The phenomenon of UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) is believed to be evidence of the existence of living beings from other planets. UFOs, which are flying saucer-shaped aircraft, are believed to be piloted by intelligent beings from other planets. Various other phenomena such as the crop circle phenomenon are suspected to be traces of UFOs or alien beings that have set foot on planet Earth. And then the question becomes "Could there really be alien beings often referred to as Aliens?"
In the Quran, in Surah Ash-Shura verse 29, it is mentioned that:
And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and all living beings He dispersed throughout both. And He is Most Capable of bringing all together whenever He wills." (Ash-Shura QS 26:29)
Some scholars interpret the term "living creatures" as creatures that are distinguished from angels, and because in Surah An-Nahl, Allah SWT mentions that all living creatures, including those that crawl on the earth, those in the sky, and the angels who prostrate to Allah.
Quoting from the book "Integrating Science and Technology Education with Al-Islam" by Mukhtar Samad, the word "dabbah" is interpreted as a living creature with a body, male or female, whether intelligent or not, that can walk or move slowly.
In the Quran, in Surah An-Nahl verse 16:49, it is mentioned that:
And to Allah prostrates whoever is within the heavens and the earth, willingly or by compulsion, and their shadows [as well] in the mornings and the afternoons." (An-Nahl QS 16:49)
The "living creatures" mentioned in the Quran are creatures that crawl on their bellies or have four legs like animals, as well as those that walk on two legs like humans, as stated in Surah An-Nur verse 45. In another verse, Allah created seven heavens, called "samawat," which can be interpreted as the universe consisting of planets that resemble Earth. Some scholars believe that this verse further clarifies the existence of other worlds beyond Earth that support life similar to humans.
The creature is different from angels, as Allah mentions both in Surah An-Nahl. He says:
"And to Allah prostrates whatever is in the heavens and whatever is on the earth of creatures and the angels, and they are not arrogant." (QS. An-Nahl: 49)
On the other hand, in Surah An-Nur verse 45, it is mentioned that the creature referred to as "creeping creatures" is a creature that walks on its belly and has four legs like ordinary animals, and walks on two legs like humans.
And Allah created every moving creature from water; some of them move on their bellies, some of them walk on two legs, and some of them walk on four legs. Allah creates whatever He wills. Surely, Allah is Able to do all things.
Based on the guidance in the above verses, it can be understood that the Quran acknowledges the existence of living beings outside of Earth that have bodies similar to animals on Earth. Among these creatures, there may be some that are intelligent like humans. These beings are what some scholars interpret as extraterrestrial creatures or aliens.
The existence of aliens according to Islam has not yet been proven conclusively. However, it is important to note that humans have limitations in knowledge and technology, and therefore cannot explore the entire universe. And surely, Allah knows what is unknown to humans.
The mystery of UFOs that appear in various parts of the world remains unsolved. Based on sightings of UFOs that are unaffected by Earth's gravity, it is estimated that UFOs have technology that is more advanced than human intelligence on Earth. Research on UFOs conducted by the US Air Force's Air Technical Intelligence Center in 1952 reported that 73% of UFO sightings were caused by misinterpretation of common objects and phenomena. The appearance of UFOs is often reported as disc-shaped or flying saucers, as well as ball-shaped or elliptical with triangular or delta-shaped wings. Some have also reported seeing elongated shapes like submarines or aircraft resembling giant pyramids. The presence of extraterrestrial beings is suspected to be for surveillance and research purposes.
The indications in the Quran strengthen the belief that there are extraterrestrial beings from other planets in the universe. Indeed, Allah knows what humans do not know, and this should strengthen our faith and piety towards Allah SWT.