Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Ali Sharifi ¹
• Zahra Besharati ²

¹ Assistant professor at the Department of Quran and Hadith at Allameh Tabatabaie University

² Ph.D. student in Quran and Hadith at Allameh Tabatabaie University

Abstract

In one of the narratives of Imam Reza (P.B.U.H.), the phrase "and of the earth the like of them", which is a part of verse 12 in the chapter of Divorce in the Quran, was clarified as domed heavens and earth. Due to the various interpretations about this verse (such as numerical similarity, qualitative similarity, and creation similarity between heavens and earth), an investigation of narratives related to this verse would highlight the role of Imam Reza (P.B.U.H.) in clarifying the creation of heavens and earth and the similarity of the earth to heavens. This narrative was referred in various recourses and was the base of numerous interpretations of seven earths. In this narrative, the numerical similarity between earth and heavens was mentioned. Due to some conflicts about the implications of the word "earth" in the Quran, this narrative was considered invalid and falsified. Therefore, in this research, the text of the narrative was examined from the perspective of the Quran, narratives, Arabic language, and some facts. The results indicated the validity of this narrative and Imam Reza's (P.B.U.H.) insight and knowledge in the explanation of the verses relating to creation.

Keywords

• Imam Reza (P.B.U.H.)
• earth
• seven heavens
• similarity