SCIENTIFIC AND ISLAMIC RESEARCHES

    Structure of Creation

    The Order and Structure of Creation in Islam: From the Throne to the Physical Universe.

    05/03/2026

    بِسۡمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ 

    1. The Pen (Al-Qalam) – First Creation

    Most scholars say the first thing Allah created was the Pen.

    Hadith:

    حَدَّثَنَا جَعْفَرُ بْنُ مُسَافِرٍ الْهُذَلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ حَسَّانَ، حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ بْنُ رَبَاحٍ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ أَبِي عَبْلَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَفْصَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ عُبَادَةُ بْنُ الصَّامِتِ لاِبْنِهِ يَا بُنَىَّ إِنَّكَ لَنْ تَجِدَ طَعْمَ حَقِيقَةِ الإِيمَانِ حَتَّى تَعْلَمَ أَنَّ مَا أَصَابَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُخْطِئَكَ وَمَا أَخْطَأَكَ لَمْ يَكُنْ لِيُصِيبَكَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏”‏ إِنَّ أَوَّلَ مَا خَلَقَ اللَّهُ الْقَلَمَ فَقَالَ لَهُ اكْتُبْ ‏.‏ قَالَ رَبِّ وَمَاذَا أَكْتُبُ قَالَ اكْتُبْ مَقَادِيرَ كُلِّ شَىْءٍ حَتَّى تَقُومَ السَّاعَةُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ يَا بُنَىَّ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ ‏”‏ مَنْ مَاتَ عَلَى غَيْرِ هَذَا فَلَيْسَ مِنِّي ‏”‏ ‏.‏

    Translation:

    Ubadah b. al Samit said to his son: Son! You will not get the taste of the reality of faith until you know that what has come to you could not miss you, and that what has missed you could not come to you. I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: The first thing Allah created was the pen. He said to it: Write. It asked: What should I write, my Lord? He said: Write what was decreed about everything till the Last Hour comes. Son! I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: He who dies on something other than this does not belong to me.

    Grade: Sahih (Al-Albani)  صحيح   (الألباني)حكم   :
    Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 4700


    What happened:

    • Allah commanded the Pen to write everything that will happen until the Day of Judgment.

    So chronologically: The Pen is created first.

    2. The Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz)

    The Pen wrote everything in the Preserved Tablet.

    This tablet contains Allah’s complete decree for the universe.

    Qur’an: Chapter 85

    بَلۡ هُوَ قُرۡءَانٌ۬ مَّجِيدٌ۬ (٢١)
    فِى لَوۡحٍ۬ مَّحۡفُوظِۭ (٢٢)
     

    1. But this is an honored Qur’an
    2. (Inscribed) in Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz (The Preserved Tablet)!
      85:21-22

    Meaning:

    • Everything that will happen is already written there.

    3. The Divine Throne (Al-Arsh)

    Allah then created the Great Throne, the greatest creation.

    Qur’an:

    فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُلۡ حَسۡبِىَ ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۖ عَلَيۡهِ تَوَڪَّلۡتُ‌ۖ وَهُوَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَرۡشِ ٱلۡعَظِيمِ (١٢٩)

    But if they turn away, [O Muhammad], say, “Sufficient for me is Allah ; there is no deity except Him. On Him I have relied, and He is the Lord of the Great Throne.“
    — Qur’an 9:129

    Another verse:

    وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ وَڪَانَ عَرۡشُهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُوَڪُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلاً۬‌ۗ وَلَٮِٕن قُلۡتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبۡعُوثُونَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (٧)
     

     And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days – and His Throne had been upon water – that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, “Indeed, you are resurrected after death,” those who disbelieve will surely say, “This is not but obvious magic.”
    — Qur’an 11:7

    Scholars explain:

    The Throne already existed when the heavens and earth were created.

    This shows it is very early in creation.

