How big is the universe according to the Quran?

The short answer

The Quran does not give a size, but it repeatedly stresses that the heavens are immense: their creation is greater than the creation of mankind, our sight tires before it finds any flaw in them, and yet Allah's Kursi extends over all the heavens and the earth. On the Day of Judgment the heavens will be folded in His right hand.

Explanation

The Quran uses the size of the universe to put human pride in its place. "The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know" 1. It asks: "Are you a more difficult creation or is the heaven? Allah constructed it" 2.

Allah invites us to test it. Look at the seven heavens for any flaw, then look again, and again: "[your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued" 3. However long we look, our sight gives up before it finds a break in what Allah made.

Yet the universe is small compared with what is above it. In Ayat al-Kursi, Allah says "His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not" 4. And on the Day of Resurrection, "the earth entirely will be [within] His grip... and the heavens will be folded in His right hand" 5. People who worship others besides Him "have not appraised Allah with true appraisal" 5.

No one can escape this dominion. Allah challenges jinn and mankind: "if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allah]" 6. Ibn Kathir explains that no one can escape Allah's command and judgement, and links the verse to the Day of Gathering, when the angels will surround all creatures 7. Some modern readers apply it to space travel; Ibn Kathir reads it as a challenge, not a forecast.

Even the unseen parts are full. The Prophet ﷺ was shown al-Bayt al-Ma'mur in the seventh heaven, where seventy thousand angels pray every day and never return to it 8.

So when the universe makes you feel small, that is the right feeling. Let it lead to Allahu akbar: Allah is greater than all of it.

The evidence

  1. 1
    Quran Ghafir · 40:57

    The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind.

    لَخَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ أَكۡبَرُ مِنۡ خَلۡقِ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَٰكِنَّ أَكۡثَرَ ٱلنَّاسِ لَا يَعۡلَمُونَ ۝٥٧

    The creation of the heavens and earth is greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know

  2. 2
    Quran An-Naazi'aat · 79:27–28

    Are you a more difficult creation, or the heaven? Allah built it and raised its ceiling.

    ءَأَنتُمۡ أَشَدُّ خَلۡقًا أَمِ ٱلسَّمَآءُۚ بَنَىٰهَا ۝٢٧ رَفَعَ سَمۡكَهَا فَسَوَّىٰهَا ۝٢٨

    27 Are you a more difficult creation or is the heaven? Allah constructed it 28 He raised its ceiling and proportioned it

  3. 3
    Quran Al-Mulk · 67:3–4

    Search the heavens again and again; your sight returns humbled and fatigued.

    ٱلَّذِي خَلَقَ سَبۡعَ سَمَٰوَٰتࣲ طِبَاقࣰ اۖ مَّا تَرَىٰ فِي خَلۡقِ ٱلرَّحۡمَٰنِ مِن تَفَٰوُتࣲۖ فَٱرۡجِعِ ٱلۡبَصَرَ هَلۡ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورࣲ‏ ۝٣ ثُمَّ ٱرۡجِعِ ٱلۡبَصَرَ كَرَّتَيۡنِ يَنقَلِبۡ إِلَيۡكَ ٱلۡبَصَرُ خَاسِئࣰ ا وَهُوَ حَسِيرࣱ‏ ۝٤

    3 [And] who created seven heavens in layers. You do not see in the creation of the Most Merciful any inconsistency. So return [your] vision [to the sky]; do you see any breaks 4 Then return [your] vision twice again. [Your] vision will return to you humbled while it is fatigued

  4. 4
    Quran Al-Baqara · 2:255

    Allah's Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and guarding them does not tire Him.

