build me a lofty tower so that I may reach the ways (36), the ways to the heavens, and look upon the God of Moses, though I surely think he is a liar.’
[Ghāfir: 36–37]

Pharaoh accused Moses, peace be upon him, of lying for saying that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is above the heavens. And He, Mighty and Majestic, says:

‘Do you feel secure that He who is in heaven will not cause the earth to swallow you?’
[al-Mulk: 16]

The Throne is above the heavens. Since the Throne is above the heavens, He says:

‘Do you feel secure from He who is in heaven?’
[al-Mulk: 16]

This is because He is established above the Throne, which is above the heavens. Everything that is above is called heaven; thus, the Throne is the highest of the heavens. When He says:

‘Do you feel secure from He who is in heaven?’
[al-Mulk: 16]

He does not mean the whole heaven; rather, He means the Throne, which is the highest of the heavens. Do you not see that Allah, Mighty and Majestic, mentioned the heavens, saying:

‘And made the moon therein a light.’
[Nūh: 16]

He did not mean that the moon fills them all, or that it is in every one of them. We see all Muslims raise their hands towards heaven when they supplicate, because Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is established above the Throne, which is above the heavens. Were Allah, Mighty and Majestic, not above the Throne, they would not raise their hands towards the Throne, just as they do not lower them towards the earth when they supplicate.”

Then he said:

“Section

Some among the