    4. Levels/Realm of Paradise/Gardens/Jannah

    The hadith says:

    حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ صَالِحٍ، حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحٌ، عَنْ هِلاَلِ بْنِ عَلِيٍّ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَبِرَسُولِهِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلاَةَ وَصَامَ رَمَضَانَ، كَانَ حَقًّا عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُدْخِلَهُ الْجَنَّةَ جَاهَدَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، أَوْ جَلَسَ فِي أَرْضِهِ الَّتِي وُلِدَ فِيهَا ‏”‏‏.‏ فَقَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَفَلاَ نُبَشِّرُ النَّاسَ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏”‏ إِنَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ مِائَةَ دَرَجَةٍ أَعَدَّهَا اللَّهُ لِلْمُجَاهِدِينَ فِي سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ، مَا بَيْنَ الدَّرَجَتَيْنِ كَمَا بَيْنَ السَّمَاءِ وَالأَرْضِ، فَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُ اللَّهَ فَاسْأَلُوهُ الْفِرْدَوْسَ، فَإِنَّهُ أَوْسَطُ الْجَنَّةِ وَأَعْلَى الْجَنَّةِ، أُرَاهُ فَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ، وَمِنْهُ تَفَجَّرُ أَنْهَارُ الْجَنَّةِ ‏”‏‏.‏ قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ فُلَيْحٍ عَنْ أَبِيهِ ‏”‏ وَفَوْقَهُ عَرْشُ الرَّحْمَنِ ‏”‏‏.‏

    Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever believes in Allah and His Apostle, offer prayer perfectly and fasts the month of Ramadan, will rightfully be granted Paradise by Allah, no matter whether he fights in Allah’s Cause or remains in the land where he is born.” The people said, “O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) ! Shall we acquaint the people with the good news?” He said, “Paradise has one-hundred grades which Allah has reserved for the Mujahidin who fight in His Cause, and the distance between each of two grades is like the distance between the Heaven and the Earth. So, when you ask Allah (for something), ask for Al-firdaus which is the best and highest part of Paradise.” (i.e. The sub-narrator added, “I think the Prophet also said, ‘Above it (i.e. Al-Firdaus) is the Throne of Beneficent (i.e. Allah), and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.”)

    Sahih al-Bukhari 2790

    This means:

    • Al-Firdaws is the highest level of Paradise
    • The Throne is above it

    Scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim explained that:

    • Paradise has many levels
    • The upper levels are near the Throne
    • Al-Firdaws is the highest garden

    So Paradise is a vast realm, not just a single garden.

    To make this simpler, let us use an analogy. Imagine a massive, beautiful skyscraper that is so tall its top is hidden in the clouds. This skyscraper represents Paradise. Now, imagine that within this skyscraper, there is a special “VIP Section” or a specific wing of the building that has 100 floors reserved specifically for those who strove and sacrificed the most for the sake of God (the Mujahidin).

    The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) stated: “In Paradise, there are one hundred degrees that Allah has prepared for those who perform Jihad in His cause; the distance between each two degrees is like the distance between the heaven and the earth.”

    This does not mean that Paradise only has 100 levels in total. Rather, it means that for this specific group of people—those who showed the highest level of devotion and sacrifice—there is a dedicated “ladder” of 100 elite levels. Think of it like a school where everyone passes, but those who did extra credit and worked the hardest get into a special “Honors Program” that has its own 100 levels of awards

    5. Water

    The Qur’an mentions that the Throne was above water.

    وَهُوَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِى سِتَّةِ أَيَّامٍ۬ وَڪَانَ عَرۡشُهُ ۥ عَلَى ٱلۡمَآءِ لِيَبۡلُوَڪُمۡ أَيُّكُمۡ أَحۡسَنُ عَمَلاً۬‌ۗ وَلَٮِٕن قُلۡتَ إِنَّكُم مَّبۡعُوثُونَ مِنۢ بَعۡدِ ٱلۡمَوۡتِ لَيَقُولَنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ ڪَفَرُوٓاْ إِنۡ هَـٰذَآ إِلَّا سِحۡرٌ۬ مُّبِينٌ۬ (٧)
    And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days – and His Throne had been upon water – that He might test you as to which of you is best in deed. But if you say, “Indeed, you are resurrected after death,” those who disbelieve will surely say, “This is not but obvious magic.” Quran:11:7

    So scholars say water existed before the heavens and earth.

    6. The Footstool (Kursi)

    Below the Throne is the Footstool.

    Qur’an:

    ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَىُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُ‌ۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُ ۥ سِنَةٌ۬ وَلَا نَوۡمٌ۬‌ۚ لَّهُ ۥ مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ‌ۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِى يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُ ۥۤ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦ‌ۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡ‌ۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَىۡءٍ۬ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦۤ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَ‌ۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ‌ۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُ ۥ حِفۡظُهُمَا‌ۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِىُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ (٢٥٥)
    Allah – there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great.
    — Qur’an 2:255

    Scholars explain:

    • The Kursi is smaller than the Throne but larger than the heavens and earth.

