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The question

Are the claims of scientific inimitability in Surat At-Tariq, based on the assertion that "the striking star" (An-Najm At-Tariq) is the pulsating star (pulsar) which emits a sound similar to a striking or knocking, considered a Quranic miracle?

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Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported Sep 2, 20261 min readAlso available in العربية
The answer

Firstly: "Al-Tariq" (The Night-Comer) in the Qur'an is the bright star that appears at night. Allah swore by it to emphasize the greatness of His power and to clarify that human souls are preserved with their deeds recorded.

Secondly: The discovery of acoustically pulsating stars is not prohibited. The Qur'an may encompass this meaning in addition to its original meaning without contradiction, especially since "Al-Tariq" is a description that can include the light of the star or the waves emanating from it.

Thirdly: The Qur'an is a book of guidance, not a book of experimental science. What is called "scientific miracles" in its current form contains significant flaws, as some exegetes exaggerate in burdening verses with meanings they cannot bear, and they validate weak hadiths to support their arguments. This field must be approached with caution, while observing the regulations for accepting contemporary scientific interpretations, such that the interpretation is linguistically and jurisprudentially sound, that the verse can bear it, that it does not invalidate the sayings of the predecessors, and that it does not restrict the meaning of the verse solely to it.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · imported

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Source platform
Ftawy
Original fatwa ID
3187
Imported
Translation status
Source text, unreviewed
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