The Holy Qur'an, the Divine book of guidance, addresses the fundamental issues of the creation of the heavens and the earth with profound and multi-layered expressions, presenting a constellation of knowledge through luminous verses. This treatise, relying on verses related to the creation of the heavens and the earthespecially the concepts of ratq and futq, the seven heavens, and the adornment of the earthly skyendeavours to elucidate these topics systematically with a scientific and academic approach. The aim of this work is to offer a coherent framework for researchers in the fields of Qur'anic exegesis, Islamic cosmology, and the philosophy of creation, enabling them to attain a deeper understanding of the cosmic system through reflection on the verses. This text, integrating scientific and Qur'anic analyses, seeks to manifest the grandeur of creation and the necessity to reconsider traditional interpretations through a novel and scientific lens.
The Holy Qur'an describes the creation of the heavens and the earth within a gradual framework, a gradation that corresponds with modern cosmological processes. This concept refers to distinct phases of existence formation occurring at separate chronological intervals.
Key Point: The gradation in creation demonstrates divine order and wisdom in the creative process, which aligns with contemporary scientific findings in cosmology.
The Qur'anic verses introduce the creation of the earth (in two ayyam), the heavens (in two ayyam), and the expansion of the earth (dahu al-ard) as distinct stages. This differentiation refers to the progressive development of existence and its various phases.
Key Point: The differentiation of creation epochs emphasises complexity and order in the process of creation and provides grounds for Qur'anic cosmological analyses.
The creation of the creatures of the earth (m f al-ar) is distinct from the creation of the earth itself, indicating biological evolution subsequent to the formation of the earth. This distinction underscores the various stages of creation.
The gradation in creation, differentiation of temporal epochs, and separation of the creation of earthly creatures from the earth itself all indicate a wise order in creation. These concepts form a foundation for dialogue between science and religion and underscore the necessity of scientific interpretation of Qur'anic verses.
هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مَا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ
Translation: He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth, then He directed Himself to the heaven and fashioned them into seven heavens.
This verse refers to the creation of earthly creatures and subsequently the organisation of the heavens into the form of seven heavens. The stated sequence emphasises the gradual stages of creation.
Key Point: The above verse demonstrates the sequence of creation from the earth to the heavens and emphasises cosmic order.
ثُمَّ اسْتَوَى إِلَى السَّمَاءِ وَهِيَ دُخَانٌ
Translation: Then He directed Himself to the heaven while it was smoke (gas).
The term dukhn in this verse refers to the gases emitted from the earth that, over millions of years, transformed into the heavens. This meaning aligns with the early stages of creation in modern cosmology.
Key Point: Dukhn denotes the primordial gases of creation, consistent with modern cosmological science.
The process of ratq (joining of primary materials) and futq (separation and formation) in the creation of the heavens refers to the gradual evolution of the universe from carbonaceous materials. This process aligns with modern scientific theories.
فَقَالَ لَهَا وَلِلْأَرْضِ ائْتِيَا طَوْعًا أَوْ كَرْهًا قَالَتَا أَتَيْنَا طَائِعِينَ
Translation: Then He said to them, "Come, willingly or unwillingly." They said, "We come obedient."
This verse refers to the formation of the cosmic system under a compulsory order in which the heavens and the earth respond to the Divine command.
فَقَضَاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ
Translation: So He completed them as seven heavens in two days.
This verse refers to the organisation of the seven heavens in two distinct periods, emphasising order and sequence in creation.
وَزَيَّنَّا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا بِمَصَابِيحَ وَحِفْظًا
Translation: And We adorned the earthly sky with lamps and guarded it.
This verse refers to the adornment of the earthly sky with stars and its preservation from illicit passage, reflecting cosmic beauty and order.
Key Point: The adornment of the earthly sky with lamps points to cosmic beauty and order consistent with modern astronomy.
The verses on the creation of the heavens and the earthfrom the creation of the earth to the organisation of the seven heavens and the adornment of the earthly skydisplay a system of divine order and wisdom. These verses, by elucidating the stages of ratq and futq, dukhn, and organisation, provide grounds for cosmological and scientific analyses.
