Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 325
325 20 Life after Death LIFE AFTER DEATH IS A SUBJECT ON which sure knowledge can be gained only through revelation. The Prophet has said: “The conditions of the life after death are such that the eye has not seen them, nor has the ear heard of them, nor can the mind of man conceive of their true reality. ” Even through revelation man can acquire knowledge of the life after death only in the language of symbol and metaphor. All illustration of the conditions of that life can be by way of similitude only. Man’s life on earth is not in itself a perfect whole: it is incomplete; it lacks fulfilment. Too often it seems to come to an end like a snapped ribbon, leaving loose ends flapping idly. If there is nothing to follow, the co-ordination of values in this life would have little meaning and, indeed, would become almost impossible. There would be no accountability and consequently no responsibility. More than that, there would be no consummation of the deepest yearnings