ভূমিকা

Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON FORTY-EIGHT: CHARACTERSTICS OF THE NEXT LIFE Introduction One cannot speak about those things that one has not experienced, or sensed, whether inwardly or without intuitional knowledge. Taking into consideration the above point, one should realise that it is not possible to comprehend all the realities of the next life.

Therefore one must comply with the intellect and with the information we receive from revelation in order to understand the realm of the next world and restrain from inaccurate interpretations. Regrettably, some have compared this world directly to this life and imagine it is somehow within the realm of this universe. They further believe that through development and research man will reach it and enjoy a blissful and luxurious life.

However if one was to hold this belief, that the next life is within this universe where does that leave the principle of Resurrection, which has been established in the Qur’an? How can the reward and punishment be allotted for past actions? In addition to this there are some who completely deny the essential existence of the next world, and regard heaven as a moral honour (al-qīmah al-akhlāqi), therefore those who want to serve society are seduced towards fame and so on.

They claim that the difference between this world and the Hereafter is nothing but like the distinction between economic profit and moral values. This type of belief must be questioned aswell; that if heaven is only mere moralistic benefit why has the Qur’an placed so much emphasis on the return to life of mankind and established the principle of Resurrection? If this were the case then the prophets (as) could have given the same explanation and saved themselves from the allegations of insanity!

Following such absurd arguments, one is then faced with the differences of opinion between the philosophers and the theologians in their discussions regarding matters such as the spiritual and bodily resurrection (ma’ād jismāni wa rūhi). A further example debated over is as to whether matter has the capability of being completely annihilated or not, and as to whether the body in the next life is similar to the material body.

This type of intellectual and philosophical discussion aims to arrive at the reality, however it will result in the realisation of the limitation of one’s thought.