Meteors as Shooting Stars: A List of SEVEN Quranic Mistakes

Table of Contents:

• Quranic claim: Stars are lamps that transform into 'burning flames' (i.e. shooting stars) when hit to the devils
  • 1st Blunder: Meteoroids are neither stars, nor lamps, nor do they emit light, nor do they beautify 1st heaven
  • 2nd Blunder: Meteoroids never pursue or chase anything, such as devils, but instead, they merely follow the gravitational path
    • Science can already foretell in advance when (on what date and at what time) the devils will steal the so-called command of Allah from the 1st heaven
  • 3rd Blunder: The Quran implies that the 1st Heaven of Earth is merely 62 miles away from Earth
  • 4th Blunder: Contradiction in the Quran regarding the distance of the 1st heaven
  • 5th Blunder: Devils create a ladder by standing on each other's shoulders to reach the 1st heaven
  • 6th Blunder: Only after the prophethood of Muhammad, devils are hit by shooting stars
  • 7th Blunder: The false Challenge of Allah that humans (and Jinns) cannot cross the regions of heavens and EARTH
    • Muslim Excuse: These are not meteors, but the Guided Pulsar Gamma Rays, which are used to shoot down the devils by Allah
  • Only a SINGLE scientific mistake is enough to prove that whole Islam is fake

Quranic claim: Stars are lamps that transform into 'burning flames' (i.e. shooting stars) when hit to the devils

Please see the following 2 verses:

Quran 37:6-10:

إِنَّا زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِزِينَةٍ ٱلْكَوَاكِبِ وَحِفْظًا مِّن كُلِّ شَيْطَٰنٍ مَّارِدٍ

Indeed, We have adorned (زَيَّنَّا) (lowest of 7 heavens, i.e.) the heaven of Earth (ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا) with an adornment of stars (Arabic: Kawakib كَوَاكِبِ). And (to) guard against every devil rebellious, [So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side. Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment. Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued/chased by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

Quran 67:5:

وَلَقَدْ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلْنَٰهَا رُجُومًا لِّلشَّيَٰطِينِ ۖ وَأَعْتَدْنَا لَهُمْ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ

And certainly We have adorned (زَيَّنَّا) the Heaven of Earth (i.e. the lowest heaven from among the 7 heaves, and which is closest to the Earth. Arabic:  السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا) with lamps (i.e. stars) and We have made them (as) missiles for the devils.

The Quranic verses state that:

• Stars serve as beautiful lamps adorning the lowest heaven, closest to Earth.
• These celestial objects are described as being transformed into burning flames, akin to shooting stars, when used as missiles against the devils who attempt to eavesdrop on the heavenly assembly of angels.

Thus, according to these verses, Allah asserts that stars are radiant lamps positioned by Him in the first heaven to enhance its beauty and, when required, become fiery projectiles to repel and punish rebellious devils seeking forbidden knowledge from the divine assembly.

The following Hadith also proves that these burning flames are the same as meteors, which are thrown upon devils, and we (humans) can also watch them (as these shooting stars are meteors):

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2229a:

Therefore, in this hadith:

• The companions witnessed a star, which gave a dazzling light.
• Muhammad affirmed to his companions that these celestial phenomena were, indeed, the burning flames employed to assail and chase the devils.
• Moreover, Muhammad also confirmed in this hadith that the whole star نجم becomes a shooting star (i.e. meteor), which is a scientific mistake. 

Furthermore, the following supporting Hadith establishes too that these whole stars turn into shooting stars (i.e. meteors)

Sahih Bukhari (link 1 and link 2):

وَعَن قتادةَ قَالَ: خلقَ اللَّهُ تَعَالَى هَذِه النجومَ لثلاثٍ جَعَلَهَا زِينَةً لِلسَّمَاءِ وَرُجُومًا لِلشَّيَاطِينِ

Qatada said God most high created these stars for three purposes; He made them an adornment for the sky, missiles for the devils, and signs by which people find their way.

1st Blunder: Meteoroids are neither stars, nor lamps, nor do they emit light, nor do they beautify 1st heaven

Contrary to the Quranic assertion:

• The stars, described as lamps in verse 67:5, are visible celestial bodies that adorn the first heaven. But these whole visible lamps like stars do not transform into shooting stars as claimed by the Quran.
• Instead, shooting stars, known as meteoroids, are small pebble-sized objects that ignite into burning flames only upon entering Earth's atmosphere.
• Prior to their atmospheric entry, meteoroids do travel like missiles, but without emitting any fire or light or flame.
• They also don't serve as adornments for the sky; in fact, they remain dark and imperceptible to the naked eye.
• Moreover, meteoroids do not possess the ability to guide people in finding their way.

