Explanation of a weak narration about the heavens
Fatwa No: 125744

Question

As salamu alaikum respected Scholars, Al-Tirmidhi HadithHadith 5735 Narrated byAbuHurayrah While Allah's Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions were sitting clouds came over them and Allah's Prophet (peace be upon him) asked, "Do you know what these are?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger knew best, he said, "These are the clouds (anan), these are the water-carriers of the Earth, which Allah drives to people who do not thank Him or call upon him." He then asked, "Do you know what is above you?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) knew best, he said, "It is the firmament, a ceiling which is guarded and waves which are kept back." He then asked, "Do you know what is between you and it?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) knew best, he said, "Between you and it are five hundred years." He then asked, "Do you knew what is above that?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) best he said, "Two heavens with a distance of five hundred years between them." He went on speaking like that till he counted seven heavens, the distance between each pair being like between Heaven and Earth. He then asked, "Do you know what is above that?" On their replying that Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) knew best, he said, "Above that is the Throne, and the distance between it and the (seventh) heaven is the same as that between each pair of heavens." ... It´s not enough space to write the whole Hadith, I want to know, ho do we have to understand this Hadith?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

 

This Hadeeth is actually narrated by At-Tirmithi however, it is considered weak (Dha`eef) by scholars. However, we can mention to you some of the meanings included therein:

First: Allaah The Almighty provides the righteous and the wicked with sustenance.

Second: Clouds and rain are subjugated to the Command of Allaah The Almighty.

Third: The heavens are preserved by Allaah The Almighty from falling on the earth. They are hung with no supporting pillars, like the water waves that are kept back (i.e. like the stable water).

Fourth: The distance between the heaven and earth is (as long as) a journey of five hundred years; and that is the same distance between each heaven and the other.

Fifth: The Throne is above the seven heavens.

However, some of these meanings are proven in the Quran and others in the authentic Hadeeths.

Allaah Knows best.

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