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THE
SPIRIT AND ITS IDENTITY
The
spirit is from the world of Divine
Commands
Although
science is not yet ready to accept it,
there are, besides the usual subdivisions
(e.g., the worlds of plants, animals, and
human beings) and the world of jinn, many
other worlds located one within the other
or above or enveloping the other. Of these
worlds, our visible, material world
addresses itself to our senses. From tiny
particles to galaxies, this world is the
realm where God Almighty gives life,
fashions, renews, changes, and causes
things to die. Science concerns itself
with the phenomena of this world.
Above
this visible, material world is the
immaterial world of Divine Laws or
Commands. To learn something about this
world, consider how a book, a tree, or a
human being comes into existence. The main
part of a book’s existence is its
meaning. A book cannot exist without
meaning, regardless of how excellent the
printing machine is or how many sheets we
have. In the case of a tree, what
stimulates its seed to germinate in the
soil and grow into a tree is the essence
of life and the law of germination and
growth with which it is endowed. We can
observe the entire process, from seed to
tree, with our own eyes. In the absence of
the essence of life and the laws of
germination and growth that, although
invisible or unobservable, govern a new
living thing’ birth and growth, there
would be no plants.
Similarly,
menstruation prepares a woman’s womb
every month for insemination. This process
is dictated by a (biological) law. Out of
the millions of male sperms heading for
the womb, one reaches the ovum to
fertilize it. After this, another
(biological) law takes over: menstruation
stops until birth. An embryo’s
development into a new individual through
many stages is a third process governed by
other (biological or embryological) laws.
This process is mentioned in the Quran
quite explicitly:
We
created man from a quintessence of
clay. We then placed him as a drop in
a place of rest firmly fixed. Then We
made the drop into a leech-like
structure suspended on the wall of the
womb, and then of that leech-like
structure We made a chewed-like
substance. Then We made out of that
chewed-like substance bones (skeletal
system). Then We clothed the bones
with flesh (muscles). Then We
developed out of it another creation.
So blessed be God the best to create
(23:12-5).
This
process takes place, according to the
Quran, within three veils of darkness: He
created you in the wombs of your mothers,
in stages, one after another, in three
veils of darkness (39:6). These three
veils of darkness are the belly, the womb,
and the caul or membrane; the constituents
of the fetal membranes; or the three
regions of the decidua: decidua basalis,
decidua capsularis, and the decidua
parietalis. Or rather, the verse includes
all of these meanings.
We
derive the existence of such laws from the
almost never-changing repetition of all
these processes. Likewise, by observing
the (natural) phenomena around us, we also
derive the existence of many other laws,
such as gravitation and repulsion, and the
freezing and vaporization of water.
Thus,
like the laws we have thus mentioned and
many others, the spirit is a law issuing
from the world of Divine Laws or Commands.
Nevertheless, unlike the others, the human
spirit is a living, conscious law. The
verse: Say: “The spirit is of my Lord’s
Command” (17:85) states that the spirit
is from the world of Divine Commands, not
from the visible, material world. If the
spirit were stripped of life and
consciousness, it would become a law; if
the laws were to be given life and
consciousness, they would become each a
spirit.
The
spirit cannot be defined, Nor
can it be perceived through scientific
information
While
matter or anything in the material world
is composed of atoms, and atoms are made
up of more minute particles, the spirit is
a simple entity. Since it is simple, it
does not disintegrate. We cannot see it as
we see a material thing, but we can know
it through its manifestations in this
world. Although we accept its existence
and observe its manifestations, we cannot
know its nature. Such ignorance, however,
does not mean that it does not exist.
We
see with our eyes, as they are instruments
with which to see. The main center of
sight is located in the brain. But the
brain does not see. You do not say: “My
brain sees”; rather, you say: “I see.”
It is the individual who sees or hears or
senses. But what is this “I”? Is it
something composed of a brain, a heart,
and other organs and limbs? Why can we not
move when we die, although all our organs
and limbs are there? Does a factory
operate by itself, or does something else
(i.e., electrical energy) cause it to
work? Any defect or error in a factory
that causes a disconnect between it and
its electrical energy can reduce a once
highly productive and invaluable factory
to a heap of junk. Is such a relation at
all comparable to that between the spirit
and the body?