    ٱللَّهُ لَآ إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ ٱلۡحَيُّ ٱلۡقَيُّومُۚ لَا تَأۡخُذُهُۥ سِنَةࣱ وَلَا نَوۡمࣱۚ لَّهُۥ مَا فِي ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِي ٱلۡأَرۡضِۗ مَن ذَا ٱلَّذِي يَشۡفَعُ عِندَهُۥٓ إِلَّا بِإِذۡنِهِۦۚ يَعۡلَمُ مَا بَيۡنَ أَيۡدِيهِمۡ وَمَا خَلۡفَهُمۡۖ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِشَيۡءࣲ مِّنۡ عِلۡمِهِۦٓ إِلَّا بِمَا شَآءَۚ وَسِعَ كُرۡسِيُّهُ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَۖ وَلَا يَـُٔودُهُۥ حِفۡظُهُمَاۚ وَهُوَ ٱلۡعَلِيُّ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ ۝٢٥٥

    Allah - there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer of [all] existence. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep. To Him belongs whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth. Who is it that can intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows what is [presently] before them and what will be after them, and they encompass not a thing of His knowledge except for what He wills. His Kursi extends over the heavens and the earth, and their preservation tires Him not. And He is the Most High, the Most Great

  5. 5
    Quran Az-Zumar · 39:67

    The earth in His grip and the heavens folded in His right hand on the Day of Resurrection.

    وَمَا قَدَرُواْ ٱللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدۡرِهِۦ وَٱلۡأَرۡضُ جَمِيعࣰ ا قَبۡضَتُهُۥ يَوۡمَ ٱلۡقِيَٰمَةِ وَٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتُ مَطۡوِيَّٰتُۢ بِيَمِينِهِۦۚ سُبۡحَٰنَهُۥ وَتَعَٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يُشۡرِكُونَ ۝٦٧

    They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him

  6. 6
    Quran Ar-Rahmaan · 55:33

    Jinn and humans cannot pass beyond the regions of the heavens and earth except by His authority.

    يَٰمَعۡشَرَ ٱلۡجِنِّ وَٱلۡإِنسِ إِنِ ٱسۡتَطَعۡتُمۡ أَن تَنفُذُواْ مِنۡ أَقۡطَارِ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ فَٱنفُذُواْۚ لَا تَنفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلۡطَٰنࣲ‏ ۝٣٣

    O company of jinn and mankind, if you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You will not pass except by authority [from Allah]

