The Speed of Light in the Noble Quran - A superb article by a Muslim Mathematician!

The following article was sent to me by a Muslim brother, may Allah Almighty always be pleased with him. The article is located at: http://www.speed-light.info/angels_speed_of_light.htm. The reason why I copied the article to my web site is to permanently preserve it from ever being lost.

"We will soon show them Our signs in the Universe and inside their selves, until it will become quite clear to them that it is the truth. Is it not sufficient as regards your Lord that He is a witness over all things? (The Noble Quran, 41:53)"

Allah Almighty in many Noble Verses Gave clear Statements/References to the future humans. The Noble Quran was not just limited to the people that existed 1500 years ago. This is beyond question according to our Holy Book! He the Almighty Gave many clues, headlines and references to many of the creations that He Created and how He Created them in order to make the Noble Quran be truly a Noble and Divine Holy Book for all times and all places, and to enable us to further ponder upon It's Divine Miracles, no matter how advanced we are in time, technology and science.

Be sure to click on the foot notes' links below and read them. They contain further proofs and important elaborations.

Speed of Light: Surprise!

Before the 17th century, scientists believed that there was no such thing as the "speed of light". They thought that light could travel any distance in no time at all. Later, several attempts were made to measure that speed. Today, according to the US National Bureau of Standards, the speed of light in vacuum (outside matter and gravitational fields) is = 299792.4574 +/- 0.0011 km/s. According to the British National Physical Laboratory, the speed of light = 299792.4590 +/- 0.0008 km/s (making an average with the US standard = 299792.458 km/s). But 1400 years ago, the speed of light in vacuum was already known to be 299792.5 Km/s. It is stated in the Koran (Quran, the book of Islam) that light travels in one day the same distance that the moon travels in 1000 lunar years. And since velocity = distance / time, a simple calculation reveals the speed of light in vacuum to be 299792.5 Km/s:

-Speed of Light- -Relativity in Islam-

Moslems (Muslims) believe that angels are low mass creatures, and that God created them originally from light.

An Addition from me, Osama Abdallah:

" 'A'isha reported that Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) said: The Angels were born out of light and the Jinns were born out of the spark of fire and Adam was born as he has been defined (in the Qur'an) for you (i. e. he is fashioned out of clay). (Translation of Sahih Muslim, The Book Pertaining to Piety and Softening of Hearts (Kitab Al-Zuhd wa Al-Raqa'iq), Book 042, Number 7134)"

Jinns were created from smokeless fire: "And He created Jinns from fire free of smoke: (The Noble Quran, 55:15)"

Mankind was created from clay: "We created man from sounding clay, from mud moulded into shape; (The Noble Quran, 15:26)"

Please visit: Science proved that Mankind was created from earth's dust.

Continuing with the article...

They move at any speed from zero up to the speed of light. It is the angels who carry out things for God. Angels take their orders from a Preserved Tablet somewhere in outer space near Earth, and not form God's Throne. They commute to and from this Preserved Tablet to get their orders from God. In the following verse, the Quran is describing how angels travel when they commute to and from this Tablet. And the speed at which they commute to and from this Tablet turned out to be the known speed of light:

^[Quran
32.5] (Allah) Rules the cosmic affair from the heavens to the Earth. Then this affair travels to Him a distance in one day, at a measure of one thousand years of what you count.

It is the angels who carryout this 'cosmic affair'. Hence in 1 day, the angels will travel a distance of 1000 years of what they counted. Obviously they counted lunar years (see Arabic wording at footnote [1]). So Allah is saying that angels travel in one day the same distance that the moon travels in 1000 lunar years, that is, 12000 lunar orbits (1000 years x 12 orbits/year).

We can simply convert both distances and associated times to velocities and then compare them:

Distance = Velocity x Time Þ Velocity = Distance / Time

Therefore, we can calculate the velocity of those angels and then compare it to the known speed of light.

Time:

This table below shows the lunar month and the terrestrial day in both sidereal system (relative to the stars) and synodic (relative to the sun):

Period	Synodic (relative to sun)	Sidereal (relative to the stars)
Terrestrial day t	24 hours = 86400 sec	23 h 56 min 4.0906 sec = 86164.0906 sec
Lunar Month T	29.53059 days	27.321661 days = 655.71986 hours

NASA uses the sidereal system (relative to stars) for expressing the lunar month (T), the terrestrial day (t) and for calculating the velocity of the moon [2]. But Moslems also use the sidereal system (relative to stars) in their proof.

