Life Supreme — Page 109
112. LIFE SUPREME insisted upon by Islam, nevertheless, the care of the soul should hold uppermost thought in the mind. In other words it is better that a man should lose his life than to lose his soul. . The soul is a finer and more delicate body than the etheric body and it would appear that for a while after death it continues to dwell within the latter. The Quran teaches that there is an intermediate state where the soul exists from time of death until the Day of Resurrection which is the day when the soul will have grown and emerged as a new spiritual creation. . The intermediate state, or Barzakh in Islamic terminology, is not a place where the soul remains idle until the Day of Resurrection for there it is undergoing a new spiritual growth and transformation as does the seed of man in the womb of the mother. During this period of rebirth the soul is conscious and able to experience heavenly joys or hellish torments according to its spiritual condition at the time of death. Even in this life man can have a taste of heavenly or hellish life; but in Barzakh they will be felt more palpably; and even still more on the Day of Resurrection. Those who are negligent of their souls in this life should remember God's warning: "On that day none can punish like unto His punishment. " (89:26). On the other hand peace and contentment is the reward of the righteous: "And thou, O soul at peacer Return to thy Lord well pleased with him, and He well pleased with thee. So enter thou among my chosen servants. And enter thou My Garden. " (89:28,31). There is no end to the journey of the soul. Once purified it continues to progress deeper and deeper into the heavenly universe; not on account of additional good deeds for the doing of good and evil ceases after death; but solely through the Grace of God. Concerning such souls God says: "Their light will run before them and on their right hands. They will say, "Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us; surely thou hast power over all things. (66:9). The face has been likened to the window of the soul. A truly pious person emanates a distinctive light which brightens and beautifies his features in a most attractive manner while the face of the unGodly