Do Souls of the Dead Return Back to this World? part IIWritten by Dr zakir naik
Barzakh forbids any Return Allah and His Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) have clearly defined to us journey of soul after death and abode of both, disbelieving souls and righteous souls. This period between death and Hereafter is known as 'Barzakh'. Linguistically, 'Barzakh' means a veil, barrier or partition between two things. Ibn Abbas (radhiallahu anhu) defines Barzakh as a Hijab (a partition of veil). Al-Qurtubi, in his exposition states: 'The Barzakh is a barrier between two things. It is stage between this world and other world - from time of death until time Resurrection. Thus, whoever dies enters Barzakh" [See al-Qurtubi's Tafseer, vol.12, p.150] Once soul enters realm of Barzakh, there is no return for it back into world as is clearly known from Qur'aan and Ahaadeeth of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam). Allah says regarding evil soul: "…when death comes to one of them (who joins partners with Allah), he says: "O My Lord! Send me back to life. In order that I may do good deeds in things that I neglected. By no means! It is but a word he says. And before him is a Barzakh until day they are raised up." [Soorah al-Mu'minoon (23): 99-100] This verse reveals condition of disbeliever upon death; when he faces realities of Hereafter, he wishes to return back to world and mend his mistakes, in order to avert punishment. But he is plainly refused and confined in grave and punished for his sinful actions because he has entered Barzakh. It is impossible for him to escape strong Guardian Angels of Allah and return back to this world. The abode of righteous soul is Paradise, Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "The soul of a believer is a bird eating from trees of Paradise until Allah restores it to its body on Day of Resurrection." [An-Nasa'ee, Ibn Majah and others. Authenticated by Shaikh al-Albanee Sharh al-Aqeedah at-Tahaawiyyah (p. 455, footnote: 1)] It is unlikely that righteous soul, who is surrounded by bounties of Allah, would leave blessings of Allah and come to world. Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "No servant who has good in store for him with Allah and dies ever wants to return to Earth - even if he were to have whole world and everything that is in it - except for martyr. That is due to what he sees in nobility of martyrdom. Verily, he would like to return back to Earth, in order to be martyred another time." [(Saheeh) Saheeh Sunan at-Tirmidhee (1341)] But as Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) informed, even martyr is refused permission to return, he (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "The souls of martyrs live in bodies of green birds who have their nests in chandeliers hung from throne of Almighty. They eat fruits of Paradise wherever they like and then nestle in these chandeliers. Once, their Lord cast a glance at them and said: "Do you want anything?" They said: "What more can we desire? We eat fruit of Paradise wherever we like." Their Lord asked them same question thrice. When they saw that they would be continued to be asked and not left (without answering question), they said: "O Lord, we wish that You may return our souls to our bodies so that we may be slain in Your cause once again. When He (Allah) saw that they had no need, they were left (to their joy in Heaven)." [Saheeh Muslim (4651)]These and many other proofs from Qur'aan and Sunnah deny concept of soul's return, and thus there remains no doubt that souls of dead do not return back to world. Observed Phenomenon If spirits do not return back to this world, then what is explanation for Observed Phenomenon, like physical appearance of dead, speaking of souls through medium, and leaving messages for living using Ouija boards? And how do these spirits answer every question correctly about life and character of dead? Appearing of Spirits: The alleged appearing of spirits is an ancient claim. Many a time, it is fabrication simply through deception, trickery, and psychological influence. In other cases, it is done through use of Jinn. Deception is an old and well-known trick that Jinn use to mislead mankind; they play with minds of humans in order to ruin their religion and cause them to commit Shirk. A clear understanding of topic should help Muslims not to be deceived by spiritualists. The spiritualists, who claim to have contacts with spirits of dead from an Islamic point of view, are in fact un-religious and liars. They make contacts with Jinn through evil incantations and demonic rituals and perform extraordinary feats with ease through them. Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) said: "Many of those people (the so called spiritualists) write Words of Allah in blood or other impure substances. They write or make other statements that are pleasing to Shaytaan." [See Majmoo al-Fatawa, v.19, p.35] The Jinn (sing. Jinni): The Jinn are a living creation of Allah, created from smokeless flame of fire. They share material world with humans. Though they are invisible to us, they eat and drink with us, and also have ability to inhabit human body and influence our thoughts. They are stronger than humans and can take different forms and shapes. Amongst them are Muslims and Kafirs; Kafir Jinn help their counterpart among humans in evil acts.