Distance:

So the formula as proposed by Allah is:

Distance traveled by angels in one day = 12000 x Distance traveled by moon during one orbit

And since Distance = Velocity x Time:

Þ C t = 12000 V_o T

Where:

C	Is the velocity of angels, which we intend to calculate and then compare to the known speed of light (no external forces, no acceleration, no deceleration).
t	Is the sidereal terrestrial day defined as the time of one rotation of the Earth about its axis (relative to the stars); i.e. 23 hr, 56 min, 4.0906 sec = 86164.0906sec.
V_o	Is the inertial velocity of the moon (no external forces, no acceleration, no deceleration); which we intend to calculate.
T	Is the sidereal lunar month defined as the time of one revolution of the moon around Earth (relative to the stars); i.e. 27.321661 days = 655.71986 hours.

(see how gravity affects those times and distances, according to Einstein’s theory of general relativity, at footnote [3])

Velocity of the Moon:

Unlike the speed of light, the velocity of the moon is not constant. NASA measured the instantaneous velocity of the moon at various instances throughout its orbit. These measurements show that the velocity of the moon varies considerably (from 3470 km/hr up to 3873 km/hr); which means that the moon accelerates and decelerates continuously. The average lunar velocity is V_avg = 3682 km/hr. Most astronomy textbooks calculate this value manually by the following method:

Velocity = Distance / Time = Length of lunar orbit / Time

As the Earth goes around the sun, the whole moon’s orbit travels along with Earth. This makes the moon travel in a much longer spiral path; But this is not the length of the lunar orbit relative to Earth. The lunar orbit relative to Earth is almost circular having an average radius R = 384267 km. So, the length (L) of this circular lunar orbit relative to Earth is:

L = 2 p R

V = L / T Þ V = 2 p R / T

Substituting R = 384267 km and T = sidereal lunar month = 655.71986 hr:

V = (2 x 3.l4l593 x 384267) / 655.71986 = 3682.092 km/hr

Although this velocity is correct relative to Earth, this velocity is under the influence of the gravitational pull of the sun, stars... (external forces, acceleration); and we need to compare it to the speed of light in vacuum, that is, without any gravitational pulls at all (no external forces, no acceleration). But for any meaningful comparison, they should both be under the same conditions, that is, either both compared with external forces (acceleration) or both without:

299,792.458 km/s is the speed of light in vacuum, that is, outside matter and gravitational fields. This is not the speed of light inside matter (example: speed of light in glass is 199,861.638 km/s; that is around 100,000 km/s slower than in vacuum). Similarly, this is not the speed of light inside gravitational fields. The velocity of light varies with the intensity of the gravitational field (See proof at footnote [4]). Since we are comparing the velocity of the moon relative to the speed of light, therefore we have to compare them inside the same medium, that is either both compared inside the same gravitational field or both outside. Since 299,792.458 km/s is the speed of light outside gravitational fields, then for any meaningful comparison, we have to calculate the velocity of the moon outside all gravitational fields as well before comparing them (we have to calculate V_o without any external forces at all; zero acceleration velocity).

Let ø be the angle traveled by the Earth-moon system around the sun during this one sidereal month. The velocity of the moon V is simply the sum of the tangential velocity V_t plus the radial velocity acquired from the gravitational pull of the sun V_r:

SPEED OF LIGHT 299792.458 KM/SEC, SPEED OF LIGHT 299792.458 KM/S, SPEED OF LIGHT 299792.458 KM/SEC, SPEED OF LIGHT 299792.458 KM/S

Since we have to disregard the gravitational field, then we have to disregard the velocity acquired from that gravitational field as well. In other words, we have to disregard the radial velocity component V_r=Vsinø (because it is acquired from the gravitational field of the sun).

This implies that we have to consider only the tangential velocity component of the moon relative to the sun. In other words, we should only consider the unaccelerated tangential velocity component V_t =Vcosø.

