Concept of ruh (soul) in Islam
Concept of ruh (soul) in Islam
"The soul is one of the things,
of which the knowledge is only with my Lord.
And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little."
http://quran.com/17/85 of which the knowledge is only with my Lord.
And of knowledge, you (mankind) have been given only a little."
Question
Please tell me what is the concept of ruh (soul) in Islam. Is it forever (we're told in the Qur'an that only Allah is immortal)? Is ruh or soul going to enter in jannat/jahannum [Heaven/Hell] or is it the body? Is it also present in animals and plants?
I will be really thankful to you. Was-salam.
I will be really thankful to you. Was-salam.
Topic: Heart & Soul
Name of Counsellor: Waleed Ahmed Najmeddine
Answer
Thank
you for your question. It is a topic that many of us wonder about. When
we research carefully the issue of life after death, we find that no
other religion has as much information to offer as Islam does.
The combination of the Qur'an and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) together provide us with all of the information and guidance we need to live a righteous life and maintain a close personal relationship with Allah, the One and Only Creator of mankind.
Knowledge of the nature of the soul, however, is only with Allah, as we read in the Qur'an what means,
The combination of the Qur'an and the authentic traditions of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) together provide us with all of the information and guidance we need to live a righteous life and maintain a close personal relationship with Allah, the One and Only Creator of mankind.
Knowledge of the nature of the soul, however, is only with Allah, as we read in the Qur'an what means,
- [And
they ask you concerning the soul. Say: "The soul is one of the things,
of which the knowledge is only with my Lord. And of knowledge, you
(mankind) have been given only a little."] (Al-Israa' 17:85)
This
verse was revealed to Prophet Muhammad when some Jews asked him about
the soul. When they asked him, he kept quiet and did not give them an
answer for a while. The Prophet's Companion who witnessed this incident
says "I knew that he was receiving revelation, so I stayed where I was.
When the revelation was complete, the Prophet said, 'And they ask you
concerning the soul…'" (Al-Bukhari).
An Eternal Soul?
With respect to the eternity of the soul, Allah reveals in the Qur'an that there was a time that we did not exist except, of course, in Allah's infinite knowledge.
An Eternal Soul?
With respect to the eternity of the soul, Allah reveals in the Qur'an that there was a time that we did not exist except, of course, in Allah's infinite knowledge.
- [Has there not been over Man a long period of Time, when he was nothing — not even mentioned? Verily We created Man from a drop of mingled fluid, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts), of Hearing and Sight.] (Al-Insan 76:1-2)
- [But He (Allah) fashioned him (Man) in due proportion and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you the faculties of hearing and sight and feeling and understanding: Little thanks do you give!] (As-Sajdah 32:9)
Therefore, according to the Qur'an, there
was a time when we did not exist. But once we have been brought into
existence, by Allah's will, we shall remain in existence for the rest of
eternity. We are born, we live, we die, and we are raised up again to stand before Allah on the Day of Judgement.
At the time of death, the soul is taken from the body by the Angel of Death. It is later returned to the body once it has been buried. The grave for each of us will either be a pleasant place to wait for Judgement Day, or it may be a terrible place to wait if we were not righteous believers in this life. When Judgement Day comes, Allah will re-create us as He did the first time.
At the time of death, the soul is taken from the body by the Angel of Death. It is later returned to the body once it has been buried. The grave for each of us will either be a pleasant place to wait for Judgement Day, or it may be a terrible place to wait if we were not righteous believers in this life. When Judgement Day comes, Allah will re-create us as He did the first time.
- [Does
man think that We cannot assemble his bones? Nay, We are able to put
together in perfect order the very tips of his fingers.] (Al-Qiyamah 75:3-4)
Body and Spirit
This resurrection will be in body and in spirit, and this is easy for Allah, having earlier created us from nothing. After judgement has been made by Allah as to who shall enter Paradise and who shall enter the Hell-fire, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tells us that
This resurrection will be in body and in spirit, and this is easy for Allah, having earlier created us from nothing. After judgement has been made by Allah as to who shall enter Paradise and who shall enter the Hell-fire, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) tells us that
- on
the Day of Resurrection, Death will be brought forward in the shape of a
black-and-white ram. Then a call maker will call, "O people of
Paradise!" Thereupon they will stretch their necks and look carefully.
The caller will say, "Do you know this?" They will say, "Yes, this is
Death." By then, all of them will have seen it. Then it will be
announced again, "O people of Hell!" They will stretch their necks and
look carefully. The caller will say, "Do you know this?" They will say,
"Yes, this is Death." And by then, all of them will have seen it. Then
it will be slaughtered and the caller will say, "O people of Paradise!
