Hundred Questions - Seven Heavens and Seven Earths
Seven Heavens and Seven Earths
Q93 What are the meanings of seven heavens and seven earths?
A93 Your question is related to the verse (65:12) in the Qur'an. It should be known that according to new research in spiritual and physical science, the sun is situated in the very centre of the great globe of this universe, and surrounding it are fixed fourteen hypothetical circles which are larger and larger towards the outside and smaller and smaller towards the inside, like the layers of an onion. Among these, the outer seven circles are regarded as heavens and the inner seven circles as earths and these should be termed universal heavens and universal earths.
The other heavens and earths are stellar. That is, all the planets and stars, which are in the universe are divided into fourteen categories with respect to matter, body, soul and evolution of life. Among these categories the higher seven are heavens and the lower seven are earths.
In addition, the seven natiqs are the seven heavens and their seven asases are the seven earths of spirituality. For the details of this meaning see the books on ta'wil. From another aspect seven Imams and their seven hujjats are the seven heavens and the seven earths of spirituality.
Furthermore, there are fourteen stages of individual spirituality among which the seven beginning ones are like the seven earths and the seven later stages are like the seven heavens.
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