As for the effect of the gravitational field of distant stars: Like the sun, during this one month, the moon would have traveled (relative to them) an angle ø = zero (undetectable). And since cos(0) = 1 then V_t=Vcos(0)=V; that is, the results would not change… The gravitational pull of distant stars is negligible and cannot (detectably) accelerate the moon during this one month, so V_r remains zero; however, the gravitational pull of the nearby sun is very significant and does accelerate the moon. Add to this that scientists disregard the influence of the gravitational field of distant stars when measuring the speed of light in vacuum (at 299792.458 km/s), but they never disregard the gravitational field of the sun.

As for the effect of the gravitational field of Earth: During this one month, the moon would have traveled (relative to Earth) an angle ø = 360. And since cos(360) = 1 then V_t=Vcos(360)=V; that is, the results would not change.

So the velocity of the moon outside all gravitational fields is:

V_o = V cosø

Where V is the velocity of the moon inside gravitational fields and ø is the angle traveled by the Earth-moon system around the sun during this one sidereal month.

Speed of Angels:

So finally we can calculate the speed of angels in vacuum and compare it to the known speed of light in vacuum 299792.458 km/s:

C t = 12000 V_o T

And V_o = V cosø

C t = 12000 V cosø T

C = (12000 V cosø T) / t

Substituting the NASA sidereal values of the periods T and t (from above table); ø is 26.9295 degrees and could be manually calculated at this footnote [5]; cosø = 0.8915645, we arrive at the speed of angels as claimed in the Koran:

C = (12000 x 3682.092 x 0.8915645 x 655.71986) / 86164.0906

C = 299792.5 km/s

Exactly the known Speed of Light!!!

Moslems ask how could an illiterate man who lived 1400 years ago have figured out the velocity of the moon relative to the speed of light?

^{[Quran 10.5]} It is He (Allah) who made the sun to shine and the moon to light, and destined it in stages; that you may learn to count the years and the mathematics. Allah only created this in truth. He details His Signs for those who are knowledgeable (scientists).

See how angels can reach anywhere in the universe before you finish reading this sentence: Wormholes (Below)

[1] The Arabic word "Araj" means a man with a lame leg. In this verse, the Quran specifically uses it's verb "Yaruj" which simply means a man walking on a lame leg. The Quran is describing the lame steps of this 'cosmic affair' and literally says that it is 'at a measure of one thousand years of what you count'. And since this verse is describing something quantitative and emphasizing the lame steps then it has to be pointing to the distance. The distance is the only thing quantitative in this case.

About the Preserved Tablet:

^{[Quran 85.21-22]} But it is a Glorious Quran. ²² Inscribed on a Preserved Tablet.

Moslems believe that Archangel Gabriel got the Quran to their prophet from this Preserved Tablet:

^{[Quran 15.8-11]} We only send down the angels in Truth; if they were not (in truth), no respite would they have ⁹ We have sent down the Message; and We will preserve it ¹⁰ We did send Messengers before you among the religious sects of the old ¹¹ But never came a Messenger to them but they mocked him.

The Quran and all the instructions to all angels were inscribed on this Preserved Tablet before the creation of Earth started. They commute to and from this Tablet to get their orders from God. The angels were originally made of light, and the speed at which they commute to and from this Tablet turned out to be the known speed of light.

[2] The time between two consecutive new moons is 29.53 days and is called the synodic month (synodic means relative to the sun). During this time, the Earth and consequently the entire moon's orbit would have traveled a considerable distance around the sun. When looking from Earth to the path of the moon relative to the stars, the position of the moon against the background of stars is different. This is because during this 29.53 days, the moon would have traveled relative to the stars more than a complete circle (traveled more than one orbit). The time for the moon to return to the same position in the sky relative to the stars (and hence an exact circle) is called the sidereal month (sidereal means relative to the stars), and is 27.32 days (2.2 days shorter). And since we need to measure the time for an exact orbit (and not a circle plus two days, and then multiply this big error 12000 times!!!) we have to use the sidereal system. It is this sidereal system that actually represents the real time for one revolution in the moon's orbit.

