Please discuss the belief\'s of Muslims in Afterlife (in detail-for instance what the Qur\'an says about afterlife) and how it affects their lives.
The possibility of
life after death has long since boggled the minds of people from different
walks of life. The prospect of continued existence, in a spiritual form, beyond
the grave has been the subject of studies and debate throughout time.
Beliefs about life
and death are as diverse as the cultures and societies existing around the world.
There are those who believe in reincarnation, coming back to life in a new form
of existence (based on previous actions done before physical death has taken
them), and those who believe in a spiritual form of existence in an
otherworldly plane. Then of course there are those who believe that existence
cease all together at physical death.
The Islamic faith
does not believe in process of reincarnation (Ahmad, 48),
instead the Islamic faith supports the belief of existing in a spiritual form
after the physical death. Within different sects of the Islamic faith however,
there is no one belief about the afterlife or the state of man’s soul after
physical death, this does not mean though that they do not have a seemingly
uniform notion about life after death. Generally Islam teaches that man does
not possess a physical form alone, he also nurtures a “soul” within himself
given by God. During his physical existence, man’s deeds and actions shape his
soul for better or for worse. This spirit would then continue to progress into
a higher form of perfect faith, later on to reap its “rewards” in “heaven”.
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As with
other religions, the concept of heaven and hell in Islam continues to be
subject to several debates regarding interpretation. Some sects and scholars
interpret the promised paradise as possessing material characteristics very
similar to the physical realm.
“An immeasurably large garden literally
abounding in beautiful trees casting eternal shadows under which rivers will
flow. The rivers would be of milk and honey. The garden will be fruit bearing
and all man may desire of fruits would be his at his command. The meat would be
that of birds of all sorts; it is only for one to wish which meat he
particularly craves. Female companions of exceeding beauty and refinement would
be provided to the pious men, with no limit imposed on the number, which will
be decided according to their capacity. As many as they can cope with will be
theirs” (Ahmad, 48-49).
Yet some
interpret heaven and hell as not real places, but instead are inner conditions
of the souls resulting from the actions of the person. And yet others believe
that whatever comes after the physical existence is far beyond the conception
of mortal/human minds. The last interpretation seems to be the closest
interpretation to what the Holy Quran (the primary religious text of the
Islamic faith) mentions.
“We will raise you into a form of
which you have not the slightest knowledge.” (Quran 56:62)
The holy
texts also mention the many blessings in heaven and punishments in hell,
although as stated earlier the exact nature of these blessings and punishments
are unknown or unfathomable to human mind.
Then
there is also the concept of “Judgment Day” mentioned by the holy Quran. This
is when the “spiritual realm” will fully manifest and replace the physical
world that currently exists. The Day of
Judgment is usually considered as the true essence of life after death in
Islamic faith. To sum it all up, the afterlife is only the beginning of a more
important journey for man, involving the most important aspect of his being,
the immortal soul. Souls who are in heaven are progressing into a more advanced
state of being, a being of perfect faith as stated earlier. Those who are in
hell experience punishment in order to mold their souls into a more deserving
form. The concept therefore of punishment is not eternal, rather it is
transitional and there is promise of redemption at the end.
Cited Works
"3. Beliefs: 5. Life after
death." The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam. N.p., n.d. Web.
26 Dec. 2012. <http://www.muslim.org/islam/int-is35.htm>.
Ahmad, Mirza T. An Elementary
Study of Islam. 2nd ed. Tilford: Islam International
Publications, 1997. Print.
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