Surah Maryam, 57

The Sputnik Rising To The Skies

The first ever satellite, "Sputnik 1," was launched in 1957. Verse 19:57 (Surah Maryam, 57) of the Qur'an, amazingly, refers to rising and being raised.

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The first ever satellite, "Sputnik 1," was launched in 1957. Verse 19:57 (Surah Maryam, 57) of the Qur'an, amazingly, refers to rising and being raised.

19:571957 وَرَفَعْنَٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا

وَرَفَعْنَٰهُ مَكَانًا عَلِيًّا ۝٥٧

We raised him up to a high place.
Surah Maryam, 57

The term "rafa'nahu" in this verse is derived from the verb "refea," meaning "to raise, lift up or elevate." On the other hand, the word "aliyyan" in the verse bears the meaning of "high, very high" in addition to "great." When we consider this verse by itself, therefore, it means "being raised into a very high place." In that respect, verse 19:57 may be a reference to the launching into the sky of the spacecraft Sputnik 1 in 1957. (Allah knows the truth.)

◉ Verse 19:57 of the Qur'an speaks of "raising to a high place."

◉ "Sputnik 1," the first unmanned satellite, was launched in 1957.

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