Does the Quran say that the Universe is expanding?

Question

There is quite bit of hype among Muslims who's says, it is in the Quran that the Universe is expanding. They quote the verse 51:47. A link that quotes this is here.

Sahih International

And the heaven We constructed with strength, and indeed, We are [its] expander.

Sahih International translation says something but other translations say something else:

Pickthall

We have built the heaven with might, and We it is Who make the vast extent (thereof).

Yusuf Ali

With power and skill did We construct the Firmament: for it is We Who create the vastness of pace.

Shakir

And the heaven, We raised it high with power, and most surely We are the makers of things ample.

What is the truth?

Answer 1

Seeking for Ahadeeth about the issue the following comments may be given:

1. Both Earth's surface and Skies were created from water and air (الماء و الهوی), and were expanded and structured ..., there are Quranic and Hadeethwise evidences that the skies were created after Earth so that the big bang theory for which the red shift effect is considered a most important sign for its justification cannot be correct.

2. The earth was not growing any plant and the sky was not raining, so Allah led the skies to rain and the Earth to grow plants:

   أَوَلَمْ يَرَ‌ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُ‌وا أَنَّ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْ‌ضَ كَانَتَا رَ‌تْقًا فَفَتَقْنَاهُمَا ۖ وَجَعَلْنَا مِنَ الْمَاءِ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ حَيٍّ ۖ أَفَلَا يُؤْمِنُونَ --[Al-Anbiya,30]

   see [تفسير القمي، ج‏2، ص: 69] for interpretation, the translations I saw available were not all very correct

   and this blessing of Allah is called expanding in sustenance (واسع الرزق) and being constantly expanding can imply the sky (السماء comes from وسمة which means a resource for water الماء) being raining and increasing in life span of the creatures living on Earth and their sustenances (also mentionوَ فِي السَّمَاءِ رِ‌زْقُكُمْ وَ مَا تُوعَدُونَ), see [بحار الأنوار (ط - بيروت)، ج‏، ۵۵، باب ۸] and [مجمع البحرين، ج‏4، ص: 403 ] as a reference for this justification.

3. Some scholars also believe by موسعون Allah also might intend to mention the physical expanding of the skies and interpret this verse together with فتق السماء and then فاطر السموات. Although all of these can also be interpreted else ways. See the research around this issue in e.g. [قاموس قرآن، ج‏3، ص: 53-51].

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Conclusion:

This issue is not fully resolved and understood by the scholars. However the stages of creation of the Earth(s) and Skies are explained in Ahadeeth although not all of those explanations are also easy to understand. And Allah is the All-knower

Answer 2

Yes. According to Ulamas (the religious authorities), the phrase ((انا لموسعون)) in this Ayah (verse), shows the continuity of expanding the universe. This case was proven by many scientists. I just bring you one example; Dr. George Gamow proved this in his book: the creation of the universe. He says that on the basis of the information from the galaxies, we found out the universe is being expanded continues.

Answer 3

Salam alaikom

If I understood your question correctly:
First of all you can't say the haven is a place like earth or anywhere else.
Haven is a level or viewpoint that we can't realize.
Think about an animal; It lives in humans world but can't precept our society.
In meraj (transition of prophet to other world) he won’t really go in very high altitudes.
But instead he go very up in levels of think an understanding. So your viewpoint is not clearly true about worlds.