EXISTENCE BEFORE CREATION

EXISTENCE BEFORE CREATION

USTAZ MAULANA AKHBAR
INTRODUCTION
v He guide whom He pleaseth to His own light and rewards His believing servants for their acts of obedience in the spirit of generosity and encouragement.

v God finds that the best of moulds in which man is created is ready to welcome the soul.

v Wonderful are the ways of God in creation, and the love with which He guides His creatures destinies and give them the means by which to strive for maturity by ordered steps and reach the end most fitted for their natures.

v What must be taken for granted is that the soul comes into existence when the sperm enters the wombs, that because of its physical constitution the sperm is prepared to receive the soul.

THE MAN THE ELEMENTS OF MAN

1) MIND (AL-‘AQL)

It’s is possible for every man to seek knowledge about Allah through his aql or mind by thinking about all the creation of Allah and the universe. The Holy Quran emphasize the role of aql that is to think, ponder and contemplate over the creation of Allah.

2) BODY (AL-JASAD):

Man has a dual nature, he is both body and soul and he is at once physical being and spirit. The term body mean for man to do physical activities especially in ibadah in order to be a good servant of God; active and strong. Allah had also given the sight; hearing and other senses for man to be aware of the creations around them. As we live temporarily in this world, we will one day being buried under the ground.


3) SPIRIT (AL-RUH):

The last element is al-Ruh in which it is given to man after about 120 days or 4 months during the development of foetus in the mother’s womb. The spirit conscience is the great equality in man which makes him superior to many other creatures. It is a unique element in man’s body that cannot be seen. Regarding this Allah had mentioned :

ثُمَّ سَوَّاهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِنْ رُوحِهِ ۖ وَجَعَلَ لَكُمُ السَّمْعَ وَالْأَبْصَارَ وَالْأَفْئِدَةَ ۚ قَلِيلًا مَا تَشْكُرُونَ

But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give! (32:9)

SOUL

Nafs is an Arabic word derived from the Hebrew word "Nefesh" occurring in the Qur'an meaning self, psyche, ego or soul. In its unrefined state, "the ego (nafs) is the lowest dimension of man's inward existence, his animal and satanic nature. Nafs is an important concept in the Islamic tradition, especially within Sufism and the discipline of gnosis (Irfan) in Shia Islam.

Principal Stages Of Nafs

There are three principal stages of nafs which are specifically mentioned in the Qur'an. They are stages in the process of development, refinement and mastery of the nafs.

1. 1. The inciting nafs (nafs-i-ammara) :

* In its primitive stage the nafs incites us to commit evil: this is the nafs as the lower self, the base instincts. In the eponymous Surah of the Qur’an, the prophet Yusuf says:

"Yet I claim not that my nafs was innocent: Verily the nafs of man incites to evil."( 12:53 )

* Here he is explaining the circumstances in which he came to be falsely imprisoned for the supposed seduction of Zuleika.

* Islam emphasises the importance of fighting nafs because the prophet Muhammad said after returning from a war, "We now return from the small struggle (Jihad Asghar) to the big struggle (Jihad Akbar)". His companions asked, "Oh prophet of God, what is the big struggle?" He replied, "The struggle against nafs."

* The Qur'an enjoins the faithful "to hinder the nafs from lust",( 79:40 ) and another hadith warns that "the worst enemy you have is [the nafs] between your sides." Rumi warns of the nafs in its guise of religious hypocrisy, saying "the nafs has a rosary and a Koran in its right hand, and a scimitar and dagger in the sleeve."

* Animal imagery is often used to describe the nafs. A popular image is a donkey or unruly horse that must be trained and broken so that eventually it will bear its rider to the goal. Rumi compares the nafs to a camel which the hero Majnun, representing the intellect ('Aql), strains to turn in the direction of the dwelling-place of his beloved.

1. 2. The self-accusing nafs (nafs-i-lawwama) :

* In Surah al-Qiyama the Qur'an mentions:

"The self-accusing nafs".( 75:2).

* This is the stage where "the conscience is awakened and the self accuses one for listening to one’s ego. One repents and asks for forgiveness."

