“God created the souls four thousand years before the bodies.”
The heavens are understood to be the heavenly bodies of the sphere which is over our heads, and this has seven circles; the earth is the cover of the tortoise which is beneath our feet. There are seven earths:
“Who created seven heavens and earths like them.”
In each earth there are creatures, and amcng these creatures propagating inhabitants. The width of each earth is five hundred journeys of travel. The compartments of heaven are round; but in the middle of the circle is the tent of majesty; and in each sphere is an order of angels occupied with the worship and adoration of the divinity; one troop standing somewhat erect; another multitude inclined (with their hands on their knees); a number prostrated, with the forehead touching the ground; others sitting; some carry the throne of God; and every angel has a place and a post determined, which he cannot leave.
“Their place is a place known.”
From sphere to sphere there is a distance to be traversed in five hundred years of travelling; in each heaven is one of the seven planets, all the other stars are in the first heaven, which is the next to the world of mankind.
“We have adorned the inferior heaven with the ornament of stars,
And we have preserved it from all obstinate demons.”
The borders of heaven are upon the mount Kaf, and the throne of God[528] is higher than the seven spheres.
“He created the heavens and the earths.”