Islamic Rituals and Spherical Earth

Many Islamic rituals rely on the observations of astronomical events. Presently, many such observations are supplanted by calculations involving the knowledge that Earth is a sphere. These calculations give the same consistent results as direct observations on all locations on Earth for several centuries already. The fact confirms that Earth is indeed a sphere.

Some Muslims believe in flat Earth and then try to integrate the belief that Earth is flat into their religion. It results in an interesting phenomenon that they perform their religious rituals using the results of spherical Earth calculations but have severe difficulties accepting the fact. It can result in a spectacular cognitive dissonance after being made aware of it.

The knowledge that Earth is a sphere is applied in these four cases of Islamic rituals:

  • Determining the direction of the Qibla.
  • Determining the start of an Islamic month. Including determining the start of Ramadan fasting and the date of Eid.
  • Determining prayer times.
  • Determining the occurrences of an eclipse for scheduling eclipse prayers.

Traditionally, Muslims used direct astronomical observations to determine these things. Presently, more Muslims use calculations that rely on the knowledge that Earth is a sphere. It is more convenient and gives the same results as direct observations.

Websites, apps, tables, etc., give the results without requiring users to understand how to do the calculations themselves. It is the reason some Muslims can be led to believe Earth is flat; despite performing their rituals using the results of spherical trigonometry in their entire lives.

Like other flat-Earthers, these Muslim flat-Earthers have severe difficulty accepting the fact after being made aware of it. However, no amount of justifications, mental gymnastics, or creativity in interpreting scriptures can change the fact that they have been using the result of spherical Earth knowledge in their rituals. And it speaks louder than their mere claims.

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