Using ChatGPT To Confirm the Meaning of “Seven Heavens”

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 21 September 2024 I have long wondered the meaning of the “seven heavens” mentioned in the Quran. I read every Tafsir on those verses and found nothing satisfactory. The Meaning Of Seven Heavens From Wikipedia: The notion or belief in a cosmos structured or tiered into seven heavens likely originates or derives from the seven visible heavenly bodies (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, the moon, and the sun). The above interpretation, however, contradicts the notion of “seven heavens one above another”, which implies each one is progressively a greater distance from the earth. In contrast, the distance of the seven visible heavenly bodies varies, making different bodies nearest/farthest from the earth during their orbits. They are not one above another and interchange positions. However, this is the interpretation of most scholars because their knowledge extended to the visible heavenly bodies alone. I then studied astronomy to find the answer and quickly found that the seven heavens refer to the galaxies. This article demonstrates how to use an AI Chatbot to find answers to questions. I am testing my independent finding with ChatGPT below: Query 1: What Are The Visible Galaxies? ChatGPT: With the naked eye alone, under ideal dark sky conditions (away from light pollution), only a few galaxies are visible. These are: 1. Milky Way Galaxy (as the galactic band of stars, not the whole galaxy itself) 2. Andromeda Galaxy (M31) – the farthest object visible to the naked eye, about 2.5 million light-years away. 3. Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC) – visible from the southern hemisphere. 4. Small Magellanic Cloud (SMC) – also visible from the southern hemisphere. 5. Triangulum Galaxy (M33) – faint and only visible under exceptionally clear and dark skies. Summary: 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. Query 2: With the naked eye can we say which of the five visible galaxies is closest and farthest? ChatGPT: While these galaxies can be seen with the naked eye, discerning their distances requires astronomical knowledge, as the visual appearance alone doesn't reveal their relative distances. Query 3: When did we acquire the capability to estimate the distance of a galaxy correctly? ChatGPT: Summary of Key Milestones: 1. 1912: Henrietta Leavitt's discovery of the period-luminosity relationship for Cepheid variable stars. 2. 1924: Edwin Hubble used Cepheid stars to measure the distance to the Andromeda Galaxy, proving that it is a separate galaxy. 3. 1929: Hubble’s Law showed that galaxies are moving away from us, establishing a method to measure their distances via redshift. By the 1920s, astronomers had the foundational tools to correctly estimate the distances to galaxies and began to comprehend the vast scale of the universe. My comment: Even though we could see one galaxy from the Northern Hemisphere and two more from the Southern Hemisphere, possibly one more, making a total of four, we couldn’t say whether these were “one above another” until the 1920’s. No wonder the galaxies were not considered to be an explanation of the meaning of the “seven heavens”, because seven galaxies were not visible, and there was no way of distinguishing one galaxy from another since their distances could not be estimated. Query 4: List The Verses Of The Quran That Speak Of The “Seven Heavens”. ChatGPT: The Quran contains several verses that speak of the seven heavens. For example: Heaven as a Structured Creation • Surah Al-Mulk (67:3): "Who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return your vision to the sky; do you see any breaks?" • Surah Noah (71:15) "´See ye not how Allah has created the seven heavens one above another • Surah An-Naba' (78:12-13): "And We built above you seven strong [heavens] and made [therein] a burning lamp." The Seven Heavens • Surah Al-Isra (17:44): "The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is in them exalt Him. And there is not a thing except that it exalts [Allah] by His praise, but you do not understand their [way of] exalting. Indeed, He is ever Forbearing and Forgiving." • Surah Fussilat (41:12): "And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing." Query 5: What Does "Who Created Seven Heavens In Layers" Mean? ChatGPT: The phrase "Who created seven heavens in layers" (from Surah Al-Mulk 67:3) holds rich meaning in the context of Islamic cosmology and theology. Here's a breakdown of its significance: 1. Seven Heavens: • In the Quran, "seven heavens" refers to the structured levels or realms of the heavens, often described as distinct layers or spheres that are part of God's creation. While "seven" may represent a literal number, in some interpretations it can also symbolize completeness or perfection in Arabic usage, as the number seven often carries such a connotation. • The "seven heavens" could imply different dimensions or layers of the sky and cosmos, possibly reflecting different cosmic realms beyond what humans can observe, corresponding to both the material and metaphysical universe. 2. Layers or Tiers: • The phrase "in layers" (in Arabic: "ṭibāq") conveys the idea that these heavens are arranged in a structured and orderly manner, one above the other. This structure highlights the meticulous and deliberate nature of God's creation. • This layered creation can be seen as indicative of divine balance, harmony, and order, all aspects that are emphasized in Islamic thought as signs of God's perfect design of the universe. 