[Al-Quran 50:6-8] Have they not looked at the heaven above them - how We structured it and adorned it and how it has no rifts? And the earth - We spread it out and cast therein firmly set mountains and made grow therein [something] of every beautiful kind, Giving insight and a reminder for every servant who turns [to Allah].

Friday, November 27, 2015

Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays

No change should there be in the creation of Allah [Quran 30:30] 
Mission of the Messengers-VI

  
Related posts:
Mission of the Messengers


Abstract
Adam had tried to change creation in his desire for Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays. Genetic engineering promises longevity (if not immortality), eternal youth and eradication of disease. This study revisits some verses of the Quran that speak of the temporal nature of this world and the permanence of the Hereafter, to explore the possibility of Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays in this world.


Full Text
The Quran narrates the story of a few ancient civilizations that were destroyed. The common factor that warranted their annihilation was the crime of corruption in the land. It also tells us that they were far mightier and therefore more technologically advanced. However, they refused to heed to the warnings of their Messengers.

[Al-Qur'an 21:10] Indeed, We (have) sent down to you a Book in it (is) your mention. Then will not you use reason?

The narration of human history begins with Adam, his disobedience in the Garden of Eden, and then the story of the progeny of Adam on Earth. The Quran states that:
[Al-Qur'an 20:120] Then whispered to him Shaitaan, he said, "O Adam! Shall I direct you to (the) tree (of) the Eternity and a kingdom not (that will) deteriorate?" 

 The desire for Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays overcame Adam’s sense of duty, and thus, Satan was able to mislead Adam into not keeping his covenant with God. Thus, Adam erred! It appears that the same story is repeatedly played out every time human civilizations advance in worldly knowledge and power.

Throughout history, humans have desired to live forever, eternally youthful and prosperous! Even in our times, with advances in genetic engineering, scientists are seeking ways to tinker with the genetic code in the hope of defying death, aging, diseases, and so on.  Eugenics, Transhumanism, Posthuman and eventually Posthumanism all seek to transcend the human into a utopian superbeing, who will then no longer be a ‘human’!  

The following verses inform us that Immortality and A Kingdom that Never Decays are exclusively for the Hereafter. In this world, everything has a fixed term and will come to an end. Decay and Death are inevitable. 
  

Decay
Every living thing in this world, after going through a period of growth,  eventually degenerates and decays:
  
[Al-Qur'an 36:68] And (he) whom We grant him long life, We reverse him in the creation. Then will not they use intellect?

[Al-Qur'an 30:54] Allah (is) the One Who created you from weakness, then made after weakness strength, then made after strength weakness and gray hair. He creates what He wills, and He (is) the All-Knower the All-Powerful.

[Al-Qur'an 18:7, 18:8] Indeed, We We have made what (is) on the earth adornment for it, that We may test [them] which of them (is) best (in) deed. And indeed, We (will) surely make what (is) on it soil barren.   

[Al-Qur'an 18:45] And present to them the example (of) the life (of) the world, like water which We send down from the sky, then mingles with it (the) vegetation (of) the earth then becomes dry stalks, it (is) scattered (by) the winds. And Allah over every thing (is) All Able.

[Al-Qur'an 30:19] He brings forth the living from the dead and He brings forth the dead from the living, and He gives life (to) the earth after its death, and thus you will be brought forth.

[Al-Qur'an 2:96] And surely you will find them (the) most greedy (of) [the] mankind for life, and (greedier) than those who associate[d] partners (with Allah). Loves (each) one of them if he could be granted a life (of) a thousand year(s). But not it (will) remove him from the punishment that he should be granted life. And Allah (is) All-Seer of what they do.  

Death
[Al-Qur'an 67:2] The One Who created death and life that He may test you, which of you (is) best (in) deed. And He (is) the All-Mighty, the Oft-Forgiving.

[Al-Qur'an 21:34, 21:35] And not We made for any man before you [the] immortality; so if you die, then (would) they live forever? Every soul (will) taste [the] death. And We test you with [the] bad and [the] good (as) a trial; and to Us you will be returned.

[Al-Qur'an 29:57] Every soul (will) taste the death. Then to Us you will be returned. 

[Al-Qur'an 39:30] Indeed, you will die and indeed, they (will also) die.

[Al-Qur'an 3:145] And not is for a soul that he dies except by (the) permission of Allah, (at a) decree determined. And whoever desires reward (of) the world - We will give him thereof; and whoever desires reward (of) the Hereafter We will give him thereof. And We will reward the grateful ones.

[Al-Qur'an 55:26, 55:27] Everyone who (is) on it (will) perish. But will remain (the) Face (of) your Lord, (the) Owner (of) Majesty and Honor.

Immortality  
The triliteral root khā lām dāl (خ ل د) occurs 87 times in the Quran. The general meaning of the various forms of the word are: immortal, abide forever, eternal. In most instances, these words are used in reference to the life of the Hereafter. 

 [Al-Qur'an 2:81] Yes, whoever earned evil and surrounded him with his sins - [so] those (are the) companions (of) the Fire; they in it (will) abide forever.

[Al-Qur'an 2:82] And those who believed and did righteous deeds, those (are the) companions (of) Paradise; they in it (will) abide forever.
 
[Al-Qur'an 50:34] Enter it in peace. That (is) a Day (of) Eternity." 

