The existence of the seven heavens is a fundamental truth in Islam, firmly established by the Quran and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). In particular, the Prophet’s miraculous night journey (Mi’raj) provides a detailed description of these celestial realms. Because of these sacred sources, believing in the seven heavens is an essential part of a Muslim’s faith.
Beyond scripture, we also gain beautiful, deeper insights into these heavens through the spiritual discoveries (Kashf) of Islamic mystics and scholars who were granted unique spiritual sight.
The Limit of the Five Senses
It is impossible to perceive or understand the seven heavens using only our five physical sden spiritual reality with their physical eyes, the concept of a “test of faith” in this world would cease to exist.
If the spiritual realm were completely visible, everyone would immediately submit to God out of sheer sight rather than choice.
This is why the physical world is designed as a place of trial, where belief in the unseen (Ghayb) is a key element of spiritual growth.
Believing in the Unseen
Even though Muslims cannot physically see the seven heavens, they maintain absolute faith in their existence. This conviction is rooted in the truth of the Quranic verses, encouraging believers to reflect on the vastness of God’s creation with a heart full of certainty.
“He created the seven heavens one above the other in layers. You will not find any flaw in the creation of the Gracious One. Then look once again: can you see any flaw?” (Surah Al-Mulk, 67:3)
“We have built above you seven mighty heavens, and We have set therein a glowing lamp.” (Surah An-Naba, 78:12-13)
“Allah is He who created the seven heavens and the same number of earths. His commandment descends between them, so that you may know that Allah has power over all things; and that He encompasses all things with His knowledge.” (Surah At-Talaq, 65:12)
According to these verses, sevenfold heavens are the structure of sky realm created by God. This celestial body consists of seven layers and is located one above the other. In a hadith, our Prophet (pbuh) reported about the structure of the heavens as follows:
“There is a five hundred year distance between two heavens. The height of each celestial heaven is also five hundred years. Every heaven has a gate. These sky layers are accessed through these doors. There are guardians of angels on the doors. However, they allow those who are allowed to enter through these doors.”
“The gates of Heaven shall not be opened for those who rejected our signs and arrogantly spurned them; nor shall they enter Paradise until a camel shall pass through the eye of a needle. That is how we repay the evildoers.” (Surah Al-A’raf, 7:40)
There are living beings in every celestial layer. These are the angels and the souls of some prophets. These beings are busy with the praising of Allah.
“The seven heavens and the earth and all who dwell therein glorify Him. There is not a single thing which does not glorify Him with His praise; but you do not understand their glorification. Truly, He is forbearing and most forgiving.” (Surah Al-Isra, 17:44)
The Creation of the Seven Heavens
Regarding the creation of the heavens, Imam al-Gazzali describes the following in his book “Discovering of the Hearts” :
“According to the rumor, God has first created essence. When God looked at the essence with His glory, with the fear of God the essence melted and trembled and became water after this. Then, when God looked at the water with mercy, half of them froze. Allah created His ”Throne“ from this frozen water. Allah left the remaining water to shake until the doomsday. Indeed, God said: “His Throne was on the water (Enthroned above the waters)” (Hud, 11/7).
Then the water began to shake and bubble, and fumes came from him, and then piled on each other and soared. The smoke had foam. God created earth and heavens in layers from this foam. At this stage, the earth and the sky were glued. Allah has separated the layers of the earth and the layers of the sky. This is reported in the following verses:
“Then He turned to heaven when it was vapour,” (Fussilat, 41/11).
“ and in two days He formed seven heavens, and revealed to each heaven its functions.” (Fussilat, 41/12)
Wisdom people say:
Why had God created heaven from smoke, but not from the water vapor? Because the smoke layers are created in connection with each other. The last one is fixed in its place. However, water vapor has an unstable structure. This shows the perfection and wisdom of Allah’s knowledge.
“Beyt-ul Mamur” (A Palace in heaven) is in the seventh layer of the sky. Beyt-ul Mamur has four pillars. One of them is red-colored ruby, the other is green chrysolite, one is white silver and the other is red gold. According to Rumor seventy thousand angels enter the Beyt-ul-Mâmur which is made of agate, and none of these angels will return until the Day of Judgment. According to Ibn Abbas , there is the ’Kürsü” (raised seat) on the roof of the top floor of the heavens (i.e. the seventh floor sky) and above which the “Arsh” (The Throne of Allah). All benefited stars are on this floor, except for seven planets. The seven planets are distributed in seven floors of sky.
The Journey Through the Heavens
The Prophet’s (pbuh) ascension (Mi’raj) describes the seven heavens and their unique characteristics, perfectly aligning with the descriptions found in the Quran. The heavens are layered one above the other, each having its own gates, guardians, and the souls of angels and past prophets.
Our Prophet explained the night of Mirage as follows:
The Purification and the Buraq
“While I was lying down at home, the angel Gabriel (Jibreel) came to me. He opened my chest, removed my heart, and washed it in a golden bowl filled with faith (Iman). Then, he returned my heart and closed my chest back to its original form.
