Question:
Allahﷻ says in the Qur’an, “Do they not look at the heavens, how it is created?” He asks if this command to ponder is directed at humans or jinn. He suggests that jinn have superior abilities and could physically travel to the heavens, whereas humans of that time could not, so it might be for jinn.
Answer:
First, there are the seven heavens, which are far beyond our reach. No human or jinn can comprehend how they are created. The jinn may be able to travel to the first heaven and eavesdrop on the angels, as mentioned in the Qur’an, but they cannot fully comprehend the creation of the heavens.
Second, the word “sky” is also used for the sky above us—the atmosphere from which rain falls. Allahﷻ says in many verses (e.g., 2:21, 6:98, 8:11, 14:23, 15:22, 16:10, 16:65, 20:53, 22:63, 23:18, 25:48, 27:60, 29:63, 30:24, 31:10, 35:27, 31:21, 43:11, 50:9) that He sends down rain from the sky. This “sky” is the one we see above us. Planes fly through it. It is the layer containing clouds.
This is the “sky” that humans and jinn can both see and ponder. It is the same for both. We can reflect on how water evaporates from the oceans and rivers, forms clouds, and then falls as rain. This reflection leads to the recognition of a Creator. The command to ponder over the creation of the sky is for all intelligent beings, humans and jinn alike. It is not exclusive to one group.