the earth is above the earth’s upper half, even though it does not encompass it.
Iyās ibn Mu‘āwiyah said:
“The sky over the earth is like a dome.”
It is well known that a celestial sphere is similarly rounded. However, the word “dome” implies roundness above; it does not imply roundness on every side unless there is separate evidence for that.
The word falak (celestial sphere) indicates roundness without qualification. Allah’s words:
“And He is the One Who created the night and the day, and the sun and the moon—each floating in an orbit.” [al-Anbiyā’: 33]
And His words:
“It is not for the sun to catch up with the moon, nor does the night outrun the day. Each is floating in an orbit.” [Yā Sīn: 40]
imply that they are in a falak that is round without qualification. As Ibn ‘Abbās, may Allah be pleased with them both, said:
“In a circle like the whorl of a spindle.”
The word “dome,” however, neither affirms nor denies this meaning. Rather, it indicates roundness above, like a dome placed upon the earth.
Some have said that the celestial spheres are distinct from the heavens. Others, however, have refuted this view by citing Allah’s words:
“Do you not see how Allah created seven heavens, one above another, and placed the moon within them as a light, and made the sun a lamp?” [Nūh: 15, 16]
He thus states that He placed the moon within them, while also stating that it is in a celestial sphere. This is not the place to discuss the matter at length, establish its precise nature, or explain that what is correctly established through calculation does not contradict what revelation has brought, and that sound knowledge derived from revelation does not contradict sound rational knowledge. We have already discussed this and similar matters at length elsewhere. Such clarification is needed here and in comparable matters that have perplexed many people, who find that what is said to be known through reason conflicts with what is said to be known through revelation,