As it was previously mentioned, in religious logic, death is not tantamount to destruction. In fact, in religious outlook, death is a gateway to eternity and immortal life. Based on this interpretation, death marks an end to life in the material world, and a beginning in Hereafter.

The 42nd ayah of Surat Al-Zumar in Holy Quran notes: “Allah takes the souls at the time of their death…”

In accordance with this ayah, one realizes that death does not mark destruction, and in fact unfolds a transference from the material world to Hereafter. Naturally, human body is not delivered to the other world. They remain in the material world and are gradually destroyed. However, the true existence of mankind which is his spirit is completely delivered and transferred to the other world.

In regard to the secrets and mysteries of spirit, a number of different viewpoints have been presented by scientists. The history of human knowledge shows that the topic of human spirit and its astounding features have always caught the attention of scientists. They have tried to acquire knowledge about the mysterious aspects of human spirit and have rendered a variety of views about the human spirit and its nature. Meanwhile, human spirit as one of the wonders of creation, is highly different to what we have got used to in the material world. Nonetheless, with a sharp insight and wisdom, one can become relatively familiar with the principles of the human spirit.

We all realize that we are different to inanimate objects, and even plants. We contemplate, make decisions, maintain will and discretion, love and hate. However plants and stones do not maintain any of these capacities. This is because there is a major difference between us and them, which is what we call the human spirit.

Divine philosophers believe that other than materials which form and shape human body, there is another truth embedded in mankind, which is not of a material nature, but directly influences human body. This truth is human spirit. Human spirit is a super natural fact which is constantly bonded with the material world, but does not possess the features of materials.

According to Holy Quran, the nature of human spirit is an unknown reality, which mankind cannot fully grasp. When a question was asked from the Prophet of Islam, Mohammad (Blessings of God upon him and his progeny) about the human spirit; Holy Quran pointed out: “They question you concerning the Spirit. Say, ‘The Spirit is of the command of my Lord, and you have not been given of the knowledge except a few of you.’

Human spirit distinguishes mankind from animals. Human activities are rooted in the human spirit. Mankind, via his spirit, travels across earth and remote galaxies; unravels the mysteries of sciences; and overcomes the unknown.

Undoubtedly, the nature of human spirit is different to the structure of the material world, and the principles governing human spirit are different to the principles governing materials and their physical and chemical features.

The 28th and 29th ayahs of Surat Al-Hijr note: “When your Lord said to the angels, ‘Indeed I am going to create a human out of a dry clay drawn from an aging mud. So when I have proportioned him and breathed into him of My spirit, then fall down in prostration before him.’

These ayahs show that breathing spirit into human body is a novel creation, which is a truth, different from other creatures. This spirit which is breathed into mankind by God is a truth, different from human body and materialistic features.

According to experts on religion, spirit forms the main part of mankind’s existence. Mankind, irrespective of all of the phases he goes through in his life, maintains a unified character, which has been interpreted as human spirit.

I have been one person since childhood. I am the same person who has acquired knowledge; has interacted with others; has traveled to different regions; and has gained valuable experiences. Irrespective of the numerous changes and developments in my life, I am the same person throughout all phases of life, and till the end of my life. Hence, others know me as one person, with one identity, name, and characteristic traits, as of birth till death.

Are we only made of body limbs and human cells as the materialists claim? In response, it should be said that scientifically it has been proven that our entire human cells change once every few years. This is because every day, millions of human body cells die, and millions of other cells replace them, similar to a building whose bricks are gradually taken out, with new bricks replacing old bricks. This building changes completely after a while, although individuals don’t usually notice these changes. Thus, it can be said that the human cells of an 80-year-old man have changed several times.

Let’s assume that someone has committed a crime at the age of 20, and has been detained at the age of sixty. He could claim that in this period of time, all of his body cells have changed and that he is not the same person he was, adding that so why should he be punished for a sin, another individual has committed in the past? Obviously no prudent mind would accept such a claim. This is because the said person’s true character has been the same his entire life.

If we would consider humans solely as consisting body limbs and human cells, based on the view of materialists; given that human body cells and molecules are replaced several times in human life, it could be claimed that the current human is not who he was in the past and should not be punished for previous crimes. However, this is a false belief. The truth is that other than human body, there exists the human spirit, which shapes the essence of human existence, and is not impacted by the laws of the material world.

Let’s once again remind ourselves that mankind is made of human body and spirit. Human body follows the laws of the material world. Materials are constantly changing and developing. Materials maintain volume, weight, shape, and size; and are limited to temporal and spatial factors. Natural parameters such as illness, cold and warm weather, youth, and advanced age, impact human body, which ultimately ceases to function. However, human spirit does not follow the laws of the material world. Thus, upon the death of human body; human spirit continues its existence and is transferred from the material world to Hereafter.

MR/ME