

moon splitting into two. In fact, these hadiths were approved rejections by the disbelievers was a strong indication and

and were accepted through the strict mechanism that ensures confirmation of miracles that has happened at the time of

that the narrator and the narrations are genuine and Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬as they demanded to show them a

acceptable according to the Islamic hadith science miracle which is the splitting of the moon yet the disbelievers

methodology.

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 ASM Science Journal, Volume 19, 2024

(the Quraish) were unable to reject it as it truly happened i) The miracle should happen contrary to the
before their eyes. custom,
It is interesting to see several other interpretations of the ii) The miracle occurred to meet the challenge. Wan
Ayah about the same subject. In Tafsir al-Tustari (d. 283H), Zailan Kamaruddin (1997) argues if the
he comments on the Ayah: “The Hour has drawn near, and phenomenon happened without any challenge or
the moon has split. During the time of the Messenger of God, request from a certain group of people to prove
when it was cleft into two segments, such that one segment something it would not be considered a miracle,
disappeared behind Mount al-Ḥirāʾ. This was the first of the and this is in agreement with Islamic scholars.
signs [of the approach] of the Day of Judgement. The Thus, other than these criteria the unusual
following is related from Abū ʿAbd al-Raḥmān al-Sulamī: phenomenon can only be described as a herald
‘Once I was with my father in Mada’in (30 km south Baghdad) (Khabar), and not a miracle (Mukjizat) which
when the time for the Friday prayer came, so he took me by usually comes with challenges (al-tahaddi). And it
the hand and went with me to the Friday prayer. Then is known that Taylor & López-Farjeat was not
Hudhayfa b. al-Yamān rose to the pulpit, praised God, and aware and was unable to differentiate the concept
extolled Him, and said, “The Day of Judgement has drawn of miracles. Miracles are classified into two parts
near, and the moon has split. Is not the Day of Judgement viz. Mukjizat aqli and Mukjizat Hissi. There is also
drawing nigh? Has the moon not been cleft asunder? Is this other crucial element that needs to be considered
world not fading into decline? Is it not so, that the racetrack while discussing miracles which are the subjects of
is set today, and the race will be on the morrow?” When we prophecy since it is best categorised as ‘the truth’
went outside again, I said, “O Father, will people race each and not as ‘bad omen’ or miracles. The word
other tomorrow?” He replied “O my son! You don’t realise ‘miracle’ can also denote many meanings as
[what he meant by] ‘The race is on the morrow’. He is just defined in Arabic (Lughawi).
saying that whoever works [righteousness] today will excel in Moreover, it is important to emphasise the fact that a

the Hereafter.”’ His words, exalted is He." prophet is a human being. This means that he has no ability

The phenomena by itself are certainly a miracle as reported to change any physical creations of Allah. Yet, when it comes

by al-Bukhari fulfilling the challenge of the Quraish (Sahih, to the miracles with Allah’s will, a prophet who is powerless
No. 3637), which said: “The people of Mecca demanded from to make the rain fall can still be able to pray to Allah during a

Allah's Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬that he should show them (some) signs draught where a prolonged shortage of water supply happens,

(miracles) and he showed twice the splitting of the moon.” On with the will of Allah, the heavy rainfall persisted for a week

the other hand, Taylor and López-Farjeat (2016) states that following Jumaah (Friday). This happened at the time of

the interpretation on the miracle of the splitting of the moon Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬, and it was recorded in the hadith:

had taken place in the context of the discussion and should “Anas b. Malik reported that a person entered the mosque

only be generalized. The prophecy about this supernatural through the door situated on the side of Daral-Qada' during

omen from Allah must happen. On that account, when it was Friday (prayer) and the messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬was delivering

proclaimed by a person who assured others that he was to be the sermon while standing. He came and stood in front of the

the prophet, it shows that the phenomenon will occur in the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬and said: Messenger of Allah, the
future and must surely happen indeed. Another perfect camels died, and the passages were blocked; so, supplicate
example is the story of the defeat and triumph of the Allah to send down rain upon us. The Messenger of Allah ‫ﷺ‬
Romans/Byzantines against the Persians (Surah al-Rum, 30: raised his hands and then said: (O Allah, send down rain upon
1-4). us; O Allah, send down rain upon us; O Allah, send down rain
Additionally, it also conforms with the characteristic of upon us. Anas said: By Allah, we did not see any cloud or any
miracles which can be listed as: patch of it, and there was neither any house or building
standing between us and the (hillock) Sal'a. There appeared a

