Then He rose above the heaven
ثم استوى إلى السماء
Then
ثم
That is, after the creation of the earth and the determination of its provisions.
He rose up to the heaven
استوى إلى السماء
The author said:
“He rose up to the heaven” This is one of the two opinions regarding this phrase, that it means “He rose up,” but a complete rising. This is because
Istawa (He rose)
استوى
indicates completeness, as Allah the Exalted said:
And when he attained his full strength and was [mentally] mature
ولما بلَغَ أشُدَّه و استَوى [Al-Qasas 28:14]
. The second opinion is that
He established Himself to
استوى إلى
means
He rose up above
استوى على
above the heaven, i.e., He elevated Himself above it. However, the meaning adopted by the author is stronger: that He rose up to the heaven with a complete, balanced will, because
to
إلى
conveys