From a Muslim perspective, the Quran, being divinely revealed and still unchanged, unlike the other divine Books, makes it an enduring miracle in itself and the signs within it are therefore more miraculous when discovered.
Some of the possible future predictions include:
- The seven heavens
- Creation of the Universe
- The Seven Earths
- Firm hold of the heavens and earths
- Other creations
- Meeting of different creations
- Space travel
- Coming together of two earthly creations
- Time relativity
‘Man was created of haste. I will show you My signs, so do not impatiently urge Me.’
Quran [21:37]
In this fast moving age, where new discoveries and inventions are made daily, it is easy to think of religious books, especially the divinely revealed Books as being outdated and artefacts of a now obsolete era.
Yet there are many predictions in them that have been found or realised only recently and these predictions point towards their truth.
The Quranic verse comes in plain words, and every generation can see in these words a meaning and these meanings integrate without contradiction, so making the Quran relevant throughout the ages.
There are many articles already in print or on the internet documenting the different signs and predictions the Quran has made up to today that have come true. And there are predictions of future events leading to the end of times that have been discussed in detail already. Here we will look at some verses which point to possible future events that have not yet occurred or been discovered but may not be too far away, judging by the speed of scientific discoveries being made. These have not been stated to definitely occur.
The Seven Heavens
It is generally commonly spoken that there are seven heavens above and from an Islamic point of view; this comes from the following verses, among others.
‘It is He who created for you all of that which is on the earth. Then He directed Himself to the heaven, [His being above all creation], and made them seven heavens, and He is Knowing of all things.’
Quran [2:29]
The above verse indicates that the ‘earth’ was created before the heavens. Ibn Kathir writes how this is usually the way building starts, with the lower levels first and then the top floors. Mujahid commented on the above verse saying ‘Allah created the earth before heaven and when He created the earth, smoke burst out of it. The seven heavens were created one above the other.
Creation of the seven heavens
The below verse goes on to state how long the creation of the heavens took and what was placed in each heaven.
And He completed them as seven heavens within two days and inspired in each heaven its command. And We adorned the nearest heaven with lamps and as protection. That is the determination of the Exalted in Might, the Knowing.
Quran [41:12]
The above verse says in each heaven was placed whatever it needs of angels and things known only to Allah. The time of two days most likely refers to a longer time period than two earth days because it relates to the formation of the universe rather than just this earth. It is the nearest heaven that has been adorned with lamps – meaning the stars and planets – which shine on the people of the earth.
Also they are there to protect against the devils should they try to listen to the angels on high. As our knowledge of the universe expands with seeing further and further away, this verse helps show that once we see right to the edges of the universe, we will know where it finishes because there will be no more stars or planets to see. There may be some more time before the second and subsequent heavens are discovered but we will be able to see up to the edge of our universe or the ‘lowest heaven’.
The Seven Earths
“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 “.
Quran [65:12]
This verse indicates that just as there are seven heavens above, there are seven earths under, one below the other and it is these earths that were created before the heavens as mentioned earlier. In a hadith of the Prophet (SAW) it states: ‘Whoever usurps the land of somebody unjustly, even if it was a mere hand span, then his neck will be encircled with it down to the seven earths.’ (Bukhari, Muslim)
The Quran verse also states ‘so you may know’ which could mean that this information is something that people will find out even before the Day of Judgement.
The firm hold of the heavens and the earth
‘Indeed, Allah holds the heavens and the earth, lest they cease. And if they should cease, no one could hold them [in place] after Him. Indeed, He is Forbearing and Forgiving.’
Quran [35:41]
And
‘And of His signs is that the heaven and earth remain by His command…’
Quran [30:25]
Both the above verses, as well as some others, state the heavens and the earth remain firm by His command and His subjugation of them. This could mean that objects within each heaven and earth may move around within each one of them but the heavens or Universes stand in their place.
Other creations Predictions
And We have certainly honored the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference.
Quran [17:70]
Among the things that this verse indicates is that Man has been preferred above many of Allah’s creation, including angels – as they were commanded to prostrate to Adam and not the other way around – Jinn, animals etc. So from the creation that we are part of, in our realm, we are the highest and there are hadith that support this. But the end of the verse suggests that there are some creatures that are above even Man in status, otherwise the relevant words would be ‘all He has created’. Whether this is the case and they are part of the same realm we occupy or another, Allah knows best.
Meeting of different creatures
And of his signs is the creation of the heavens and earth and what He has dispersed throughout them of creatures. And He, for gathering them when He wills, is competent.
Quran [42:29]
The ‘gathering’ here is referred to the Day of Judgement generally which includes the angels, men, jinn and all other animals and this is the consensus of most of the scholars. But this verse could also refer to other beings Allah has created then dispersed to other worlds which are not known to us and we, up to now, have not come into contact with. It may also indicate there are many creatures spread out throughout the heavens, whether that is the same universe we are in, or any of the other seven heavens or earths, and we can come into contact with any of them whenever He wills and by His command.
Space travel Predictions
‘O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allah].
Quran [55:33]
This verse seems to indicate that indeed mankind will be able travel to regions of the heavens with whatever means they have available and this includes greater distances than what we might call our region – or solar system? But beyond the regions they will not pass without some sort of authority from Allah. This could be due to anything from physical celestial barriers or lack of required resource or technical ability.
It is mentioned in different parts of the Quran the ability of the Jinn to travel great distances in space and they may have already tried to cross beyond the limits which may be why they were mentioned first in this verse.
Coming together of two earthly creations
Say, “If mankind and the jinn gathered in order to produce the like of this Quran, they could not produce the like of it, even if they were to each other be assistants.” Quran [17:88]
Although this verse is talking about the divine origin of the Quran which is unmatched and unsurpassed, it may also show the possibility of Jinn and mankind actually coming together, or more likely the Jinn coming out of their realm and making themselves appear to us, possibly in larger numbers than they appear now to individuals. We have looked at the Jinn in a separate article, with their characteristics.
Time relativity
‘And they urge you to hasten the punishment. But Allah will never fail in His promise. And indeed, a day with your Lord is like a thousand years of those which you count.’
Quran [22:47]
And
‘The angels and the Spirit will ascend to Him during a Day the extent of which is fifty thousand years.’
Quran [70:4]
Both the above verses may point to time being relative, where our count in thousands of years is much less than counts in celestial spheres. The second verse may also indicate speed of travel although the early scholars point it out to be the Day of Judgement.
If it were to be also related to speed of travel, then this would mean that it is possible to travel faster than the speed of light, as currently travelling at the speed of light for 50 thousand years will actually not get you very far within our own universe. It could also mean there are other ways of reaching the highest heavens quicker than you would in a straight line – wormholes, perhaps? If we were to stretch this theory slightly more and say there are indeed wormholes used by the angels, it is likely there is one close to our planet seeing as how many tasks related to humans are carried out by the angels.
Allah knows best what the truth is and if these verses also relate to the events and predictions mentioned above and if so, when we humans will discover them. But rather we should take benefit from it and learn that Allah has provided us with so much sustenance and blessed us with so much, but how many are thankful?
And no matter how big this creation is, it and everything in it is within Allah’s knowledge and absolute power and everything is in a written record.
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