2nd Blunder: Meteoroids never pursue or chase anything, such as devils, but instead, they merely follow the gravitational path

According to the Quran and Ahadith, a burning flame is hurled at the devil, and then it pursues or chases the devil like a missile.

Quran 15:16-18:

And We have placed within the heaven great stars and have beautified it for the observers. And We have protected it from every devil accursed. Except one who steals a hearing and is chased away by a clear burning flame.

Quran 37:6-10:

Indeed, We have adorned (lowest of 7 heavens, i.e.) the heaven of Earth (Arabic:  السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا) with an adornment of stars. And (to) guard against every devil rebellious, [So] they may not listen to the exalted assembly [of angels] and are pelted from every side. Repelled; and for them is a constant punishment. Except one who snatches [some words] by theft, but they are pursued by a burning flame, piercing [in brightness].

If these Quranic verses are indeed accurate, then:

1. Firstly, an angel must specifically aim at the devils while throwing the burning flame.
2. Secondly, pursuing or chasing an escaping devil like a missile also implies that the burning flame should have the ability to change its path.

However, the Quran is mistaken in this regard, as shooting stars never alter their path. They solely follow the gravity of the earth and adhere to the laws of physics, travelling in a straight line.

Science can already foretell in advance when (on what date and at what time) the devils will steal the so-called command of Allah from the 1st heaven

Please read the following news (link):

Up to 50 shooting stars an hour are expected to light up the night sky during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower. The dazzling display takes place between April 19 and May 28 but will peak this year on Friday (May 6) ... Experts at Royal Observatory Greenwich say the best time to catch a glimpse of the celestial display – which will be visible all over the world – will be between midnight and dawn on Friday ... 

Thus, scientists can now predict in advance:

1. The specific date and time when the devils will supposedly steal the so-called command of Allah from the 1st heaven.
2. They can also anticipate the "rate of stealing," i.e., how many devils will allegedly steal the commands of Allah per hour (up to 50 shooting stars an hour during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower).

This implies that modern scientists seemingly possess knowledge of the future, paralleling Allah's omniscience.

We just hope that Muslims can realize how ridiculous the Quranic story about devils and shooting stars has become in the light of modern science.

3rd Blunder: The Quran implies that the 1st Heaven of Earth is merely 62 miles away from Earth

According to the Quran, when devils attempt to eavesdrop on the assembly of angels to hear the commands of Allah, they are struck with burning flames or meteors.

However, modern science has demonstrated that meteoroids only ignite upon entering Earth's atmosphere from space. Since space begins approximately 62 miles above Earth's surface, it suggests that the 1st Heaven is situated within this distance of 62 miles according to the Quran.

Quran 72:8-9:

[The Jinns said] We sought to touch the heaven but we found it filled (with) guards severe, and burning flames. And we used to sit therein in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.

Consider this: If scientists are not blind, they have not observed any solid heaven as the Quran and Ahadith claim, positioned only 62 miles away. Additionally, they have not witnessed the assembly of angels, nor have they seen Adam laughing and weeping, or the descendants of Adam there. Refer to the following Hadith:

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 163:

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ... Gabriel ascended with me to the heaven, and when we came to the lowest heaven (i.e. the heaven of the earth), Gabriel said to the guardian of the lowest heaven: Open. He asked who was there? He replied. It is Gabriel. He again asked who is there with you. He replied: Yes, it is Muhammad with me. He was asked if he had been sent for, He (Gabriel) said: Yes. Then he opened (the gate). When we ascended the lowest heaven (I saw) a man seated with parties on his right side and parties on his left side. When he looked up to his right, he laughed and when he looked to his left, he wept. He said: Welcome to the righteous apostle and the righteous son. I asked Gabriel who he was and he replied: He is Adam (peace be upon him) and these parties on his right and on his left are the souls of his descendants. Those of them on his right are the inmates of Paradise and the parties which are on his left side are the inmates of Hell; so when he looked towards his right side, he laughed, and when he looked towards his left side, he wept. 

It casts doubt on the credibility of the Quran's writer, who narrated fictional tales to impress the people of that era when knowledge was limited, thinking no one could verify or refute his stories about shooting stars.

