Quran Chapter 18 Surat Alkahf Ayat Number 17

۞ وَتَرَى ٱلشَّمۡسَ إِذَا طَلَعَت تَّزَٲوَرُ عَن كَهۡفِهِمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلۡيَمِينِ وَإِذَا غَرَبَت تَّقۡرِضُہُمۡ ذَاتَ ٱلشِّمَالِ وَهُمۡ فِى فَجۡوَةٍ۬ مِّنۡهُ‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ مِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۗ مَن يَہۡدِ ٱللَّهُ فَهُوَ ٱلۡمُهۡتَدِ‌ۖ وَمَن يُضۡلِلۡ فَلَن تَجِدَ لَهُ ۥ وَلِيًّ۬ا مُّرۡشِدً۬ا (١٧)
 

Translation

And [had you been present], you would see the sun when it rose, inclining away from their cave on the right, and when it set, passing away from them on the left, while they were [laying] within an open space thereof. That was from the signs of Allah. He whom Allah guides is the [rightly] guided, but he whom He leaves astray – never will you find for him a protecting guide.

Quran Analysis of Surat Al-Kahf (Chapter 18) Ayat (Verse) Number 17

The question explores the standardization of map orientation and contrasts it with historical perspectives.

Modern Map Orientation: The core premise is that modern maps universally adhere to a specific orientation: North at the top, East to the right, West to the left, and South at the bottom. This is a fundamental convention in cartography.
Relationship to Cardinal Directions and the Sun: The question correctly links this orientation to the cardinal directions and the apparent movement of the sun. If one is facing North, the sun rises roughly to the East (right) and sets roughly to the West (left).

Modern Map Conventions
Let’s address each part with supporting evidence.

Historical Context: T

This standardized understanding was not prevalent 1400 years ago. This implies a historical evolution in how humans conceptualized and represented spatial relationships.
The statement that modern maps predominantly use the “North up, East right” convention is accurate. This is a cornerstone of modern cartography and is taught globally. This convention simplifies navigation and spatial understanding for a wide audience.

The Sun’s Relationship to Cardinal Directions
The standard orientation of maps today is indeed North at the top, East to the right, West to the left, and South at the bottom. This is a universally accepted standard in modern cartography and is used in almost all maps, including those used in navigation, geography, and everyday life.

Historical Perspective on Mapmaking
The relationship between the cardinal directions and the sun’s apparent movement is also correctly described. In the Northern Hemisphere, the sun generally rises in the East, moves across the southern sky during the day, and sets in the West. This is a fundamental observation that has been used for navigation and timekeeping for millennia.

The assertion that this standardized understanding was not prevalent 1400 years ago (around 625 CE) is also accurate. Early maps, and the understanding of geography and spatial relationships, varied significantly across cultures and time periods.

Early maps, such as those from ancient civilizations like Babylon, Egypt, and Greece, often had different orientations. Some maps were oriented with East at the top, reflecting the importance of the rising sun. Others might have been oriented towards a specific landmark or religious site. The concept of a standardized, universally “North up” orientation was a later development, evolving with advancements in cartography, navigation, and the scientific understanding of the Earth.

The development of more accurate and standardized maps was a gradual process, influenced by factors such as:

Technological advancements: The invention of the compass and improved surveying techniques played a crucial role.
Exploration and trade: The need for accurate navigation during the Age of Exploration spurred the development of more precise maps.
Scientific understanding: The growing understanding of the Earth’s shape and the relationship between the Earth, the sun, and the stars contributed to the standardization of map conventions.
Conclusion
The standardization of map orientation, with North at the top, became increasingly common over time, particularly from the 16th century onwards, as cartography became more scientific and global trade and exploration increased.

Modern maps overwhelmingly use the “North up, East right” convention, and this represents a significant shift from the diverse approaches to mapmaking that existed 1400 years ago. The relationship between this orientation, the cardinal directions, and the sun’s movement is also correctly described. The evolution of mapmaking reflects a broader historical progression in human understanding of the world and the development of tools for representing it.

It’s a clue that supports the truth of the Quranic message. Where did Prophet Muhammad learn about The Map Orientation, The Rising of the Sun on their right which was East and setting of the Sun in their West and this indicates that they were facing North and use it in the story of the people of the Cave?