Asrar Rashid

Asrar Rashid is a writer, public lecturer, debater and teacher of Arabic and Islamic disciplines. He has undertaken studies under traditional Islamic teachers in Arabic and Islam, Ashʿarī Kalām, traditional rational theology, and its ancillary subjects in his city of birth, Birmingham (UK) and in Damascus (Syria).

Summary:
Souls preexist in the Alam al-Arwah (World of Souls) before being placed into human bodies. When a fetus is in the womb, an angel brings the soul from Alam al-Arwah after 4 months of gestation. The soul is placed through the top of the head, which is also the last point from where it is removed during death.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Understand the Quranic verse where Allah addressed the souls: “Am I not your Lord?” – and the souls replied “Indeed!” (7:172).
• Observe that the first sense to develop is the eyesight, and it is also the first to diminish at death.
• Recognize the role of angels in transporting souls and recording destiny: sustenance, lifespan, actions, and ultimate fate.

Reflective Questions:

• How does knowing the soul’s preexistence in Alam al-Arwah influence your view of life and purpose?
• What role does the divine knowledge of Allah play in preordaining destiny without negating free will?

Rabbit Holes:
Angels and the Soul’s Destiny, Four Decrees for Every Human, Alam al-Arwah

Summary:
The universe consists of seven heavens (As-Samawat) surrounding the known galaxies and metaphysical realms beyond. Alam al-Mithal (World of Similitudes) and Sidrat al-Muntaha exist in these heavens. Paradise and Hell currently exist, with Paradise on the right-hand side of Sidrat al-Muntaha.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Reflect on the seven heavens as concentric circles encompassing creation.
• Understand the metaphysical realms beyond the material world, like Alam al-Mithal, where the soul perceives realities greater than earthly existence.
• Study the positioning of Paradise and Hell as existent creations, refuting the Mu’tazilite claim that they will be created later.

Reflective Questions:

• How do metaphysical realms challenge our perception of existence and reality?
• Why is it important for believers to acknowledge Paradise and Hell as already created?

Rabbit Holes:
Sidrat al-Muntaha, Paradise and Hell’s Location, Alam al-Mithal

Summary:
A bad death can result from persistent sins, such as abandoning prayer, disobeying parents, consuming alcohol, engaging in zina (fornication), harming others, and earning haram income. Sins weaken the heart and sever the spiritual connection, leading to a dreadful end.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

1. Prioritize daily Salah and increase dhikr to combat laziness.
2. Avoid disobedience to parents; honor them even if they are non-Muslims.
3. Abstain from zina and alcohol, as these are primary causes of Su’ al-Khatimah.
4. Maintain halal earnings for inner peace and blessings.
5. Reflect on the importance of intentions; even outwardly righteous actions can fail due to corrupt motives.

Reflective Questions:

• What steps can I take today to remove sins that threaten my end?
• How do intentions influence the quality of actions and their impact on my soul?

Rabbit Holes:
Abandoning Salah, Honoring Parents in Islam, Impact of Haram Income

Summary:
The soul exits the body gradually, starting from the feet and leaving last through the top of the head. The eyes roll upward as the soul departs. The Angel of Death (Malak al-Mawt) extracts the soul, supported by other angels. Signs like illness, aging, and life events serve as warnings for death’s approach.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Reflect on the natural signs of death: gray hair, illness, and bodily weakness.
• Prepare spiritually by maintaining Salah and tawbah (repentance) to welcome death with a good end (Husn al-Khatimah).
• Recognize that sudden death or terminal illness can be opportunities for sincere repentance.

Reflective Questions:

• How can I better prepare for death spiritually and practically?
• What steps am I taking daily to ensure a good ending?

Rabbit Holes:
Angel of Death’s Role, Signs of Death in Islamic Tradition, The Pangs of Death

Summary:
The Barzakh is the barrier world between death and resurrection, where the soul remains connected to its body. Believers experience peace and view Paradise, while disbelievers face torment. The grave reflects one’s deeds, and the body, even if disintegrated, remains spiritually connected to the soul.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Reflect on the Quranic verse about Barzakh: “Behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected” (23:100).
• Recognize the importance of actions in this life that determine comfort or punishment in Barzakh.
• Remember that even a fragment of the coccyx bone will be used to reconstruct the body during resurrection.