| | Do Souls of the Dead Return Back to this World?Written by Dr zakir naik
A POPULAR THEME OF MANY HORROR AND THRILLER NOVELS, MOVIES AND TELEVISION PROGRAMS CENTERS AROUND THE FALSE BELIEF THAT WHEN SOMEONE IS KILLED UNJUSTLY, HIS SOUL RETURNS IN ORDER TO SEEK JUSTICE, OR IT KEEPS WANDERING UNTIL JUSTICE IS DONE TO IT. REPEATED EXPOSURE TO THIS FALSE CONCEPT FROM EVERY FORM OF MEDIA HAS LEAD MANY TO UNKNOWINGLY BELIEVE IN IT... Whilst some take this concept very seriously, and make use of un-Islamic measures, like hanging of amulets and pagan rituals to protect themselves from revengeful soul, others simply consider these issues to be unimportant and do not bother to seek knowledge about it. But fact remains, that not only do many people fear souls, but entire religions are focused around ancestor and soul worship. Large amount of wealth is spent on making offerings to souls and many rituals and festivals are held in this regard, for example, many people believe that deceased visit this world on 15th of Shabaan (8th month of Islamic Calendar) and they call it 'Eid of Dead.' Some even go to extreme of preparing foods that deceased liked! It is therefore essential that Muslims be informed about gravity of this call and be educated about correct Islamic Aqeedah (belief). This article is specifically aimed to expose falsity of these beliefs and bring to reader authentic proofs from Qur'aan and Sunnah, which undoubtedly reject soul's return. We hope that this article will dispel doubts and confusion around subject. And with Allah lies all success. Islamic Concept of Soul: Soul is from matters of unseen and nothing can be said in its explanation without established proofs from Book and Sunnah. The knowledge required for our welfare in this world and Hereafter has been conveyed to us by Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam), and there is no need to seek any goodness beyond that. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) said: "There is nothing that will take you closer to Paradise but that I have enjoined it upon you, and there is nothing that will take you closer to Hell but that I have warned you from it." [Musnad ash-Shafi'e and others] The Jews asked Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam) about soul and in reply Qur'aan said: "They ask you concerning soul. Say that soul is from Allah and you have not been given knowledge of it except a little." [Soorah al-Isra (17): 85] The Soul is a creation of Allah, whose function is to bring life to human body. It remains with human body throughout life and departs at death. After which souls are either held in Paradise or punishment. There is no returning back of souls of righteous people from Paradise, and no escaping of souls of evildoers from punishment of grave. Therefore, pious or evil, souls do not return to this world, neither to take revenge nor to assist living. Neither is there any concept in Islam, which explains that justice is dependant upon soul's coming back and setting things aright. Islam teaches that Allah is responsible to see that every being gets its due right and injustice does not go unpunished. Journey of Soul after Death Death Death occurs when soul separates from human body and enters realm of 'Barzakh', which is period between one's death and Hereafter. Appearing of Angels (a) The Believing Soul: Angels with faces shining bright like sun descend from Heavens, carrying a shroud and fragrance of Paradise and sit away from him as far as eye can see. The Angel of Death then approaches and says: "O good soul, come out to Allah's forgiveness and pleasure." The soul then comes out as gently as a drop from a water-skin, and he seizes it. Within blinking of an eye, other Angels take soul and put it in shroud and fragrance. There will then come from soul, a fragrance like that of sweetest musk found on face of Earth. (b) The Disbelieving Soul: Angels with black faces come down to him from Heaven with hair-cloth and sit away from him as far as an eye can see. The Angel of death comes to him and says: "O wicked soul, come out to displeasure from Allah. The soul becomes scattered in body, and Angel of Death draws it out as violently as a spit is drawn out from moistened wool. He then seizes it, and when he does so, other Angels do not leave disbelieving soul in his hand for an instant, but put it in that hair-cloth and from it comes forth a smell like most offensive corpse found on Earth. Ascending to Heaven (a) The Believing Soul: The Angels ascend believing soul to Seventh Heaven and every group of Angels they pass asks: "Who is this good soul?" to which they reply: "So and so, son of so and so." using his best names by which people called him on Earth. Then believing soul is presented before Allah. Allah, Great and Glorious, says: "Record Book of My servant in Illiyyoon and take him back to Earth, for I created mankind from it, and I shall return them to it, from it I shall bring them forth again." (b) The Disbelieving Soul: The Angels take disbelieving soul up to Heaven and do not bring it pass a company of Angels without their saying: "Who is this wicked soul?" to which they reply: "So and so, son of so and so." Using worst names that he was called in world. When he is brought to lowest Heaven, request is made for gate to be opened for him, but it is not opened for him. Allah, who is most Great and Glorious, then says: "Record his Book in Sijjin (the lowest place) and his soul is thrown down to Earth." Questioning in Grave (a) The Believing Soul: The Soul is temporary restored in body. Two Angels come to it and ask: "Who is your Lord?" He replies: "My Lord is Allah." They ask: "What is your religion?" He replies: "My religion is Islam." They ask: "Who is this man who was sent among you?" and He will reply: " He is Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihe wa-sallam)." They ask: "What was source of your knowledge?" He replies: "I have read Allah's Book, believed in it and declared it to be true." Then one cry is heard from Heaven: "My servant has spoken truth..."
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