  7. 7
    Tafsir Tafsir Ibn Kathir · 55:33

    We shall attend to you, O Thaqalan (31)Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny (32)O assembly of Jinn and men! If you are able to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allah)(33)Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny (34)There will be sent against you both, Shuwāz of fire and Nuhas, and you will not be able to defend yourselves (35)Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny) ur Lord will you both deny (36) A Warning for Humans and Jinn Ibn Jurayj said that the Ayah, سَنَفْرُغُ لَكُمْ (We shall attend to you,) means, 'We shall judge you,' while Al-Bukhari said that it means, "We shall recompense you. Surely, nothing will busy Allah from attending to anything else." This type of speech pattern is common in the Arabic language. For example, one would say, "I will attend to you," even when one is not busy with anything else. Allah's saying; أَيُّهَ الثَّقَلَانِ (O you Thaqalan!) refers to the humans and the Jinns, as in the Hadith; يَسْمَعُهَا كُلُّ شَيْءٍ إِلَّا الثَّقَلَيْنِ (Everyone will be able to hear it, except the Thaqalayn.) In another narration that explains it, the Prophet ﷺ said, إِلَّا الْإِنْسَ وَالْجِنَّ (...except mankind and the Jinns.) Allah said, فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ (Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny?), then, يَا مَعْشَرَ الْجِنِّ وَالْإِنْسِ إِنِ اسْتَطَعْتُمْ أَنْ تَنْفُذُوا مِنْ أَقْطَارِ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ فَانْفُذُوا ۚ لَا تَنْفُذُونَ إِلَّا بِسُلْطَانٍ (O assembly of Jinn and men! If you are able to pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, then pass beyond (them)! But you will never be able to pass them, except with authority (from Allah)!) meaning, 'you will never be able to escape Allah's orders and decrees, because it encompasses you. You will never be able to avoid or avert His rule and judgement over you, you are surrounded by it wherever you may be.' This is also about the Gathering when the angels, comprising seven lines in every direction, will surround the creatures. None of the creatures will be able to escape on that Day, إِلَّا بِسُلْطَانٍ (except with authority) meaning, except with the commandment from Allah, يَقُولُ الْإِنْسَانُ يَوْمَئِذٍ أَيْنَ الْمَفَرُّ - كَلَّا لَا وَزَرَ - إِلَىٰ رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْمُسْتَقَرُّ (On that Day man will say: "Where (is the refuge) to flee?" No! There is no refuge! Unto your Lord will be the place of rest that Day.)(75:10-12), وَالَّذِينَ كَسَبُوا السَّيِّئَاتِ جَزَاءُ سَيِّئَةٍ بِمِثْلِهَا وَتَرْهَقُهُمْ ذِلَّةٌ ۖ مَا لَهُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ مِنْ عَاصِمٍ ۖ كَأَنَّمَا أُغْشِيَتْ وُجُوهُهُمْ قِطَعًا مِنَ اللَّيْلِ مُظْلِمًا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ أَصْحَابُ النَّارِ ۖ هُمْ فِيهَا خَالِدُونَ (And those who earned evil deeds, the recompense of an evil deed is the like thereof, and humiliating disgrace will cover them. No defender will they have from Allah. Their faces will be covered as it were with pieces from the darkness of night. They are the dwellers of Fire, they will abide therein forever.)(10:27) Allah's statement, يُرْسَلُ عَلَيْكُمَا شُوَاظٌ مِنْ نَارٍ وَنُحَاسٌ فَلَا تَنْتَصِرَانِ (There will be sent against you both, Shuwāz of fire and Nuhas, and you will not be able to defend yourselves.) 'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn 'Abbas that Shuwāz is the flame of fire. Abu Salih said, "It is the flame above the fire below the smoke." Ad-Dahhak said, شُوَاظٌ مِنْ نَارٍ (Shuwāz of fire) "A flood of fire." Allah said; وَنُحَاسٌ (and Nuhas) 'Ali bin Abi Talhah reported from Ibn 'Abbas; "The smoke of the fire." Similar was reported from Abu Salih, Sa'id bin Jubayr and Abu Sinan. Ibn Jarir said that the Arabs used to call the smoke of the fire, Nuhas and Nihas. But he said that the scholars of Qur'anic recitation said that in this Ayah, the word recited is Nuhas. Mujahid said, "Molten brass poured over their heads." Qatadah held the same view. Ad-Dahhak said,"Nuhas is liquid copper." The Ayah means, 'if you, mankind and the Jinns, try to escape on the Day of Resurrection, then the angels, including those among them who guard Hellfire, will bring you back by directing smoke of fire and molten brass on you.' Allah's statement, فَلَا تَنْتَصِرَانِ - فَبِأَيِّ آلَاءِ رَبِّكُمَا تُكَذِّبَانِ (and you will not be able to defend yourselves. Then which of the blessings of your Lord will you both deny?)

  8. 8
    Hadith Sahih al-Bukhari 3207
    Sahih Bukhari

    Al-Bayt al-Ma'mur, where seventy thousand angels pray daily and never return.

