وَبَنَيْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعًا شِدَادًا 12
Translations
And constructed above you seven strong [heavens].
Transliteration
Wa-banayna fawqakum saba'an shidadan
Tafsir (Explanation)
Allah addresses humanity, stating that He has built seven strong heavens above them. Classical scholars like Ibn Kathir and Al-Qurtubi interpret 'seven strong heavens' (saba'an shidadan) as referring to the seven celestial spheres or layers of the heavens, each possessing strength and stability in its structure. This ayah emphasizes Allah's power in creation and serves as evidence of His majesty and the precision of His cosmic design, part of the surah's broader purpose of reminding humans of the signs (ayat) of the Day of Judgment.
Revelation Context
This ayah appears in Surah An-Naba, a Meccan surah revealed to convince the disbelievers of Mecca of the reality of the Hereafter and Allah's omnipotence. The surah begins by addressing the disputes about the Day of Judgment and uses creation as evidence of Allah's ability to resurrect. This particular ayah is positioned within a section detailing the marvels of creation—the night, the day, the heavens, and the earth—all meant to strengthen faith and refute doubt.
Related Hadiths
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said regarding the seven heavens: 'The distance between each heaven and the one below it is like the distance between the earth and the sky' (Sahih Bukhari, Book of Tawheed). Additionally, the hadith in Sahih Muslim describes the vastness of the heavens relative to the Kursi (Divine Footstool), emphasizing the immense scale of creation.
Themes
Key Lesson
This ayah invites believers to contemplate the grandeur of creation as a means to strengthen conviction in Allah's existence and power, fostering humility before the Divine. Recognizing the precise construction of the heavens should inspire awe and encourage us to submit to Allah's guidance while preparing for the accountability of the Day of Judgment.