When
the body’s connection with the spirit is
cut by death, the body is reduced to
something that must be disposed of
quickly, before it begins to rot and
decompose.
The
spirit is not an electrical power, but
rather a conscious, powerful thing that
learns and thinks, senses and reasons. It
develops continually, usually in parallel
with the body’s physical development, as
well as mentally and spiritually, through
learning and reflection, belief and
worship. The spirit determines each
individual’s different character,
nature, or identity. As a result, although
all human begins are substantially made of
the same elements, they are totally
distinct from each other.
The
spirit commands a person’s inner
faculties
God
has given a particular nature to each
creature: All that is in the heavens and
Earth submits to Him, willingly or
unwillingly, and they will be returned to
Him (3:83); and Glorify the Name of your
Lord, the Most High, Who has created (all
things) and well proportioned (them); Who
has assigned for each a particular form
and a particular way to follow and
ordained their destinies, and guided
(them) (87:1-3).
Whatever
exists in the universe, including the
human body, acts according to the
primordial nature God Almighty assigned to
it. This is why we observe a strict
determinism in the universe’s operation.
What we call “natural laws” are no
more than names we give to the ways of
acting or the attributes of the primordial
nature God determined for creatures.
The
primordial nature of things does not
deceive. For example, as God orders the
Earth to revolve around its own axis as
well as the sun, it always revolves. A
seed says in the tongue of its being or
primordial nature: “I will germinate
under the soil in proper conditions and
grow into a plant,” and it does what it
says. Water declares that it freezes at
0ºC and vaporizes at 100ºC, and does
what it declares.
Similarly,
the human conscience, so long as it
remains sound, does not lie. If it is not
deluded by the carnal self or desires, it
deeply feels the existence of God and
finds peace through believing in and
worshipping Him. Thus, the spirit directs
or commands our conscience and other
faculties. It seeks the world from which
it has come, and yearns for its Creator.
Unless it is stunted and spoiled by sin,
it will find the Creator and attain true
happiness in Him.
The
spirit has deep relations to the past and
future
Animals
have no conception of time, for their
God-given primordial nature causes them to
live only for the present, without feeling
any pain for the past or anxiety for the
future. On the other hand, we are deeply
influenced by such pain and anxiety, for
our spirit is a conscious, sentient
entity. The spirit is never satisfied with
this mortal, fleeting world, and our
accomplishments or possessions (e.g.,
money, high position, satisfied desires)
cannot make it happy. Rather, especially
when considered only for their own sakes
or for the sake of the carnal self, such
things only increase its dissatisfaction
and unhappiness, for it finds rest only
through belief, worship, and remembrance
of God.
Every
person feels a very strong desire for
eternity. This desire cannot come from the
physical dimension of our existence, for
our mortality precludes any feeling of and
desire for eternity. Rather, this desire
or feeling originates in the eternal
dimension of our existence, and it is our
spirit that inhabits this dimension. Our
spirit causes us to lament: “I am mortal
but do not desire what is mortal. I am
impotent but do not desire what is
impotent. What I desire is an eternal
beloved (who will never desert me), and I
yearn for an eternal world.”
The
spirit establishes its connection with
the material world through the body
The
spirit is a simple entity that issues from
the world of Divine Commands. In order to
be manifested and function in this world,
it must use material means. As the body
cannot get in touch with the world of
symbols or immaterial forms, the spirit
cannot establish contact with this world
if there is no human heart, brain, or
other bodily organs and limbs to mediate.
The spirit functions through the body’s
nerves, cells, and other elements.
Therefore, if one or more bodily systems
or organs goes awry, the spirit’s
relation with that system or organ is
disconnected and no longer commanded by
it. If the failure or “illness”
causing this disconnection severs the
spirit’s relation with the entire body,
what we call death occurs.
Although
some coarse, meaningless hand or finger
movements can be produced by stimulating
certain areas of the brain, such movements
are like confused, meaningless sounds
produced by pressing piano keys at random.
