Are Stars Missiles That Allah Shoots at Demons?

Our Muslim friends tell us that the Qur’an is confirmed by its miraculous scientific insights, which have only been confirmed recently by scientists.

Then we open the Qur’an, and we find some of the silliest scientific claims ever offered by anyone.

Take, for instance, the Qur’anic claim that stars are missiles that Allah uses to shoot at demons who try to sneak into paradise:

Qur’an 37:6-10—We have indeed decked the lower heaven with beauty (in) the stars—(for beauty) and for guard against all obstinate rebellious evil spirits, (so) they should not strain their ears in the direction of the Exalted Assembly but be cast away from every side, repulsed, for they are under a perpetual penalty, except such as snatch away something by stealth, and they are pursued by a flaming Fire, of piercing brightness.

Qur’an 67:5—And We have (from of old), adorned the lowest heaven with lamps, and We have made such (lamps) (as) missiles to drive away the Evil Ones, and have prepared for them the Penalty of the Blazing Fire.

How can non-Muslims ever take the “Argument from Scientific Accuracy” seriously after reading these verses? At this point, our Muslim friends introduce us to another Qur’anic miracle: the Miracle of Reinterpretation. Amazingly, whenever the Qur’an says something that’s obviously absurd (or obviously immoral), the Qur’an turns out to mean something completely different from what it actually says (even though the Qur’an claims to be perfectly clear and fully explained).

Unfortunately for Islam’s modern reinterpreters, Muhammad’s companions explained what 67:5 means, and they learned the Qur’an (and its interpretation) from Muhammad himself.

Sahih al-Bukhari 3198—Abu Qatada mentioning Allah’s saying: “And indeed We have adorned the nearest heaven with lamps . . .” (v. 67:5) said, “The creation of these stars is for three purposes, and they are: 1) as decoration of the nearest heaven, 2) as missiles to hit the devils, and 3) as signs to guide travelers. So, if anybody tries to find a different interpretation, he is mistaken and just wastes his efforts and troubles himself with what is beyond his limited knowledge.”

Hence, Muslims who want to say that the Qur’an doesn’t claim that stars are missiles must first convince us that they are higher authorities than Allah, Muhammad, and Muhammad’s companions.

Good luck with that.