Islam - Its Meaning for Modern Man — Page 327
327 man was created for a purpose, and the fulfilment of that purpose demands a continuation of life. “They say: ‘When we shall have become bones and broken particles shall we be really raised up as a new creation?’ Say: ‘Be ye stones or iron or some created thing which appears hardest in your minds, even then shall you be raised up. ’ Then will they ask: ‘Who shall restore us to life?’ Say: ‘He Who created you the first time. ’ They will then shake their heads at thee and say: ‘When will it be?’ Say: ‘Maybe it is nigh. It will be at the time when He will call you. And then you will respond praising Him, and you will think that you have tarried but a little while. ’” (17:50 ⎯ 53). It is a misconception that a continuation of life beyond this life must involve the assembly of a dead body’s bones and particles after everything has disintegrated and decomposed, so as to reconstitute the body. The body, which is developed for terrestrial existence, is fashioned for the conditions of this life. Life after death cannot and does not mean that the dead will be reassembled and reconstituted upon the earth. Even if that were possible, the earth could not hold a billionth fraction of them. Consequently, the decomposition and disintegration of the human body is completely irrelevant to the possibility of life after death.