While Immortality is decreed for the Hereafter, the quality of life in the Gardens is in sharp contrast to that of the Fire. Interestingly, the descriptions of the Gardens reiterated throughout the Quran seem quite close to the modern understanding of the essential requirement for life, and for maintaining a good quality of life, such as water, honey, no direct sunlight, neither excessive cold nor heat... 

Eternal Life!
[Al-Qur'an 29:64] And not (is) this life (of) the world but amusement and play. And indeed, the Home (of) the Hereafter - surely, it (is) the life, if only they know.

[Al-Qur'an 25:74 – 25:76] And those who say, "Our Lord! Grant to us from our spouses and our offspring comfort (to) our eyes, and make us for the righteous a leader." Those will be awarded the Chamber because they were patient and they will be met therein (with) greetings and peace.  Will abide forever in it. Good (is) the settlement and a resting place. 

[Al-Qur'an 13:22, 13:23, 13:24] And those who (are) patient, seeking (the) Face (of) their Lord and establish the prayer and spend from what We have provided them, secretly and publicly and they repel with the good the evil - those for them (is) the final attainment (of) the Home -  Gardens of Eden, they will enter them and whoever (were) righteous among their fathers and their spouses, and their offsprings. And the Angels will enter upon them from every gate, (Saying), "Peace (be) upon you for what you patiently endured. And excellent (is) the final attainment (of) the Home."

[Al-Qur'an 20:75, 20:76] But whoever comes to Him (as) a believer verily, he has done the righteous deeds, then those for them (will be) the ranks, [the] high. Gardens (of) Eden flows from underneath them the rivers, abiding forever in it. And that (is) the reward (for him) who purifies himself. 

[Al-Qur'an 29:63] And if you ask them, "Who sends down from the sky water and gives life thereby (to) the earth after its death?" Surely, they would say, "Allah." Say, "All Praises (are) for Allah." But most of them (do) not use reason.

[Al-Qur'an 8:24, 8:25] O you who believe! Respond to Allah and His Messenger when he calls you to what gives you life. And know that Allah comes (in) between a man and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered.  

A Kingdom that Never Decays
[Al-Qur'an 13:35] The example of Paradise which (is) promised (to) the righteous, flows from underneath it the rivers. Its food (is) everlasting, and its shade. This (is the) end of those who (are) righteous, and (the) end (of) the disbelievers (is) the Fire.

 [Al-Qur'an 47:15] A parable (of) Paradise which is promised (to) the righteous. Therein (are) rivers of water not polluted, and rivers of milk not changes its taste, and rivers of wine delicious for (the) drinkers, and rivers of honey purified, and for them therein of all fruits and forgiveness from their Lord like he who (will) abide forever in the Fire and they will be given to drink water boiling so it cuts into pieces their intestines. 

 [Al-Qur'an 76:13,14] Reclining therein on couches. Not they will see therein sun and not freezing cold. And near above them (are) its shades and will hang low its cluster of fruits dangling low.

 [Al-Qur'an 76:20] And when you look, then you will see blessings and a kingdom great. 

Eternal Loss!  
[Al-Qur'an 67:30] Say, "Have you seen, if becomes your water sunken, then who could bring you water flowing?"

[Al-Qur'an 20:74] Indeed, he who comes (to) his Lord (as) a criminal then indeed, for him (is) Hell. Not he will die in it and not live. 

 [Al-Qur'an 4:56]Indeed, those who disbelieved in Our Signs, soon We will burn them (in) a Fire. Every time are roasted their skins We will change their skins for other (than) that, so that they may the punishment. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

[Al-Qur'an 39:11 – 39:16] Say, "Indeed, I [I] am commanded that I worship Allah, (being) sincere to Him (in) the religion. And I am commanded that I be (the) first (of) those who submit." Say, "Indeed, I [I] fear, if I disobey my Lord, (the) punishment (of) a Day great." Say, "I worship Allah (being) sincere to Him (in) my religion. So worship what you will besides Him." Say, "Indeed, the losers (are) those who (will) lose themselves and their families (on the) Day (of) the Resurrection. Unquestionably, that - it (is) the loss the clear." For them from above them coverings of the Fire and from below them coverings. (With) that threatens Allah [with it] His slaves, "O My slaves! So fear Me." 

 [Al-Qur'an 44:43 - 44:50] Verily the tree of Zaqqum Will be the food of the Sinful,- Like molten brass; it will boil in their insides. Like the boiling of scalding water. (A voice will cry: "Seize ye him and drag him into the midst of the Blazing Fire! "Then pour over his head the Penalty of Boiling Water, "Taste thou (this)! Truly wast thou mighty, full of honour! "Truly this is what ye used to doubt!"

[Al-Qur'an 56:41-44 ...  56:52-55] The Companions of the Left Hand,- what will be the Companions of the Left Hand? (They will be) in the midst of a Fierce Blast of Fire and in Boiling Water, And in the shades of Black Smoke: Nothing (will there be) to refresh, nor to please: ...
... "Ye will surely taste of the Tree of Zaqqum. "Then will ye fill your insides therewith, "And drink Boiling Water on top of it:  "Indeed ye shall drink like diseased camels raging with thirst!" Such will be their entertainment on the Day of Requital!




Last updated on: March 28, 2017


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