Could The Quran Have Described the Cosmos in A Better Way?

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 25 September 2024 Ghulam Mohiyuddin sb disdainfully said, “The seven heavens are just figments of the imagination of the 7th-century man. They do not represent the seven planets or the seven "visible" galaxies.” He has even managed to get the simple facts wrong. There was no concept of galaxies until the 20th Century, and even today, there aren’t seven visible galaxies. Only About Four Other Galaxies Are Visible To The Naked Eye: • One from the northern hemisphere (Andromeda). • Four from the southern hemisphere (Andromeda, LMC, SMC, and possibly Triangulum). However, conditions must be extremely good for some of these to be seen clearly without any optical aid. These appear as fuzzy objects in telescopes and were classified as nebulae (clouds of gas) and not as separate galaxies. The term "galaxy" came into use when galaxies beyond the Milky Way were confirmed in the 20th century when we could judge the distance from the Earth of these objects. The question is, could the Quran have described the Cosmos better, considering that the people’s knowledge and vocabulary were limited? Let ChatGPT provide the answers. Query 1: Earlier, the scholars conjectured that the “seven heavens” mentioned in the Quran are Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, and the Sun. Does this explanation contradict the description “one above the other” or “in layers”? ChatGPT said: ChatGPT Yes, the explanation that the "seven heavens" in the Quran refer to Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the Moon, and the Sun does contradict the description of "seven heavens" being "one above the other" or "in layers." Explanation: 1. Quranic Description of "Seven Heavens": · The Quran frequently mentions "seven heavens" (Arabic:السماوات السبع, as-samawat as-sab‘), with the description that they are "one above the other" (e.g., Quran 67:3: "He who created the seven heavens, one above another"). · This implies a layered or structured cosmological model, suggesting distinct and separate realms or levels. 2. Classical Scholars' Interpretation: · Some early Islamic scholars, influenced by the astronomical knowledge of their time (Ptolemaic cosmology), attempted to identify the "seven heavens" with the known celestial bodies in their geocentric model: the Moon, Mercury, Venus, the Sun, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. This was a reasonable attempt to reconcile religious texts with the science of their era. 3. Contradiction with "One Above Another": · The Ptolemaic model places these planets and the Sun in orbits around the Earth, but not necessarily in a vertical "layered" arrangement. The planets in this model are spread across the sky and do not follow the Quranic description of being distinct realms or heavens arranged one directly above the other. · Also, the Moon and the Sun are part of Earth's immediate neighbourhood (in modern terms, the solar system), while the Quran's description seems to suggest a cosmology that transcends just the local celestial bodies. 4. Layered Heavens in Islamic Tradition: · Many Islamic scholars and commentators (e.g., Al-Razi, Ibn Kathir) have interpreted the "seven heavens" as being cosmic realms or spheres distinct from the physical planets and stars we observe. · These layers are often described as vast realms containing stars and other celestial phenomena, beyond the visible sky, consistent with a metaphysical or cosmological structure rather than simply the planets in our solar system. 5. Modern Understanding: · With the advent of modern astronomy, we now know that planets such as Mercury, Venus, Mars, etc., are part of our solar system, not arranged in layers but in elliptical orbits around the Sun. · The Quran's mention of "seven heavens" may be understood in different ways, potentially referring to spiritual or metaphysical realms, cosmic layers beyond our observable universe, or a divine structure beyond the solar system model. Conclusion: The attempt to identify the "seven heavens" with specific planets like Mercury, Venus, and others was a historical interpretation but does not align with the Quranic description of "one above the other" or "in layers." Today, scholars tend to understand the "seven heavens" as referring to a broader cosmological or metaphysical structure, which goes beyond the planets of the solar system. Query 2: Considering the limitations of the seventh-century vocabulary when there was no concept of a galaxy and therefore no name for it, could the Quran describe the cosmos any other way except the way it does? ChatGPT said: Considering the limitations of seventh-century vocabulary, when there was no concept or name for a galaxy, it is unlikely that the Quran could have described the cosmos in any other way than it does. Here's why: 1. Lack of Scientific Terminology in the 7th Century: · In the seventh century, there was no scientific understanding of galaxies, nebulae, or even the structure of the universe as we know it today. The observable cosmos was limited to the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets visible to the naked eye. · Given the absence of words to describe phenomena like galaxies or the vastness of space, the Quran used accessible language and metaphors to convey ideas about the universe. 