26:23-24
26:23
Pharaoh said: “And what is the ’Lord and Cherisher of the worlds’?”
26:24
(Moses) said: “The Lord and Cherisher of the heavens and the earth, and all between,- if ye want to
be quite sure.”
Seven Heavens and Cosmological Plurality in Qur’anic Discourse
The Qur’an describes the creation of the heavens as a structured and purposeful act, stating that God completed “seven heavens” and assigned to each its ordained function while adorning the nearest heaven with stars as protection (Qur’an 41:12). Similar passages refer to multiple heavens arranged in layers, emphasizing divine order and harmony (Qur’an 67:3; 71:15–16). Classical exegetes have interpreted these references in various ways, with some viewing the number seven as symbolic of multiplicity rather than a strictly literal numerical value (Bucaille, 1976).
Maurice Bucaille (1976) notes that the Qur’anic use of the term “worlds” and repeated references to the heavens suggest a plurality within creation. According to his analysis, the number seven appears frequently in the Qur’an and often carries the meaning of abundance or plurality, a usage also found in certain ancient Mediterranean cultures. Qur’anic verses describing “seven paths” or “seven heavens” (Qur’an 2:29; 23:17; 78:12) have therefore been interpreted by some commentators as indications of multiple realms or cosmic structures beyond human observation.
Classical scholars also reflected on the scale and hierarchy of creation. Al-Alusi described narrations comparing the vastness of each heaven to a ring in a desert when measured against higher levels of existence, highlighting the immense cosmological scope implied in Islamic theology (al-Alusi, n.d.). Likewise, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi argued that divine omnipotence allows for the possibility of numerous worlds beyond the known universe, suggesting that philosophical claims limiting existence to a single world lack conclusive proof (al-Razi, as cited in relevant surveys of his cosmological thought).
These interpretations collectively illustrate how Qur’anic cosmology has been understood by various scholars as pointing toward layered or multiple realms of creation. While some readings adopt symbolic explanations, others consider the verses compatible with the concept of multiple worlds or universes, all operating under divine decree and knowledge.
References:
Bucaille, Dr. Maurice. The Bible, the Qu’ran and Science: The Holy Scriptures Examined in theLight of
Modern Knowledge (p. 100). Unknown. Kindle Edition.
Rahman,Dr. Md. Anisur. Quran and Modern Science (pp. 52-53). Unknown. Kindle Edition.Razi. THE
GREAT EXEGESIS al-Tafsīr al-Kabīr. (p. 5-6).
(Ted Talk). (19 Apr 2013). Is our universe the only universe? – Brian Greene – YouTube