3. Spiritual and Cosmological Realms: • In some Islamic traditions, the seven heavens are linked to spiritual realms where angels reside or specific heavenly bodies are positioned. Each heaven may also correspond to a stage of closeness to God, with the highest heavens being the most sacred. • Classical Islamic scholars have often associated these seven heavens with astronomical or cosmological theories, where each heaven might correspond to a celestial sphere or a plane of existence. 4. Mystical and Theological Interpretations: • Many Sufi and mystical interpretations view the "seven heavens" as metaphorical representations of the spiritual journey toward God. Each heaven could represent a level of spiritual refinement or elevation a believer experiences as they grow closer to divine understanding. Summary: The verse "Who created seven heavens in layers" emphasizes God's power, precision, and intentionality in creating the universe. Whether understood literally or symbolically, it illustrates a cosmos that is vast, structured, and under God's control, pointing to the perfect order and majesty of His creation. Query 6: Since the galaxies are arranged in layers or one on top of the other, as described in the Quran, could the seven heavens mean the galaxies where seven means many rather than seven? ChatGPT said: Yes, your interpretation that the "seven heavens" could symbolize galaxies, with "seven" meaning "many" rather than a literal seven, is a perspective that some modern thinkers and scholars have explored. This interpretation fits into the idea that the Quran uses language that can speak to both ancient and contemporary understandings of the cosmos. Here's how this interpretation aligns: 1. "Seven" as Symbolic of Many: • In the Quran, the number seven frequently appears and is often interpreted as representing completeness, fullness, or a large quantity, rather than always a precise number. This symbolic use of numbers is common in Semitic languages and is seen across various contexts in the Quran. • In this sense, the "seven heavens" could be understood as describing numerous heavens or vast cosmic realms, which aligns with our current understanding of the universe's immense scale, including billions of galaxies. 2. Galaxies in Layers: • The idea of galaxies being arranged in layers or spheres can fit with the Quranic description of "heavens in layers" (ṭibāq). The structure of the universe, with galaxies spread out across vast distances and potentially organized into large cosmic webs or clusters, could resemble a layered, expansive system. • In modern cosmology, the universe contains multiple galaxies distributed in clusters, superclusters, and sheets of galaxies, which can be seen as layered across the cosmos. This may metaphorically align with the Quranic notion of layered heavens. 3. Scientific and Spiritual Overlap: • While the Quran is primarily a spiritual text, its descriptions of natural phenomena are often open to multiple interpretations. Many scholars view the Quran as offering guidance for all times, meaning that its verses could have meanings that resonate with both ancient and modern scientific understandings. • From a modern perspective, the concept of heavens as galaxies makes sense, as the universe contains billions of galaxies spread across a vast expanse. These galaxies, in a sense, could represent the "heavens" that are far beyond human reach, and their sheer number suggests the vastness of God's creation. 4. Caution with Literal Interpretations: • It's important to note that Islamic scholars traditionally interpret the "seven heavens" in different ways, and many prefer not to tie Quranic descriptions to specific modern scientific phenomena, as the meanings of such verses may transcend our current knowledge. • However, Quranic verses are often open to reflection and contemplation, and many believers see a harmony between faith and science. In this light, interpreting "seven heavens" as galaxies—layers upon layers of cosmic realms—can be viewed as a legitimate modern interpretation that aligns with our understanding of the universe's scale. Summary: The idea that the "seven heavens" could represent galaxies, with "seven" symbolizing "many," is a plausible interpretation that fits within both the symbolic language of the Quran and modern cosmology. While not a definitive interpretation, it reflects the Quran's ability to speak to diverse understandings of the universe, bridging ancient cosmologies and contemporary science. This viewpoint highlights the vastness and order of the universe, serving as a sign of God's immense power in creation. My Comment: This is another instance of the meaning of a Mutashabihat verse becoming clear when what we learn from Science converges with what the Quran says. The Quran is indeed a continuing miracle. Footnote: It may be noted that ChatGPT has been used to generate the article based on a pre-decided structure to bring out: 1. Why did ancient scholars never think of the Galaxies as an explanation for the “seven heavens”? This was accomplished by asking leading questions in Queries 1,2 and 3 2. Queries 4 and 5 are normal queries. 3. Query 6 is another leading question. ChatGPT has learned the following from this exercise: 1. The reason why the ancient scholars never thought of the Galaxies as an explanation. 2. The Galaxies best explain the meaning of the “seven heavens”. ChatGPT will use this learning to directly answer that the seven heavens mean the galaxies in the future. ----- 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. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/debating-islam/chatgpt-confirm-meaning-seven-heavens/d/133250 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism