154- Does the Spirit Die Too?
There is no doubt that the spirit is also God's creature. Therefore, like all other beings, it is not going to be eternal. It came into existence by God's will, and everything that has come into existence is mortal (except God). So, whether it is in the realm of spirits or is bound to a worldly body in the afterlife, the spirit will eventually die and transform.
Furthermore, if we say that the spirit is an abstract essence and will not die, in this case, we have to say that either the spirit should be like God or a piece torn off from God, while both cases are impossible. On the other hand, if we were to assume such, what would we say about this Holy Verse: "Everything will diminish except His Face" (Al-Qasas, Verse 88). That being the case, should we not acknowledge that the spirit dies too, and should we not acknowledge that it is mortal like all other creatures?
However, what happens to the issue of eternity in paradise or hell?
"They will be companions of the Fire (or paradise); they will abide therein eternally." (Al-Baqarah, Verses 82 and 229). The only thing we have here is that this "eternity" does not hold the meaning of "forever and endless" that we assume for it. Then again, if this is the case, we should inform the people of hell of the great news that they will eventually be saved from the damnation of God and can lie down in the comforting bed of death! Moreover, we should inform the people of paradise not to prolong their merriment because these rich blessings will one day be taken from you by the entity that kills the spirit!
Now, I am asking the scholars and the readers of the astute "Noor-e-Danesh" magazine to answer these questions that lie heavy on my mind. I ask you to accept my sincere gratitude.
Abbasali Mahmoodi – Sabzevar