Multiverses

It is important to note here that the Qur’an was revealed in Arabic, and so any attempt at translating it into English or any other language results in a loss of many metaphors and idioms common in Arabic.

One such idiom, as Muhammad Asad points out, is that “in Arabic usage – and apparent in other Semitic languages as well – the number “seven” is often synonymous with “several”…just as “seventy” or “seven hundred” often means “many” or “very many”… This, taken together with the accepted linguistic definition that “every sama is a sama with regard to what is below it” (sama meaning heaven or sky) may explain the “seven heavens” as denoting the multiplicity of cosmic systems.”

The possibility of life on other planets—in other universes even—has always been considered to be in the realm of Star Trek and Stargate. However, the more we learn about our universe the more we have seen that science fiction is becoming science fact.

Sadly, many people fret and fray that such things would either be blasphemous or would somehow extinguish belief in God. But as we’ve seen, both claims are erroneous. The existence of aliens and parallel universes must stand on its own merits and scientific proofs.

And if such things do exist, then so be it; the Islamic faith would remain unchanged, undisturbed, by them.

Muhammad Asad beautifully sums up the Islamic position on extraterrestrial life, multiple universes and dimensions in the following passage:

“The Qur’an refers often to “the realm which is beyond the reach of human perception” (al-ghayb), while God is frequently spoken of as “the Sustainer of all the worlds” (rabb al-alamin): and the use of the plural clearly indicates that side by side with the “world” open to our observation there are other “worlds” as well – and, therefore, other forms of life, different from ours and presumably from one another, and yet subtly interacting and perhaps even permeating one another in a manner beyond our ken.”

And, as always, Allah knows best.29:19

References:

[1] “The Quran and Extraterrestrial Life”, Sheikh Muhammad b. Ibrâhîm Dûdah. IslamToday.net

“Michio Kaku Explains String Theory”

This article is from our archive, originally published on an earlier date and highlighted here for its importance.