Certain traditional interpretations restrict the seven heavens to the atmospheric layers of the earth (up to 800 kilometres), which diminishes the scope of creation. Atmospheric layers, including clouds, winds, and ozone, constitute only a part of the earthly sky and cannot encompass the seven heavens.
Key Point: The seven heavens transcend the atmospheric layers of the earth and should not be confined to this limited domain.
وَالسَّمَاءِ ذَاتِ الْحُبُكِ
Translation: By the heaven possessing woven paths (texture).
The interpretation of Dht al-ubuk as interwoven atmospheric layers is influenced by Ptolemaic cosmology and does not conform to the grandeur of the Qur'anic creation.
كُلٌّ فِي فَلَكٍ يَسْبَحُونَ
Translation: Each one swims in its own orbit.
This verse refers to the independence of the heavens and their non-interference with one another, consistent with cosmic order.
Modern science has identified atmospheric layers up to 800 kilometres, but this is negligible compared to the grandeur of creation. Humanity admits its impotence before the vastness of the heavens.
Key Point: Human scientific limitations emphasise human incapacity in the face of the majesty of creation.
The notion of the seven heavens as atmospheric layers not only diminishes creation but also restricts Divine grandeur. This perspective conflicts with Qur'anic verses that mention the heavens in 120 instances.
The critique of traditional interpretations underscores the necessity for reconsideration of the understanding of the heavens through a scientific approach. The seven heavens, beyond atmospheric layers, point to a cosmic order requiring scientific and Qur'anic analysis.
أَنَا بِطُرُقِ السَّمَاءِ أَعْرَفُ
Translation: I am the most knowledgeable about the paths of the heavens.
This statement refers to the profound knowledge of the infallible regarding the ranks of the heavens.
Key Point: The knowledge of the infallible is the key to understanding the higher ranks of creation.
Understanding the higher ranks of creation, such as the seven heavens, is not possible without religion and infallibility. Human intellect, without guidance from the infallible, is powerless before this majesty.
وَلَا تَنْفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَانٍ
Translation: And you will not penetrate except by authority.
This verse refers to the necessity of infallibility to penetrate the heavens.
Infallibility and the guidance of the infallible are essential for understanding and accessing the higher ranks of creation. This section emphasises the role of religion and the infallible in directing humanity towards the truth.
The Holy Qur'an exercises silence in certain cases, especially regarding issues of infallibility and saints. These silences have pedagogical wisdom and require contemplation for deeper understanding.
Key Point: Qur'anic silences are a key subject for Qur'anic research and deeper comprehension.
سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى
Translation: Exalted is He who took His Servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque.
This verse refers to the Prophet's ascension but remains silent thereafter, not detailing the incident further.
Extracting Qur'anic silences requires reflection and practice. These silences refer to topics such as infallibility, saints, and ranks of creation.
Qur'anic silences are gateways to a deeper understanding of the verses. Contemplation on these silences leads to new knowledge and the production of Qur'anic science.
Seminaries must regard the Holy Qur'an as the source of knowledge and, instead of focusing on trivial matters, concentrate on understanding the heavens and creation.
Key Point: The Holy Qur'an must be the source of scientific production in seminaries.
Focusing on teaching literature, morphology, and syntax should not replace deep Qur'anic sciences. Religious knowledge must advance towards producing fundamental sciences.
كُونُوا لَنَا زَيْنًا وَلَا تَكُونُوا عَلَيْنَا شَيْنًا
Translation: Be adornment for us and not disgrace.
This statement refers to the necessity of professionalism and competence in religious knowledge.
By positioning the Holy Qur'an as the source of knowledge and focusing on fundamental matters of creation, seminaries can contribute to the production of global knowledge.
The Holy Qur'an, with verses such as "He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth" and "So He completed them as seven heavens", explains the cosmic system with scientific precision and divine wisdom. The seven heavens, beyond atmospheric layers,
