The journey of the soul in the Qur’ān and the ḥadīth

And [remember] when your Lord brought forth from the loins of the children of Adam their offspring and made them testify about themselves [asking], “Am I not your Lord?” They said, “Yes indeed; We testify[1].” [We did so] lest you should say on the Day of Resurrection, “We were unaware of this,”

[1] This is alluding to the ‘mīthāq al-fitrah’ (the pledge of innate nature).

They ask you [O Prophet] about the spirit[1]. Say, “The spirit is of the affair of my Lord, and you have not been given knowledge except a little.”

[1] i.e., the spirit that sustains life in the body, according to most exegetes; it is also said to be the Archangel Gabriel.

We created man[1] from an extract of clay,

[1] i.e., Adam (عليه السلام).

then We placed him as a sperm-drop[1] in a safe place,

[1] i.e., a zygote.

then We made the sperm drop into a clinging clot, then We made the clinging clot into a lump, then We made the lump into bones, and We clothed the bones with flesh, and then We developed it into another creation[1]. So Blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.

[1] After breathing the spirit into the embryo.

Adhere sincerely to the true religion in all uprightness. This is the natural disposition[1] with which Allah has created mankind. There is no change in Allah’s creation. This is the straight religion, but most people do not know[2].

[1] Fitrah: the natural inborn inclination of man to worship his Lord prior to the corruption of his nature by external influences. Thus, the Islamic monotheistic faith is described as the religion of fitrah - that of the inherent nature of humankind.
[2] i.e., let people stay committed to their fitrah within the religion of Islam.

Whoever accepts guidance, it is only for his own good; and whoever goes astray, it is only for his own loss. No bearer of burden will bear the burden of another, nor do We punish until We have sent a messenger[1].

[1] The disbelievers will have no excuse whatsoever.

Who created death and life to test you as to which of you is best in deeds, and He is the All-Mighty, the Most Forgiving.

I have not created the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.

When the two angel scribes, constantly accompanying him[1], one on the right, and the other on the left[2].

[1] Recording each word and deed.
[2] There are two angle scribes: one on the right of each person, recording the good deeds, while the other on the left, recording evil deeds. They accompany humans all the time, except when one is intimate with their spouse or uses the bathroom.

Not a single word he utters but there is with him a vigilant watcher, ready [to record it].

while there are watchers[1] over you,

[1] i.e., angels who preserve all your deeds.

honorable scribes,

who know whatever you do.

Say [Allah says], “O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves, do not despair of Allah’s mercy, for indeed Allah forgives all sins[1]. He is indeed the All-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.

[1] It is for those who repent and correct themselves, no matter how big the sins are. The only unforgivable sin in Islam is dying in disbelief in Allah or associating others with Him. See 4:48. The Prophet (ﷺ) reports that Allah Almighty says, "O children of Adam! As long as you call upon Me, putting your hope in Me, I will forgive you for what you have done, and I will not mind. O children of Adam! If your sins were to reach the clouds of the sky and then you sought My forgiveness, I would forgive you. O children of Adam! If you were to come to Me with sins filling the whole world and then you came to Me without associating partners with Me, I would certainly match your sins with forgiveness." [At-Tirmidhi]

However, repentance is not for those who commit evil deeds until death approaches one of them, he then says, “Now I repent,” nor for those who die as disbelievers; for them We have prepared a painful punishment.

Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him[1], but forgives anything less than that for whom He wills. Whoever associates partners with Allah has indeed committed a grave sin.

[1] The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Allah will say to that person of the Hellfire who will receive the least punishment, ‘If you had everything on the earth, would you give it as a ransom to free yourself?’ He will say, `Yes’. Then Allah will say, ‘While you were in the backbone of Adam, I asked you much less than this, (i.e., not to worship others besides Me), but you insisted on worshiping others besides me.’" [Al-Bukhārī: 3334, Muslim: 2805]

those whose souls the angels take while they are in a state of purity[1], saying, “Peace be upon you; enter Paradise for what you used to do.”

[1] Their souls will be purified from polytheism, sins, and ill feelings.

Say, “The angel of death, who is in charge of you, will take your souls, then to your Lord you will be brought back.”

He is the Subjugator over His servants and sends over you recording-angels until when death comes upon one of you, Our angels take his soul, and they never fall short in their duty.