* Here the nafs is inspired by your heart, sees the results of your actions, agrees with your brain, sees your weaknesses, and aspires to perfection.

1. 3. The nafs at peace (nafs-i-mutma'inna) :

* In Surah al-Fajr the Qur'an mentions:

"The nafs at peace".( 89:27 ).

* This is the ideal stage of ego for Sufis. On this level one is firm in one’s faith and leaves bad manners behind. The soul becomes tranquil, at peace. At this stage Sufis have relieved themselves of all materialism and worldly problems and are satisfied with the will of God.

Four additional stages of nafs

In addition to the three principal stages, another four are sometimes cited:

1) The inspired nafs (nafs-i-mulhama) :

v This stage comes between the 2nd and 3rd principal stages. It is the stage of action. On this level "one becomes more firm in listening to one’s conscience, but is not yet surrendered."

v Once you have seen your weaknesses and have set your targets, this ego inspires you to do good deeds and to be on the plus side.

v The Sufis say that it is important that whenever you think of good, you must immediately act upon it. Abbas Bin Abdul Muttalib lays down three rules :

Ta'Jeel or Swiftness. A good deed must be done immediately and there should be no laziness.

1. Tehqeer or Contempt > You must look at your good acts with contempt otherwise you will become self-righteous.
2. Ikhfa or Secrecy > You must keep your good acts secret otherwise people will praise you and it will make you self-righteous.

v According to the Qur'an, charity should be given both secretly and openly. In Muhammad Asad's translation of the Qur'an :

"[And] tell [those of] My servants who have attained to faith that they should be constant in prayer and spend [in Our way], secretly and openly, out of what We provide for them as sustenance, ere there come a Day when there will be no bargaining, and no mutual befriending." ( 14:31)

2) The pleased nafs (nafs-i-radiyya) :

v The stage comes after the 3rd principal stage. On this level "one is pleased with whatever comes from Allah and doesn’t live in the past or future, but in the moment. "
One thinks always: ‘Ilahi Anta Maqsudi wa ridhaka matlubi’. One always sees oneself as weak and in need of Allah."

3) The pleasing nafs (nafs-i-mardiyya):

v On this level the two Ruhs in man "have made peace". "One is soft and tolerant with people and has good Akhlak, good manners."

4) The pure nafs (nafs-i-safiyya) :

v On this level "one is dressed in the attributes of the Insan Kamil, the perfected man, who is completely surrendered and inspired by Allah." One is "in full agreement with the Will of Allah".

Characteristics of nafs

In its primitive state the nafs has seven heads that must be defeated :

1. False pride (Takabbur)
2. Greed (Hirs)
3. Lust (Shahwah)
4. Backbiting (Gheebah)
5. Stinginess (Bokhl)
6. Malice (Keena)

1. Envy (Hasad)

Ruh (روح) is an Arabic word meaning spirit. It is the third among the six purities or Lataif-e-sitta

Thirteen stages of taming ruh

To attend Tajalliy-e-Ruh, the Salik needs to achieve the following thirteen :

1) Iradah or Commitment with God

2) Istiqamah or Steadfastness in the way of God

3) Haya or Shame in committing evil

4) Huriyyah or Freedom: Ibrahim Bin Adham said, "A free man is one who abandons the world before he leaves the world".

* Yahya Bin Maz said:

"Those who serves the people of world are slaves, and those who serve the people of Akhira are the free ones".

* Abu Ali Daqaq said :

"Remember, real freedom is in total obedience. Therefore if someone has total obedience in God, he will be free from the slavery of non God"

5) Fatoot or Manliness:

* Abu Ali Daqaq said:

"Manliness is in one's being of continuous service to others. This is an etiquette that was perfected by Prophet Muhammed only".

6) Hub or Love for God

7) Aboodiyah or Slavery of God

8) Maraqiba or Complete Focus on God

9) Dua or Prayer

10) Faqar or Abandoning of materialism

11) Tasawwuf or Wearing a dress of no material significance

12) Suhbat or Company of the righteous ones

FINAL DAY

THE DAY OF RESURRECTION

ü The reasoning of denying the Resurrection is based on the disbelief in the Power of Allah and that is why the Holy Qur'an gives many examples of the Divine Power as for instance it says that Almighty All-Powerful Lord Who first created us would again bring back to life after we have been reduced to dust particles.

