A Look at the Meaning of the Word “Sama” in the Quran
The word “Sama” and its meanings are among the intricate and complex issues in the Quran, IQNA’s Quranic advisor said.
Hojat-ol-Islam Mir-Abolfat’h Da’vati said the word sometimes refers to the atmosphere of the earth and at times refers to the entire creation.
There have been various interpretations and commentaries of the word, which literally means “the sky”, he noted.
He said the word Sama has been used in the Quran in two meanings. The first one is the sky and the atmosphere that has surrounded the earth, an example of it being verse 10 of Surah Nahl: “He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture.”
He cited verse 11 of Surah Fussilat “Then He turned straight to the sky, while it was a smoke ...” and said that the whole creation is the second sense of the word in the Holy Book.
Referring to the features of sky in view of the Quran, Hojat-ol-Islam Da’vati said according to the Quran, the skies are in stories or, in other words, there are seven skies one above another. “Did you not see how Allah has created seven heavens one upon another?” (Quran, Surah Nooh, verse 15).
IQNA’s Quranic advisor said some Hadiths have described the colossal size of the skies by saying that, compared to the skies, the earth is like a straw before the ocean.
The scholar noted that according to the Quran, the seven skies (and the earth) were united at first, but then separated.
He cited two verses as proof to this:
“Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? …” (Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 30)
“With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 47)
Hojat-ol-Islam Da’vati said based on the Quran, the heavens are expanding now, but they will be condensed on the Day of Judgment.
“And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heaven like a scroll rolled up for books, As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 104)
He referred to verse 68 of Surah Zumar “And the trumpet is blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are in the earth swoon away, save him whom Allah willeth. Then it is blown a second time, and behold them standing waiting!” and said, “This verse shows that the blowing of the Sur (trumpet) will be an end to the heavens and earth. This, too, is another way of referring to the rolling up of the heaven.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Da’vati concluded by saying that according to the Holy Scripture, there will be a new creation. “Were We then worn out by the first creation? Yet they are in doubt about a new creation.” (Surah Qaaf, verse 15)
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There have been various interpretations and commentaries of the word, which literally means “the sky”, he noted.
He said the word Sama has been used in the Quran in two meanings. The first one is the sky and the atmosphere that has surrounded the earth, an example of it being verse 10 of Surah Nahl: “He it is Who sendeth down water from the sky, whence ye have drink, and whence are trees on which ye send your beasts to pasture.”
He cited verse 11 of Surah Fussilat “Then He turned straight to the sky, while it was a smoke ...” and said that the whole creation is the second sense of the word in the Holy Book.
Referring to the features of sky in view of the Quran, Hojat-ol-Islam Da’vati said according to the Quran, the skies are in stories or, in other words, there are seven skies one above another. “Did you not see how Allah has created seven heavens one upon another?” (Quran, Surah Nooh, verse 15).
IQNA’s Quranic advisor said some Hadiths have described the colossal size of the skies by saying that, compared to the skies, the earth is like a straw before the ocean.
The scholar noted that according to the Quran, the seven skies (and the earth) were united at first, but then separated.
He cited two verses as proof to this:
“Have not those who disbelieve known that the heavens and the earth were joined together as one united piece, then We parted them? …” (Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 30)
“With power did We construct the heaven. Verily, We are Able to extend the vastness of space thereof.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat, verse 47)
Hojat-ol-Islam Da’vati said based on the Quran, the heavens are expanding now, but they will be condensed on the Day of Judgment.
“And (remember) the Day when We shall roll up the heaven like a scroll rolled up for books, As We began the first creation, We shall repeat it, (it is) a promise binding upon Us. Truly, We shall do it.” (Surah Al-Anbiya, verse 104)
He referred to verse 68 of Surah Zumar “And the trumpet is blown, and all who are in the heavens and all who are in the earth swoon away, save him whom Allah willeth. Then it is blown a second time, and behold them standing waiting!” and said, “This verse shows that the blowing of the Sur (trumpet) will be an end to the heavens and earth. This, too, is another way of referring to the rolling up of the heaven.”
Hojat-ol-Islam Da’vati concluded by saying that according to the Holy Scripture, there will be a new creation. “Were We then worn out by the first creation? Yet they are in doubt about a new creation.” (Surah Qaaf, verse 15)
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