Parallel Universe: Do Alternate Realities Exist?

It is both intriguing and perplexing to consider the possibility that there are other worlds where many incarnations of ourselves lead different lives. This idea challenges the fundamental nature of reality and crosses the boundaries of philosophy, science, and even religion. Are there countless universes, and we are just in one? Do alternative versions of ourselves make different decisions and end up with quite different results? Or is all of this science fiction with no real-world basis?

The idea of parallel worlds connects the measurable and the mystical, the visible and invisible, and even the depths of quantum mechanics and cosmic inflation. Let’s set out on a quest to solve this cosmic riddle by investigating the science, the data, the philosophical ramifications, and even what the teachings of Islam have to say about the nature of the several worlds.

1. The Science Behind Parallel Universes

The idea of multiple universes may sound fantastical, but it’s grounded in legitimate scientific theories. Physicists have proposed various mechanisms that could give rise to alternate realities, each with its own unique version of existence. Let’s break them down.

a. The Many-Worlds Interpretation of Quantum Mechanics

At the heart of quantum physics lies a strange and counterintuitive truth: particles can exist in multiple states at once until observed. This is called superposition, famously demonstrated by Schrödinger’s cat — a thought experiment where a cat is simultaneously alive and dead inside a sealed box, until someone looks inside.

This concept is taken to its logical conclusion by the Many-Worlds Interpretation (MWI), proposed by physicist Hugh Everett III in 1957: every possible quantum event occurs — in a distinct, branching universe. There is a parallel universe in which you made the opposite decision, such as choosing coffee over tea this morning. A new reality is created by every choice and every chance result.

This theory suggests that there are infinite versions of you, living out every conceivable variation of your life. Some of these realities might be nearly identical to ours, while others could be radically different, with alternate histories, futures, and even physical laws.

b. Cosmic Inflation and the Bubble Universe Hypothesis

Cosmologists studying the Big Bang have theorized that the universe underwent a period of rapid inflation, expanding faster than the speed of light. This process, described by physicist Alan Guth in the 1980s, might still be happening in distant, unreachable regions of space, giving birth to bubble universes.

Each bubble could grow into a fully formed universe with its own set of physical constants and properties. Some bubbles might have universes where gravity is stronger, or where atoms don’t even exist. Others might host life completely alien to anything we can imagine. In this view, our observable universe is just one bubble in an infinite, ever-expanding cosmic foam.

c. String Theory and Higher Dimensions

String theory — a theoretical framework that attempts to reconcile quantum mechanics with gravity — posits that the fundamental building blocks of reality are tiny, vibrating strings. These strings might exist in up to 11 dimensions, beyond the familiar three dimensions of space and one of time.

According to the braneworld hypothesis, our universe might be a 3D brane floating in a higher-dimensional space, with other branes (universes) stacked nearby. These universes could be physically close to ours in higher dimensions, yet completely invisible and inaccessible. In fact, some scientists speculate that gravity might be weak in our universe because it “leaks” into other dimensions!

2. Is There Any Evidence for Parallel Universes?

The idea of parallel universes is intriguing, but is there any real-world evidence? While we haven’t yet found direct proof, a few tantalizing clues suggest we might be on the right track.

a. Quantum Experiments and Wave Function Collapse

Particles like electrons act like waves and interfere with themselves unless they are seen, as demonstrated by the double-slit experiment. The wave function “collapses,” and they act like particles, when we measure them. According to some physicists, this might support the Many-Worlds Interpretation. Particles may actually exist in numerous realities at once, and humans only experience one branch of that multiverse, if they exist in all possible states until they are observed.

b. Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) Anomalies

Some scientists think that the faint patterns found in the Cosmic Microwave Background, the weak afterglow of the Big Bang, may be the remnants of collisions with other universes. In the event that our universe is a bubble, it may occasionally collide with nearby bubbles, leaving observable CMB imprints. The potential for universe-on-universe interactions is an intriguing field of study, even though these abnormalities may have other causes.

c. The Mandela Effect and Collective False Memories

The Mandela Effect is cited by some as potential proof of parallel worlds on the fringes. When huge numbers of people recall historical events differently than what has been documented, such as when they collectively remember Nelson Mandela dying in jail (when he actually passed away in 2013), this phenomenon takes place. Believers suggest that this could be an indication of people’s consciousnesses switching between parallel realms, while skeptics explain it as a psychological defect.

3. The Islamic Perspective on Parallel Universes

Interestingly, the idea of parallel realities aligns with many spiritual teachings, including Islam. While the Qur’an doesn’t explicitly mention parallel universes in a scientific sense, it speaks of multiple realms of existence, unseen dimensions, and the vastness of Allah’s creation.

a. The Multitude of Worlds

The Qur’an opens with the verse:

“All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds.” (Surah Al-Fatiha 1:2)

The word ‘Alameen’ (worlds) is plural, suggesting multiple realms. Islamic scholars interpret this to mean not just the physical world, but also spiritual realms, the realm of the jinn, the barzakh (the intermediate realm between life and death), and possibly even realities beyond our comprehension

b. The Realm of the Jinn

The Qur’an describes the jinn as beings created from smokeless fire who live in a parallel, unseen dimension:

“And I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.” (Surah Adh-Dhariyat 51:56)

Some scholars speculate that this could be evidence of coexisting dimensions — another layer of reality that occasionally overlaps with our own.

c. Allah’s Infinite Creation

The Qur’an repeatedly emphasizes the vastness of creation:

“The creation of the heavens and the earth is indeed greater than the creation of mankind, but most of the people do not know.” (Surah Ghafir 40:57)

If Allah’s creation is infinite, what’s to say that He hasn’t created countless universes? The limitlessness of Allah’s power suggests the multiverse is not only possible but entirely within the bounds of divine will.

4. What Would Parallel Universes Mean for Us?

Our conception of life, death, and fate would be drastically altered if parallel universes were real. It could imply that every decision has an impact on the innumerable realities we build as well as the path we take. It might also imply that life is much more intricate and amazing than we could have ever dreamed, with countless chances for learning, development, and spiritual enlightenment. The multiverse, a cosmic tapestry woven with limitless possibilities, might be a representation of Allah’s boundless creativity. Or perhaps it serves as a sobering reminder that, despite our greatest efforts, we have only begun to unravel the secrets of creation.

Ultimately, the subject of parallel worlds forces us to face life’s most important questions: Who are we? Why have we come here? And how big is the world that Allah has created? Perhaps science will provide the answers in the future. Or perhaps such solutions are in the invisible worlds, awaiting us in the next life. What are your thoughts? Is this a single thread in an endless, heavenly masterwork, or is this the only universe?