The Sixth Principle

These indications necessarily point both to the existence of the heavens and to their multiplicity. Since it is firmly established that the heavens are multiple, and since the Truthful Messenger (saw)Sallallāhu alayhi wa sallam (Peace and blessings be upon him), with the tongue of the Miraculously Eloquent Qur’an, has declared that they are seven, they are without doubt seven.

The Seventh Principle

Since expressions such as seven, seventy, and seven hundred indicate multiplicity in Arabic usage, those seven universal layers may encompass many further layers.

In short: Qadīr-i Dhul-JalālAllah, Who has power over all things and Whose greatness and majesty are boundless. created the seven heavens from the etheric substance, brought them into perfect balance and perfect form, arranged them with an exceedingly subtle and wondrous order, and sowed and planted the stars within them.

Since the Miraculously Eloquent Qur’an is an eternal address that speaks to all human beings and jinnSpiritual beings created from smokeless fire., at all their different levels, every class of mankind will surely receive its share from each verse of the Qur’an. Its verses will contain, implicitly and by indication, multiple and varied meanings in such a way that they satisfy the understanding of every class.

Indeed, the range of the Qur’anic verses, the breadth of their meanings and indications, and the fact that they take into account and adapt themselves to all levels of understanding—from the simplest common person to the most select elite—show that every verse has an aspect that addresses each class.

On account of this mystery, the seven classes of mankind have each understood different meanings within the comprehensive meaning of “the seven heavens,” according to their own level.

This is as follows:

فَسَوّٰيهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمٰوَاتٍAnd He formed them into seven heavens. — The Qur’an 2:29

A short-sighted and narrow-minded class of mankind understands this as referring to the layers of the atmosphere.

Another class of mankind, bewildered by cosmography, understands the seven planets and their orbits, known among people as the “seven wandering stars.”

Yet another group of people understands that there are seven other heavenly globes which, like our earth, are dwelling places for living beings.

Another group of mankind understands the division of our solar system into seven layers, as well as the existence of seven solar systems together with our own.