ArchAngel, ur right, Allah (SWT) has encouraged us to explore the universe, use our intellect and reasoning.
As for other life in this universe, yes, the Holy Quran does refer to “other” life. I found the following article, i know its long but hopefully you’ll find it helpful.
Aliens
Taken from “The Straight Way” - Questions asked by Non-Muslims about Islam, by Shaik A. Kadir. Published by The Muslim Converts’ Association of Singapore. Shaik Kadir, a teacher at MacPherson Institute of Technical Education, is also a writer of several books on Islam.
Question:
Scientists are unsure of the existence of life in other planets. Does the Quran say anything about like in outer space?
Answer:
Some science fiction writers have portrayed outer space creatures with monstrous-looking features in their stories, but so far such creatures have remained in the realm of science fiction.
However, the Quran does allude to life in outer space, thus: “And among His signs is the creation of the heavens and the living creatures He has scattered through them.” (42.29) And: “The seven heavens and the earth, and beings therein, declare his glory.” (17:44)
These verses indicate that there is life in some form or other planets in the galaxies. Until scientific means become more sophisticated to make this discovery, this Quranic statement will remain an unfulfilled prophecy.
What the Quran says about Life in Space
by Shaik Kadir, Sunday Times, Aug. 18 1996
How excited the world has become after the announcement on Aug. 7 that scientists had found possible like on Mars more than 3.5 billion years ago, in remains from a Martian meteorite that fell to Earth some 13, 000 years ago.
Well, if life could exist on Mars in the past and become extinct, could it not spring up in some undiscovered planets in the future, or exist even right now, somewhere billions of light years away?
In short, is the universe changing and expanding?
From the Islamic point of view, it is.
In Islam, the universe, which includes the whole of space and the innumerable stars and planets within, is not static.
The Quran says that God is “steadily expanding the universe”. In human reckoning, this is taking place over billions and billions of years.
On the formation of stars and planets, the Quran points to a “Big Bang” or disintegration theory. It says “the heavens and the Earth were joined together (as one unit of Creation) before God cloved it asunder”.
This reference to the unitary origin of the universe anticipates scientists’ views that the universe originated as one entity from one single element.
Subsequently, it separated into nebulae, galaxies and solar systems, with individual parts breaking away progressively to form new entities, such as stars, planets and other heavenly bodies. Our solar system is perhaps “the lowest heaven adorned with ornaments - the planets”.
The universe is in indescribably so huge and contains numerous solar systems, each perhaps bigger than ours. A such, is it not possible for some far-flung planet ot planets to be conducive for some form of life to exist?
A verse in the Quran reads: “And among God’s signs is the creation of the heaven and the Earth, and the living creatures He has scattered through them.”
When seen in the light of modern science, this verse certainly points to the fact that life in some form is scattered through some of the millions of heavenly bodies in space, and not just confined to Earth.
According to Islam, man’s role is a continuous fact-finding mission for progress. He can explore space and use it to his advantage, such as sending up satellites for communication purposes and space stations for exploration.
The Quran says: “See you how God has made subservient to you whatsoever is in the skies and showered on you His blessings, both manifest and hidden.”
Islam does not hinder progress as long as it is carried out without harming other human beings and creation.
Now let us consider this: Just as “primitive life” ended on Mars billions of years ago, would it not be possible for life to disappear from Earth too, one day?
The Quran says: “If you can pass beyond the zones of the heavens and the earth, pass you.”
Perhaps before life on Earth also ends as Mars’ did, it would be exciting to discover if life exists outside our small planet.
As Professor Richard Zare of Stanford said in his article, “Go Where No Man Has Gone Before (Life!, Aug. 13): We must not shrink from the challenge to explore the new worlds that await us in the cosmos.”
http://www.themodernreligion.com/index2.html