ü It is easier to reduce something to dust than to create in the first instance.

It is He Who first creates and then reverts it. This is easy for Him. (Surah ar-Rum, 30:27)

ü There is nothing which Allah is not able to do. Allah has Power to do all things. Another pretext of those who do not believe in the Resurrection was the question as to when the Resurrection day will happen?

ü In the following Qur'anic verse it is mentioned that after hearing the explanation given by the Holy Prophet the unbelievers scoffed in surprise and asked when it would happen. The Holy Qur'an says:

Or some other created things which may seem to you most difficult to create. They will then say. 'Who will revert us back?' Say: 'He Who created you in the beginning'. Still they will shake their heads at you and say:

'When will it be? Say: 'In the near future'. (Surah Bani Isra'il, 17:51) 1

But man wishes to do wrong (even) in the time in front of him.

He questions: "When is the Day of Resurrection?"( 75:5-6)

JUDGEMENT/Islamic view of the Last Judgment

* o In Islam, Yawm al-Qiyāmah "the Day of Resurrection" (Arabic: يوم القيامة‎) or Yawm ad-Din "the Day of Judgment" (Arabic: يوم الدين‎) is God's final assessment of humanity. al-Qiyama is also the name of the 75th Surah of the Qur'an.
o The sequence of events according to the most common understanding is the annihilation of all creatures, resurrection of the body, and the judgment of all sentient creatures. The time of the hour is not known, however there are Major and Minor Signs which, according to Islam, are to occur near the time of Qiyamah (Doomsday).
o During judgment, a man's or a woman's own book of deeds will be opened, and will be apprised of every action one did and every word one spoke.
o Actions taken during childhood are not judged. The account of deeds is so detailed that the man or woman will be in awe at how comprehensive the account is, such that even lesser and trivial deeds are included.
o Throughout judgment, however, the underlying principle is that of a complete and perfect justice administered by God.
o The accounts of judgment are also replete with the emphasis that God is merciful and forgiving, and that mercy and forgiveness will be granted on that day.

THE HEREAFTER

v The age of the hereafter or rest of eternity is the final stage commencing after the Day of Judgment when all of humanity have received their judgment from God.

v If they were righteous and did good deeds based on their own circumstances, then if God wills, by His mercy they go to Jannah (heaven), a state of bliss.

v If they have attained little in life and were unrighteous in their actions—or were, despite all evidence shown to them, bent on denying the truth of life once it was presented to them—based on their own circumstances they shall go to Jahannam.

v This stage of life commences officially after the embodiment of Death is brought up and is slain; thus Death dies literally, and no one will ever experience or behold the concept of Death ever after.

v Based on the verdict which is brought upon each person by his or her individual deeds, actions and circumstances in life, on the Day of Judgment, at which time everyone is judged with the utmost sense of justice, each human will spend this stage of life in heaven or hell.

v Hell will be a place for purification of the soul, so that each realizes the wrongs he or she has committed in life.

v However, those in hell are eligible to go to the state of heaven after being purified for a time by the state described as hell if they "had an atom's worth of faith in them" and the soul is repentant.

v It is taught in many hadith that a person who attests to the Oneness of God will end up in Jannah once his or her sins have been punished.

BARZAKH

In Islamic eschatology, Barzakh (Arabic: برزخ‎) is the intermediate state in which the soul (Nafs) of the deceased is transferred across the boundaries of the mortal realm into a kind of "cold sleep" where the soul will rest until the Qiyamah (Judgment Day).

According to some aspects of Muslim belief, there are signs which will possibly indicate the coming of the day of judgment. These signs are categorized into major and minor signs.

Do they then wait for aught but the hour that it should come to them all of a sudden? Now indeed the tokens of it have (already) come, but how shall they have their reminder when it comes on them?( surah 47:18)

Major signs

The major signs are those that will occur closer to the Day of Judgment, and they are said to be very extraordinary. These are the seven major signs of this day.

