Quran and Science
Imagine someone 1,450 years ago describing the exact death of a star with remarkable precision. Long before telescopes, satellites, or modern astrophysics existed, early Prophet Muhammad described stars like our Sun expanding, changing color to red, losing their light, and collapsing inward—creating a profound connection between the Quran and science. As we examine these celestial phenomena, the harmony between the Quran and science offers a fascinating look into how early commentary captured the true physics of cosmic evolution.
1. The Quranic Description: Kuwwirat
إِذَا ٱلشَّمْسُ كُوِّرَتْ
“When the sun is wrapped up…”
The Arabic word used here is Kuwwirat (كُوِّرَتْ). In classical Arabic linguistics, this word stems from Takwir, which literally means to gather one part of something into another by folding or wrapping it. The classic Arabic example of this action is Takwir al-Imamah—the exact motion of folding and wrapping a turban tightly around a head, or folding cloth together into a compact bundle.
2. References: The Companion of the Prophet, Ibn Abbas (RA)
Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA)—the beloved companion of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and cousin of the Prophet—provided the foundational explanations for this verse recorded in major classical works of Tafsir.
The Example of the Turban & Folding Inward
To explain how the Sun’s radiation and structure behave, classical exegesis records the linguistic and physical explanation derived from Ibn Abbas:In Tafsir Ibn Kathir (Surah 81:1): Explaining Takwir, scholars recorded that Kuwwirat means gathering one part into another—specifically like Takwir al-Imamah (the wrapping/folding of a turban). The light that currently radiates outward across space will be folded back into the Sun itself, forcing it to compress and collapse inward.
Before its light vanishes completely, Quranic verses and early companion describe a dramatic transformation in color and appearance:
The Red Transformation: In Tafsir Ibn Kathir and Tafsir al-Tabari, companion statements regarding cosmic transformations (such as Surah Ar-Rahman 55:37) note that celestial bodies change state and color, becoming “red like a rose or hot oil” .
The Final Darkening: Following this phase, Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn Abbas in Tafsir al-Tabari (Vol. 24, p. 237) that Ibn Abbas stated the exact words describing the end of Kuwwirat:”كُوِّرَتْ: أُظْلِمَتْ” > “Kuwwirat means it will be darkened.” Al-`Awfi similarly reported from Ibn Abbas:”تَذْهَبُ” > “Its light will go away completely.”
Hadith Reference
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ emphasized how vividly Surah At-Takwir captures these events:
“Whoever wishes to look at the Day of Judgment as if he is seeing it with his own eyes, let him read: ‘When the sun is wrapped up…’” > — (Recorded in Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3333 | Sahih)
3. How Modern Astrophysics Explains the Death of Stars
For thousands of years, ancient civilizations assumed the Sun was immortal. In the 20th century, nuclear physics revealed the exact lifecycle of stars:
Running Out of Fuel: Stars stay bright by fusing hydrogen into helium in their cores. Eventually, this nuclear fuel runs out.
Turning Red (The Red Giant Phase): As core fuel depletes, the Sun’s core contracts while its outer atmosphere expands drastically. As the surface expands and cools, the Sun turns a deep, glowing red color, becoming a Red Giant.
Gravitational Collapse (White Dwarf): Once the outer red envelope is shed, nuclear pressure stops. Gravity takes over, pulling all remaining solar mass inward toward the center. The star literally collapses and folds in on itself—becoming a small, dense remnant called a White Dwarf.
Summary and Comparison
| Stage / Feature | Explanation of Ibn Abbas (RA) & Quran | Modern Astrophysics |
| Intermediate Phase | Color change to red (Wardatan kal-Dihan) | Red Giant Phase (Atmospheric expansion & cooling) |
| The Motion | Takwir al-Imamah (Folded/wrapped inward like a turban) | Gravitational collapse inward toward the core |
| Final State of Light | “Azhlamat” (Darkened / light goes away completely) | Nuclear fusion ceases; thermal radiation fades into darkness |
| End Result | A condensed, darkened stellar mass | A compact White Dwarf cooling into a Black Dwarf |
Long before modern telescopes and nuclear astrophysics existed, Abdullah ibn Abbas (RA), a noble companion of the Prophet ﷺ, detailed the precise physical lifecycle of stellar collapse. He illustrated how solar radiation wraps in on itself like a turban and eventually dims, showing how classical Islamic scholarship harmonizes with astrophysics. In the end, this deep conversation between the Quran and Science serves as a lasting testament to the cosmic significance of revelation and the amazing design of our universe.
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