    Addressing the Concept of a “Footstool”

    In simple language, the term “footstool” is used as a linguistic tool to help human beings understand the hierarchy of greatness. In Islamic theology, particularly the Athari school of thought, it is emphasized that Allah does not have a physical body like humans and does not “require” a place to sit or put His feet. Allah is Al-Ghani (The Self-Sufficient), meaning He has no need for His creation.

    The use of the word “footstool” for the Kursi serves two purposes:

    • To show relative size: If the “footstool” is so large that it encompasses the entire universe (the heavens and the earth), then the “Throne” itself is unimaginably greater, and the Creator of both is greater still.
    • To affirm Attributes without Likening: Scholars like Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Ibn Taymiyyah argued that we must affirm what Allah and His Messenger affirmed (the existence of the Kursi as a footstool) without asking “how” (bi-la kayf) and without comparing Allah to His creation (tashbih).

    7. The Much-Frequented House (Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur)

    This is a heavenly house of worship for angels.

    It is directly above the Kaaba.

    Every day 70,000 angels enter it to worship Allah, and they never return again because so many angels exist.

    Hadith

    During the Prophet’s Night Journey:

    حَدَّثَنَا هُدْبَةُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ،‏.‏ وَقَالَ لِي خَلِيفَةُ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، وَهِشَامٌ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ صَعْصَعَةَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ بَيْنَا أَنَا عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ بَيْنَ النَّائِمِ وَالْيَقْظَانِ ـ وَذَكَرَ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ ـ فَأُتِيتُ بِطَسْتٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ مُلِئَ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، فَشُقَّ مِنَ النَّحْرِ إِلَى مَرَاقِّ الْبَطْنِ، ثُمَّ غُسِلَ الْبَطْنُ بِمَاءِ زَمْزَمَ، ثُمَّ مُلِئَ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، وَأُتِيتُ بِدَابَّةٍ أَبْيَضَ دُونَ الْبَغْلِ وَفَوْقَ الْحِمَارِ الْبُرَاقُ، فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَ جِبْرِيلَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى آدَمَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنِ ابْنٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الثَّانِيَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى عِيسَى وَيَحْيَى فَقَالاَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الثَّالِثَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ يُوسُفَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، قَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الرَّابِعَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قِيلَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى إِدْرِيسَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الْخَامِسَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَمَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى هَارُونَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى مُوسَى، فَسَلَّمْتُ ‏{‏عَلَيْهِ‏}‏ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزْتُ بَكَى‏.‏ فَقِيلَ مَا أَبْكَاكَ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ، هَذَا الْغُلاَمُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ بَعْدِي يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِمَّا يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أُمَّتِي‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ السَّابِعَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنِ ابْنٍ وَنَبِيٍّ، فَرُفِعَ لِيَ الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُورُ، فَسَأَلْتُ جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُورُ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، إِذَا خَرَجُوا لَمْ يَعُودُوا إِلَيْهِ آخِرَ مَا عَلَيْهِمْ، وَرُفِعَتْ لِي سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى فَإِذَا نَبِقُهَا كَأَنَّهُ قِلاَلُ هَجَرٍ، وَوَرَقُهَا كَأَنَّهُ آذَانُ الْفُيُولِ، فِي أَصْلِهَا أَرْبَعَةُ أَنْهَارٍ نَهْرَانِ بَاطِنَانِ وَنَهْرَانِ ظَاهِرَانِ، فَسَأَلْتُ جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْبَاطِنَانِ فَفِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَانِ النِّيلُ وَالْفُرَاتُ، ثُمَّ فُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ خَمْسُونَ صَلاَةً، فَأَقْبَلْتُ حَتَّى جِئْتُ مُوسَى، فَقَالَ مَا صَنَعْتَ قُلْتُ فُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ خَمْسُونَ صَلاَةً‏.‏ قَالَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِالنَّاسِ مِنْكَ، عَالَجْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَشَدَّ الْمُعَالَجَةِ، وَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لاَ تُطِيقُ، فَارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ‏.‏ فَرَجَعْتُ فَسَأَلْتُهُ، فَجَعَلَهَا أَرْبَعِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ ثُمَّ ثَلاَثِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ فَجَعَلَ عِشْرِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ فَجَعَلَ عَشْرًا، فَأَتَيْتُ مُوسَى فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ، فَجَعَلَهَا خَمْسًا، فَأَتَيْتُ مُوسَى فَقَالَ مَا صَنَعْتَ قُلْتُ جَعَلَهَا خَمْسًا، فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ، قُلْتُ سَلَّمْتُ بِخَيْرٍ، فَنُودِيَ إِنِّي قَدْ أَمْضَيْتُ فَرِيضَتِي وَخَفَّفْتُ عَنْ عِبَادِي، وَأَجْزِي الْحَسَنَةَ عَشْرًا ‏”‏‏.‏ وَقَالَ هَمَّامٌ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ فِي الْبَيْتِ الْمَعْمُورِ ‏”‏‏.‏

