The concept of seven heavens appears in Islamic and Biblical traditions, though with variations in interpretation. In Islam, the Qur’an frequently mentions the creation of seven heavens (سبع سماوات) as structured layers (e.g., Surah Mulk 67:3, Surah Fussilat 41:12), existing parallel to each other, with each heaven serving a specific purpose. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ described ascending through these heavens during Isra and Mi‘raj, encountering different prophets in each. Islamic scholars debate whether these heavens refer to cosmic realms, spiritual dimensions, or parallel universes. In Jewish and Christian traditions, the concept of multiple heavens also exists, especially in Jewish mysticism (Kabbalah) and early Christian apocryphal texts, where seven or more heavens house angels, divine thrones, and different levels of the afterlife. In 2 Enoch (Slavonic Enoch), the seventh heaven is described as the highest, closest to God’s throne, as mentioned in certain authentic Hadiths.
Below are several key verses that describe their formation, order, and function:
1. Seven Heavens as Structured Layers
Surah Al-Mulk (67:3)
“ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍۢ ۖ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍۢ”
“He who created seven heavens in layers (ṭibāqan). You do not see any inconsistency in the creation of the Most Merciful. So return your vision—do you see any flaws?”
Key Point: The phrase “طِبَاقًا” (ṭibāqan) implies structured, layered heavens, suggesting an ordered system, potentially hinting at parallel realities or cosmic dimensions.
2. Creation of the Seven Heavens
Surah Fussilat (41:11-12)
“ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ وَهِىَ دُخَانٌۭ فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ٱئْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًۭا قَالَتَآ أَتَيْنَا طَآئِعِينَ ١١ فَقَضَىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ فِى يَوْمَيْنِۢ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِى كُلِّ سَمَآءٍ أَمْرَهَا ۚ وَزَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَحِفْظًۭا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ تَقْدِيرُ ٱلْعَزِيزِ ٱلْعَلِيمِ”
“Then He turned to the heaven while it was in the form of smoke-like and said to it and to the earth, ‘Come willingly or unwillingly.’ They said, ‘We come willingly.’ (11) So He completed them as seven heavens in two days, and He assigned to each heaven its command. And We adorned the lowest heaven with lamps (stars) and as protection. That is the determination of the Almighty, the All-Knowing.” (41:11-12)
Key Points:
- Heavens were created from “smoke” (cosmic gas/mist), aligning with astrophysical concepts of the early universe.
- Each heaven has a specific function, indicating different roles or realities.
- The lowest heaven is adorned with stars, suggesting the other heavens are beyond the observable universe.
3. Seven Heavens and Divine Order
Surah Al-Baqarah (2:29)
“هُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًۭا ثُمَّ ٱسْتَوَىٰٓ إِلَى ٱلسَّمَآءِ فَسَوَّىٰهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ ۚ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عَلِيمٌۭ”
“It is He who created all that is on the earth for you. Then He turned to the heaven and made them seven heavens, and He has knowledge of all things.”
Key Point: The process of shaping the heavens suggests a deliberate structuring, reinforcing the idea of a layered cosmic order.
4. Correspondence Between Heavens and Earth
Surah At-Talaq (65:12)
“ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَـٰوَٰتٍۢ وَمِنَ ٱلْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ ۖ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلْأَمْرُ بَيْنَهُنَّ لِتَعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىْءٍۢ قَدِيرٌۭ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدْ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىْءٍ عِلْمًۭا”
“It is Allah who created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them. His command descends among them so that you may know that Allah has power over all things and has encompassed everything in knowledge.”
Key Point:
- “Earth, the like of them”—this could indicate that just as Earth is layered (core, mantle, crust), the heavens may also have similarly structured layers.
- The mention of divine command descending “among them” suggests a functional interconnectedness between these realms.
5. Heavens as a Canopy or Constructed Framework
Surah An-Naba’ (78:12)
“وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًۭا شِدَادًۭا”
“And We built above you seven mighty (heavens).”
