The Vision of Islam.

The article focuses on the Quranic concepts of the unseen (ghayb) and the visible (shahada) realities, explaining how Muslim thinkers categorize all existence into these two realms. The unseen includes God, who is only known to Himself, and angels, who are visible only to God, other angels, and select humans like prophets, while the visible encompasses the sensory world and phenomena such as dreams and hallucinations. It also discusses the Quranic notions of heaven and earth as cosmic domains distinct from paradise and hell, emphasizing their symbolic roles in illustrating divine attributes and cosmic hierarchy. The article highlights the Quranic portrayal of seven heavens associated with the classical planets and the divine Throne and Footstool, underscoring their theological significance rather than astronomical accuracy. Finally, it addresses how these concepts reflect the relationship between God, the cosmos, and creation, particularly through the symbolism of water as a life-giving force from heaven to earth.