What does « Layer / Level » mean in the Quran?

Discover the meaning of the word Layer / Level (طبق) in the Quran, with 3 verses in which it appears, and a detailed explanation from Al-Raghib al-Asfahani's Mufradat fi gharib al-Qur'an.

طبق

Layer / Level

Root: ط - ب - ق

Creed (aqida) 3 verses

Updated on 29 May 2026 at 7:00 AM

📖 3 min read

Definition of Layer / Level

Al-mutabaqa: relative names, it is putting something on another and matching it.

The Almighty says: 'layer by layer' (Al-Inshiqaq 19), the stages of creation. 'Seven heavens in layers' (Al-Mulk 3).

Layers stack harmoniously.

Layer / Level in the Quran (3)

Meccan: 3 Medinan: 0

Distribution of verses by surah

Al-Mulk 1

Nuh 1

Al-Inshiqaq 1

Surah Al-Mulk : 3 Meccan

﴿ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍ طِبَاقًا مَّا تَرَىٰ فِى خَلْقِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ مِن تَفَٰوُتٍ فَٱرْجِعِ ٱلْبَصَرَ هَلْ تَرَىٰ مِن فُطُورٍ﴾

[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?

Surah Nuh : 15 Meccan

﴿أَلَمْ تَرَوْا۟ كَيْفَ خَلَقَ ٱللَّهُ سَبْعَ سَمَٰوَٰتٍ طِبَاقًا﴾

Do you not consider how Allah has created seven heavens in layers

Surah Al-Inshiqaq : 19 Meccan

﴿لَتَرْكَبُنَّ طَبَقًا عَن طَبَقٍ﴾

[That] you will surely experience state after state.