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allāhu lladhī khalaqa sabʿa samāwātin wa-mina l-ʾarḍi mithlahunna yatanazzalu l-ʾamru baynahunna li-taʿlamū ʾanna llāha ʿalā kulli shayʾin qadīrun wa-ʾanna llāha qad ʾaḥāṭa bi-kulli shayʾin ʿilman
It is Allah who has created seven heavens, and of the earth [a number] similar to them. The command gradually descends through them, that you may know that Allah has power over all things, and that Allah comprehends all things in knowledge.
— Ali Quli Qarai
Surah al-Talaq – Verse 12
12. It is Allah Who has created the seven heavens and the earth and from the later the like thereof. His Command descends between them at all times that you may know that Allah is Omnipotent over all things and His Omniscience encompasses surrounds all things.
The blessed Verse in question treats of the Creation of the heavens and the earth and the organization of their affairs so that man may be apprised of Divine Omnipotence and Omniscience as well as the spiritual growth as a consequence of monotheism. In other words, the last blessed Verse of the Chapter makes a quite significant and crystal clear reference to Divine Majesty and Omnipotence in the Creation of the heavens and the earth as well as the final goal behind such Creation. Thus, the blessed Verse completes the discussion raised in the preceding blessed Verses concerning the Great Rewards promised to God fearing believers and also those leading to the removal of their difficulties.
It goes without saying that God Almighty Who is Omnipotent to have created the world of existence is also Omnipotent to fulfill the promises given to the God fearing Believers concerning the Rewards in store for them in this world and the Hereafter. The blessed Verse is saying that God Almighty is the One Who created the seven heavens and from the earth the like thereof, namely the earths, like the heavens, are seven in number. The reference to the seven earths is solely attested in this blessed Verse. Now let us turn to the seven heavens and the earths resembling them in terms of number.
Briefly speaking, the number seven may indicate multiplicity, as it is said in common parlance
"Even if you produce the seven seas that will be sufficient."
Thus, the seven heavens and the seven earths make a reference to the innumerable celestial spheres and heavenly bodies resembling the earth. However, in case we take the number seven as connoting numbers, it may reflect the eight heavens. It is attested elsewhere in the Holy Qur’an33
reflecting that what we perceive constituting human knowledge all pertains to the first heaven and beyond these celestial bodies, there are six other spheres lying beyond our perception and thus inaccessible to our domain of knowledge. Now, regarding the seven earths, it may be said that they may make a reference to the different layers of the earth, since it is proven today that the earth constitutes different layers. Reference may be made to the seven climes on the earth as well, since the earth has been divided into seven regions, though such classification is different in former and modern times.
Today, the earth is divided into the Arctic, Antarctic, two tropics, one equatorial, and two temperate zones. Nonetheless, the seven climes were classified differently in former times, though the number seven in this blessed Qur’anic Verse together with the expression
may refer to the different earths in the world of existence. Some astronomers maintain that celestial bodies like the earth revolve around suns in the vast cosmos whose number exceeds three hundred million.34 It is narrated from the Commander of the Faithful, Imam ‘Ali (as), as saying that the like the earth, there are cities in the stars in the sky.35 At any rate, taking into account our meager knowledge concerning the cosmos beyond the solar system, it would be hard to produce numbers, though astronomers lay emphasis on the fact that the galaxy which includes the solar system embraces millions of millions of celestial bodies whose conditions resemble those of the earth such that they are centers of forms of life.
However, scientific advancements in the future may provide us with further details concerning the exegesis of such blessed Verses. The blessed Verse in question further treats of the organization of such vast world by Divine Command, saying that His Commands are sent down at all times. It is needless to say that by the Arabic nominal form amr, the Divine Existential Command regarding the organization of such vast world and the seven heavens and the seven earths is hereby intended, since He guides them with His Particular Command in a regular and precise course.
The blessed Verse resembles another Qur’anic Verse36
God Almighty manages the affairs of the entire world from the heavens to the earth. Had His management abandoned the world of existence for one single moment, the organization of them all would have been perished and they would have been led to non-existence. The blessed Verse closes with the goal behind such great creation saying that the purpose of the creation of the world is that man may know that God is Omnipotent and Omniscient. The expression is of interest since the goal behind such great creation is mentioned as man’s awareness of Divine Attributes including His Omniscience and Omnipotence.
Being aware of these two Divine Attributes suffices for human spiritual growth. Man is supposed to know that God Almighty is All-Aware of the secrets of his being and all his deeds and Divine Promises as to the triumph of the believers and those concerning the Resurrection and Retribution are all true. Now, the Divine Injunctions concerning human life such as the Injunctions regarding divorce and obligations against women are all precise and well-calculated by the Omnipotent and Omniscient God Who manages all the affairs of the world of existence.
A detailed discussion on the goals behind Creation was mentioned above under 51:56. It is worthy of note, however, that different Qur’anic Verses make references to the goals behind the Creation of man or other creatures in the world of existence which may sound different at the first glance, though further reflection reflects one single truth. The blessed Qur’anic Verse 51:56 mentions that the goal behind the Creation of mankind and jinn is worshipping God Almighty:
The goal behind the Great Creation of the heavens and the earth is mentioned to be the trial of mankind37:
The goal is regarded to be Divine Graciousness38:
The goal is considered in the blessed Verse in question to be aware of Divine Attributes:
Reflection upon the blessed Qur’anic Verses reflects that some of them serve as preludes to others. In like manner, awareness and knowledge serve as preludes to worshipping God Almighty which in turn is a prelude to the trial and spiritual growth of mankind which in turn serve as a prelude to being granted Divine Graciousness.
O Lord! Now that you made us aware of the goal behind Your Great Creation, bear us Assistance so that we may attain to such Great Goal.
O Lord! You revealed the Holy Qur’an and sent the Messenger (S) to deliver the believing from the shadows to the light. Deliver us from the shadows of sins and concupiscent desires and lighten our hearts by the light of faith and fearing You. Amen! O Lord of the Worlds!
Footnotes