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cloud in the shape of a shield from behind it, and as it (came Abbas and from the other Tābi‘iīn (the generation after the
high) in the sky it spread and then there was a downpour of Companions of the Prophet or aṣ-ṣaḥābah) (1994) Anas ibn
rain. By Allah, we did not see the sun throughout the week. Malik in kitab Sahih al Bukhari narrated “That the Meccan
Then (that very man) came on the coming Friday through the people requested Allah's Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬to show them a
same door when the Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬was standing and miracle, and so he showed them the splitting of the moon.”
delivering the sermon. He stood in front of him and said: Al-Ṭabarī (2005) interprets the Ayah saying that it has been
Messenger of Allah, our animals died, and the passages mentioned that the event happened at the time of Prophet
blocked. Supplicate Allah to stop the rain for us. The Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬in Makkah, before the Hijrah to Madinah, the
Messenger of Allah ‫ ﷺ‬again raised his hands and said: O ignorance of Makkah requested for a miracle, and so the
Allah, let it (rain) fall in our suburbs and not on us, O Allah prophet showed them the splitting of the moon, and they saw
(send it down) on the hillocks and small mountains and the it as a miracle and the truth of his prophecy and as the true
riverbeds and at places where trees grow. The rain stopped, messenger of Allah, yet they denied the miracle and deceived
and as we stepped out, we were walking in sunshine. He (the it and said: “Same old magic!, Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬has created an
narrator) said to Polytheist: I asked Anas b. Malik if he was illusion on us ”, and they Allah send down the other next Ayah
the same man. He said: I do not know.” by the second Ayah of the same surah ‘ ‫َوإِ ْن ﯾَ َﺮ ْوا آﯾَﺔً ﯾُ ْﻌ ِﺮﺿُﻮا َوﯾَﻘُﻮﻟُﻮا‬
In addition, al-Nawawi (d. 676H) have said: it is proof of the ‫ ’ﺳِﺤْ ٌﺮ ُﻣ ْﺴﺘَﻤِ ﱞﺮ‬which means ‘Yet, whenever they see a sign, they
greatness of the prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬and his nobleness turn away, saying, “Same old magic!”. al-Ṭabarī also quoted
(karamah) on Allah’s side which makes the miracles possible several other hadith that illustrates the understanding of the
for prophet Muhammad to make the heavy rainfalls during Quran in al-Qamar Ayah 1.
the draught persist for seven days without any thick clouds Thus, the Quran and the hadiths provides comprehensive
nor cloudiness or any other physical signs. The prophet documentation and information regarding the phenomena of
happened to experience various unusual phenomenon the moon splitting into two. Despite the findings of
throughout his life even before he became a prophet. A hadith traditionalist resources and non-scientific facts about the
narrated by Jabir:" Jabir b. Samura reported Allah's Moon, the author noticed that Iapetus equatorial ridge fits the
Messenger ‫ ﷺ‬as saying: I recognise the stone in Mecca which criteria of the moon splitting as represented from the hadiths
used to pay me salutations before my advent as a Prophet, and the Quran where the features of the Moon split in two can
and I recognise that even now." be seen on Iapetus. This suggests a probability that the
Nonetheless there are several Qur’anic commentators and equatorial ridges might be as the result of the moon splitting
interpretations that implies the Ayah is an illusion or ‘unreal’, into two on the basis of some written historical proof and also
yet there is other Quranic exegesis recorded the phenomena the concept of the Antarctic ice ridges where the ice can
and was written extensively from the book of hadith as separate and re-attaches with ridge marks as a result from the
mentioned earlier including the hadiths written by process. This suggests that Iapetus might have gone through
Muhammad Jamāl al-din al-Qāsimī. where he interprets the a more complicated process as the equatorial ridges seem to
meaning, the same Ayah in his Tafsir, a narration from Ibn be more distinctive and clearer than any other features in
Jarīr where he mentioned that this happened during the time space or among any other moons in spaces.
of the prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬in Makkah, before the Hijrah to
Madinah, the unbeliever in Makkah requested Prophet II. METHODOLOGY OF UNDERSTANDING
THE FORMATION OF THE IAPETUS
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬to show them a miracle, and so he showed
EQUATORIAL RIDGE
them the splitting of the moon as proving the truth of his
sayings and his prophecy. When they saw the event, they In general, this article postulates the concept of an Iceberg

