And He (who) Raised the Heaven and set the Balance

Balance is described as an even distribution of weight enabling someone or something to remain upright and steady or a situation in which different elements are equal or in the correct proportions. What else can be better explanation of balance when we view the universe with countless stars and planets moving about their orbits without ever colliding with each others since time immemorial. Although no Divine scriptures are books of science, yet we find mention of how these heavenly bodies have been balanced out in a manner that these swim across the entire universe evenly and consistently. That is how man is Divinely told about its mighty power.

The same phenomenon has been mentioned in Al-Qurʾān, Surah 55. Ar Rahman verse 7 as mentioned below along with its explanation:

وَالسَّمَآءَ رَفَعَهَا وَوَضَعَ الۡمِيۡزَانَۙ‏ 

(55:7) and He has raised up the heaven and has set a balance

Classical Qur’ānic meaning (Tafsīr)

• “He raised the heaven” (رَفَعَهَا) - Classical mufassirūn (Ibn Kathīr, Ṭabarī, Qurtubī) explain:
• Allah raised the sky without visible pillars (as mentioned in Sürah 13. Al Ra'ad :2)
• It shows divine power, order, and structure
• It is a sign of cosmic architecture, not chaos
• This establishes that the universe is constructed, not random
• Ibn Kathir indicates this refers to Allah raising the sky high above the earth, emphasizing its elevated, majestic, and high position.
• “He set the Balance” (الميزان — al-Mīzān): The word mīzān has three overlapping meanings in Tafsīr:
• Physical balance in creation - that includes (1) Proportion. (2) Measure. (3) Harmony, and (4) Equilibrium in nature - Everything is created with precise measure (Surah 54 Al-Qamar: 49)
• Moral and legal justice
• That is Justice in human society, Fairness in dealings, and Ethical order
• That’s why next verse says: “So do not transgress the balance.” (55:8) - which means Don’t corrupt natural AND moral order.
• The Scale on the Day of Judgment: Mīzān also refers to the actual scale of deeds - that is Connecting cosmos with ethics to Hereafter - So Qur’an links cosmic order to moral accountability
• Ibn Kathir notes that the mizan (balance) refers to justice. He interprets this as Allah establishing the entire system of the universe on justice and perfect balance, ensuring harmony among the stars, planets, and all living creatures. The phrase implies that everything in the universe operates within a precise, divine system, preventing chaos.

Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi notes that almost all the commentators have interpreted mizan (balance) to mean justice, and “set the balance” to imply that Allah has established the entire system of the universe on justice. Had there been no harmony and balance and justice established among the countless stars and planets moving in space, and the mighty forces working in this universe, and the innumerable creatures and things found here, this life on earth would not have functioned even for a moment. Look at the creatures existing in the air and water and on land for millions and millions of years on this earth. They continue to exist only because full justice and balance has been established in the means and factors conducive to life; in case there occurs a slight imbalance of any kind, every tract of life would become extinct.

The Immediate Context (Verse 8)

Following this, in verse 8, Allah says, "Therefore, do not upset the balance." Ibn Kathir, in conjunction with other commentators, explains that this is a commandment for humanity to maintain justice, fairness, and equity in their dealings, both in weighing goods and in their conduct in life. 

Relation to modern scientific discoveries (without exaggeration)

As mentioned earlier, the Qur’an is NOT a science textbook, yet it perfectly aligns with what science now confirms about balance:

• Fine-tuning of the universe
• Modern physics shows that Physical constants (gravity, cosmological constant, electromagnetic force) are tuned with extreme precision. A slight change in the balance will mean no stars, no chemistry, no life.
• This reflects mīzān: Cosmic balance enabling existence itself
• Gravitational balance & cosmic structure
• Science shows that (1) Gravity balances expansion (2) Galaxies are structured, not random (3) Orbital mechanics depend on precise balance
• This matches Qur’ānic information: The heaven is “raised” and held in ordered structure
• Earth’s ecological balance
• Modern ecology shows: (1) Carbon cycle, (2) Nitrogen cycle, (3) Water cycle, (3) Predator-prey balance, (4) Atmospheric oxygen balance
• Human disruption causes: (1) Climate change, (2) Species extinction, (3) Ecosystem collapse
• This directly reflects: “Do not transgress the balance” (55:8)
• And it means that Environmental فساد (corruption) is literally breaking the mīzān.
• Biological homeostasis
• In biology balance is maintained in: (1) Body temperature, (2) Blood pH, (3) Oxygen levels, (4) Hormones
• That is Life depends on internal balance - Another manifestation of mīzān.

Powerful Qur’ānic worldview

The Qur’an is doing something revolutionary. It unites: (1) Cosmic order,(2) Environmental balance,(3) Social justice, and (4) Moral accountability - All under ONE concept: al-Mīzān. While modern thinking separates these. Qur’an integrates them.

A warning for modern civilization

Surah Ar-Raḥmān was revealed more than 1400 years ago, yet it describes our crisis that include (1) Climate imbalance,(2) Economic injustice,(3) Moral breakdown,(4) Psychological imbalance.

All above are forms of "Ṭughyān fī al-mīzān — transgressing the balance." Thus Al Qur’an is not only scientifically compatible — it is civilizationally prophetic.

Why this is profound (not “science in Qur’an” hype)

The miracle is NOT: “Qur’an predicted gravity equations”, But rather: Qur’an gave the correct philosophy of nature, that reality is governed by measure, balance, and accountability - which modern science is only now fully appreciating.

Summary in one sentence:

Surah 55:7 teaches that the universe is built on precise balance — a truth now confirmed by modern physics, ecology, and biology — and warns humanity that breaking this balance leads to both natural and moral collapse.

Ibn Kathir concludes that this verse highlights that just as Allah has created the heavens and the earth with a perfect, balanced, and just structure, He has also demanded that human beings uphold justice and equity in their own lives. 

May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى‎) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door. 

وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ‏ 

(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”

That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.

May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.

Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.

Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.

You may refer to more Selected Verses from Sürah 55. Ar Raḥmān ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ‎ (The Most Merciful) already published. You may also refer to our exclusive reference page: Selected verses from selected Surahs of Al-Qurʾān for compiled verses from other surahs.

For verses on Selected Subjects, please refer to our reference page: Selected Verses from Al Qur'an about a Specific Subject (Reference Page) to know more about what Qur'an says about specific subjects and our reference page: Selected Verses from the Qur'an. 

You may also refer to our Reference Pages  and Understanding Al Qur'an for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.

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An effort has been made to gather explanation / exegesis of the surahs and selected verses of Al-Qurʾān from authentic sources and then present a least possible condensed explanation of the surah. In that the exegesis of the chapters of the Quran is mainly based on the "Tafhim al-Qur'an - The Meaning of the Qur'an" by one of the most enlightened scholars of the Muslim World Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi.  

In addition, other sources which have been explored and views of other scholars have been incorporated while explaining meaning of a verse. Those desirous of detailed explanations and tafsir (exegesis), may refer to these sites. For expansion of meaning and themes / contextual background help from ChatGPT is also taken.

Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors.  If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.

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