Sura 67, al-Mulk [the Dominion], Mecca 77

The Quranic text and Ali’s version

الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ...

67:3.    He Who created the seven heavens one above another;

C5559. Cf. 65:12, and n. 5526-27.

The heavens as they appear to our sight seem to be arranged in layers one above another, and ancient astronomy accounted for the motions of the heavenly bodies in an elaborate scheme of spheres. What we are concerned with here is the order and beauty of the vast spaces and the marvelous bodies that follow regular laws of motion in those enormous spaces in the visible world. From these we are to form some conception of the vastly greater Invisible World, for which we want special spiritual vision.

... مَّا تَرَى فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ ...

no want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious,

... فَارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَى مِن فُطُورٍ ﴿٣﴾

so turn thy vision again:

Seest thou any flaw?

ثُمَّ ارْجِعِ الْبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيْنِ ...

67:4.    Again turn thy vision a second time;

C5560. Reverting to the indication of the external or visible world, we are asked to observe and study it again and again, and as minutely as our powers will allow. However closely we observe it, we shall find no flaw in it. Indeed the region of enquiry is so vast and stretches so far beyond our ken, that our eyes, aided with the most powerful telescopes, will confess themselves defeated in trying to penetrate to the ultimate mysteries. We shall find no defect in Allah's handiwork: it is our own powers that we shall find fail to go beyond a certain compass.

... يَنقَلِبْ إِلَيْكَ الْبَصَرُ خَاسِأً وَهُوَ حَسِيرٌ ﴿٤﴾

(thy) vision will come back to thee dull and discomfited, in a state worn out.

Asad’s version

(3) [Hallowed be] He who has created seven heavens in full harmony with one another: 2 no fault will thou see in the creation of the Most Gracious. And turn thy vision [upon it] once more: canst thou see any flaw?

67:4 Yea, turn thy vision [upon it] again and yet again: [and every time] thy vision will fall back upon thee, dazzled and truly defeated. 3

[[ Asad’s notes :- 2 Or: "conforming [with one another]", this being the primary significance of tibaq (sing, tabaq). For the meaning of the "seven heavens", see surah 2, note 20.

3 Sc, in its endeavour to encompass the mysteries of the universe.

4 Lit., "lamps" - i.e., stars: cf 37:6, "We have adorned the skies nearest to the earth with the beauty of stars". ]]