4th Blunder: Contradiction in the Quran regarding the distance of the 1st heaven

On one hand, the Quran's writer claimed that shooting star incidents occur in the 1st heaven, implying that it is 62 miles away from Earth.

However, on the other hand, the same writer also asserted that all stars are positioned under the 1st heaven, placed by Allah to adorn this lowest heaven.

Quran 37:6:

Indeed, We (Allah) have adorned the nearest heaven with an adornment of stars

Modern science, however, has exposed this contradiction in the Quran, proving that stars are actually located billions of light-years away from Earth, which also then automatically mean that the 1st heaven is also billions of light years away from the Earth.

We urge Muslims to contemplate this apparent inconsistency in the Quran, if the 1st heave is 62 miles away, or billions of light years away. 

5th Blunder: Devils create a ladder by standing on each other's shoulders to reach the 1st heaven

This so-called Sahih Hadith presents an absurd account where Muhammad claims that devils ascend to the 1st heaven by forming a ladder of sorts, with the uppermost devil stealing the command of Allah and passing it down the chain to the lowest devil on Earth.

 According to the Quran, the 1st heaven is located billions of light-years away from Earth, as all stars exist under the 1st heaven to beautify it.

On the other hand, Muhammad's account states that devils can reach this faraway 1st heaven by merely standing on each other's shoulders.

It is highly implausible for any rational person in this modern scientific era to believe in such a ridiculous fairytale promoted by Muhammad.

Furthermore, the Hadith becomes even more absurd when it claims that the missiles struck by Allah's orders sometimes miss their targets, allowing the devil to successfully hear and then pass on Allah's commands to the devil below him. But the question is how can infallible angels miss their target? 

Apologists may argue that the Quran and Hadith are not books of science, but the question remains: Why do Allah and Muhammad present completely false scientific facts in them if they are not meant to be taken as scientific truths?

6th Blunder: Only after the prophethood of Muhammad, devils are hit by shooting stars

It is important to understand why the writer of the Quran, who we believe to be Muhammad himself, fabricated the story of shooting stars and devils. It seems, there were 2 main reasons which compelled Muhammad to make this story: 

Firstly, people were doubting Muhammad, as he claimed in the Quran that ONLY Allah knows UNSEEN. But then there was a contradiction in the Quran that soothsayers were able to tell Moses about the future unseen. 

Secondly, despite claiming prophethood and receiving news of the future and the unseen from Allah, people still sought the services of soothsayers to inquire about the future, offering them money and sacrifices to gain knowledge about the future.

Muhammad desired to monopolize the domain of future knowledge and unseen events by discrediting soothsayers. To achieve this, he invented a narrative stating that soothsayers could indeed foretell the future in the past, as devils used to steal news, and then bring them news from the 1st heaven. However, after Muhammad's prophethood, this practice ceased, and Allah began to hit the devils with shooting stars whenever they tried to eavesdrop on His commands in the 1st heaven. Muhammad cited Quran 72:8-9 as evidence of this change.

Quran 72:8-9:

[The Jinns said] We sought to touch the heaven but we found it filled (with) guards severe, and burning flames. And we used to sit therein (in the past) in positions for hearing, but whoever listens now (i.e. after the prophethood of Muhammad) will find a burning flame lying in wait for him.

By crafting this story, Muhammad successfully undermined the significance of soothsayers and their ability to predict the future. However, this story created another issue. If shooting stars were not used for hitting the devils before Muhammad's prophethood, what purpose did the transformation of stars into burning flames (shooting stars) serve during that time?

Muhammad, or the writer of the Quran, never addressed this question during his lifetime, perhaps unable to provide a satisfactory explanation.

Later generations of Muslims were also unable to present any conclusive evidence to support this claim. Ibn Kathir attempted to provide an argument in his Tafsir (under verse 72:8), suggesting that incidents of shooting stars (meteors) occurred before Muhammad's prophethood, but they were infrequent  (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, under verse 72:8):

It used to be that shooting stars (meteors) occurred before this (i.e. the prophethood of Muhammad), however it did not happen much, rather only occasionally. 

Every sane person can see that the argument of Ibn Kathir is nothing more than a lame excuse and a lie. There is no proof that incidents of meteors occurred only occasionally before Muhammad, and their rate increased after his prophethood. Meteors were falling all over the world, and none of the people of that era in the rest of the world noted any increase in the rate of meteors after the prophethood of Muhammad. 

Furthermore, this story served not only to negate the importance of soothsayers but also to elevate Muhammad's importance. He claimed that some jinns came to him and accepted Islam under his guidance.

