this assumption.

Furthermore, the spheres are all of the same kind in their shapes and in the way they enclose one another. The relation of the seventh to the sixth is like that of the sixth to the fifth. If there is a ninth sphere, its relation to the eighth is like that of the eighth to the seventh. As for the “Throne,” the transmitted reports indicate that it is distinct from other created things, and that its relation to some of them is unlike their relation to one another.

Allah Most High says:

“Those who bear the Throne and those around it glorify their Lord with praise and believe in Him”—to the end of the verse.

And He, glorified is He, says:

“And eight will bear the Throne of your Lord above them that Day.”

He thus states that the Throne has bearers both now and on the Day of Resurrection, and that its bearers and those around it glorify Him and seek forgiveness for the believers. It is known that each celestial sphere is sustained—by the power of Allah Most High—in the same way as all the other spheres; there is no difference in this respect between one sphere and another. Even if it is supposed that some of them actually have angels bearing them, the same would hold for their counterparts. Allah Most High says:

“And you will see the angels surrounding the Throne”—to the end of the verse.

Here He mentions that the angels surround the Throne. Elsewhere, He mentions that it has bearers, and in a third passage He mentions both its bearers and those around it together, saying:

“Those who bear the Throne and those around it.”

Furthermore, He has stated that His Throne was upon the water before He created the heavens and the earth, as Allah Most High says:

“And it is He who created the heavens and the earth in six days, and His Throne was upon the water.”