    Narrated Malik bin Sasaa: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the Abdomen and then myAbdomen was washed with Zamzam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al- Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Gabriel. When I reached the nearest heaven. Gabriel said to the heaven gate-keeper, ‘Open the gate.’ The gatekeeper asked, ‘Who is it?’ He said, ‘Gabriel.’ The gate-keeper,’ Who is accompanying you?’ Gabriel said, ‘Muhammad.’ The gate-keeper said, ‘Has he been called?’ Gabriel said, ‘Yes.’ Then it was said, ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!’ Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, ‘You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.’ Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel said, ‘Gabriel.’ It was said, ‘Who is with you?’ He said, ‘Muhammad’ It was asked, ‘Has he been sent for?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ It was said, ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!” Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, ‘You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.’ Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, ‘Who is it?’ Gabriel said, ‘Gabriel.’ It was asked, ‘Who is with you? Gabriel said, ‘Muhammad.’ It was asked, ‘Has he been sent for?’ ‘Yes,’ said Gabriel. ‘He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!’ (The Prophet (ﷺ) added: ). There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, ‘You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!’ Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, ‘You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.’ Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, ‘You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet”. Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, ‘You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.’ When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, ‘O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.’ Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Abraham who said, ‘You are welcomed o son and a Prophet.’ Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma’mur (i.e. Allah’s House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma’mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).’ Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Gabriel about those rivers and he said, ‘The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.’ Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moses who asked me, ‘What have you done?’ I said, ‘Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.’ He said, ‘I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.’ I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moses) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moses who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moses again, he said, ‘What have you done?’ I said, ‘Allah has made it five only.’ He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah’s Final Order)’” Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) was addressed by Allah, “I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds.”

    Sahih al-Bukhari 3207

    8. The Lote Tree of the Farthest Boundary (Sidrat al-Muntaha)

    This is a great tree in the highest heaven.

    Beyond this point no angel can pass.

    It marks the boundary of the created universe known to angels.

    Qur’an:

    وَلَقَدۡ رَءَاهُ نَزۡلَةً أُخۡرَىٰ (١٣)
    عِندَ سِدۡرَةِ ٱلۡمُنتَهَىٰ (١٤)
    And indeed he (Muhammad SAW) saw him [Jibrael (Gabriel)] at a second descent (i.e. another time)

    Near Sidrat-ul-Muntaha [lote-tree of the utmost boundary (beyond which none can pass)],
    (Qur’an 53:13-14)

    The Prophet ﷺ saw it during the Night Journey (Isra and Mi‘raj).

    9. The Seven Heavens

    After that Allah created the heavens.

    Qur’an:

    ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبۡعَ سَمَـٰوَٲتٍ۬ طِبَاقً۬ا‌ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلۡقِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ مِن تَفَـٰوُتٍ۬‌ۖ فَٱرۡجِعِ ٱلۡبَصَرَ هَلۡ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ۬ (٣)
    [And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks?
    Qur’an 67:3

    Each heaven contains angels and different realms.

    The primary source for the detailed topography of the heavens is the Hadith regarding the Mi’raj. In the Sahih Muslim and Sahih al-Bukhari collections, the Prophet Muhammad describes his ascent through the seven heavens accompanied by the Angel Gabriel (Jibril). In each heaven, he meets previous prophets:

    1. First Heaven: Adam
    2. Second Heaven: Yahya (John) and ‘Isa (Jesus)
    3. Third Heaven: Yusuf (Joseph)
    4. Fourth Heaven: Idris (Enoch)
    5. Fifth Heaven: Harun (Aaron)
    6. Sixth Heaven: Musa (Moses)
    7. Seventh Heaven: Ibrahim (Abraham)[5]

    While these authentic (Sahih) narrations provide the “occupants” of each heaven, they still largely refer to them as “the first heaven,” “the second heaven,” and so forth.

