Question
I want to know what Islam says about the reality of the soul, its nature, composition, and potentials. Is it true that each and every human soul was created since the time of Adam?
Answer
The soul is part of the Unseen, about which we know nothing save what the sacred texts tell us. When people make claims about the soul, they are merely advancing guesswork and conjecture.
Allah says: “And they ask you about the soul. Say: The soul is one of the affairs of my Lord, and you have been given (O humanity) but little knowledge.” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 85]
It is futile to delve into the nature and quality of the soul, since it means investigating questions for which there is no evidence. The soul is not something physical that can be subjected to empirical observation and experimentation. It is also not something that Allah has elaborated to us in the Qur’ân. All that remains for us to do is have faith in the existence of the soul as it is mentioned to us in the Qur’ân and Sunnah.
We do know a few things from the sacred texts, like the fact that the soul lives on after the death of the body.
Allah says: “Why, then, when (the soul) comes up to the throat (of the dying) and you at that time look on – and We are nearer unto him than you are, but you see not – why then, if you are not in bondage (unto Us), do you not call back the soul, if you are true (in your claim of independence)?” [Sûrah al-Wâqi`ah: 83-87]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When the soul is taken up, the eyes follow it.” [Sahîh Muslim (920)]
The Prophet also said: “The souls of the martyrs dwell in the bodies of green birds.” [Sahîh Muslim (1887)]
We know that the soul is breathed into the body after a period of time in the womb, as indicated by Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3208) and Sahîh Muslim (2643).
I know of no clear and decisive evidence from the Qur’ân and authentic Sunnah that the soul was created since the time of Adams creation.
And Allah knows best.
Allah says: “And they ask you about the soul. Say: The soul is one of the affairs of my Lord, and you have been given (O humanity) but little knowledge.” [Sûrah al-Isrâ’: 85]
It is futile to delve into the nature and quality of the soul, since it means investigating questions for which there is no evidence. The soul is not something physical that can be subjected to empirical observation and experimentation. It is also not something that Allah has elaborated to us in the Qur’ân. All that remains for us to do is have faith in the existence of the soul as it is mentioned to us in the Qur’ân and Sunnah.
We do know a few things from the sacred texts, like the fact that the soul lives on after the death of the body.
Allah says: “Why, then, when (the soul) comes up to the throat (of the dying) and you at that time look on – and We are nearer unto him than you are, but you see not – why then, if you are not in bondage (unto Us), do you not call back the soul, if you are true (in your claim of independence)?” [Sûrah al-Wâqi`ah: 83-87]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When the soul is taken up, the eyes follow it.” [Sahîh Muslim (920)]
The Prophet also said: “The souls of the martyrs dwell in the bodies of green birds.” [Sahîh Muslim (1887)]
We know that the soul is breathed into the body after a period of time in the womb, as indicated by Sahîh al-Bukhârî (3208) and Sahîh Muslim (2643).
I know of no clear and decisive evidence from the Qur’ân and authentic Sunnah that the soul was created since the time of Adams creation.
And Allah knows best.
-islamtoday.net
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