[3] According to the theory of general relativity, just as faster moving objects experience slower time, objects in stronger gravitational fields experience slower time as well. That is, clocks on the moon run faster than clocks on Earth, and clocks on Earth run faster than clocks on the sun, and clocks in black holes simply stop. So, the same clock timing those 12000 lunar orbits from Earth reads much less time when timing them from the sun; and reads more time when timing them from the moon; The same clock timing them from a black hole doesn’t read any time at all. Moreover according to general relativity, the length of an object in a stronger gravitational field is shorter (shrinks), that is, 1km on Earth is longer than 1km on the sun, and 1km on the sun is much longer than 1km in a black hole. Simply put: gravitational fields disrupt both distances and times (space-time).

Moslems say Allah specifies ‘at a measure of one thousand years of what you count’, that is, times and distances as measured on Earth (Earth reference frame), simply because they are not the same anywhere else in the universe.

[4] Special relativity says that the speed of light in vacuum is constant. But "vacuum" does not only mean outside matter but also means outside gravitational fields; that is, if you are in a gravitational field then you are not in vacuum even if there is no air around you. In this, case special relativity does not hold.

It is general relativity that deals with the effects of gravitational fields. And according to general relativity the velocity of light varies with the intensity of the gravitational field:

c' = c_o (1+ F/c²)

Where F is the gravitational potential relative to the point where the speed of light c_o is measured.

Simply put: Light travels slower in stronger gravitational fields (near bigger mass).

[5] Every two new moons (one lunar month), the moon will travel 29.10675 degrees relative to the sun. So the average angular velocity of the moon relative to the sun is 29.10675 degrees / 29.53059 days = 0.98564742 degrees / day. Therefore during the one sidereal month, the moon will travel relative to the sun an average angle:

ø = 27.321661 days x 0.9856472 degrees / day = 26.92952 degrees

[6] The Christian Bible says that the universe was created less than ten thousand years ago. Science says that the universe was created 13.5 billion years ago. We can actually observe galaxies 13 billion light years away; that is, light already traveled 13 billion years before it reached us. This alone proves their Bible wrong. To fix this problem, they need the speed of light to decay (to slow down over time); that is, light was faster and covered that distance in much shorter time. But the theory of relativity says that the speed of light is constant... Since the theory of relativity contradicts their Bible, they need the theory of relativity to be wrong for their Bible to be correct.

[7] Moslems believe that God sustains all living things. And all His commands to the angels to sustain man and animals were inscribed on the Preserved Tablet. The Quran says that not even a leaf would drop on Earth without it being previously recorded in this Preserved Tablet.

God says that He inscribed this Preserved Tablet before the creation of Earth started. The Quran says that God answered our prayers today (as commands for the angels on the Preserved Tablet) during the first four days when Earth was still smoke. After this God ordered Earth to form:

^{[Quran
41.9-12]}Say: "Is it that you deny Him [Allah] who created the Earth in two days? And you claim others to be equal to Him? He is the Lord of (all) the Worlds." ¹⁰ He set on it (Earth) mountains, and bestowed it with blessings. And [Allah] estimated all its sustenance in four days, equally for those who ask (prayers) ¹¹ AFTER THIS [Allah] commanded the heaven and it was still smoke. He said to it and to Earth: "Come together, willingly or unwillingly." They said: "We do come together, in willing obedience". ¹² So [Allah] decreed them as seven heavens (one above the other) in two days and revealed to each heaven its orders. And We [Allah] adorned the lowest heaven with lights, and retentions (gravity). Such is the decree of the Exalted; the Knowledgeable.

God answered our prayers today when Earth was still smoke (the first four days). After this God ordered Earth to form. The formation of Earth took two days.

Also in the last two days, God created seven heavens, one above the other, but we can only see the lights of the lowest one.

[8] It is interesting to note that the Christian Bible has a similar claim about time dilation (time difference):

^(2Peter
3:8) But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, AND A THOUSAND YEARS ARE LIKE A DAY. ⁹The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Speed of Light: Surprise!

Time:

Distance:

Velocity of the Moon:

Speed of Angels:

Time Dilation

General Relativity

Pulsars and Black Holes

Wormholes (Length Contraction)

Big Bang, Expansion of Universe, Big Crunch

Tectonic Plates

Atmospheric Pressure

Ice in Comets