turned away and said that it was Sihr mustamir “Same old that split and fused back resulting in the creation of a ridge,

magic!”. Besides, al-Qāsimī, mentioned that in similar that is likely what happened to the Iapetus moon of Saturn.

narrations narrated by Anas ibn Malik, Ibn Mas’ud, Ibn Furthermore, both cases of the phenomena are exposed to the

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extreme climactic conditions of the extreme freezing The author is of the opinion that the formation of the
temperature. Yet in Iapetus, the temperature is far colder. As equatorial ridge marked by the clean line on the equator,
far as the author is concerned, no one ever yet has come out cannot happen due to any other process. The author therefore
with this supposition, and it should be considered for further reiterates that it must be the result of the splitting of the moon
research. at the equator. For this reason, the author considers the
Considering all three assumptions and analysis on the mechanism of the Antarctic rift supports the miracle of the
formations of Iapetus equatorial ridges, the data is still moon split.
limited as the volume of the ridge is sparse and Cassini
observation is only from one side of the satellite. However, III. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Denk et al. (2000; 1596) detected the features continuing at
The outcome of the of the discussion is divided into three
the other hemisphere. Castillo (2007) found that the ridge
parts namely,
appears to be single, double, or triple in some places. And the
i. The discussion on the equatorial ridge of
flanks are steep with slopes in some sections greater than 30
Iapetus through the data collected from
degrees. The volume of material involved in the ridge seems
previous studies, which will contribute new
very large. This ridge spans at least half of the equator and is
ideas on the possible cause of the formation of
well developed over a length of ~1600km. While in the cross-
the equatorial ridge on Iapetus.
section, the ridge looks like a typical (triangular) shape with
ii. Proceed by several sceptical discussions or
200 km base and 18km height. Castillo assumes that the
myths related to the subject matter which was
rotations were slowed by the tides of Saturn, and the section
widely circulated and made it impossible to
of the ridge of the bulges somehow remained even though the
generate further discussions on the subject.
rest of the moon returned to a more spherical shape. Iapetus
iii. The historical evidence which will lift the
main features were cold and icy as verified by Czechowski
position of this miracle as understood and
(2008) on the composition of the moon, he asserts that
respected.
Iapetus’ low density composing of ice and silicates content
The author is aware that there is almost no direct proof
which is about 22% by mass and about 8% by volume in
related to the equatorial ridge on Iapetus and the splitting of
accordingly. It is interesting to see such accurate equatorial
the Moon, yet ancient Indian astronomers and scholars might
ridges on the surface of the Iapetus. He also acknowledges
have documented their observations and interpretations
that the precise age of the equatorial ridges remains
about the Moon’s surface in Sanskrit texts, which the
unknown. Czechowski (2008: 63) suggests the formation
researcher suggest further readings on the Vedanga Jyotishe
happened after the Heavy Bombard Epoch (HBE) meaning
that contains more information on lunar phases, eclipses and
“the ridge is cut by impact craters in some places, which
planetary movements. The author suggests further research
indicated that is not the most youthful surface feature”.
on ancient Indian text include Mahabhrata and the
Czechowski adds that there is no doubt about the continuity
Ramayana as both contain epic poems that describes celestial
of the ridge. Czechowski comes up with several possibilities
events and phenomena. Even though at this stage it remains
on the formation of the equatorial ridges, such as the basic
unclear through gleaning the Indian astronomical books.
formulae, tectonic regimes: compression versus extension,
However, the Quran and Hadith documents on this
convective pattern, internal heat, and evolutionary scenarios.
phenomenon is certain and it is one of the significant events
Czechowski emphasises the three scenarios: Spin-orbit
in Islamic history. The ancient Indian painting at the Rajput
resonance scenario, Convection in a low-viscosity-interior
court of Kotah in 18th century has shown the fusion of Islamic
scenario and impact-generated flow scenario. Still, it is not
and Hindu artistic styles. It helps us to relate between these
possible for these suppositions to create a remarkable
two civilisations of the ancient India and the Islamic Quran
equatorial ridge.
and Hadith pertaining to the discussion on this subject
matter. As well as to understand the event better through the

