Tafsir of Al-Mu'minoon 23:17

Al-Mu'minun (The Believers): Verse 17

The Second Type of Proof: Drawing evidence from the creation of the heavens.

This is established by His saying:

{And We have created above you seven paths, and We were never heedless of creation.} (Al-Mu'minun: 17)

{Seven paths (sab'a tarā'iq)} (Al-Mu'minun: 17): This means seven heavens. They are called tarā'iq (paths/layers) because they overlap or follow one another (taṭāruq), meaning one is placed above the other.

• Al-Khalil, Al-Zajjaj, and Al-Farra' hold this view.
• Al-Zajjaj stated this is like His saying: {seven heavens, layered one upon another} (Nuh: 15).
• Ali ibn Isa said they are named tarā'iq because they are paths for the angels ascending and descending and flying.
• Others said it is because they are the paths for the stars in their courses.

The benefit of this creation for us is that Allah made them:

1. The place from which our sustenance is sent down by the descent of water.
2. The dwelling place of the angels.
3. The place of reward.
4. The location from which Prophets are sent and revelation descends.

{And We were never heedless of creation} (Al-Mu'minun: 17): There are several interpretations for this:

1. We were not heedless, but rather we were guardians over creation, protecting them lest the seven layers fall upon them and destroy them. This is the view of Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, similar to His saying: {Indeed, Allah restrains the heavens and the earth from passing away} (Fatir: 41).
2. We created them above them only to send down sustenance and blessings upon them from them, according to Al-Hasan.
3. We created these things, and our creation of them indicates the perfection of Our power. Then He clarified the perfection of knowledge by saying: {And We were never heedless of creation}, meaning of their deeds, their words, and their innermost thoughts. This serves as the ultimate deterrent.
4. We were not heedless of the creation of the heavens, but rather We are their guardians, ensuring they do not deviate from the measure We intended for them, like His saying: {You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency} (Al-Mulk: 3).

Know that this verse indicates several important matters:

1. The existence of the Creator: The transformation of these bodies from one state to another, contrary to their previous state while they could have remained as they were, indicates that there must be an agent of change and transformation.
2. The invalidity of the doctrine of Nature (as an independent agent): If any of those states occurred naturally, those states should have remained permanent and unchanging. If one argues that the nature itself changed, then that nature itself requires a Creator and an existence.
3. The Governor is Capable and Knowing: Because such wondrous actions cannot originate from an ignorant or incapable being.
4. He is Knower of all knowables and Capable of all possibilities.
5. The permissibility of Resurrection and Reassembly (Al-Hashr wa Al-Nashr): This is inferred from the explicit text of the verse, and because the Agent who is capable of all possibilities and knowledgeable of all knowables must necessarily be capable of reassembling the parts into their original configuration.
6. Knowledge of Allah must be based on evidence (Istidlal) and not mere tradition (Taqlid): Otherwise, mentioning these proofs would be futile.

The Third Type of Proof: Drawing evidence from the descent of rain and its effects on vegetation.