Refutation of the Doctrine of Transmigration — Page 15
Refutation of the Doctrine of Trasmigration 15 broad conclusions about the causes of destitution, poverty, opu - lence, and the norms of governance. After this brief introduction, I would like to submit that inflexible elements cause the disparity that makes one boy ill and the other healthy. It is because the human and animal souls are either the essence of elements or, we may assume, that the soul is related to the elements. In the first case, the soul will obviously conform to the elements. In the second case, the soul must expe - rience illness and ill health according to the elements with which it associates. The souls will experience pleasure and pain based upon where they have gathered. In the first case, the soul’s exist - ence emerged from these elements, so from where does the rec - ompense of previous birth arise? In the second case, if someone objects, ‘Why have the souls established a relationship where they had to suffer?’ the answer is obvious. Souls, according to Aryas, are independent [ sutanter ] and free and are under no compulsion. Moreover, since the path for eternal progress has been opened for the soul, no wrong has been done to it; rather, it has been shown mercy. Furthermore, though the soul is apparently in distress in the impaired and grieved body, it was also provided with oppor - tunities to attain great exaltation. So, it has been bestowed with mercy and not subjected to cruelty. However, such situations do arise when the soul, committing disobedience, deserves pun - ishment. Allah the Exalted is All-Merciful, All-Forbearing, and Equitable. He may seize or forbear; He is Supreme and Sovereign over His affairs. Fourteenth Answer— We observe different characteristics of souls corresponding to the climates of various countries. Rather,