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historical perspective we may refer to the image 1 from the 4) The Iapetus might have split once and fused back as
Historical proof in the following discussion. alluding to what was mentioned in the Quran.
The discovery of a system of circumferential ribs along the
A. The Equatorial Ridges of Iapetus equator by the Cassini imaging team has led to the very
interesting proposal of a rapid derotation of Iapetus from a
This is a strange event observed from the earth. The strangest
rotation period of approximately 17 hours to the state of
features on Iapetus is that this moon has a straight ridge that
synchronous rotation (Porco et al., 2005; Castillo et al.,
runs around the equator, which makes it look incredibly
2005a; 2005b). According to this theory, the ridge system
artificial. This is also called the equatorial ridge; discovered
was formed by the large-scale tectonic process associated
by the Cassini space probe. Giles describes the ridge as on
with the fraying process. This endogenous model sets
average 20km wide and 13km high and stretches for at least
important dynamic constraints on the timescales of Iapetus
13000km around Iapetus. While Czechowski and Leliwa-
formation and the tidal decay of its rotation. Similarly,
Kopystyński (2008: 61) assert that the ridges extended over
according to current theoretical estimates, some important
at least 1400 km along the great circle defined by the equator.
timescales in the disentanglement mechanism remain to be
Currently the Astronomers are not certain on the exact cause
resolved. What they have suggested as a possible alternative
that form the equatorial ridge yet few theories has been
is that the observed equatorial ridge system is the result of the
discussed about it. Castillo-Rogez et al. (2007: 190) assumes
accumulation of mass by the surface impact of a ring system.
that the formation caused by depinning requires a much
Another important strength of this model has to do with the
higher initial rotation rate having a period of ~7 h similar to
equatorial location of the ridge system when it is a ring
Porco et al. (2005), which suggests that the ridge associates
remnant. The discovery of satellites around some of the larger
with Iapetus’ despinning and this idea is based on the location
objects in the Kuiper Belt could be taken as supporting
of the ridge at the equator. While Denk et al. (2005: 1596)
evidence for this new idea (Brown et al., 2006). They dared
proposed that it is the result of volcanic activities. Giese et al.
to propose this supposition because it could potentially shed
(2005: 359) suggest that the morphology of the ridge
new light on the origin of Iapetus and satellite formation in
indicates up warming of the surface due to a Techtronic event.
general. For example, the formation of the ring could be
Meanwhile, Sandwell and Schubert (2010: 818) assume that
related to the inclined orbit of Iapetus (with i = 7°) with
the equatorial ridge on the Iapetus was produced by the
respect to the local plane of Laplace, which differs greatly
rearrangement of material accompanying the buckling failure
of the lithosphere that is focused on the equator. from that of all other regular satellites (with I ≈ 0 °) of Saturn.

Initially, it can be concluded about the formation Could this unique feature originate from a strong collision

comprising of three possibilities, which are: event that led to the formation of an accretion disk? We really

1) it may consist of materials that somehow was dumped on do not know. A detailed formulation of the accretion disk

the moon’s surface; formation, ring evolution and mass distribution of the

2) it may consist of icy materials that welled up from inside hypothetical ring system is beyond the scope of the present

the moon and ‘migrated’ towards the equator under the work. In addition, some of the apparent weaknesses of

influence of forces from the Iapetus rotation; current ring ridge theory, such as its relationship to the tidal

3) The Iapetus moon once span much faster or fast enough to fraying process and the formation and maintenance of the

develop a pronounced equatorial bulge. Czechowski (2008: equatorial ridge system, need to be addressed in the future.

