How can I understand the concept of seven heavens in Islam?
The concept of seven heavens in Islam is derived from several verses in the Qur'an, particularly highlighted in Surah At-Talaaq, which states, Allah it is who hath created seven heavens, and of the earth the like thereof.
65:12. This verse emphasizes the creation of seven heavens, indicating a parallel in the number of earths, though their nature differs. Scholars interpret this as an indication of the vastness and complexity of Allah's creation.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir explains that the creation of seven heavens and seven earths serves to reflect Allah's greatness and power. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ encouraged contemplation of Allah's creation, urging believers to reflect on the creation without delving into excessive speculation about the unseen aspects of it. He noted that even the creation of Allah does not disobey Him, emphasizing His absolute control and wisdom over all that exists.
Similarly, Majma al-Bayan fi Tafsir al-Qur'an elaborates that while the heavens are layered one above the other, the earths are also distinct but not identical in nature. Some interpretations suggest that these seven earths might be layered or separated by seas, each containing beings as willed by Allah, although the exact nature of these realities is ultimately known only to Him.
Hadith literature further supports this concept. For instance, a narration in Sunan al-Tirmidhi describes the Prophet ﷺ explaining the vast distances between the heaven and earth, indicating the great expanse of creation. It mentions that there are seven heavens, each separated by considerable distances, and above the seventh is a sea, showcasing the layered structure of creation.
In summary, the concept of seven heavens in Islam illustrates the grandeur of Allah's creation, inviting believers to reflect on the complexity and perfection of the universe while acknowledging that the full understanding of such matters remains with Allah alone.
Sources
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65:12 · At-Talaaq
65:12 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍۢ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًۢا
Allah it is who hath created seven heavens, and of the earth the like thereof. The commandment cometh down among them slowly, that ye may know that Allah is Able to do all things, and that Allah surroundeth all things in knowledge.
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Tafsir Ibn Kathir on 65:12
Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 65:12
Allah, exalted be He, states here to affirm His perfect power and vast authority, so that we may elevate and honor the upright religion He has ordained. He says, "Allah is the One who created seven heavens," paralleling His statement elsewhere to Noah, when He said, “Have you not considered how Allah created seven heavens in layers?” (Qur'an 71:15). He also says, "The seven heavens and the earth and all within them declare His glory" (17:44). The phrase "and of the earth, the like of them" means seven earths as well, in accord with the authentic hadiths declaring, for example, "Whoever wrongs even the span of a hand’s breadth of earth, it will be encircled for him from seven earths," and, "He was swallowed up by the earth into seven earths." These narrations, with their chains and wording, have been detailed earlier in the book Al-Bidayah wa'n-Nihayah when discussing the creation of the earth. Praise be to Allah. Those who interpret these seven earths as seven regions or continents stray far from sound understanding and contradict both the Qur'an and authentic prophetic traditions without any reliable evidence. It is mentioned in Sura Al-Hadid (57:3), when Allah says, "He is the First and the Last, the Manifest and the Hidden," that the seven earths are specified along with their vast distances between them and the density of each, lasting about five hundred years travel between each according to the report of Ibn Mas'ud and others. Another hadith says: "The seven heavens and whatever is within them, and what lies between them, and the seven earths and what is within and between them in the Throne, are like a ring dropped in a vast desert." Ibn Jarir narrates from Ibn 'Abbas on this verse, saying that if he were to explain it fully, people might disbelieve because their disbelieving would stem from rejecting what was said. Further, reports from Ibn 'Abbas narrate a conversation where, when asked about the verse "Allah is the One who created seven heavens and of the earth the like of them," he responded, warning that the knowledge was so profound that one might reject it. In various narrations related by early scholars such as Ja‘far ibn Abi’l-Mughirah and transmitted by others, Ibn 'Abbas explained that in every earth there is a prophet analogous to the prophets known on this earth — for instance, a prophet like Abraham, like Adam, like Noah, and like Jesus. Al-Bayhaqi also recorded these statements in his book on names and attributes, emphasizing the idea that in each of the seven earths, there is a prophet similar to those known on our earth, which reinforces the meaning of “the like of them.” However, some consider this narration rare and somewhat isolated. The great scholar Abu Bakr Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Abi’d-Dunya related from his teachers a report that Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, once approached his companions during contemplation and said, “Why are you silent?” They replied, “We are pondering the creation of Allah, exalted be He.” He said, “Thus you should do; reflect upon Allah’s creation, but do not ponder over it excessively for that dark desert has a bright land whose brightness equals the distance the sun travels in forty days. The creation of Allah never disobeyed Him even for the blink of an eye.” They asked, “So, where is Satan among them?” He said, “They do not know whether Satan was created or not.” They asked, “Is he a descendant of Adam?” The Prophet replied, “They do not know whether Adam was created or not.” Note, however, this particular hadith has been criticized as weak and is considered fabricated by some scholars due to its chain and content and thus should be treated cautiously. In sum, this verse displays Allah’s grandeur in creating seven heavens and seven corresponding earths, emphasizing His dominion and the vastness of His creation as a stimulus for reverence and acknowledgment of His flawless power and wisdom. Interpretations explaining seven earths as distinct layers with their own prophets bear deep significance within Islamic tradition, even though the precise nature of this matter remains among the unseen realities known fully only to Allah.
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