| Answer: ‘Ālamīn should be understood in the particular
style and diction of the Qur’ān. This word does not always imply a plurality as
to mean the worlds, that is, other planets like this earth which sustains life
and accommodates beings like humans. The Qur’ān, often, uses this word for
expressing ‘totality’, ‘magnitude’, ‘expanse’ of this world and of those who
subsist in it. It is this implication that is the purport of the verse in
question. It therefore means that the Holy Prophet (sws) is a blessing for whole
mankind. You can see various examples of this usage in the Qur’ān. I quote:
O children of Israel! remember my favour wherewith I
favoured you and how I preferred you to ‘Ālamīn (all mankind). (2:47)
Lo! Allah preferred Adam and Noah and the family of
Abraham and the family of ‘Imrān above ‘Ālamīn (all mankind). (3:33)
And when the angels said O Mary Lo! Allah has chosen you
and made you pure and preferred you above all the women of ‘Ālamīn (this world).
(3:42)
As for the possibility of being extraterrestrial species on
some other planet in addition to this world, we need to bear in mind that this
has nothing to do with the theme of the Holy Qur’ān. I do not think it is
appropriate to extrapolate on the basis of the allusions made in the Holy Qur’ān
in order to formulate scientific notions. There are established scientific
techniques to figure out the nature and form of this universe and we had better
confine ourselves to these techniques. Hence, we neither affirm nor rebut the
notion of extraterrestrial beings.
One thing that should remain crystal clear in our mind is
that the Qur’ān has its own style and diction. This can only be properly
understood and appreciated if we interpret it keeping in view its particular
characteristics.
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