61) suggests similar ideas where he stated that three possible In any case, they hope that this discussion will contribute to

scenarios lead to the formation of the equatorial ridges: spin- the current investigation of Iapetus, one of the most

orbit resonance scenario, convection in a low viscosity- enigmatic objects in the Saturnian system, if not the Solar

interior scenario, and impact-generating flow scenario. System. Further analysis of Cassini's data and observations

However, in this article, there might be one more possible will likely give us a more accurate idea of the geophysical

scenario that causes the formation of the ridge, which is, properties of its ridge system.

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the result of secondary ridging. One of the signs of the

secondary ice ridges is just forming two or several above-
water parts of them, located most often at an angle to each
other with markedly differing in the thickness of the ice
fragments (Tyshko & Kharitonov, 2011). Kharitonov explains
more that the crest with a higher sail in the ice ridge 1 formed
later, at the final state of ridging. While Ice ridge 2 has
extremely large angles of sail and keel slope (84° and 77°)
from the side rafted ice. The edge of the left slope of the keel
has a fairly loose structure as at a distance of -0.25…0.5m the
thermal drill rarely occurred ice blocks on its way below CL.”
Thus, it can be concluded the ridge formation might
possibly be measured and calculated by thermal drilling as it
is the appropriate method used in the Antarctic and it

Figure 1. Picture source (Ip, 2006), “which explains an resembles the stages of ice ridges formations by looking at the

illustration of the three stages of the ring system of Iapetus: cross-section profile of ice ridges and diagram of ice ridges
(a) co-accretional growth of both Iapetus and its ring system surface in general.
filling up a broad region of the Hill’s sphere; (b) accretion of
the ring objects in orbital decay by the proto-Iapetus; (c) B. Myth on Moon Split
final disruption and destructive erosion of the ring system
There is always a myth regarding the subject regardless of
stored within the Roche limit. The figures are not to scale
since the radius of the Hill’s sphere of Iapetus should be whether the event is proven to have happened in the past or

nearly 49 times the radius of Iapetus itself”. it will happen in the future. There are several sceptical views
on discussing the Moon Split in two as reported in the Quran
A study on ice ridges conducted by the AARI has been done in the Ayah. “The Day of Judgement has drawn near, and the
in the Shokal’s Kogo Strait. Based on the paper, the study moon has been cleft asunder" (The Quran 54:1). In 2010,
focused on using hot water drilling with computer recording Nasa Lunar Science Institute (NLSI) staff mentioned that “No
of the penetration rate. This study has suggested few methods current evidence reports that the Moon was split into two (or
on a possibility to measure the thickness of ice ridges sail more) parts and the resembled at any point in the past said
blocks. This method examines whether the equatorial ridge in scientist name, Brad Bailey. Based on this claim in 2010, he
Iapetus have experienced a similar process as the ice ridge. did claim that ‘No current scientific evidence resembled at
Kharitonov (2020: 8) shares the analysis and discussion of any point in the past which means that the scientist did not
the research where he mentioned that the ridges were in fast find yet any scientific evidence during that year. The basis of
ice, and, consequently their keel was more strongly eroded by believing is not limited to scientific research papers and
the action of under-ice currents than in drifting ice ridges. He results only as these areas could not cover every knowledge
also adds that the ratio of keel and sail is characteristic of ice about the universe. Human-beings have limitation but not for
ridges in fast ice. According to him, the keel/sail ratio, as in Allah, The creator of all. The Quran or revelation guides
2016, also falls within the range of “mean ± standard human-beings towards understanding the universe and
deviation” for the Artic ice ridges. Kharitonov, 2020 describes creatures in a better way. It is known by the researchers and
it as. “Indicate that almost all ice block thickness was multiple scientist that there is lot more research to be done in
of 0.15m, indicating substantial rafting in the ridging understanding things around us and some were completed
processes. The average thickness of ice blocks in the mainsail yet the cause remained unknown and uncertain. Some
of ice ridge 1 was 0.29 m, and in the crest at a distance of 31 theories in scientific research papers can change from time to
m; he refers to another -0.19 m. That means that ice ridge 1 is time as new things are discovered yet the revelations do not