They are automatic bodily responses to
stimulation, and are produced by the body’s
automatic functioning. Therefore, to
produce meaningful movements, the body
needs the spirit, which is conscious and
has free will.
Although
such psychoanalysists as Freud offered
various explanations for dreams, they
cannot be said to consist of the
subconscious mind’s jumbled activities.
Almost everyone has had dreams that have
come true. Many scientific or
technological discoveries have been made
because of true dreams. So, as will be
discussed later, dreams point to the
existence of something within us that can
see in a different way while we are
sleeping.
Although
the spirit sees with our eyes, smells with
our nose, hears with our ears and so on,
there are many examples of people who
somehow manage to see with their fingers
or the tips of their noses, and smell with
their heels.
The
spirit determines the features of one’s
face
The
spirit manifests itself mostly on a person’s
face. Truly, our face is a window opened
on our inner world. Through all its
features, our face discloses our
character.
Psychologists
assert that almost all of our movements,
even coughing, reveal our character.
However, the face’s clear ability to
reveal one’s character, abilities, and
personality caused the birth of
physiognomy, the art of judging character
from facial features. The spirit
determines these features.
Our
body’s cells are renewed continuously.
Every day, millions of cells die and are
replaced by new ones. Biologists say that
the all bodily cells are renewed every 6
months. Despite this continuous renewal,
the face’s main features remain
unchanged. We recognize individuals
through their unchanging facial features
and fingerprints. Despite the constant
renewal of the fingers’ cells or because
of any injury or bruise to them, their
prints do not change. It is again each
individual’s unique spirit that makes
these distinguishing features stabile.
The
spirit is educated and causes differences
of character
Our
body experiences uninterrupted change
throughout its existence. This change is
directed toward physical growth and
development until a certain period,
gradually becoming stronger and more
perfect. However, this growth stops at a
certain point and decay begins. Unlike our
body, we can grow continuously in learning
and development, decay spiritually and
intellectually, or stop and change
direction while developing or decaying.
Our moral, spiritual, and intellectual
education does not depend on our bodily
changes.
Furthermore,
the moral, spiritual, and intellectual
differences among human beings have
nothing to do with their physical
structure. Although all of us are composed
of the same substantial, physical or
material elements, we are morally and
intellectually unique. What part of us
receives moral and intellectual education,
and what part is trained physically? Does
physical training have any relation to
learning or moral and intellectual
education? Are physically well-developed
people smarter and more moral than others?
If not, and if physical training or
development has nothing to do with one’s
scientific, moral, and intellectual level,
why should we not accept the spirit’s
existence? How can we attribute learning
and moral and intellectual education to
some biochemical processes in the brain?
Are those processes quicker in some than
in others? Are some smarter because those
processes are quicker, or are the
processes quicker because some study and
are thus become smarter? What relation do
these processes have with one’s
spiritual and moral education and
development? How can we explain the
differences regular worship makes to one’s
face? Why are believers’ faces more
radiant than those of unbelievers and
sinners?
Despite
all of our physical changes we do not
change, in parallel with those changes, in
character, morality, or thinking. How can
we explain this, other than by admitting
that the spirit exists and is the center
of thinking and feeling, choosing and
deciding, learning and forming opinions
and preferences, and causing differences
in characters?
The
spirit feels, believes or denies
All
people have innumerable, complex feelings:
love and hate, happiness and sadness, hope
and despair, ambition and the ability to
imagine, relief and boredom, and so on. We
like and dislike, appreciate and
disregard, experience fear and timidity as
well as encouragement and enthusiasm. We
also repent, become excited, and long for
various things. If we look through a
dictionary, we find hundreds of words that
express human feelings. Moreover, we do
not all “feel” the same way. We may
reflect on what is going on around us, the
beauty of creation, develop ourselves
through learning, compare and reason, and
thus believe in the Creator of all things.
Worshipping and following His Commandments
causes us to develop morally and
spiritually, until finally we are
perfected. How can we explain such
phenomena other than by admitting that
each human being has a conscious spirit?
Can we attribute them to chemical
processes in the brain?