But Allah will never delay a soul when its appointed time comes, and Allah is All-Aware of what you do.

Until when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back,

so that I may do righteous deeds in what I left behind.” No, it is only a word he utters. And behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected[1]

[1] i.e., Once they die, there will be no chance of returning to the world, and they shall remain in that state until the Day of Resurrection.

Allah keeps those who believe steadfast with the firm Word [of faith] in the life of this world[1] and in the Hereafter. But Allah causes to stray the wrongdoers[2]; Allah does whatever He wills.

[1] When questioned in their graves by the angels.
[2] For doing wrong to themselves and others, Allah casts doubts and blindness in their hearts and does not guide them to say what is truthful in this life or in the grave.

Never think of those who have been killed in Allah’s way as dead; rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision[1],

[1] The Prophet (ﷺ) said: “When your brothers were killed in the Battle of ’Uhud, Allah placed their souls in the (abdominal) cavities of green fowls, drinking from the rivers of Paradise, eating from its fruits and coming back at the end of the day to repose in chandeliers hung in the Shadow of the Majestic Throne. For all of this, they said: “Who would tell our brothers about us; that we are in Paradise being provided for so that they may not give up fighting in the way of Allah or cower in war?” Allah Almighty said: “I will tell them on your behalf”. Then He revealed: “Do not think that those who were killed in the way of Allah are dead. Nay but they are alive with their Lord being provided for”. [Abū Dāwūd: 2520, Ahmad: 2388; another version is found in Muslim: 1887]

The Trumpet will be blown and all those in the heavens and all those on earth will fall dead, except whom Allah wills. Then it will be blown again, and at once they will be standing, looking on.

The Day when the earth will be changed to another earth and so will the heavens[1], and all will appear before Allah, the One, the Subjugator[2].

[1] Many exegetes who talk about what befalls the heavens and earth on that Day, opines that the replacement here is of the characteristics (al-sifāt), not of the quintessence (al-dhāt).
[2] Allah’s revenge will be on the Day of Judgment.

Does man think that We cannot reassemble his bones?

In fact, We are able to restore even his very fingertips.

O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then We surely created you[1] from dust, then from a drop of sperm[2], then from a clot[3], then from a lump of flesh[4] – formed or unformed[5] – so that We may make it clear to you [Our power]. We settle in the wombs whatever We will for an appointed term. Then We bring you out as infants, then [We nurture you] so that you may reach your maturity. Then some of you die, while others are left to reach decrepit old age so that they may know nothing after having knowledge. You see the land lifeless, then as soon as We send down rain on it, it stirs and swells to life and brings forth every type of pleasant plant.

[1] i.e., Your father, Adam.
[2] Nutfah: zygote, which is resulted from the union of male and female gametes (sperm and egg).
[3] ‘Alaqah: a clinging clot, which resembles a leech.
[4] Mudghah: a chewed piece of meat.
[5] i.e., formed ending into a healthy embryo, or defective ending in miscarriage.

And [beware of] the Day when We will move the mountains away, and you will see the earth laid bare[1]; We will gather them all and not leave behind anyone of them.

[1] i.e., flattened.

a Day when people will stand before the Lord of the worlds?

Allah: none has the right to be worshiped except Him, the Ever-Living[1], All-Sustaining[2]. Neither drowsiness overtakes Him nor sleep[3]. To Him belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. Who is there that can intercede with Him except with His permission? He knows what was before them and what will be after them[4], while they encompass nothing of His knowledge, except what He wills. His Kursī[5] [i.e., footstool] extends over the heavens and earth, and safeguarding of both does not weary Him, for He is the Most High[6], the Most Great[7].[8]

[1] Whose life is perfect, complete, and eternal, without beginning or end.
[2] Dependent on none for His existence while being the sustainer of all created beings.
[3] Dozing off and falling asleep are but normal to all creation that are inherently frail.
[4] Allah's knowledge encompasses every aspect of His creations in the past, present and future.
[5] Chair or footstool. It is not to be confused with al-‘Arsh (the Throne), which is infinitely higher and greater than al-Kursī.
[6] Above all of His creations and superior to them in essence, rank, and position.
[7] Whose greatness is unlimited, beyond description or imagination.
[8] This verse is known as Āyat al-Kursī, lit. The verse of the Footstool. It is the greatest verse in the Qur’an.