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change at all. The Quran remains the same content from the Thus, every person deserves their interpretation as they
time it was revealed to the prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬until today. might be caught into their understanding of data and the
Even though several things have been discussed about the limitation of reaching the information during their lifetimes.
changes of the writings as the times and people were changing Here in the following paragraph, the author will discuss the
yet the value of it remains the same until the end of days as historical evidence found about the splitting of the Moon.
Allah promised in the Ayah: “Behold, it is We who have
bestowed from on high, step by step, this reminder? and, C. Historical Proof on Moon Split
behold, it is We who shall truly guard it [from all corruption]”
Ali Akhbar (2012) writes about the history of the king of
(The Quran 15:9). As noted by Bhat (2017: 8), The scientific
Kerala at that time name: Cheraman Perumal Rama Varma
findings of the universe must be consistent to the revelations
Kulashekhara, who is believed to be one of the witnesses of
in the Quran. As a result, true belief should be founded on
the miracle of Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. Ali Akhbar said that
argument and inquiry, as well as continuous meditation on
people from inside and outside the Arab peninsular had
God's "signs" in the universe, both now and in the future.
witnessed the miraculous moment. As for the king himself, he
Moreover, the Iapetus equatorial ridge was newly
had seen the miracle while relaxing on the rooftop of his
discovered by scientists. No wonder scientific research had
palace at Kodungallore on a moonlit night. The king became
not been discovered yet about this. Thus, the author sees that
curious to know about the moon-splitting incident and its
it should be considered to conduct further research to
origin as he heard from the Arab merchants about the
understand this event. The Iapetus equatorial ridge indicates
Prophet Muhammad and his miracles. The king got a chance
the clearest sign that the earth moon had indeed split in two
to meet a group of Arabs who visited Kodungallore palace
in the past. Shah Waliullah is among the people who have
during their visit to Ceylon as the place of prophet Adam (the
denied the Splitting of the Moon. Schimmel (1985: 81) writes
first human being on earth and the first prophet). The Arab
that to him, it may have been a kind of hallucination probably
group lead by a scholar name Sheikh Sahiruddhin bin
caused by smoke or by the swooping down of a star or any
Baqiyuddhin al-Madani who was one of the residents of
cloud or it may also be an eclipse of the sun or the moon,
Madinah and was a Muslim. He managed to answer the
which might be perceived as the impression that the moon
questions on the phenomena in Islam asked by the King.
was split in two. Yet, it is known that Shah Waliullah was in
According to the story, the King expressed his desire to
unison with hundreds of pious writers that love speaking
embrace Islam and to meet Prophet Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬in
about the miracle of the prophets to prove prophet
Makkah. Thus, the King divided his kingdom into three parts
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬greatness. Another person that seems to have
and appointed his sons and nephews to rule each province.
similar views on disbelief on this phenomenon as had
He planned properly for his kingdom as he visited several
happened in the past is Qadi Iyad. He suggestion was due to
relatives and employees to brief them with all the instructions
his inability to access the Indian traditions during his
and rules.
lifetime. Schimmel quoted on his words where he has said. “It
Makhdum (2009: 33) writes similarly on this phenomenon
has not been saying of any people on earth that the moon was
where he mentioned that Muslims in Malabar believes that
observed that night such that it could be stated that it was not
the King himself one night saw in person the splitting of the
split. Even if this had been reported from many different
moon following which he planned to meet prophet
places so that one would have to exclude the possibility that
Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬, and after meeting the Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬,
all agreed upon a lie, yet we would not accept this as proof to
he died at Shahar al-Mukalla along his way back to Malabar
the contrary, for the moon is not seen in the same way by
with a group of Muslims. Annemarie Schimmel (1985)
different people. … An eclipse is visible in one country but not
approved the Indian Tradition where she had mentioned
in the other; in one place it is total, in the other one only
clearly that a King Shakrawati Farmad in southern India had
partial”.
indeed watched the Splitting of the moon. Schimmel further
explained that the story must rather be well-known in

