Is the Throne above the seventh heaven?.
One of the things concerning which there is no doubt is that
the Throne is above the seventh heaven; indeed it is the highest of all
created things.
There is clear evidence that points to this:
It was narrated by al-Bukhaari (2581) that Abu Hurayrah (may
Allaah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and
blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are one hundred
levels that Allaah has prepared for the mujaahideen who strive for the sake
of Allaah. (The distance) between each two levels is like the distance
between the heavens and the earth. When you ask of Allaah, ask Him for
al-Firdaws for it is in the middle of Paradise and is the highest part of
Paradise. Above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful and from it spring
forth the rivers of Paradise.
It is affirmed by all the Muslims that Paradise is above the
seventh heaven, so if the Throne is above Paradise, then the Throne must
also be above the seventh heaven.
This idea is further supported by the report narrated by
Muslim in his Saheeh (4136) from ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Abbaas who said: A
man from among the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him), one of the Ansaar, told me that the Messenger of Allaah
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “… But when our Lord,
may His name be blessed and exalted, decrees something, the bearers of the
Throne glorify Him, then the people of the heaven that is closest to them
glorify Him, until the tasbeeh reaches this lowest heaven (al-sama’
al-dunya). Then those who are closest to the bearers of the Throne say to
the bearers of the Throne: ‘What did your Lord say?’ So they tell them what
He said. Then the people of the heavens ask one another until the news
reaches this lowest heaven.’” This very clearly indicates that the Throne
and its bearers are above all the heavens.
Ibn Khuzaymah narrated in his Saheeh (9105) and in his
Kitaab al-Tawheed (no. 594) that Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased
with him) said: “Between the lowest heaven and the one above it is (a
distance of) five hundred years, and between each heaven and the next is (a
distance of) five hundred years marching.” According to another report: “The
thickness of each heaven is a distance of five hundred years marching.
Between the seventh heaven and the Footstool (al-Kursiy) is (a distance of)
five hundred years. Between the Footstool and the water is (a distance of)
five hundred years. The Throne is above the water and Allaah is above the
Throne, and none of your deeds are concealed from Him.” It was classed as
saheeh by al-Dhahabi in al-‘Alw (p. 64) and by Ibn al-Qayyim in
Ijtimaa’ al-Juyoosh al-Islamiyyah, p. 100.
Al-Dhahabi narrated in al-‘Alw (al-Mukhtasar,
35) that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Amr said: Allaah created the water above the seven
heavens, and He created the Throne above the water.” Shaykh al-Albaani said:
Its isnaad is saheeh.
The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) have stated that
the Throne covers all of creation and is above it. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah
have mercy on him) said in Zaad al-Ma’aad (4/203):
The Throne is the roof of creation and the greatest of
created things.
The same was stated by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah in
Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 6/581, 25/1998.
It was also stated by Ibn Katheer in al-Badaayah
wa’l-Nahaayah, 1/9, 11; and by Ibn Abi’l-‘Izz in Sharh al-‘Aqeedah
al-Tahhaawiyyah, 1/311.
See: Mukhtasar al-‘Alw by al-Dhahabi; al-Tawheed
by Ibn Khuzaymah; Ijtimaa’ al-Juyoosh al-Islamiyyah by Ibn Al-Qayyim.
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