On that day, no intercession will be of any use except to whom the Most Compassionate gave permission and approved his word.

How many angels there are in the heavens whose intercession will be of no avail except after Allah’s permission to whom He wills and pleases.

We have bound every man’s deeds to his neck[1]. On the Day of Resurrection, We will bring forth for him a record which he will find spread open.

[1] i.e., after showing guidance for him, he is responsible for his own destiny.

[It will be said,] “Read your record; this Day you are sufficient to take account of yourself[1].”

[1] Everyone will be dealt with justly.

As for the one who is given his Record in his right hand, he will say, “Here is my Record, read it!

As for the one who is given his Record in his left hand, he will say, “Would that I had not been given my Record,

Whoever is given his Record in his right hand,

But whoever is given his Record from behind his back,

Today We will seal up their mouths, and their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will testify to all what they used to do.

until when they reach it, their hearing, their sight and their skins will testify[1] against them concerning what they used to do.

[1] On the Day of Judgment, the wicked will deny the evil deeds in their record of deeds - in an attempt to escape the punishment. They will be asked if they accept Allah, the angels, or even their own families and neighbors as witnesses, but they will refuse. So Allah will make their organs testify against them. [Ibn Kathīr]

We will place the scales of justice on the Day of Resurrection, and no soul will be wronged in the least. Even if a deed is the weight of a mustard seed[1], We will bring it forth. Sufficient are We as Reckoners.

[1] i.e., as small or insignificant as a mustard seed.

The weighing [of deeds] on that Day will be true and just. Those whose scales [of good deeds] are heavy, it is they who will be successful.

But those whose scales are light, it is they who have lost their own souls, because they wrongfully rejected Our verses.

Then the one whose scales of good deeds are heavy,

But the one whose scales of good deeds are light,

So whoever does an atom’s weight[1] of good will see it,

[1] Or a small ant’s weight.

and whoever does an atom’s weight of evil will see it.

There is none among you except that he will pass over it[1]; a decree from your Lord that must be fulfilled.

[1] Referring to the bridge of As-Sirāt, which is placed over Hell. Everyone will pass on it. The believers will cross it easily, each according to their faith, whereas the disbelievers and the hypocrites will fall into the Fire from the bridge.

Then We will save those who fear Allah and will leave the wrongdoers in it on their knees.

[Remember] the Day when you will see the believing men and women, with their light streaming ahead of them and on their right. [They will be told], “Glad tidings for you Today: gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever.” That is the supreme triumph.

Those who disbelieve from the People of the Book and the polytheists will be in the fire of Hell, abiding therein forever. It is they who are the worst of creatures.

As for those who believe and do righteous deeds – it is they who are the best of creatures.

Their reward with their Lord is Gardens of Eternity under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever. Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. This is for those who fear their Lord.

No soul knows what delights are kept hidden for them as a reward for what they used to do.

Allah has promised the believers, both men and women, gardens under which rivers flow, abiding therein forever, and splendid dwellings in the Gardens of Eternity, and Allah’s pleasure, which is the greatest of all; that is the supreme triumph.

For those who do good, there will be the best reward and more[1] – neither gloom nor humiliation will cover their faces[2]. It is they who are the people of Paradise, they will abide therein forever.

[1] Paradise and they will be able to see Allah Almighty. [cf. Sahih Muslim:181]
[2] “On that Day some faces will be bright, looking at their Lord” See 75:22-23.

On that Day some faces will be bright,

looking at their Lord[1].

[1] The dwellers of Paradise will be granted the honor of actually seeing their Lord in the Hereafter.

Those who reject Our verses, We will cast them into the Fire. Whenever their skins are burnt through, We will replace them with fresh skins, so that they may taste the punishment. Indeed, Allah is All-Mighty, All-Wise.

Indeed, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths of the Fire[1], and you will never find for them any helper,

[1] The Prophet (ﷺ) described four characteristics of a hypocrite: 1. Whenever he is entrusted, he betrays. 2. Whenever he speaks, he tells a lie. 3. Whenever he makes a covenant, he proves treacherous. 4. Whenever he quarrels, he behaves in an insulting manner." [Sahih al-Bukhāri: 33]. The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The worst people before Allah on the Day of Judgment will be the double-faced people who appear to some people with one face and to other people with another face." [Sahih al-Bukhāri: 84]