What are the Seven Heavens?
Allah is He Who created seven Firmaments and of the earth a similar number. Through the midst of them (all) descends his Command..." (at-Talaq, 12).First of all, we should state that numbers like seven, seventy and seven hundred are used to express a great amount in Arabic; therefore, “seven firmaments” may indicate the plenitude of the layers.
It is possible to deduce different meanings from that expression of the verse. As far as it is understood today, the space is not an endless emptiness; it is full of “ether”.
Water, vapor and ice are formed from hydrogen and oxygen. Similarly, God Almighty created the seven layers of the sky from ether in a very fine system and created the stars in it. The stars that move travel in the sky like fish.
It is possible to understand that all of the skies that are seen are one sky of the world and that there are six more layers of the sky.
Can I have information about how we were created?
According to the Quran, we can study the creation of man in two parts: the creation of Hazrat Adam and the creation of man in the womb. The creation of Eve should be added to the first one and the creation of Jesus should be added to the second one.The verses in the Quran regarding the creation of Hazrat Adam (pbuh) are as follows: (3)
"Behold thy Lord said to the angels: ‘I will create a vicegerent on earth’." (al-Baqara 30).
"We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape" (al-Hijr 26).
"He created man from sounding clay like unto pottery. (ar-Rahman 14)
"…Are they the more difficult to create, or the (other) beings We have created? Them have We created out of a sticky clay" (as-Saaffat 11)
"He Who has made everything which He has created most Good. He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay" (as-Sajda 7)
"Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay)" (al-Mu'minun 12)
"He it is who created you from clay, and then decreed a stated term (for you)" (al-Anam 2).
"From the (earth) did We create you" (Taha 55)
"Among His Signs is this that He created you from dust; and then Behold ye are men scattered (far and wide)!" (ar-Rum 20)
"... Iblis said "Shall I bow down to one whom Thou didst create from clay?" (al-Isra 61, al-Araf 12, Sad 76)
To sum up those verses, "Adam was created from clay" (al-Isra 61, al-Araf 12, Sad 76, as-Sajda 7),
"Them have We created out of a sticky clay" (Saffat 11)
" Man We did create from a quintessence (of clay)" (al-Mu’minun 12)
" We created man from sounding clay, from mud molded into shape " (al-Hjcr 26, ar-Rahman 14). (3).
Adam is a Hebrew word that means a being that emerged from soil; earth, dust; it is stated that Adam was created from mud, that is, a mixture of the soil and water; to put it more clearly, from sounding clay molded into shape; and he revived after the divine spirit was breathed into him:
"He Who has made everything which He has created most Good. He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay" (as-Sajda 7)
"But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding)" (as-Sajda 9) (3).
In fact, it is known that what constitutes the structure of not only man but also all living beings are the elements in soil and water and that the human organism consists of 30% inorganic and organic matter and 70% water. If that constitution is taken into consideration, it will be seen that the human organism consists mostly of water. Water gives the life. Similarly, plants, animals and everything come from the soil and return to it and become soil.
The creation of man in the womb is stated as follows in the Quran:
"Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing--(not even) mentioned?― Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: so We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight. " (al-Insan,2).
"Then We placed him as (a drop of) sperm in a place of rest firmly fixed" (al-Mu'minun 13).
"Then We made the sperm into a clot of congealed blood; then of that clot We made a (fetus) lump; then We made out of that lump bones and clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed out of it another creature: so blessed be Allah, the Best to create" (al-Mu'minun 14).
" It is He Who has created you from dust, then from a sperm-drop, then from a leech-like clot; then does He get you out (into the light) as a child: then lets you (grow and) reach your age of full strength; then lets you become old " (Ghafir, 67).
" O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other) " (al-Hujurat 13)
" That He did create the pairs male and female. From a seed when lodged (in its place); "(an-Najm 45-46)
" He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases.." (Aal-i-Imran 6)
" He has created man from a sperm― drop " (an-Nahl 4).
"And He has multiplied you through the earth" (al-Mu'minun 79)
" It is We who created you and gave you shape " (al-Araf 11)
" It is He Who has created man from water: then has He established relationships of lineage and marriage " (al-Furqan 54)
" Doth not man see that it is We Who created Him from sperm?" (Yasin 77)
" Seeing that it is He that has created you in diverse stages " (Nuh 14)
" Have We not created you from a fluid (held) despicable? The which We placed in a place of rest, firmly fixed. For a period (of gestation), determined (according to need)? (al-Mursalat 20,21,22)
"Was he not a drop of sperm emitted (in lowly form)? Then did he become a clining clot; then did (Allah) make and fashion (him) in due proportion. And of him He made two sexes, male and female. " (al-Qiyama 37,38,39)
" It is He who hath produced you from a single person " (al-Anam 98)
" From what stuff Hath He created him? From a sperm-drop: He hath created him, and then moldeth him in due proportions; Then, doth He make His path smooth for him " (Abasa 18,19,20)
" We have indeed created man in the best of molds " (at-Tin 4)
" Proclaim! (or Read!) in the name of thy Lord and Cherisher, Who created― Created man, out of a (mere) clot of congealed blood. (al-Alaq 1,2) (3).
