7 Earths

The Seven Layers of the Earth

Western scientists today acknowledge their limited knowledge regarding the interior of the Earth. Humanity has only been able to penetrate around 13 kilometers into the Earth’s surface, while the Earth’s diameter exceeds 12,700 kilometers. This means that humans have reached only about one-thousandth of the Earth’s total diameter. Scientists confirm the near impossibility of penetrating deeper due to the extreme heat and pressure found within the Earth.

As depth increases, temperatures rise dramatically and pressure becomes immense. No machine, regardless of its strength, can withstand such conditions. This is linked to the divine challenge in the words of Allah:

“O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond them. You will not pass beyond them except by authority [from God]. So which of the favors of your Lord would you deny?”

This verse is presented as indicating the impossibility of fully passing beyond the boundaries of the heavens and the earth.

Early Scientific Views on the Earth’s Layers

Scientists initially divided the Earth into three main layers:

1. The crust

2. The mantle

3. The core

Later, it became clear that the Earth’s core consists of two separate parts: an outer liquid core and an inner solid core. As a result, the number of layers increased from three to four. Scientists also identified another distinct layer between the crust and the mantle, bringing the total to five layers.

More recent geological classifications, particularly those cited by the United States Geological Survey, divide the Earth into seven distinct layers. These layers differ in thickness, temperature, density, composition, and weight. Therefore, they are considered separate layers rather than one continuous structure.

The seven layers are:

1. Crust

2. Lithosphere

3. Asthenosphere

4. Upper Mantle

5. Lower Mantle

6. Outer Core

7. Inner Core

Another classification, cited from the educational website Enchanted Learning, also arrives at the number seven. According to this model, the Earth’s layers are classified based on sudden changes in heat, density, and composition.

Scientists also classify the layers by approximate thickness:

• Crust: 40 km

• Upper Mantle: 40–400 km

• Transition Region: 400–650 km

• Lower Mantle: 650–2700 km

• D” Layer: 2700–2890 km

• Outer Core: 2890–5150 km

• Inner Core: 5150–6378 km
  

  

The Qur’anic Reference to Seven Earths

The article argues that the Qur’an referred to the Earth’s layered structure long before modern geology. Allah says:

“God is He Who created seven heavens and of the earth, their like.”

This verse is understood as indicating that just as there are seven heavens, there are also seven earths or seven layers within the Earth. The phrase “their like” is interpreted as similarity in both number and structure.

Another verse states:

“Do you not see how God has created seven heavens in layers.”

The article argues that this verse describes the heavens as layered one above another, and that the Earth likewise is composed of layered levels.

It further argues that the statement “and made the moon therein” suggests that the moon, sun, and Earth exist within these layered heavens, which is presented as consistent with modern astronomy.

Conclusion

According to this argument, the Qur’an mentioned two scientific realities in a single phrase:

• The Earth is composed of multiple layers.

• The number of these layers is seven.

Footnotes

[1] Earth layers, www.newton.dep.anl.gov
[2] Inside the Earth, www.usgs.gov
[3] The Earth, www.enchantedlearning.com
[4] Structure of the Earth, www.nasa.gov

Allah is the One Who created seven heavens ˹in layers˺, and likewise for the earth. The ˹divine˺ command descends between them

so you may know that Allah is Most Capable of everything and that Allah certainly encompasses all things in ˹His˺ knowledge.

—Qur’an 65:12 [Dr. Mustafa Khattab]

We notice through the Tafsir that this is talking about Layers, not likewise Earths.

and of the earth the like thereof

means, He (Allah) created seven Earths.

In the Two Sahihs, there is a Hadith that states,

“مَنْ ظَلَمَ قِيدَ شِبْرٍ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ طُوِّقَهُ مِنْ سَبْعِ أَرَضِين”

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.

And in Sahih al-Bukhari the wording is:

“خُسِفَ بِهِ إِلَى سَبْعِ أَرَضِين”

…he will sink down to the seven earths)

❁

In the beginning of my book, Al-Bidayah wan-Nihayah, I mentioned the various narrations for this Hadith when I narrated the

story of the Creation of the Earth. All the thanks and praise is due to Allah. Those who explained this Hadith to mean the seven

continents have brought an implausible explanation that contradicts the letter of the Qur’an and the Hadith without having proof

Source: Tafsīr Ibn Kathīr Qur’ān 65:12

So, scientifically, are there 7 Layers of Earth?

https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-earth-science-concepts-for-high-school/section/3.11/

Evidence of Scholars believing so, in Tafsir al-Qurtubi 65:12

Evidence of Scholars believing so, in Tafsir al-Qurtubi 65:12

And they (meaning the scholars) differed with two views on the subject. Firstly - and this is the view of the majority -,

that they are seven earths above each other in layers, between each one a distance of one earth, just as there would there be

for one heaven and another, and in every earth the creation of Allah.

al-Dahhak said: {And of the earth, the like of them} meaning seven earths, but there are no spaces in between them, unlike

the heavens.

And the first view is the most correct, because there are reports that point to it that are in the [collections]

of al-Tirmidhī and al-Nasā’ī and other than them.”

https://phys.org/news/2015-12-earth-layers.html

https://phys.org/news/2015-12-earth-layers.html

What are the Earth’s layers?

There is more to the Earth than what we can see on the surface. In fact, if you were able to hold the Earth in your hand and slice it in half, you’d see that it has multiple layers. But of course, the interior of our world continues to hold some mysteries for us. Even as we intrepidly explore other worlds and deploy satellites into orbit, the in…

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-earth-layer-layer

https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/explainer-earth-layer-layer

Explainer: Earth — layer by layer

Related

#《flat-earth》