2. Accessible and Symbolic Language: · The Quran often employs symbolic and metaphorical language that speaks to the people of its time, while also remaining open to interpretation across generations. Concepts like the "seven heavens" (سماوات سبع, as-samawat as-sab‘) are presented in a way that resonates with seventh-century listeners, yet can still be interpreted expansively today. • By referring to "heavens" or "layers," the Quran conveys a sense of vastness and structure in the cosmos, even though the vocabulary of the time lacked specific terms like "galaxies" or "solar systems." 3. Descriptions Reflecting the Observable Cosmos: • The Quran’s descriptions of the cosmos, including phrases like "We built the heaven with might, and We are expanding it" (Quran 51:47), use terms familiar to the audience while leaving room for metaphorical interpretation. These descriptions emphasize the grandeur and continuous creation of the universe without diving into specifics that were beyond human knowledge at the time. • Phrases such as "the seven heavens, one above the other" (Quran 67:3) suggest a layered or structured universe, which might correspond to different dimensions or cosmic realities, but they are described in ways understandable to seventh-century listeners. 4. Linguistic Flexibility and Timelessness: • The Quran’s language is flexible and timeless. Although it uses terms rooted in the vocabulary of its time, such as "heavens" or "stars," these descriptions can be interpreted metaphorically or symbolically as humanity's understanding of the cosmos evolves. This flexibility has allowed many later scholars to reinterpret the Quran’s cosmological references in light of new scientific discoveries. • For example, the mention of the "expanding heavens" can now be understood in light of modern science’s discovery of the expanding universe, a concept that was unknown in the seventh century but is reflected in the Quran’s broad, non-technical language. 5. Purpose of the Quran’s Cosmological Descriptions: • The Quran’s primary purpose is spiritual and theological rather than scientific. Its descriptions of the cosmos are meant to inspire reflection on the majesty of God’s creation rather than to provide a detailed, scientific explanation of the universe’s physical structure. • Therefore, the Quran uses general descriptions that emphasize wonder and vastness, which are universally comprehensible, rather than technical details that would have been incomprehensible at the time. 6. Could the Quran Have Described the Cosmos Differently? • Without the scientific knowledge or terminology to describe galaxies, nebulae, or other cosmic phenomena, the Quran’s descriptions of the cosmos were necessarily framed within the conceptual and linguistic limits of its time. However, its use of non-specific and expansive language makes it adaptable to new discoveries about the universe. • The Quran could not have described the cosmos in terms of galaxies or astrophysical phenomena in a more detailed or scientific way, as the necessary concepts and vocabulary didn’t exist. Instead, it provided a framework that emphasized the scale and structure of the universe in a way that was comprehensible to its original audience while remaining relevant in later eras. Conclusion: Given the limitations of seventh-century vocabulary and knowledge, the Quran’s descriptions of the cosmos, including the use of terms like "seven heavens" and references to the heavens' vastness, are expressed in the most accessible way possible for that time. While it couldn’t describe the cosmos in terms of modern scientific concepts like galaxies, the Quran’s use of flexible, symbolic language has allowed for interpretations that align with later discoveries. Its descriptions of the cosmos reflect the awe-inspiring nature of creation rather than the specifics of its structure, making its message timeless across generations. My Comment: It is remarkable that the Quran, while using the limited vocabulary of seventh-century Arabic, has provided details that made us reject seven visible heavenly bodies (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the moon, and the sun) as the meaning of “seven heavens” in no uncertain times. The Quran has guided us to the true meaning of the “seven heavens” using simple words and descriptions. We could know its true meaning when our knowledge expanded to encompass the galaxies and beyond thirteen centuries after the revelation of the Quran and maybe 17 centuries after the Vedas. So, which of the Signs of Allah will you deny? ----- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. 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