The journey of our soul
The Quran states that all human souls were designed in the same period of time (Quran 7:172). The period of the soul’s creation goes back long before the development of the physical body. As the physical transformation comes to play during the embryonic phase, the human body receives the soul. It is crucial to realize that the Quran informs us that our life is a journey, not a destination. As a result, Muslims believe that earthly life is part of an interminable journey of the soul.
What is the soul?
Quran 17:85. “…And they ask you about the soul. Say: The soul is one of the commands of my Lord, and you are not given aught of knowledge but a little.”
Though Allah allowed us very little knowledge about how a soul can be defined, He elaborated in the Quran how He empowered our soul with different qualities. As can be seen in the Quran, Allah equipped our soul with a physical body for a specific time with the specific purpose to serve as His envoy on the earth (Quran 2:30). As God’s envoy, our engagements include submitting to One God, taking care of the other human beings and the animals, the plants, and the earth’s environment.
Souls are born in innocence
It must be recognized that, according to the Quran, human souls are born in a state of innocence and purity. This is because Islam does not endorse the belief of original sin. As the children grow up and reach an age when they understand the difference between right and wrong and know the meaning of transgressing moral boundaries, their bad actions are considered sinful. Human beings are equipped with the unique ability to choose, a faculty of reasoning, and having access to Divine guidance. These tools help them serve out their intended purpose, do good, and avoid sins. https://qpeace.net/?p=878
Soul’s natural predisposition to goodness
Allah created humans with innate spiritual goodness and an awareness of the Divine (Quran 91:7-9 and 7:172). As can be seen in the Quran, Allah allowed some of His own spirit to enter humanity during souls’ creation (Quran 32:9 and 38:72).
Consequently, the Quran describes this spiritual goodness and the awareness of the Divine as the “natural predisposition” (Fitrah) of human souls. In the Quran, Allah not only urges humans to align their actions to the primordial nature of goodness, but He also warns them against altering the natural predisposition given to them by God.
Quran 30:30. “Orient your face towards the true religion in an upright manner, in the primordial nature from God, upon which He created humanity. Let there be no alteration in the creation of God. That is the upright religion; however, most people do not realize it.”
The people who nurture their primordial goodness are described in the Quran as the successful ones, while the people who suppress the God-given primordial goodness are the ones who reap failure. (Quran 91:7-9).
Quran 91:7-9. “..By the soul and the One who fashioned it in proportion, guiding it to understanding piety and the sin. Surely successful is the one who causes it to grow in purity. And surely failed is the one who causes to suppress it.”
Souls are separated from the body at death
Once death separates the body from the soul, the body disintegrates, and the soul continues its journey. The soul enters a temporary interim period when the righteous souls rest comfortably, and the unjust souls get some taste of their evil deeds. So, all the human souls who have passed away are currently living through this interim period in their eternal journey.
The arrival of the Judgement Day
The interim phase will end with the arrival of Judgment Day, when Allah will recreate the physical bodies of all humans. In fact, Allah will give different parts of the human body the ability to communicate. Human bodies will act as witnesses against human actions during their life on the earth. Consequently, Hands will witness the actions they were used for; legs will witness where they were lead to. As the All-Knowing Creator, Allah knows about all deeds and actions even before they are carried out. For the sake of fairness during judgment, the human body will be asked to be a material witness for their actions.
The eternal journey of the soul
In due time, the Day of Judgement will to an end. Then the souls will continue their journey to eternity. Finally, their state of happiness or sadness will depend on whether their good deeds outweigh their bad deeds and whether their bad deeds receive Divine Mercy and Forgiveness. The power of ultimate forgiveness belongs only to God. As His creation, Muslims believe in Allah’s infinite mercy and His power of forgiveness. https://www.islamicity.org/7887/seven-stages-of-life-in-islam/
Quran 6:12- “…To who belongs whatever is in the heavens and earth?” Say, “To Allah.” He has decreed mercy upon Himself….”
The Divine Mercy
To summarize, the highest hope for the Divine Mercy leads Muslims to do good towards all creations, try to avoid sinful acts, and seek Allah’s forgiveness and Mercy during their lifetime.
Allah Knows the best
2 Trackbacks / Pingbacks