We keep saying “the heavens and the earth.” But what are we actually picturing?

I think we have become too comfortable with these words.

We read “the heavens and the earth,” imagine the sky above us and the planet beneath us, and move forward. But have we actually checked whether that picture fits all the passages where Allah discusses their creation, arrangement and destruction?

I am Hassan Malik, and this is the question behind my research, The Architecture of As-Samawat Wal-Ard.

I am approaching this as a common Muslim with a background in linguistics and textual analysis, not as someone claiming religious authority. The more I compare the passages, the more I think our starting picture needs examination.

Before discussing my conclusions, I want to show you the questions that led me there.