Those verses, which express the formation of the fetus in the womb, are like the description of the embryological development. The study of the formation of the fetus in the womb and its phases of development determined by Keith Moore, Canada Toronto University Anatomy Professor, through the latest technological methods and comparing them with the verses of the Quran and hadiths is like the proof of the Quranic verses mentioned above and the hadiths of the Prophet of Islam.
Do Aliens really exist?
There are creatures outside the world, too. However, those creatures are luminous creatures. In Shari'ah (Islamic law), they are called angels or spiritual beings.
The world or earth’s surface is mentioned as “al-Ard” in the Qur’an and it is also stated that and all prophets beginning with Hazrat Adam were sent to the earth. It is stated in the hadith Mir’aj (ascension) that there are ranks belong to prophets such as Abraham, Idris and Jesus Christ (Isa) at some parts of the heaven. In the verses of Surah al-Isra 44 and at-Talaq 12, it is also mentioned that the earth as well as heavens are seven layers. However, it is not clearly stated that whether those layers consist of seven layers of the earth, seven continents or seven climates.
However, even if there are planets that are suitable for living other than the world in which we live there are no verses or hadiths about the existence of creatures like human beings who are obliged and responsible.
It is known that there are eight or eleven planets according to the latest information acquired other than the world but there is not any religious or scientific document regarding the existence of such a living species.
On the other hand, there is a truth that should not be ignored; our world, which is an old planet, consists of living creatures that have spirit, intelligence and mind; similarly, there are spiritual creatures living in other planets, stars and heavenly bodies based on the living conditions, structures and locations of those places. Badiuzzaman Said Nursi explains the issue as follows:
The globe of the earth is the home of these infinite numbers of beings endowed with consciousness and spirit, despite its insignificance and density among the lofty heavenly bodies and planets, and even its grossest and most rotten particulars becoming masses of micro-organisms when they cease as sources of life, necessarily, demonstrably, decisively indicates, testifies to and proclaims that infinite space and the majestic heavens with their constellations and stars are full of animate beings, conscious beings, and beings with spirits. The Illustrious Shari‘a of Muhammad (Peace and blessings be upon him) and the Qur’an of Miraculous Exposition call these beings, who are created from fire, light, and even from electricity, and from other subtle flowing matter, “The angels, the jinn, and spirit beings.” (The Words - The Twenty - Ninth Word - First Aim)
Can you give Hadiths which emphasize the importance of trees?
1- "Whenever Muslims plant a tree, they will earn the reward of charity because of the food that comes from it; and likewise what is stolen from it, what the wild beasts eat out of it, what the birds eat out of it, and what people take from it is charity for them" (Tacrid us Sarih trans. VII,122)
2- “If a Muslim plants a tree or grow grains and a bird, a person or an animal eats from it will be counted as a charity for him. (Tacrid us Sarih trans. VII,123)
3- “If any of you have a date sapling on the doomsday he should plant it -if possible.” (Bukhara, Edebu'l-mufred, (thk., Halid Abdurrahman), p. 138, Daru'l-Ma'rife, Beirut, 1966).
4- “Whoever plants a tree is rewarded by Allah as much as the produce grown in that tree.” (Tacrid us Sarih trans. VII,122)
5- Narrated Anas bin Malik: Allah's Apostle said, "There is none amongst the Muslims who plants a tree or sows seeds, and then a bird, or a person or an animal eats from it, but is regarded as a charitable gift for him."
Raining and Dua Expecting Time
Rain is mercy and an indication of the manifestation of the divine mercy. Therefore, it can be said that the prayers are answered more at those moments. However, it cannot be said that each prayer will definitely be answered at those moments.
Is global warming true that when we use too much electricyty and stuff that eartquakes and tsumnis will happen?
GLOBAL WARMING
It is not right to reduce ayahs and hadiths that mention the signs of the Doomsday to a single subject and limit it. It can be said that those ayahs and hadiths contain lots of issues and may imply calamities like global warming.
The Prophet said in a hadith in which he mentions the features of the end of time:
When the world remains in “harj u marj”, when troubles appear, when the ways are blocked off, when some people attack others… (Kıyamet-Ahiret ve Ahirzaman Alametleri, p. 454)
The meaning of “harj u marj” in dictionary is “turmoil, disorder, unrest” and in the hadith it is said that it won’t be limited in a particular area and will prevail in all parts of the world. Blocking the ways and attacking of some people to others are counted as the signs of the age mentioned in the hadith.
