How do you interpret the verse: "Do you not see how Allah has created seven heavens in layers?" (71:15), given that the seven heavens cannot be seen from Earth, and is this considered a contradiction?
Allah the Almighty informed us about the number of the seven heavens and their form in Quranic verses, including: "It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things." (Al-Baqarah/29), and "It is Allah who created seven heavens and of the earth [similar to them]." (At-Talaq/12), and "He who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency." (Al-Mulk/3). This information is from the unseen and cannot be known except through Allah's notification. As for Noah's saying to his people: "Do you not see how Allah has created seven heavens in layers?" the intended meaning is scientific observation, not visual sight, as in other verses such as: "Have you not seen those who left their homes?" (Al-Baqarah/243), and "Have you not seen how your Lord dealt with 'Aad?" (Al-Fajr/6). Arabs use "knowledge" in place of "sight," and "sight" in place of "knowledge."
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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