    10. The Physical Universe (Stars, Planets, Galaxies)

    The lowest heaven contains:

    • stars
    • planets
    • galaxies
    • the visible universe

    Qur’an evidence:

    وَلَقَدۡ زَيَّنَّا ٱلسَّمَآءَ ٱلدُّنۡيَا بِمَصَـٰبِيحَ وَجَعَلۡنَـٰهَا رُجُومً۬ا لِّلشَّيَـٰطِينِ‌ۖ وَأَعۡتَدۡنَا لَهُمۡ عَذَابَ ٱلسَّعِيرِ (٥)
    And We have certainly beautified the nearest heaven with stars and have made [from] them what is thrown at the devils and have prepared for them the punishment of the Blaze.
    Qur’an 67:5

    This means the entire observable universe is only in the first heaven.

    11. The Earth

    Allah created the Earth within this universe.

    Qur’an:

    ۞ قُلۡ أَٮِٕنَّكُمۡ لَتَكۡفُرُونَ بِٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ ٱلۡأَرۡضَ فِى يَوۡمَيۡنِ وَتَجۡعَلُونَ لَهُ ۥۤ أَندَادً۬ا‌ۚ ذَٲلِكَ رَبُّ ٱلۡعَـٰلَمِينَ (٩)
    Say, “Do you indeed disbelieve in He who created the earth in two days and attribute to Him equals? That is the Lord of the worlds.”
    Qur’an 41:9

    Then mountains, plants, and sustenance were created.

    The Qur’an says:

    ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبۡعَ سَمَـٰوَٲتٍ۬ وَمِنَ ٱلۡأَرۡضِ مِثۡلَهُنَّ يَتَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡأَمۡرُ بَيۡنَہُنَّ لِتَعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَىۡءٍ۬ قَدِيرٌ۬ وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ قَدۡ أَحَاطَ بِكُلِّ شَىۡءٍ عِلۡمَۢا (١٢)
    It is Allah who has created seven heavens and of the earth, the like of them. [His] command descends among them so you may know that Allah is over all things competent and that Allah has encompassed all things in knowledge. (65:12)

    Scholars interpreted this in two main ways.

    View 1 (classical majority)

    There are seven separate earths beneath each other.

    This view was mentioned by scholars like:

    • Ibn Kathir
    • Al-Tabari

    But they also said we do not know their exact nature.

    View 2 (some modern scholars)

    The verse may refer to:

    • layers of the earth
    • geological levels

    This interpretation aligns with modern science.

    However, classical scholars mostly understood them as seven earth realms, not necessarily inside the heavens.

    12. Hell (Al-Nār)

    Many classical scholars say Hell is below the earths.

    Qur’an:

    كَلَّآ إِنَّ كِتَـٰبَ ٱلۡفُجَّارِ لَفِى سِجِّينٍ۬ (٧)
    Nay! Truly, the Record (writing of the deeds) of the Fujjar (disbelievers, sinners, evil-doers and wicked) is (preserved) in Sijjin.(83:7)

    Some scholars explained Sijjīn as a deep place in the lower earths.

    13. Humans and Other Creatures

    Finally Allah created living beings.

    Qur’an:

    وَلَقَدۡ خَلَقۡنَا ٱلۡإِنسَـٰنَ مِن صَلۡصَـٰلٍ۬ مِّنۡ حَمَإٍ۬ مَّسۡنُونٍ۬ (٢٦)
    And We did certainly create man out of clay from an altered black mud.Qur’an 15:26

    Humans were created after the earth was prepared.

    Chronological Order (Summary)

    The Higher Realms
    1. Allah above His creation
    2. The Divine Throne (Al-‘Arsh)
    3. Levels of Paradise
    4.The Footstool (Al-Kursi)
    5.The Pen
    6.The Preserved Tablet

    The Middle Realms
    7. Sidrat al-Muntaha
    8. Al-Bayt al-Ma’mur
    9. The Seven Heavens

    The Lowest Realms
    10. The physical universe (stars, galaxies)
    11. Earth (only Allah knows if there are layers of Earth or multiple Earths)
    12. Levels of Hell (Allah knows better if these levels exist beneath the Earth or elsewhere)
    13. Humans, jinn, animals, and other creatures

    Important note:
    Some scholars slightly differ about whether the Throne or the Pen was created first, but the majority say the Pen first because of the hadith.

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