Likewise those reasons that satisfy the heart with regards...

Likewise those reasons that satisfy the heart with regards to this subject are the ‘true witnessing’ of people who after death disclose the true information through dreams to specified individuals. Similarly calling spirits and certain acts of the saints or of yogis can also establish the immateriality of the soul. However this subject requires an independent book.

Proofs from the Qur’an From the Qur’anic point of view, there is no doubt in the existence of the soul, and that it is pure and to be associated with God: “and breathed into him of His Spirit” (al-Sajdah:9).

In regards to the creation of Adam (as), the Qur’an says:“and breathed into him of My spirt” (al-Hijr:29, Sād:72) Likewise we understand from other noble verses of the Qur’an, that the soul is other than the body and has the capability of perpetuating after the body has died: “They say, ‘When we have been lost in the dust, shall we indeed be created anew?’ Rather they disbelieve in the encounter with their Lord. Say, ‘You will be taken away by the angel of death, who has been charged with you.

Then you will be brought back to your Lord.’” (al-Sajdah:10,11). Therefore the criteria for the reality of man is the soul, which by the means of the angel of death is taken away and protected, leaving the body which is scattered and left to decompose in the earth. In another verse we find that: “Allah takes the souls at the time of their death, and those that have not died in their sleep. Then He retains those for whom He has ordained death and releases the others back until a specific time.

There are indeed signs in that for people who reflect.” (al- Zumar:42) In regard to the death of a tyrant the Qur’an says: “Were you to see when the wrongdoers are in the throes of death, and the angels extend their hands [saying]: ‘Give up your souls!” (al-An’ām:93) From these verses and several other verses that we have not quoted, one can conclude that the personality and the reality of man is the soul, which through the means of death and decomposition of the body, is eternal.

Thus the result that we can arrive at is that first of all there exists an ‘existence’ in man, which is called the ‘soul’. Secondly this spirit is perpetual and independent from the body, and any form of decomposition of the body does not affect it. Thirdly the reality of each individual is dependent upon the soul and the body acts as an instrument for the soul.