How many skies (layers of skies) are there?
كم عدد السماوات في القرآن الكريم؟
There are 7 heavens as mentioned in the Noble Quran:
عدد السموات كما ذكره الله تعالى في القرآن الكريم هو 7 سماوات
(He is the One Who created everything in the earth for you. Then He turned towards the heaven, forming it into seven heavens...)
(هُوَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ لَكُم مَّا فِي الْأَرْضِ جَمِيعًا ثُمَّ اسْتَوَىٰ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ فَسَوَّاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ...)
(So He formed the heaven into seven heavens in two Days, assigning to each its mandate.)
(فَقَضَاهُنَّ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ فِي يَوْمَيْنِ وَأَوْحَىٰ فِي كُلِّ سَمَاءٍ أَمْرَهَا...)
(Allah is the One Who created seven heavens in layers, and likewise for the earth.)
(اللَّهُ الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ وَمِنَ الْأَرْضِ مِثْلَهُنَّ)
(He is the One Who created seven heavens, one above the other. You will never see any imperfection...)
(الَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا ۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلْقِ الرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَاوُتٍ...)
(Do you not see how Allah created seven heavens, one above the other,)
(أَلَمْ تَرَوْا كَيْفَ خَلَقَ اللَّهُ سَبْعَ سَمَاوَاتٍ طِبَاقًا)
Scholarly Insight: The term "Tibaqan" used in the verses of Surah Al-Mulk and Surah Nuh implies that the heavens are layered or stacked one above the other. Additionally, Surah At-Talaq [65:12] indicates that the earth also has a similar seven-fold structure, showcasing the perfect balance and symmetry in Allah's creation.