ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON FORTY-THREE: THE IMMATERIALITY OF THE SOUL Introduction We know by now that the issues relating to the Resurrection are dependent upon the issues relating to the soul (rūh). It is only possible to state that the resurrected person is the same being as before he died, if his soul remained after the annihilation of his body.

In other words every man, besides his material body and form, contains an immaterial substance, which is independent from the body and his personality is dependent upon it. Therefore the presumption of life after death for that particular individual cannot be considered as logical. Hence before we establish the principle of resurrection, we must first explain and intellectually prove the issues relating to it.

Intellectual reasoning upon the immateriality of the soul For centuries, philosophers and intellectuals have discussed the subject of the soul (known in philosophical terminology the nafs). Islamic philosophers in particular have given this topic special attention, and as opposed to devoting just a chapter in their books to it, have in turn written independent books. They have rejected the concept of the soul being an outward form of the body, or a form of matter, on several intellectual reasons.

It is apparent that this is indeed a vast subject and beyond the scope of this book to cover, we will therefore suffice ourselves with a small discussion and give a clear explanation, which will satisfy the establishment of our thought.

This explanation is based upon a few intellectual arguments and a premise, which begins as follows: We observe the colour of our skin and the structure of our body with our own eyes; we feel its softness and firmness with our sense perception and understand the inner configuration indirectly.

However, our fear, anger, will, thought, and emotions can also be sensed without the means of senses and we are also aware of different psychological states and realize the ‘I’ ness, which is enclosed with likes and dislikes. Hence, universally man is bestowed with two types of perception, the first can be considered as those perceptions that can be perceived or sensed through the senses and the second type of perceptions are those that do not require the sensual organs.