FatwaFederal TerritoriesAstronomy & Calendar
BAYAN AL-FALAK SIRI KE-4 : KUPASAN RINGKAS BERKENAAN BUMI DATAR DARI PERSPEKTIF ILMU FALAK
Is the earth flat or spherical according to evidence from the science of falak (Islamic astronomy)?
Short answer
The article explains that evidence from falak shows the earth is spherical.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Bayan al-Falak
- Topic
- Astronomy & Calendar
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The article explains that evidence from falak shows the earth is spherical. This includes the curved shadow of the earth on the moon during a lunar eclipse, eclipse visibility that differs by location, the horizon line observed from altitude, and the changing positions of Polaris and the Southern Cross by latitude. Spherical trigonometry used for finding the qibla direction and calculating prayer times is also based on a spherical earth. It notes that the Quran does not state the earth's shape explicitly, but falak and astronomical studies are consistent with its guidance.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Gerhana bulan penuh contohnya, gerhana ini hanya boleh berlaku ketika bulan purnama dan apabila matahari, bumi dan bulan berada pada satu satah/barisan yang sejajar.
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “BAYAN AL-FALAK SIRI KE-4 : KUPASAN RINGKAS BERKENAAN BUMI DATAR DARI PERSPEKTIF ILMU FALAK”, 25 March 2019. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/bayan-al-falak/3234-bayan-al-falak-siri-ke-4-kupasan-ringkas-berkenaan-bumi-datar-dari-perspektif-ilmu-falak. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/flat-earth-or-sphere-falak-evidence/