Eternity for you and no death; O people of Hell! Eternity for you and no
death." (Al-Bukhari)
So
we can see from this hadith that life for us will clearly be eternal.
After resurrection, there will no longer be death. Either we will be
admitted to Paradise by Allah's mercy and spend eternity there, or we
will be cast into the Hell-fire to spend eternity there, or for as long
as Allah wishes.
A Soul for All?
Everything that Allah created has a soul. Some of them fulfil the roles that Allah has set for them and do exactly what they were created to do.
This includes the plant and animal kingdoms, the mountains, seas and oceans, planets, stars, for example, as each of them worships Allah in their own way. They do not have a free will as do humans and the Jinn.
We are told in the Qur'an that Allah offered a trust to the heavens and the earth, but out of fear that they would not be able to handle the responsibilities laid upon them, they declined the offer, while only humanity took up the offer of this free choice.
A Soul for All?
Everything that Allah created has a soul. Some of them fulfil the roles that Allah has set for them and do exactly what they were created to do.
This includes the plant and animal kingdoms, the mountains, seas and oceans, planets, stars, for example, as each of them worships Allah in their own way. They do not have a free will as do humans and the Jinn.
We are told in the Qur'an that Allah offered a trust to the heavens and the earth, but out of fear that they would not be able to handle the responsibilities laid upon them, they declined the offer, while only humanity took up the offer of this free choice.
- [We
did indeed offer the Trust to the heavens and the earth and the
mountains, but they refused to undertake it, being afraid thereof: But
Man undertook it; He was indeed unjust and foolish.] (Al-Ahzab 33:72)
This
refers to responsibility of free choice to either accept commands and
prohibitions, and the conditions that go along with them, or to choose
to disobey. This means that the one who fulfills this responsibility
will be rewarded and the one who neglects it will be punished.
Man accepted this despite the fact that he is weak and unjust. Only those who Allah guides and helps will be able to carry out the responsibilities placed on them. These are the ones who guard the Trust faithfully.
Everything, however, worships Allah in its own way. Trees, animals, rocks, mountains, and planets, all glorify Allah.
Man accepted this despite the fact that he is weak and unjust. Only those who Allah guides and helps will be able to carry out the responsibilities placed on them. These are the ones who guard the Trust faithfully.
Everything, however, worships Allah in its own way. Trees, animals, rocks, mountains, and planets, all glorify Allah.
- [Whatever is in the heavens and on earth, declares the Praises and Glory of Allah. For He is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.] (Al-Hashr 59:1)
The
evidence of Allah's existence is found throughout His wonderful
creation. Every cell, every atom, and every quark in the universe bear
the signs of Allah. We study the universe and find that it is, to the
best of our knowledge, limitless when compared to our own existence. It
is impossible to fathom the depth and width of it all. Each and every
part of it fulfills its duty as Allah has planned.
When we explore the makeup of atoms we find that there is an equally vast universe within the tiniest components that make up the one in which we live.
On the last day, all of it will be caused to disappear and only Allah will remain.
When we explore the makeup of atoms we find that there is an equally vast universe within the tiniest components that make up the one in which we live.
On the last day, all of it will be caused to disappear and only Allah will remain.
- [And
call not, besides Allah, on another god. There is no god but He.
Everything will perish except His own Face. To Him belongs the Command,
and to Him will you all be brought back.] (Al-Qasas 28:88)
Allah
will call upon the Angel of Death to take the lives of each of His
creatures until there will be no one left but Allah and the Angel of
Death.
- [Every soul shall taste death] (Aal `Imran 3:185)
Allah
will then take the angel's life and nothing will remain except Him. He
will then call out, "To whom belongs all things this day?" There will,
of course, be no one to answer. One way or another, there can be no one
other than Allah to answer this question.
- [The
Day whereon they will (all) come forth: Not a single thing concerning
them is hidden from Allah. Whose will be the dominion that Day?" That of
Allah, the One, the Irresistible!] (Ghafir 40:16)
I hope this was helpful to you. Please keep in touch.
Salam.
Useful Links:
Self, soul and Personality
Life Before Life?
Nature of the Human Soul
Does God Have a Spirit?
Returning of One's soul in the Grave
Do souls Know Their Fate After Death?
The Return of One's soul After Death
Waleed Ahmed Najmeddine is
currently employed as assistant principal at the new Edmonton Islamic
Academy, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His work involves school
administrative duties and instruction of Islamic Studies courses.
He
also serves the Muslim community through the Canadian Islamic Centre
(Al Rashid Mosque) providing information about the mosque and Islam to
non-Muslims, and hosting visits by community and religious groups.
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