23. [al-Mumima, Mecca 74]

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا فَوْقَكُمْ سَبْعَ طَرَائِقَ...

Walaqad khalaqna fawqakum sabAAa tara-iqa

23: 17. And We have made, above you, seven tracts;

C2876. Taraiq: literally tracts, roads, orbits or paths.

Here it means: seven heavens.

The assurance given in the next clause, that Allah cares for us and all His Creation, calls out attention to Allah's goodness, which is further illustrated in the subsequent verses.

...وَمَا كُنَّا عَنِ الْخَلْقِ غَافِلِينَ ﴿١٧﴾

wama kunna AAani alkhalqi ghafileena

and We are never unmindful of (Our) Creation.

C2877. Allah's care for His Creation is ceaseless. A few examples of His care for our physical well-being are given in verses 18-22, and for our spiritual well-being, in Sections 2 to 5.

Asad’s Version:

(23:17) And, indeed, We have created above you seven [celestial] orbits; 7 and never are We unmindful of [any aspect of Our) creation.