Key Point:
- The term “بَنَيْنَا” (banaynā) means “built,” implying an intentional and structured creation, not a random formation.
- “شِدَاد” (shidād) means “firm, strong,” indicating a robust framework, possibly hinting at a layered cosmic architecture.
6. The Expanding Heavens
Surah Adh-Dhariyat (51:47)
“وَٱلسَّمَآءَ بَنَيْنَـٰهَا بِأَيْدٍۢ وَإِنَّا لَمُوسِعُونَ”
“And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are expanding it.”
Key Point:
- This verse aligns with modern cosmology, which describes the continuous expansion of the universe.
- The fact that Allah refers to **”heavens” (as-samā’)” in general may indicate that all seven heavens are expanding or evolving.
Summary of Qur’anic References on Seven Heavens
| Verse | Key Concept |
|---|---|
| 67:3 | Seven heavens are structured in layers (ṭibāqan). |
| 41:11-12 | Created from smoke, each heaven has its command, stars in the lowest heaven. |
| 2:29 | Seven heavens structured after Earth’s creation. |
| 65:12 | Seven heavens correspond to layers within Earth, divine command operates among them. |
| 78:12 | Seven heavens are built with strength, suggesting a structured cosmic framework. |
| 51:47 | The heavens are expanding, aligning with modern cosmology. |
Implications for the Idea of Parallel Universes
- Layered Structure: The Qur’an describes heavens as layered (ṭibāqan), similar to how physicists propose higher-dimensional spaces.
- Beyond the Observable Universe: Since stars are placed only in the lowest heaven, the other six could exist in non-visible realms or dimensions.
- Correspondence with Earth: The idea that Earth has a counterpart structure could hint at different planes of existence, possibly akin to parallel universes.
- Divine Order: The descending divine command between the heavens suggests an interconnected system, possibly aligning with the idea of multiple interacting realities.
Would you like me to explore any of these verses in more detail with classical tafsir interpretations?
“ٱلَّذِی خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍۢ طِبَاقًۭا”
“He is the One who created seven heavens in layers (ṭibāqan).” (Surah Al-Mulk 67:3)
This verse, along with several other references to “seven heavens” (سبع سماوات) in the Qur’an, has intrigued both classical and modern thinkers. One possible interpretation, particularly in light of contemporary physics, is that it alludes to parallel universes or multiple layers of existence. Here’s how this idea could be expanded:
1. Seven Heavens as Parallel Universes in Modern Science
The concept of multiple heavens could be understood in the context of parallel universes, as suggested by various scientific theories:
A. Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics
- The Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI) of quantum mechanics proposes that each quantum event results in multiple outcomes, each realized in a separate, coexisting universe. This suggests a reality where multiple parallel worlds exist, branching at every quantum decision.
- In the Qur’an, the concept of the seven heavens (e.g., Surah Al-Mulk 67:3, Surah Fussilat 41:12) describes a structured, multi-layered existence. The term ṭibāqan (طباقا) implies stacked or ordered layers, which could be interpreted as different dimensions or realities. If these heavens are beyond mere physical layers of the sky, they may align with the idea of parallel universes or higher-dimensional spaces, similar to modern quantum and string theories.
- While classical Islamic scholars interpreted the seven heavens in various ways (cosmic layers, spiritual realms, or celestial spheres), the idea that each could be a distinct, interacting reality finds an intriguing parallel in quantum physics. This perspective suggests that just as quantum mechanics hints at unseen, overlapping realities, the Qur’anic description of multiple heavens may refer to dimensions of existence beyond human perception.
B. Multiverse Hypothesis in Cosmology
- Some modern cosmological models, particularly those based on cosmic inflation, suggest that our universe is just one of many that emerged from a larger multiverse. According to inflation theory, different regions of spacetime may expand at different rates, creating bubble universes that are causally disconnected from each other. Each of these universes may have different physical laws, constants, or even dimensions of space and time.
