The Dispute over the Nature of the Soul and its Impact on Resurrection 10.35781/1637-000-144-004

Abstract

This research aims to study the controversy surrounding the reality of the Soul (Rūh) and its impact on the concept of the Afterlife (Ma'ād). The study centers on the disagreement that arose concerning the permissibility of investigating the soul's nature and the different scholarly approaches to this matter. It then presents the most prominent views regarding the soul's reality, pointing out the major flaws in these arguments. The research concludes by demonstrating the effect of the disagreement over the soul's reality on the concept of both the corporeal (physical) and spiritual Afterlife. The study employed the descriptive-analytical methodology. The study reached several conclusions, the most significant of which are: Firstly: Investigating the Soul is purely a matter of revealed textual confirmation (Tawqīfī Khabarī Mahḍ): This means it relies solely on authentic religious evidence and mandates no role for intellect or analogy (Qiyās). Therefore, one must cease inquiry where the sacred texts stop, and it is imperative to avoid using theological (Kalāmi) and philosophical terminology in determining its nature, as these only lead to greater ambiguity and complexity. Secondly: The controversy regarding the soul's reality significantly influenced the arguments and favored positions of various theological groups (Tawā’if) concerning the issue of the Afterlife (Ma'ād). Keywords: The Soul, Resurrection