The Twelfth Flash

Still another group of mankind understands that the etheric substance is divided into seven distinct layers of formation.

A yet broader-thinking class of mankind regards all the visible heavens, adorned with stars, as one heaven, and says that this is the heaven of this world; and understands that above it there are six further layers of heavens.

And the seventh and highest group of mankind does not regard the seven heavens as limited to the visible world, but understands that there are seven heavens, each forming an encompassing sphere and an all-embracing roof for the worlds of the Hereafter, the Unseen, this world, and ālam-i mithālThe immaterial realm in which the images of all existence and events are reflected..

Thus, within the comprehensiveness of this verse, besides the seven general meanings mentioned, there are many further particular meanings. Everyone receives his share according to his understanding, and everyone finds his provision at this heavenly table.

Since this verse possesses so many true and correct concrete meanings, the attack of the foolish philosophers of this age and their misguided cosmography against it—under the pretext of denying the heavens—resembles foolish and unruly children throwing stones at the stars, vainly trying to make a star fall.

For if one concrete application of a universal meaning is true, then that universal meaning itself is true and real. Even an individual meaning that does not exist in reality, but is commonly found in language, may be included within that universal meaning in order to take common understanding into account. Yet in this treatise, we have shown many true and real concrete applications.

Now look at this unjust and incorrect geography, and this confused, intoxicated, and misguided cosmography:

See how, because of their mistake, these two sciences closed their eyes to the true and real universal meaning, and because they failed to see the many true concrete applications, they imagined a fanciful and strange individual meaning for the verse. Then they threw stones at the verse, thereby breaking their own heads and losing their faith.

In short: since material and unbelieving thoughts, which may be regarded as evil jinnSpiritual beings created from smokeless fire. and devils, cannot ascend to the heavens of the Qur’an—which was revealed according to the seven modes of recitation, the seven layers of meaning, the seven miracles, the seven truths, and the seven foundations—they cannot know what lies within the stars of its verses. They therefore bring forth false and mistaken claims; whereupon the fiery meteors of these truths, such as the proofs mentioned, descend upon their heads and burn them.

Indeed, one cannot ascend to the heavens of the Qur’an with the philosophy of philosophers of a jinn-like spirit. Rather, one can ascend to the stars of its verses only by means of the mirājThe miraculous ascension of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) through the heavens by Allah’s permission. of true wisdom and upon the wings of īmānFaith; belief in the six articles of faith: Allah, His angels, His revealed scriptures, His prophets, the Hereafter, and divine decree (qadar). and Islam.

اَللّٰهُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰى شَمْسِ سَمَاۤءِ الرِّسَالَةِ وَقَمَرِ فَلَكِ النُّبُوَّةِ وَعَلٰى اٰلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ نُجُومِ الْهُدٰى لِمَنِ اهْتَدٰىO Allah, bestow Your blessings upon the one who is the sun of the heaven of messengership and the moon of the sphere of prophethood, and upon his family and Companions, who are the stars of guidance for those who have found the right path.

سُبْحَانَكَ لَا عِلْمَ لَنَٓا اِلَّا مَا عَلَّمْتَنَٓا اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَلٖيمُ الْحَكٖيمُGlory be to You. We have no knowledge except what You have taught us. Indeed, You are the All-Knowing, the All-Wise. – The Koran 2:32

اَللّٰهُمَّ يَارَبَّ السَّمٰوَاتِ وَاْلاَرْضِ زَيِّنْ قُلُوبَ كَاتِبِ هٰذِهِ الرِّسَالَةِ وَرُفَقَائِهِ بِنُجوُمِ حَقَائِقِ الْقُرْاٰنِ وَاْلاِيمَانِ اٰمِينَO Allah, Lord of the heavens and the earth, adorn the hearts of the writer of this treatise and his companions with the stars of the truths of the Qur’an and īmān. Āmīn.