Salaamun 'alaykum,
In YT93, there was a section where Dr. Hany explained that the plural of samaa' (سماء) in Arabic dictionaries is سموات and سمٰوٰت as a word doesn't exist in classical Arabic lexicons. On the basis of this, the MQ project translates samaawaat as abstract layers of understanding.
However, in Surah Najm, Ayah 31, the word was translated as heavens. The reason given was the splitting of samaawaat and ardh (ما في سموت و ما في الارض). I don't understand the reason though - if the word does not mean heavens, why translate it like that?
BarakAllahu Feekum.
Someone please answer this as I had the same question
Try download all the transcripts, then do a keyword search on it.
Samaawaat refers to the layers of understanding that emanates, with Allahh's guidance, from the scripture... This is correct.
However, You are correct regarding the translation of Aya 31 in Surah An-Najm (and others with the expression مَا فِى ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَمَا فِى ٱلْأَرْضِ ). This translation needs to be re-evaluated. Your thoughtful post is an essential part of the methodology which requires us to apply falsification as part of verification, which you did.
The justification that was given for the 'erroneous' translation relates to the separation of Samaawaat and Ardh. But perhaps this separation is more related to the acts of Mujrimoon who separate the interpretation from the text... Perhaps... I need to re-assess this possible new hypothesis and apply the methodology fully to it again. There could be other hypotheses that are plausible, and which would also require verification.
One last point: It is part of the methodology to restart with a new hypothesis if and when a falsifiability condition to disprove the hypothesis is shown. As I mentioned in several videos: When such verification fails, we return to form a new hypothesis (or hypotheses) and to go through the whole process again.
What if... that ما is in the form of negation: "not at all"
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Wa lillahi... tafshil there as a form of swearing upon God's absolute rights.
(sometimes) not at all according to (your) higher layer of understanding... and doesn't have to be appear according to the scripture.
That Allah may recompense evildoers with so and so... and recompense the good doers perhaps even way better than they deserve.
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As described/warned further in the next verse 53:32:
As long as that person truly avoids being KABAIR... major sins? not arrogant? not thinking he's absolutely correct?
and he avoids shameful acts...
Put aside some small faults (which he does), for God's maghfirah is endless.
***** The context is about judging others according your own (limited) knowledge *****
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فَلَا تُزَكُّوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۖ
So do not be so narcissistic about yourself... thinking you're good enough.
Allah knows best who is ˹truly˺ righteous... (either you or that person)