The Holy Quran was not revealed to teach people about space

Question: 225255

Science says that there are space creatures, and even indicates that there are flying saucers. I say: perhaps there are space creatures, but first of all I want to know what Islam has to say about this matter.

Summary of answer

The Holy Quran and the Prophet’s Sunnah did not bring any knowledge of space creatures; rather such matters are merely opinions about the interpretation of the texts, and may be right or wrong; this should not be regarded as part of the teachings of the religion

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

Islam did not come to teach people about science and space, just as it did not come to teach people about creatures on land, in the water or in space, or to explain any branch of science. Rather Islam came with a message of guidance to the best of manners, deeds and attitudes, and brought light that guides us to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, so that we may learn His names and attributes, what He wants from His creation, and His commands and laws, so that vulnerable human beings may attain true happiness and live the best life in this world and attain the happiest abode in the hereafter, to which Allah calls His slaves, and He sent down His Books and sent His Messengers to guide them to that. Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet, indeed We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner.

And one who invites to Allah, by His permission, and an illuminating lamp.

And give good tidings to the believers that they will have from Allah great bounty”

[al-Ahzaab 33:45-47]

“Indeed, We have sent you as a witness and a bringer of good tidings and a warner

That you [people] may believe in Allah and His Messenger and honor him and respect the Prophet and exalt Allah morning and afternoon”

[al-Fath 48:8-9]

“And We send down of the Quran that which is healing and mercy for the believers, but it does not increase the wrongdoers except in loss”

[al-Israa’ 17:82].

We have previously explained this in detail in the answer to question no. 211860.

Hence it is neither proper nor wise to suggest that a particular view concerning space creatures, or the view that there is life on other planets or in other galaxies, is referred to in the Islamic texts, whether stating that the Islamic texts deny that or affirm it. All that anyone can do is examine the issues until he comes up with what he thinks is certain, and suggest that some religious texts may refer to that. But he should not state that in a definitive manner, and he should steer clear of twisting the texts to support what he thinks is correct regarding that issue, because that is not appropriate methodology at all, and will ultimately lead to confusion and contradiction in discussions of this issue.

What we believe in with certainty is that the creation of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, is greater than we can comprehend, and is too great to be limited by our imagination and reasoning, as Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

“Do they not see that Allah, who created the heavens and earth, is [the one] Able to create the likes of them? And He has appointed for them a term, about which there is no doubt. But the wrongdoers refuse [anything] except disbelief”

[al-Israa’ 17:99]

“And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses; not for them was the choice. Exalted is Allah and high above what they associate with Him”

[al-Qasas 28:68]

“To Allah belongs the dominion of the heavens and the earth; He creates what He wills”

[ash-Shoora 42:49].

This has been discussed previously in the answer to question no. 129972.

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