The
real identity of a person consists in his
or her spirit
If
we are only a physical entity of blood and
bones, flesh and tissues, and attribute
all our movements to biochemical processes
in the brain, why should we obey any laws?
We have established that our physical body
is renewed every 6 months. If we were
tried in a court for a murder we committed
a year ago, would not the following
conversation be entirely logical, given
the above understanding?
-
Judge: When did you commit the crime?
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Defendant: One year ago.
The
judge announces the verdict: Since the
murder was committed a year ago and the
defendant’s cells, including those of
his trigger finger, have been completely
replaced with new ones, and since it is
therefore impossible to punish the actual
murderer, the jury has voted for
acquittal.
How
can anyone be no more than a physical
entity; their movements, feelings,
thoughts, beliefs, and decisions the
results of the brain’s biochemical
processes? Such assertions are untenable.
The main part of our being is our spirit,
which is alive and conscious. This is the
part of our body that feels, thinks,
believes, wills, decides, and commands the
body. The spirit uses the body to enact
its decisions.
The
spirit is the basis of human life
God
acts in this world through causes.
However, there are many other worlds or
realms: the world of ideas, symbols or
immaterial forms, the inner dimensions of
things, and spirits, where God acts
directly and that have nothing to do with
matter and causes. The spirit is breathed
into the embryo directly, making it a
direct manifestation of the Divine Name
the All-Living, and therefore the basis of
human life. Like “natural” laws, which
issue from the same realm as the spirit,
the spirit is invisible and known through
its manifestations.
In
this world, matter is refined in favor of
life. A lifeless body, regardless of size,
such as a mountain, is lonely, passive,
and static. But life enables a bee to
interact with almost the entire world so
that it can say: “This world is my
garden, and flowers are my business
partners.” The smaller a living body is,
the more active, astonishing, and powerful
life is. Compare a bee, a fly, or even a
micro-organism with an elephant. The more
refined matter is, the more active and
powerful a body. For example, wood
produces flame and carbon when it burns,
and water vaporizes when heated. We come
across electrical energy in the atomic and
subatomic worlds. We cannot see it, but we
are aware of its presence and power though
its manifestations. This means that
existence is not limited only to this
world; rather, this world is only the
apparent, mutable, and unstable dimension
of existence. Behind it lies the pure,
invisible dimension that uses matter to be
seen and known. As the spirit belongs to
that dimension, it is therefore pure and
invisible.
The
arguments for the spirit’s existence
also point to the Creator’s existence:
Just
as the body, which God creates from
elements, needs the spirit to command
and govern it, the universe (and what
it contains) needs God to bring it
into existence and to command and
govern it.
Each
body has one spirit that makes it
alive and governs it. So, there must
be a single Lord, without partner, to
create and govern the universe.
Otherwise, disaster and confusion is
inevitable.
The
spirit is not located in any specific
place or part of the body. It may even
leave the body and, as in the case of
dreams, continue its relation with the
body by means of a specific cord
attached to the body. Likewise, God
Almighty is not contained by time or
space. He is always present everywhere
and nowhere; the spirit is in the body
and is contained by time and space.
There
is only one sun, and the world is very
far from it. However, the sun is
present everywhere through its heat
and light, and through reflection can
even be in every transparent thing.
Therefore, it may be said that the sun
is nearer to things than things are to
themselves. The spirit has the same
relation with the body, as well as
with all of its separate cells, at the
same true. This analogy may help us to
understand God’s relation with
existence. He controls and directs all
things at the same time like a single
thing, and although we are infinitely
distant from Him, He is nearer to us
than we are to ourselves.
The
spirit is invisible, and its nature is
unknown. In the same way, we cannot
think of or imagine God as He really
is, for His Essence cannot be known.
Like the spirit, God Almighty is known
through the manifestations of His
Names, Attributes, and Essence.
The
spirit has a cover of itself
The
body is not a cover for the spirit, for
the spirit has its own cover. When it
leaves the body at death, it retains this
cover. This cover is like a body’s “negative,”
and is called by many names: the envelope
of light, the person’s ethereal figure,
energetic form, second body, astral body,
double (of that person), and phantom.
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