    Narrated Malik bin Sasaa:The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "While I was at the House in a state midway between sleep and wakefulness, (an angel recognized me) as the man lying between two men. A golden tray full of wisdom and belief was brought to me and my body was cut open from the throat to the lower part of the `Abdomen and then my `Abdomen was washed with Zamzam water and (my heart was) filled with wisdom and belief. Al- Buraq, a white animal, smaller than a mule and bigger than a donkey was brought to me and I set out with Gabriel. When I reached the nearest heaven. Gabriel said to the heaven's gate-keeper, 'Open the gate.' The gatekeeper asked, 'Who is it?' He said, 'Gabriel.' The gate-keeper asked,' Who is accompanying you?' Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' The gate-keeper said, 'Has he been called?' Gabriel said, 'Yes.' Then it was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' Then I met Adam and greeted him and he said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the second heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was said, 'Who is with you?' He said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' He said, 'Yes.' It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!" Then I met Jesus and Yahya (John) who said, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet.' Then we ascended to the third heaven. It was asked, 'Who is it?' Gabriel said, 'Gabriel.' It was asked, 'Who is with you? Gabriel said, 'Muhammad.' It was asked, 'Has he been sent for?' 'Yes,' said Gabriel. It was said, 'He is welcomed. What a wonderful visit his is!' (The Prophet (ﷺ) added:) There I met Joseph and greeted him, and he replied, 'You are welcomed, O brother and a Prophet!' Then we ascended to the 4th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met Idris and greeted him. He said, 'You are welcomed O brother and Prophet.' Then we ascended to the 5th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in previous heavens. there I met and greeted Aaron who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and a Prophet". Then we ascended to the 6th heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Moses who said, 'You are welcomed O brother and. a Prophet.' When I proceeded on, he started weeping and on being asked why he was weeping, he said, 'O Lord! Followers of this youth who was sent after me will enter Paradise in greater number than my followers.' Then we ascended to the seventh heaven and again the same questions and answers were exchanged as in the previous heavens. There I met and greeted Abraham who said, 'You are welcomed O son and a Prophet.' Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah's House). I asked Gabriel about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).' Then I was shown Sidrat-ul-Muntaha (i.e. a tree in the seventh heaven) and I saw its Nabk fruits which resembled the clay jugs of Hajr (i.e. a town in Arabia), and its leaves were like the ears of elephants, and four rivers originated at its root, two of them were apparent and two were hidden. I asked Gabriel about those rivers and he said, 'The two hidden rivers are in Paradise, and the apparent ones are the Nile and the Euphrates.' Then fifty prayers were enjoined on me. I descended till I met Moses who asked me, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Fifty prayers have been enjoined on me.' He said, 'I know the people better than you, because I had the hardest experience to bring Bani Israel to obedience. Your followers cannot put up with such obligation. So, return to your Lord and request Him (to reduce the number of prayers.' I returned and requested Allah (for reduction) and He made it forty. I returned and (met Moses) and had a similar discussion, and then returned again to Allah for reduction and He made it thirty, then twenty, then ten, and then I came to Moses who repeated the same advice. Ultimately Allah reduced it to five. When I came to Moses again, he said, 'What have you done?' I said, 'Allah has made it five only.' He repeated the same advice but I said that I surrendered (to Allah's Final Order)'" Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) was addressed by Allah, "I have decreed My Obligation and have reduced the burden on My slaves, and I shall reward a single good deed as if it were ten good deeds