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southern India and was recounted there in later Middle Ages mythologise that event and other supernatural phenomena.
in an Arabic Text. This statement might represent the Figure One of the Greek works entitled ‘liber denudations had
2 below. discussed the subject of Moon Split yet discredits prophet
Muhammad ‫ ﷺ‬because they believed that he had been using
the Islamic sources to claim on the halving on the two
mountains in Makkah. This was known as in 762H, at the
time was during the Abbasid dynasty founded in the capital
Baghdad. The government had started to sponsor the
translation of Greek works and texts which later produced
major scientific works of antiquity such as Galen, Aristotle,
Euclid, Ptolemy, Archimedes, and Apollonius-all translated
into Arabic. This project involves most of the Christians and
pagan scholars as well as the Muslims (Gingerich, 1986: 74).
Thus, the Arabs acknowledged the Greek works from the
translations. While Saliba (2002: 40), affirmed that the
subject of the moon’s fracture is against the opinions of the
Mu’tazilites including al-al-Nazzam (d.845 AD), who is
reported to have disputed subject matter.

IV. CONCLUSION

The inferences from the Quran, the hadiths and scientific

research accordingly discloses that there might be a
possibility of other causes for the formation of the equatorial
ridge at Iapetus, which calls upon an in-depth discussion and
Figure 2: Illustration shows Indian art that is widely used to
more research. The Scientific theories should support the
tell the commentaries of Middle Meccan Surah.
revelation in question but researchers and scientists produce
(Source: <Commentary Overview | Corpus Coranicum>.)
peculiar theories related to the universe that moves away

Annemarie adds that in the mid-nineteenth century a from this assertion. The research is not able to measure the

miniature painted at Rajput (Hindu) court of Kotah explicitly exact distance between Jabal Abū Qubays and Jabal al-

shows the splitting of the Moon with all its details. It is more Qaiqa’ani as mentioned in the hadith as the two Mounts are

interesting how Schimmel quoted Rumi on understanding out of reach from the researchers. This exercise cannot be

the Splitting of the moon from one of his lyrical poems where referred to by utilising contemporary maps or websites as far

the ideas of Rumi’s were elaborated sophisticatedly by Jami as the researcher knows, yet we attempt to estimate the

who loves playing with numbers and shape values following driving route as approximately 121 km as illustrated in Figure

the Arabic letters. According to the ideas, the full moon 3 shown below.

represents a circular ‘‫’م‬, and the values of it are 40. This value
was split by the prophet and becoming like two crescents
shaped which resemble nun whose values 50 numerical
number each, and thus proves that the moon has indeed
increased in value thanks to the miracle.
Annemarie Schimmel has said that it might be difficult for
the rationalistic thinkers and it is not understandable how to
explain the splitting of the moon, thus most tried to de-

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scientifically. Many sources are based on Quran and Hadith

as mentioned above and the rest through the arts of Kotah. It
has been suggested that non-Islamic sources, such as the
Greek historian Theophanes the Confessor, had mentioned
about the eclipse of the moon during the reign of the
Byzantine emperor (610-641 CE), and this observation to a
certain extent, has been interpreted as a possible historical
evidence to the event of the splitting of the moon. However,

Figure 3. Distance driving between two mountains. this interpretation is controversial and not widely accepted by
Islamic scholars. Overall, while there are various historical
The contemporary name for Jabal al-Qa’qa’ani is now and literary references to the narrative on the splitting of the
known as Jabal al-Qarni. According to available online moon, these Islamic sources are generally based on earlier
source it is known as Al-Qarni. Overall, numerous historical Islamic accounts and do not provide independent verification
and literary works that refer to the story of the splitting of the of the event.
moon can be found based on earlier Islamic sources. Yet, it
doesn’t provide independent verification of the event

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