1. The appearance of Masih ad-Dajjal, the False Messiah (Masih):

* Ad-Dajjal is said to be a beast who will come claiming to be God holding heaven and hell. His sole purpose is to deceive people and lead them away from the remembrance of God, and the unbelievers will follow him.
* He will have only one good eye and he will be blind in the other eye. On his forehead there will be a sign saying "Kafir", or disbeliever. He will perform some miracles which will serve to deceive some people.
* The Islamic prophet Muhammad warned,

“Whoever hears about the coming of Ad-Dajjal should stay away from him because by Allah, a man could come to him thinking of himself a strong believer but then he will follow Ad-Dajjal because of the doubts he will spread. “

* There are many deceiving miracles Ad-Dajjal will perform to mislead the people on earth. He will appear between the cities of Iraq and Syria and will create disaster left and right.
* He will command the sky to rain and it will rain. He will command the earth, and it will produce crops. After grazing on these crops, their animals will return with their udders full of milk and their flanks stretched.
* Then lastly he will call a young man brimming with youth; he will strike him with a sword and cut him in two, then place the two pieces at a distance between an archer and his target.
* Then he will call to him, and the young man will come to him running and laughing. At that point, God will send Isa, (Jesus). He will search for the Ad-Dajjal and will find him at the Gate of Ludd (a city in Israel).
* They will engage in fierce battle and Isa will win. Then the Ad-Dajjal will be no more.

2. The appearance of Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj :

* Ya'jooj and Ma'jooj are two hidden tribes of people. These tribes were disbelieving descendants of Adem (Adam). They will come in enormous numbers and will outnumber all the believers of the world.
* They will break through a barrier that God created to hold them back and ravage the earth. There will be multiple killings throughout the world, but Isa will take the believers to Mount Tur for protection.
* They will drink all the water, destroy plants and animals and kill people. This will occur roughly around the time of the second coming of Isa, Jesus.
* Finally, God will send a type of worm or insect that will wipe them out.

3. The appearance of the Dabbat al-ard (the strange beast):

* The Dabbah is a strange beast who will have Nehushtan the Rod of Musa (Moses) and the Seal of Solomon. He will call people back to Islam. Some will heed to the call while others will reject it.
* The believers will then have a sign that says: "Believer" while the disbelievers will have a "Disbeliever" sign. The exact description of the animal is unknown.

1. Three huge earthquakes:

* Three major earthquakes will occur on the day of judgment and they will damage a great deal of the earth.
* One earthquake will occur in the east, another in the west, and the third will be in the Arabian Peninsula.

5. The smoke:

* Smoke will appear all over the earth that will cause believers to catch something similar to the common cold, whereas disbelievers will be hit harder by it.
* Finally, a cool wind will cause all the believers to die. This leaves all the unbelievers left on earth to experience the last hour of the day of judgment.

6. The sun will rise from the west:

* This will be a major sign indicating that the world has reached its end. God has created the sun and He always made it rise in the east, however, at the end of time He will reverse this process by making it rise from the west.
* Once this happens, God will not accept the repentance of the disbelievers, it will be too late for them. "The rising of the sun to half of the sky after continuous darkness (in the Arabian Peninsula) equal to the time of three days.
* The sun will set again in its direction after reaching the sky's middle" as stated by Muhammad goes parallel to the phenomenon of the polar shift.

7. The return of Isa (Jesus):

* Authentic narrations indicate that one of the major signs is that Isa (Jesus) will descend from the heavens in Damascus.
* Jesus will be the one to lead the believers in battle against the forces of The Dajjal.
* It is said that he will "break the cross" (disassociate himself from Christianity) and "kill the pigs" (return to the eating habits of the Jews), thus establishing the True Religion of God, i.e. submitting to His Divine Will.

CONCLUSION

* The human expression of an Islamic spirituality finds its most comprehensive statement in the combined effects of man’s faith, his surrender, and his virtuous soul. Faith becomes the human expression of the mind’s intelligence as it identifies itself with the intelligence of the Supreme Being.
* Finally, virtue, with its ethereal fragrance and its latent luminosity becomes the human expression of the soul’s essence, wherein knowledge and free will unite to form a beauty and a nobility of soul that share in the rays of the divine light. “Some faces that day will beam with beauty and light, as they gaze on their Lord”.