That is in form it is exactly like this body, but it is not body or matter.

That is in form it is exactly like this body, but it is not body or matter. On the contrary, the body is subtle and thinner than air. Nothing would obstruct it. A wall cannot obstruct its view. Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s.) says: This facsimile body seems to be the same worldly body. If you see your parents in the dream, you will see them in the same worldly body, but their material body is in the grave. This form and body is facsimile body. The body of Barzakh possesses eyes exactly like our eyes.

But those eyes do not experience any pain. They continue to see till the establishment of Judgment Day and they see perfectly. They do not weaken like these eyes, which make them needful of glasses. Intellectuals and scholars compare it to be an image seen in the mirror, but subject to the condition that two characteristics are found in it. One is that it stands independently, without the support of the mirror. Secondly, it has perception and feelings as well.

The facsimile body exists independently and also possesses perception. Its examples are dreams, which traverse long distances in the blink of the eye. A person reached to Holy Mecca or Mashad Muqaddas in a moment. The foods and drinks of that world, beautiful forms and faces and pleasing songs are such that no one from this world is capable to produce them.

All these are present and the souls of the facsimile body take advantage from them and gain nourishment from them;[^2] although foods and drinks of this world and other things are subtle and they are not related to matter. On the basis of this, as mentioned in traditional reports, it is possible that a thing would transform into different kinds according to the desire of the believer. For example a fig may turn into an apple.

It is narrated from the Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) that he said: I saw my uncle, His Eminence, Hamza after martyrdom. A tray of pomegranates of Paradise was placed before him and he was eating from it. Suddenly they transformed into grapes and then the grapes turned into fresh dates. That is one thing changes into different things as it is not matter, it is subtle substance.

The literal meaning of ‘Barzakh’ is a veil or a barrier that stands between two things and which does not allow the two to meet. For example, that part or region of the ocean in which waves of both: sweet and salty waters bounce and yet God has provided between them an invisible barrier whereby one cannot overcome another.