- The Qur’anic concept of seven heavens (سبع سماوات), often described as structured layers (e.g., Surah Mulk 67:3, Surah Fussilat 41:12), could align with this idea if interpreted as referring to seven distinct universes within a greater multiversal framework. The Qur’an mentions that only the lowest heaven contains stars and celestial objects (41:12), implying that the higher heavens are beyond what we can observe. This could suggest that each heaven represents a separate realm of existence, possibly corresponding to different universes with their own unique properties.
- Islamic cosmology has traditionally viewed the seven heavens as layers of the cosmos, spiritual realms, or different levels of divine order. However, if taken literally in a cosmological sense, they may correspond to a hierarchical multiverse, where our observable universe is just one of seven distinct cosmic domains. This perspective finds support in contemporary physics, where extra dimensions, parallel universes, and higher-dimensional space-time structures are actively explored.
- Thus, the Qur’anic description of the heavens, while deeply spiritual, may also hint at a grander cosmic structure that aligns with modern theories of the multiverse.
C. String Theory and Extra Dimensions
- String theory, particularly in the context of M-theory, proposes that beyond the familiar three spatial dimensions and time, there exist additional hidden dimensions that are curled up or extended in higher-dimensional space. These extra dimensions are thought to be crucial for the fundamental interactions of nature, as they allow for the unification of gravity with the other forces of physics. One version of this idea, the brane-world model, suggests that our observable universe is a 3D “brane” embedded in a higher-dimensional space (the “bulk”), where other parallel branes may exist, each representing separate universes.
- The Qur’anic term ṭibāqan (طِبَاقًا), meaning “layers, levels, or structured formations”, appears in descriptions of the seven heavens (Surah Al-Mulk 67:3). This implies a hierarchical structure of existence, which closely resembles the layered or multi-dimensional nature of brane-world cosmology. In such a framework, the seven heavens could be interpreted as seven distinct spatial dimensions, separate cosmic planes, or parallel realities, akin to how physicists describe extra-dimensional spaces in string theory.
- Moreover, in Surah At-Talaq (65:12), the Qur’an states:
- “Allah is the One who created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them…”
- Some interpretations suggest that “the like of them” could refer to seven corresponding earthly dimensions, hinting at the possibility of multiple layers of reality, much like the extra dimensions proposed in theoretical physics.
- If these seven heavens exist in higher-dimensional space, they may be inaccessible through conventional means, just as higher-dimensional branes in string theory remain hidden from direct observation. This interpretation suggests that the Qur’an’s description of layered heavens may correspond to a higher-dimensional cosmology, providing a potential link between Islamic theology and modern theoretical physics.
2. Seven Heavens in Islamic Tradition
Islamic scholars and Sufi mystics have interpreted the seven heavens in various ways, including:
A. Cosmological Layers of the Universe
- Some classical scholars, like Al-Fakhr al-Razi, considered the seven heavens as different cosmic realms, possibly extending beyond what we observe.
B. Prophetic Ascension (Mi‘raj)
- The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is said to have traveled through seven heavens in the Night Journey (Isra and Mi‘raj).
- If these are distinct realms, they could be viewed as parallel realities rather than just physical layers of the sky.
3. Possible Reconciliation: Scientific and Qur’anic Perspective
- The Qur’an often describes realities beyond human perception, which aligns with modern discussions about unobservable dimensions in physics.
- The phrase “ṭibāqan” (layered, structured) suggests an organized system, similar to the layered or branched structures proposed in the multiverse theory.
- The fact that the seven heavens are created and governed by divine will could indicate that these parallel realms serve specific purposes within God’s cosmic plan.
Conclusion
While the Qur’an’s description of the seven heavens is traditionally understood as layers of the cosmos, its compatibility with modern scientific models—such as parallel universes or extra dimensions—is intriguing. The exact nature of these “heavens” remains a mystery, but the Qur’an’s mention of multiple cosmic layers may hint at a reality far beyond human perception, potentially aligning with the concept of parallel universes in contemporary physics.
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