The event mentioned above is mentioned in another hadith similarly. The Prophet who said “The apocalypse draws nearer and “harj” increases” was asked about the meaning of “harj” and he answered as “harj means killings”. (Kur'an ve Sünnette Kiyamet ve Ahiret, p.172)
Other hadiths that came to us about the issue are:
There exists anarchy and disorder days just near apocalypse. (Suyuti, Jami'üs Saghir, 3/211; Ahmad bin Hanbal, Musnad, 2/492)
The Doomsday will not come till these events happen… Deaths and massacres will be common… (Jamiu's-Saghir, 3:211, Musnad, 2:492, 4:391, 392:)
Examining the hadiths above, leads us to an important conclusion. The Prophet, with crashes, disorders and massacres He mentioned, describes the worldwide wars, terrorist attacks and different events about the world and states that these events are signs of apocalypse.
The modern war technology of our time, nuclear, biological and chemical weapons increased the effects of wars to a level that has never been seen in the history. It is also commonly accepted that the World cannot have a third world war because of mass-destruction weapons.
The ayahs about the issue contain lessons we are supposed to learn. Allah says in surah Al-Room that there were disorders in the world because of the actions of people.
Corruption has appeared in the land and the sea on account of what the hands of men have done, that He may make them taste a part of that which they have done, so that they may return. The Quran, the Romans (Ar-room); 41 (30:41)
It is worth to add that there is an important warning in the ayah. The sorrows, grieves and pains resulting from the faults of men are sort of opportunities for them to return from their mistakes.
In short, the time when the world is in “harj u marj” has been exactly lived in our time and a sign of apocalypse has came true in this way. At the same time, this sign has been an important warning for people to live in accordance with moralities of life.
As Doomsday approaches, big cities will be destroyed because of wars and calamities.
One of the pieces of information which The Prophet gave about end of time is: “Big cities will be destroyed as if they did not exist yesterday.” (Kitab-ul Burhan Fi Alamatt-il Mahdiyyil Ahir Zaman, p. 38)
Industry causes global warming which is a harmful and unwanted by-product; the balances in the world atmosphere which is gradually getting warmer and so climate changes take place. Calamities like hurricanes, storms, tornados, typhoons caused destructive damages in many places of the world especially in America. In addition to them, many settlements suffered from floods. Moreover, we did not forget about the damages caused by earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. As a conclusion, the destruction in big cities caused by all those calamities has been an important sign. The most common definition for 20th century is “the century of calamities” Natural calamities like earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and civil wars, clashes and important sea accidents or plane crashes claimed lots of lives. Cities that were destroyed, people that went out of existence are among the signs of the apocalypse mentioned in the hadiths. Allah says in the Quran: “Do they wait the Hour to overtake them unawares? Its signs have already come…” (the Quran Muhammad, 18)
The believers who believe in Allah sincerely, conscious of following the destiny, observed the appearance of the signs of the apocalypse with great curiosity and excitement for ages. They contemplated about the signs in ayahs and hadiths, tried to be ready for the instigations and troubles in the first times of the end-of-time and wished to live in the golden age about which they are foretold in advance. The time which we are in is the time in which most signs of apocalypse have fully appeared. Present time witnesses the appearance of the heavenly signs successively and in accordance with the way they are described and witnesses the events that have never happened before. Without doubt, they are the most important events after the time of the Prophet. The global warming is one of those events. Evaluating those events with prejudice, ignoring or denying them is a great loss for those who think so.
It is clear that 21st century is the beginning of a new era in world history. The promise of Allah is an absolute reality. Nobody can prevent or change His promises. As it is in every issue, the wisest and the most beautiful statement is in the Quran. Allah says:
“And say: “Praise is only for Allah, who will soon show you His signs so that you will recognize them.”…
Why did Allah create the universe?
Allah the Almighty, Who is the Maker of the universe and of all beings in it, created the universe for very significant purposes. Qur’an informs this as follows:
“Not for (idle) sport did we create the heavens and the earth and all that is between.” (Anbiyya Surah, 21:16)
“Not without purpose did we create heaven and earth and all between” (Sa Surah, 38:27)
All beings glorify and magnify the Exalted Creator with their languages. They fulfill the tasks with a pleasure and enthusiasm, which are assigned to them. For example, the sun, without falling behind even a second, moves around the orbit, which has been drawn for it. Rivers enthusiastically flow into seas. Animals, which have been given under the command of man, serve him with an absolute obedience.
Besides, if the universe had not been created, the never-ending perfection and beauty of the names and attributes of Allah Almighty would have never been known. This would have only been known by Allah (SWT). By manifesting the spiritual beauties of His names and attributes, Allah Almighty, besides beholding His own Beauty and Perfection on His own works, also wished to give a share to angels, man, and jinn from this honor and bestowal.