Sahih Muslim, Hadith 449:

Sunan Tirmidhi, Hadith 3324:

Ibn Abbas said: “The jinns used to ascent through the heavens, trying to listen about the Revelation. So when they heard a statement, they would add nine to it. The statement that they heard would be true, while what they added was false. So it was with the advent of the Messenger of Allah that they were prevented from their places. So they mentioned that to Iblis – and the stars were not shot at them before that. So Iblis said to them: ‘This is naught but an event that has occurred in the earth.’ So he sent out his armies, and they found the Messenger of Allah standing in Salat between two mountains” – I think he said “in Makkah” – “So they (returned) to meet with him (Iblis), and informed him. He said: ‘This is the event that has happened on the earth.’” 
Grade: Sahih (Darussalam)

The so-called Sahih (i.e., authentic) Hadith becomes even more absurd when it claims that Iblis (the leader of devils/Satan) came to know about the advent of Muhammad even after ten years of his prophethood. By that time, many companions had already embraced Islam due to Muhammad's preaching, and he had even gone out with some of his Companions to the bazaar of 'Ukaz (i.e., Souk Okaz سوق عكاظ, an open-air market between Nakhla and al-Ṭāʾif in Saudi Arabia). It is worth noting that Muhammad went to al-Ṭāʾif ten years after receiving prophethood.

The question arises: How is it possible that Iblis and all his devils were unaware of Muhammad's prophethood for such an extended period, and why did they never appear to the people of Mecca during that time? This implies that the people of Mecca didn't commit a single sin during those ten years, as no devil appeared to misguide them.

Can any sane Muslim ever accept such an implausible story?

It is evident that to conceal one lie, a thousand more lies are needed, and this narrative of Iblis' ignorance about Muhammad's prophethood for ten years appears to be one such attempt.

7th Blunder: The false Challenge of Allah that humans (and Jinns) cannot cross the regions of heavens and EARTH

In Quranic verses 55:33-35, Allah challenges the jinn and mankind, daring them to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the Earth without His permission. The text suggests that those who try will be met with a flame of fire and smoke that they cannot defend against.

Quran 55:33-35:

O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority/permission [from Allah] ... There will be sent upon you a flame of fire and smoke, and you will not be able to defend yourselves.

The desire to reach the heavens and encounter God is a recurring theme in various cultures and historical accounts, and the Quran also presents a story about Pharaoh's ambitious endeavor to construct a tower reaching the heavens. In Quran 28:38 and Quran 40:36-37, it is narrated that Pharaoh instructed his minister Haman to build such a structure, hoping to challenge the divine authority of Moses' God. And there were also many stories in earlier civilizations that Pharaoh indeed reached near heaven. Imam Qurtabi recorded one such story in his commentary of this verse 28:38 (link): 

As-Suddi reported that Pharaoh climbed upon the tower and threw an arrow towards the sky, so it came down stained with blood. So Pharaoh said, 'I killed the God of Moosa (Moses).' It was reported that when Pharaoh said this, Allaah sent down Jibreel who struck the tower with his wing and cut it into three pieces

That is why, the writer of the Quran (i.e. Muhammad) challenged that nobody can cross the regions of heaven and the earth. 

However, contrary to Allah's claim, non-Muslims, atheists, and Hindus, who all deny Allah, have already crossed the regions of the Earth without His permission, and no flame of fire or smoke has stopped them.

This Quranic verse (which is threatening humans & Jinns with flame and smoke) seems to have a connection to the story in other parts of the Quran, where devils attempt to sit in the 1st heaven, and stars transform into flames of fire to chase and attack them.

Muslim Excuse: These are not meteors, but the Guided Pulsar Gamma Rays, which are used to shoot down the devils by Allah

Furthermore, Muslim apologists sometimes claim that these challenges involve "Guided Pulsar Gamma Rays" (link) used by Allah to shoot down devils. However, this excuse has no basis in the original Quranic claim, for several reasons:

1. "Guided Pulsar Gamma Rays" are not guided; they disperse in all directions and are invisible.
2. These gamma rays do not resemble burning flames of fire.
3. The Quran and Hadith specifically mention shooting stars (meteors) as the means to hit devils, not any form of invisible gamma rays.

Only a SINGLE scientific mistake is enough to prove that whole Islam is fake

In conclusion, even a single scientific mistake in the Quran is significant, as it challenges the notion of 100%  Allah's perfection and cast doubt on the authenticity of the entire Islamic belief system.