Ruling on interpreting the Qur’aan according to modern theories
Question

                Is it permissible to interpret the Qur’aan according to modern scientific theories?
Praise be to Allah. 
          Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih ibn ‘Uthaymeen 
          (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked this question, and he replied 
          as follows: 
 
          There are some risks involved in interpreting 
          the Qur’aan according to modern theories. That is because, if we interpret 
          the Qur’aan according to those theories, then other theories are produced 
          which contradict them, this implies that the Qur’aan will be incorrect 
          in the view of the enemies of Islam. The Muslims would say that the 
          error is in the understanding of the one who interpreted the Qur’aan 
          in that manner, but the enemies of Islam are always watching for an 
          opportunity to attack Islam. Hence we must exercise the utmost caution 
          against rushing into interpreting the Qur’aan according to these scientific 
          matters. We must leave these alone and let matters take their course. 
          If it is proven that some of these theories are correct, we do not need 
          to say that the Qur’aan has already proven it, the Qur’aan was revealed 
          for the purpose of worship and moral, and for people to ponder its meanings. 
          Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 
 
          “(This is) a Book (the Qur’aan) which 
          We have sent down to you, full of blessings, that they may ponder over 
          its Verses, and that men of understanding may remember”
 
          [Saad 38:29]
 
          It was not revealed concerning these 
          matters which are subject to experimentation and which people study 
          as part of their scientific quest. It may also be very dangerous to 
          apply the aayahs of the Qur’aan to these theories. For example, Allaah 
          said (interpretation of the meaning): 
 
          “O assembly of jinn and men! If you have 
          power to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass 
          beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with 
          authority (from Allaah)!”
 
          [al-Rahmaan 55:33]
 
          When man reached the moon, some people 
          started to interpret this aayah and apply it to this event of reaching 
          the moon, and they said that what was meant by authority was science 
          and that by their science they had passed beyond the zones of the earth 
          and escaped the gravitational pull (of the earth). This is wrong; it 
          is not permissible to interpret the Qur’aan in this way. What this implies 
          is that you are testifying that thius is what Allaah meant. This is 
          a serious testimony and you will be questioned concerning that.  
 
          Whoever ponders the meaning of this aayah 
          will find that this interpretation is incorrect, because this aayah 
          comes after the aayahs (interpretation of the meaning): 
 
          “Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will 
          perish.
 
           And the Face of your Lord full 
          of Majesty and Honour will remain forever.
 
          Then which of the Blessings of your Lord 
          will you both (jinn and men) deny?”
 
          [al-Rahmaan 55:26, 28]
 
          So we ask: did these people manage to 
          pass beyond the zones of the heavens? 
 
          The answer is no, for Allaah says (interpretation 
          of the meaning): 
 
          “If you have power to pass beyond 
          the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)!”
 
          [al-Rahmaan 55:33]
 
          Secondly: has there been sent against 
          them flames of fire and copper? 
 
          The answer is no. So the aayah cannot 
          be interpreted in this manner. We say that they reached what they reached 
          through science and experimentation. But for us to distort the meaning 
          of the Qur’aan and to try to make it fit this event, this is not correct 
          and is not permitted.