Regarding the question of whether to create the beings or not to, Allah (SWT) made His Divine preference for creation, and this preference has become an interminable mercy for all creatures. Or else it is unthinkable that Allah’s, one of Whose names is Samed (everything is in need of Him but He is in need of nothing), creation of this universe stems from a necessity.
It is said that plants have some feelings. Do they have spirits? If they have no spirits, then how can we explain the existence of some feelings that they have?
Plants form the lowest level of the living beings. When you break off a branch of a tree and plant it, the laws of growth and development function and a new individual forms.
In plants, there is no spirit in the sense that we know. Some laws like growth, development and differentiation carry out the duties of the spirit in plants.
Some feelings and acts seen in the living things including human beings are produced by the effects of some hormones and enzymes. Man hears a sound. That sound causes the formation of some secretion in the body, and tears come down his eyes.
The hormone of growth in plants moves away from the sunlight. When the sunlight hits the stem of a plant that is put in next to the window, the growth hormones accumulate at the back side of the stem, which receives less sunlight, that is, the side that faces inside the room. The growth hormones that accumulate there cause that part of the stem to grow more; an asymmetric form occurs since the part of the stem that faces inside the room grows more and the part that faces the sunlight grows less. Consequently, the stem of the plant leans outward.
This state is explained as the behavior of the plant. With this behavior, the plant turns its face toward the light. Thus, it benefits more from the light. Here, there is no spirit that arranges the act in the sense that it happens in human beings. However, there are laws of growth and differentiation that can function like that spirit to a certain extent.
It has been determined that there happen some differences in the behavior of the plants as a result of some secretions. We can summarize one of them as follows:
Electrodes are placed on the leaves of a plant and the electric circuit is completed. An ammeter that measures the strength of the electric current, a graph paper and a device that can draw graphs based on the strength of the current on the graph are placed on the circuit. Somebody breaks off a part from the plant. Then, when that person who has broken off that part from the plant passes in front of the plant, the strength of the current increases and a different graph is drawn. When other people pass, the plant does not react like that.
This act and similar ones are shown as evidence for the existence of feelings in plants; these feelings are noticed by different strengths of current and the secretion of different enzymes and hormones. The plant reacts based on the enzymes and hormones that are secreted in the environment that it lives.
The reactions that are conscious in human beings exist in the form of feelings or behavior in plants.
Do animals and plants have spirits?
As it is known, living things are divided into three categories. Plants, animals and humans. Thus, there are three levels of life here. The first one is the life of plants, the second is animals and the highest level is humans.In plants, instead of a spirit, there are some kinds of laws. They are laws such as growth, development and differentiation. The law which causes semi-living things such as plants to develop can be called biological spirit. Actually, these laws exist in animals and humans, too. The level of spirits in animals, that is, some feelings and perceptions they have are at a far below level compared to humans.
Animals have a peculiar spirit, unconscious but favored with inspiration, specific to them. On the other hand, humans have a spirit which is conscious and it was created by God upon order and given an external body.
“What was the average lifespan of the previous people? Was it longer or shorter in comparison to that of today? I want a reasonable answer with evidence.”
We can learn how long the previous people lived from three main resources. The first one is philosophical thought and evaluation. The second one is scientific knowledge that is based on experiments and laboratories. The other one is heavenly resources. They are: the Old Testament, the New Testament and the Quran. What science and philosophy say about the issue does not have a value. Among the heavenly sources, the only one that maintains its original form is the Quran. If there is no information in the Quran, it is possible to refer to the other heavenly books.
The age of Noah is clearly mentioned in the Quran. The meaning of the relevant verse is as follows:
“We (once) sent Noah to his people, and he tarried among them a thousand years less fifty: but the Deluge overwhelmed them while they (persisted in) sin. But We saved him and the Companions of the Ark, and We made the (Ark) a Sign for all Peoples!” (al-Ankabut, 14-15).
We understand from the verse that the Deluge took place when Noah (pbuh) was 950 years old. We do not know how long Noah lived after the Deluge.
According to the Old Testament, Hazrat Adam lived 930 years. (Genesis: 5/5; İslâm Ansiklopedisi, Volume 1, p.363).
In some tafsir books, it is stated that Hazrat Adam lived one thousand years. (Ibn Athir Ali b. Muhammad al-Jazari, al-Kamil fi’t-tarikh, Beirut 1965, Volume 1, p.150-151).
In conclusion, it is understood that Hazrat Adam and Hazrat Noah lived about one thousand years. We do not know whether their communities lived as long as they did or not. However, since prophets are examples to their communities, it is probable that they lived as long as their prophets. As a matter of fact, our Prophet lived as long as the average lifespan of the community and died when he was 63 years old. Allah knows the best.
Prof. Dr. Âdem Tatlı