Next, a large, white mount called the Buraq was brought to me. This creature was so fast that each of its strides reached as far as the eye could see. I was placed upon it, and Gabriel led the way.”
The First Heaven: Meeting Prophet Adam
We were lifted to the first floor and he asked for the door to be open. “Who is it?”, “Jibreel” he replied. ”Who’s with him?“ they said. ”Muhammad (pbuh)“ he said. They said, “Is he the Messenger of God?” , “Yes,” he said. Then they said ”Then you are welcome”, and the door opened.
When I came in, I came across Adam. Jibreel (as) said ”This is Adam, he is your father” and saluted him. So I saluted too and he returned my greeting. And he said, “Oh! my good son and righteous prophet, Welcome”.
The Second Heaven: Meeting Prophets Yahya and Isa
After this,Jibreel (as) brought me to the second floor. He asked them to open the door.”Who is it?”, “Jibreel,” he said. ”Who’s with him?“ they said. ”Muhammad (pbuh)“ he said. “He is the prophet?” they asked. “Yes,” he said. Then they opened the door for us, saying, “What was good for us, welcome” Once I entered inside, I met John and Jesus, who are the children of aunt. Jibreel said, “These are Yahya (AS) and Isa (AS)” and greeted them. Then I saluted them too. They said to me, “Oh! Our good brother and the righteous Prophet, welcome”.
The Third Heaven: Meeting Prophet Yusuf
Then the Jibreel (as) proceeded to raise me up to the third floor. He asked them to open the door. “Who is it?”, “Jibreel” he said. ”Who’s with him?“ they said. ”Muhammad (pbuh)“ he said. “Is he sent as a prophet?”, “Yes” said Jibreel. Then they opened the door for us, saying “What was good for us.” When I went in, I encountered Joseph . Jibreel (as) said “This is Yusuf” and greeted him. I saluted him too. “Good brother and righteous prophet, welcome” said he.
The fourth Heaven: Meeting Prophet Idrees
Then the Jibreel(AS) proceeded to raise me up to the fourth floor. He wanted the door to be opened. “Who is it?”, “Jibreel,” he said. ”Who’s with him?“ they said. ”Muhammad (pbuh),“ he said. “Has he become a prophet? “, “Yes” Jibreel said. Then they opened the door for us, saying “What was good for us”. I came across Idrees. Jibreel told me, “This is Idrees“. I saluted Idrees after him. “Good brother and righteous prophet, welcome” said he.
The fifth Heaven: Meeting Prophet Harun
Then Jibreel(as) continued to raise me up. Finally there was the fifth floor to the sky. He asked them to open the door. “Who is it?”, “Jibreel” he said. ”Who’s with him?“ they asked. ”Muhammad (pbuh)“ he said. “Has he become a prophet? “, “Yes” said Jibreel(AS) .Then they opened the door for us, saying “What was good for us”. When I came in, I met Harun. Jibreel (as) said, “This is Harun” and greeted him. I saluted him too. He said to me “My good brother and righteous prophet, welcome”.
The sixth Heaven: Meeting Prophet Musa
Then Jibreel continued to raise me up. Finally, the sixth floor was in the sky. He asked them to open the door. “Who is it?”, “Jibreel,” he said. ”Who’s with him?“ they asked. ”Muhammad (pbuh)“ he said. “Has he become a prophet?“, “Yes” said Jibreel. Then they opened the door for us, saying “What was good for us”. When I came in, I met Musa (AS). Jibreel said to me ”This is Musa.” So I saluted him. “Good brother and righteous prophet, welcome” said he. When we left him, he started to cry. “Why are you crying?” asked they. “I cry, because there would be more people in heaven from the community of this young prophet than people of my community” he replied.
The seventh Heaven: Meeting Prophet Ibraheem
Then Jibreel continued to raise me up. Finally the seventh floor was in the sky. He asked them to open the door. “Who is it?”, “Jibreel” he said. ”Who’s with him?“ they asked. ”Muhammad (pbuh)“ he said. “Has he become a prophet? “, “Yes” said Jibreel. Then they opened the door for us, saying “What was good for us” When I came in, I met Ibraheem(AS) . Jibreel said to me “This is Ibraheem(AS)”. So I saluted him. “Good brother and righteous prophet, welcome” said he.
The Journey to Sidrat al-Muntaha and Beyond
During the night journey, I was taken to Sidrat al-Muntaha (the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary), located in the seventh heaven below the Divine Throne (Arsh). Its fruits were as large as the clay water jugs of the Hajar region, and its leaves were as huge as elephant ears. Gabriel told me, “This is Sidrat al-Muntaha.”
There, I saw four rivers:
- Two hidden rivers: Gabriel explained these are the rivers of Paradise.
- Two visible rivers: These are the Nile and the Euphrates.
The Blessed House and the Three Cups
Next, I was shown Bayt al-Ma’mur (the Frequented House), which seventy thousand angels enter every single day.
I was then offered three cups:
- One filled with wine
- One filled with milk
- One filled with honey
I chose the cup of milk. Gabriel said, “This milk represents the natural, pure state (Fitrah) created by God for you and your followers.”
To be continued……