The Holy Quran 23:17 — Surah Al-Mu'minun

Arabic text

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَآئِقَ وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ ٱلْخَلْقِ غَـٰفِلِينَ

Translation

We have certainly created seven paths (heavens, zones, orbits) above you and we are never unaware of the creation (We know the condition of everything We created and provide for and protect everything).

Tafsir (excerpt) — Tafsir Usmani

The creation of seven paths: according to some mufassirun (commentators) and lexicographers, “tara'iq” (literally “paths”) means layers, that is, He made the seven heavens in layers, one above another; فهذا كما قال (“this is as He said”): كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللّٰهُ سَبْعَ سَمٰوٰتٍ طِبَاقًا (“how Allah has created the seven heavens in layers”)

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