“We have indeed fashioned above you seven paths. Never were we unaware of the task of creation. We sent down water from the sky in right measure, and caused it to stay in the earth, and We have the power to cause it to vanish (in the manner We please).” (Al-Qur’ān 23:17-18)
In the verse 23:17 it is said that God ‘fashioned above you seven paths…’ It simply means the orbit of the seven planets. But the statement also seems to emphasise God’s greatness insofar as He created the heavens whose creation is a much greater achievement than the creation of man. This is quite in consonance with what the Qur’ān has said elsewhere: ‘Indeed the creation of the heavens and the earth is greater than the creation of man’ (40:57).
It is quite evident from everything God has created that it has neither been created purposelessly nor is it the creation of someone devoid of skill. On the contrary, God’s creation conforms to a well-considered plan, with the result that all parts of His creation reveal a high degree of harmony and coordination. Purposiveness is also evident from every aspect of this vast universe and this conclusively points to the wisdom of its Creator.
God has never been negligent of the needs of any of His creatures, nor has He ever been unaware of the state they are in. The result: God has never allowed anything to go in a direction opposed to His plans, nor has He ever been negligent in providing for the natural requirements of anything.