A Comparative Analysis of Constellations from the Perspective of the Qur'an and the Knowledge of Astronomy

Celestial constellations have always been discussed and researched by astronomers due to their role in determining time and some astronomical calculations. In terms of guidance, the Holy Qur'an clearly mentions constellations in three verses, and a surah is also known by the same name. This heavenly book considers the decoration of the sky with constellations as a sign of divine power. The main questions of this research are what is the external example of the Quranic constellations and what are the commonalities and differences between the Quranic and astronomical constellations? The origin of these questions is the proposal of various interpretive views presented by the thinkers. Using the method of interdisciplinary studies and the description and analysis of intra-Qur'anic and extra-Qur'anic evidences show that the meaning of the constellation in this holy text can be the same common term among astronomers, that is, the twelve sets of stars that are known by special names that have been noticed because of their beauty and probably their role in human life. Another similarity between the Qur'anic and astronomical constellations, which shows the sameness of the two, is their materiality, beauty, and adornment, and their location in the sky near the earth. On the other hand, the towers and heavenly buildings that are introduced as examples of the zodiac in some interpretations, due to the lack of definitive proofs and the lack of discovery of such buildings so far, can only be presented as a possibility in the interpretation of these verses.