    العربية

    حَدَّثَنَا هُدْبَةُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هَمَّامٌ، عَنْ قَتَادَةَ،‏.‏ وَقَالَ لِي خَلِيفَةُ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ زُرَيْعٍ، حَدَّثَنَا سَعِيدٌ، وَهِشَامٌ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا قَتَادَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسُ بْنُ مَالِكٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ صَعْصَعَةَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ قَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ بَيْنَا أَنَا عِنْدَ الْبَيْتِ بَيْنَ النَّائِمِ وَالْيَقْظَانِ ـ وَذَكَرَ بَيْنَ الرَّجُلَيْنِ ـ فَأُتِيتُ بِطَسْتٍ مِنْ ذَهَبٍ مُلِئَ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، فَشُقَّ مِنَ النَّحْرِ إِلَى مَرَاقِّ الْبَطْنِ، ثُمَّ غُسِلَ الْبَطْنُ بِمَاءِ زَمْزَمَ، ثُمَّ مُلِئَ حِكْمَةً وَإِيمَانًا، وَأُتِيتُ بِدَابَّةٍ أَبْيَضَ دُونَ الْبَغْلِ وَفَوْقَ الْحِمَارِ الْبُرَاقُ، فَانْطَلَقْتُ مَعَ جِبْرِيلَ حَتَّى أَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الدُّنْيَا قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى آدَمَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنِ ابْنٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الثَّانِيَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى عِيسَى وَيَحْيَى فَقَالاَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الثَّالِثَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ يُوسُفَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، قَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الرَّابِعَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قِيلَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى إِدْرِيسَ فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ، فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ الْخَامِسَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قَالَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَمَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى هَارُونَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا عَلَى السَّمَاءِ السَّادِسَةِ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قَالَ مُحَمَّدٌ صلى الله عليه وسلم‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَلَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى مُوسَى، فَسَلَّمْتُ ‏{‏عَلَيْهِ‏}‏ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنْ أَخٍ وَنَبِيٍّ‏.‏ فَلَمَّا جَاوَزْتُ بَكَى‏.‏ فَقِيلَ مَا أَبْكَاكَ قَالَ يَا رَبِّ، هَذَا الْغُلاَمُ الَّذِي بُعِثَ بَعْدِي يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مِنْ أُمَّتِهِ أَفْضَلُ مِمَّا يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أُمَّتِي‏.‏ فَأَتَيْنَا السَّمَاءَ السَّابِعَةَ، قِيلَ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ جِبْرِيلُ‏.‏ قِيلَ مَنْ مَعَكَ قِيلَ مُحَمَّدٌ‏.‏ قِيلَ وَقَدْ أُرْسِلَ إِلَيْهِ مَرْحَبًا بِهِ، وَنِعْمَ الْمَجِيءُ جَاءَ‏.‏ فَأَتَيْتُ عَلَى إِبْرَاهِيمَ، فَسَلَّمْتُ عَلَيْهِ فَقَالَ مَرْحَبًا بِكَ مِنِ ابْنٍ وَنَبِيٍّ، فَرُفِعَ لِيَ الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُورُ، فَسَأَلْتُ جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ هَذَا الْبَيْتُ الْمَعْمُورُ يُصَلِّي فِيهِ كُلَّ يَوْمٍ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفَ مَلَكٍ، إِذَا خَرَجُوا لَمْ يَعُودُوا إِلَيْهِ آخِرَ مَا عَلَيْهِمْ، وَرُفِعَتْ لِي سِدْرَةُ الْمُنْتَهَى فَإِذَا نَبِقُهَا كَأَنَّهُ قِلاَلُ هَجَرٍ، وَوَرَقُهَا كَأَنَّهُ آذَانُ الْفُيُولِ، فِي أَصْلِهَا أَرْبَعَةُ أَنْهَارٍ نَهْرَانِ بَاطِنَانِ وَنَهْرَانِ ظَاهِرَانِ، فَسَأَلْتُ جِبْرِيلَ فَقَالَ أَمَّا الْبَاطِنَانِ فَفِي الْجَنَّةِ، وَأَمَّا الظَّاهِرَانِ النِّيلُ وَالْفُرَاتُ، ثُمَّ فُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ خَمْسُونَ صَلاَةً، فَأَقْبَلْتُ حَتَّى جِئْتُ مُوسَى، فَقَالَ مَا صَنَعْتَ قُلْتُ فُرِضَتْ عَلَىَّ خَمْسُونَ صَلاَةً‏.‏ قَالَ أَنَا أَعْلَمُ بِالنَّاسِ مِنْكَ، عَالَجْتُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ أَشَدَّ الْمُعَالَجَةِ، وَإِنَّ أُمَّتَكَ لاَ تُطِيقُ، فَارْجِعْ إِلَى رَبِّكَ فَسَلْهُ‏.‏ فَرَجَعْتُ فَسَأَلْتُهُ، فَجَعَلَهَا أَرْبَعِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ ثُمَّ ثَلاَثِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ فَجَعَلَ عِشْرِينَ، ثُمَّ مِثْلَهُ فَجَعَلَ عَشْرًا، فَأَتَيْتُ مُوسَى فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ، فَجَعَلَهَا خَمْسًا، فَأَتَيْتُ مُوسَى فَقَالَ مَا صَنَعْتَ قُلْتُ جَعَلَهَا خَمْسًا، فَقَالَ مِثْلَهُ، قُلْتُ سَلَّمْتُ بِخَيْرٍ، فَنُودِيَ إِنِّي قَدْ أَمْضَيْتُ فَرِيضَتِي وَخَفَّفْتُ عَنْ عِبَادِي، وَأَجْزِي الْحَسَنَةَ عَشْرًا ‏"‏‏.‏ وَقَالَ هَمَّامٌ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنِ الْحَسَنِ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ فِي الْبَيْتِ الْمَعْمُورِ ‏"‏‏.‏

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