Purgatory, as the Ulema see it

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The features of purgatoryPurgatory as judged by the human intellect and feeling

The discussion among the Ulema about the details of purgatory confirms it existence and most of them excepting some unreliable deviates are in agreement about it.

The agreement is because of Qura’nic verses and traditions. These are the verses that speak about man’s rewards and punishments after death in details, their connection with this world and other issues (We have already explained this)

The existence of Purgatory is not in question but what we want to know is the details about that life. The scholars have written many views about and the most important among them which confirm the Hadith are mentioned below:

The human soul after the end of this life adopts a body semi-physical.

 A body which is free from the normal defects but since it resembles this body it is called a “symbolic body” which is neither totally spiritual nor totally physical but it can be called a purgatorial semi- spiritual existence. (Reflect)

Just as it is impossible for us caged in this worldly existence to know about the world of the hereafter it is also impossible for us to know the details of purgatory because it is more elevated than this world or that it encompasses this world.

According to some scholars it can be compared to the state of dreaming. In that state the human souls soars to different points, observes different scenes and enjoys fresh bounties and some times is terrified on seeing horrific scenes so the person wakes up screaming.

The Qura’n in verse 42 of Surah Zumar says:

“It is God that takes the soul s at death; and those that do not die (He keeps) them sleeping.”

This verse also emphasizes this truth. Allama Majlisi has confirmed that the condition in purgatory is like sleep and this is also said in many traditions.

The Allama then adds: “It is possible that strong and prominent souls may exist in semi-spiritual bodies. We feel that we need not explain those traditions that say that the infallible Imams come to every person at the time of his/her death. (1) (Reflect)

Some say that the semi-spiritual body is always present in us but separates at the time of death and begins its life in purgatory.

At times the souls soar to different point when the body sleeps and they become active. It is also said that some strong souls soar to higher level even when they are awake and discover the mysteries of the unseen which they may later pass on to others. This is done with the help of semi-spiritual bodies.

This symbolic and semi-spiritual body as is evident from its name is similar to body it exists in.

 But it is not made of thick material. It is a body which is very fine, spiritual and bereft of all the matter in this world.

Some people have doubts and because of this they have denied the symbolic semi-spiritual body and they say that such a body gives birth to the issue of reincarnation because reincarnation is the transfer of a soul into various bodies.

But if we consider this symbolic body to be hidden under this body and be a part of it then there is no question of its reincarnation in another body. The issue of reincarnation stands rejected.

According to Shaykh Bahai: “ Reincarnation is something that is denied by all Muslims, says that the soul transfers itself to another body after the original body is destroyed into dust but the existence of the symbolic semi-spiritual bodies in purgatory is connected with the original existence on the Day of judgment and has nothing to do with incarnation.(2)

In Furu-ol-Kafi Shaykh Kuleni has noted hadith which clearly speak of this symbolic-body. It is reported that a companion of Imam Sadiq said, “ Some people believe that the souls of the true believers will exists in this world in bodies of green birds” The Imam responded:

“It is not so. The true believer has a prominence in the court of God that negates his soul to be kept in a green bird but his soul will be the form of a body similar to the body he had in this world.” (3)

In another Hadith Imam Sadiq is reported to have said:

“When God confiscates the soul of a true believer He transfers it into a body which is similar to the body in the world.”(4)

The Imam is reported to have said in another Hadith:

“Answering their question about the souls of the believers the Imam said: “They abide in the rooms of Paradise drinking the wine and eating the food and say: “Lord! Bring the Day of Judgment for us and fulfill the promises that you have given us.”(5)

The Paradise mentioned here is the Paradise of purgatory and which is inferior to the Paradise in the hereafter and this is why the souls of the believers beseech God for the Day of Judgment.

The residence in purgatory (eating and drinking) tells us that they have a body even after the soul having discarded this worldly body.

 


 

1. Behar-ol-Anwar vol.6 page 271
2. Allama Majlisi in Behar-ol-Anwar vol. 6 page 271
3. Furu-ol-Kafi vol. 3 page 244
4. Furu-ol-Kafi vol. 3 page 244 hadith 1
5. Furu-ol-Kafi vol. 3 page 244

 

The features of purgatoryPurgatory as judged by the human intellect and feeling
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