Reflective Questions:

• How does the concept of Barzakh inspire me to live a more purposeful life?
• What actions can I do today to ensure my time in Barzakh is peaceful?

Rabbit Holes:
Grave Punishment and Rewards, The Coccyx Bone in Resurrection, Barzakh in Quranic Context

Summary:
On the Day of Resurrection, the human body will be recreated from the Ajb adh-Dhanab (coccyx bone). Allah will send the Maa’ al-Hayat (Water of Life), which will permeate the earth and reach the remnants of every human body, regenerating it. The body and soul will then be reunited for accountability.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Understand that the physical body disintegrates after burial, but a remnant (the coccyx bone) is preserved by Allah for resurrection.
• Reflect on the Quranic description: “And He will revive them from their graves.” (Quran 36:78-79)
• Prepare for accountability, as both body and soul will bear witness to one’s actions on the Day of Judgment.

Reflective Questions:

• How does the knowledge of resurrection influence the way I treat my body and soul in this life?
• What steps can I take to align my actions with the belief in accountability after resurrection?

Rabbit Holes:
Ajb adh-Dhanab and Resurrection, The Water of Life in Islamic Tradition, Reunion of Body and Soul

Summary:
On the Day of Judgment, every soul will be held accountable for its deeds. Good actions will ascend to the heavens and weigh heavily in one’s favor, while sins will bring torment. Actions are recorded by angels, who write down even intentions. The soul’s journey depends on the sincerity of one’s intentions and actions.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Reflect on the Hadith: “A good intention earns one reward, and an act of worship multiplies it tenfold or more.”
• Maintain pure intentions in all actions, as ulterior motives will eventually be exposed.
• Focus on consistency in worship and repentance, ensuring deeds are accepted by Allah.

Reflective Questions:

• How can I improve the sincerity of my actions to ensure they are recorded as good deeds?
• What role do my daily habits play in shaping my accountability on the Day of Judgment?

Rabbit Holes:
The Role of Angels in Recording Deeds, The Weight of Intentions in Islam, The Scale of Deeds on Judgment Day

Summary:
Divine decree (Qadar) encompasses Allah’s knowledge of all things, including life, death, actions, and ultimate destiny. However, this knowledge does not negate free will; humans are accountable for their choices, even though Allah knows the outcomes.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

1. Accept that both good and bad experiences occur by Allah’s will.
2. Reflect on the story of the man whose income reduced but his peace increased due to halal earnings.
3. Recognize that Allah’s decree is a mercy, as sustenance and lifespan are preordained and cannot be altered.

Reflective Questions:

• How can I balance reliance on Allah’s decree while taking responsibility for my actions?
• What does accepting divine decree teach me about patience and gratitude?

Rabbit Holes:
Free Will vs. Divine Knowledge, Qadar and Human Accountability, Halal Earnings and Trust in Allah

Summary:
Committing sins weakens one’s spiritual state, leading to the loss of blessings, laziness in worship, and a poor ending (Su’ al-Khatimah). Major sins such as zina, intoxicants, abandoning Salah, disobeying parents, and consuming haram income are particularly detrimental.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

• Identify and avoid major sins, starting with five categories: abandoning Salah, zina, intoxicants, sins of the tongue, and haram earnings.
• Seek forgiveness (tawbah) immediately for any sins committed.
• Reflect on the Hadith: “Good deeds erase bad deeds.” – make up for sins by performing righteous actions.

Reflective Questions:

• Which sins do I struggle with, and what steps can I take to overcome them?
• How does avoiding sins contribute to a healthier spiritual and emotional state?

Rabbit Holes:
Impact of Major Sins on the Soul, Tawbah and Redemption, Loss of Spiritual Sweetness

Summary:
The sweetness of worship (Halawat al-Ibadah) is a gift from Allah that can diminish due to sins or neglect. Sustaining this sweetness requires consistent acts of worship, sincerity, and avoidance of sin.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

1. Perform Salah regularly, focusing on Fajr and Isha for spiritual protection.
2. Engage in daily dhikr and Quran recitation to revive the heart.
3. Avoid sins that diminish spiritual sweetness, like backbiting, zina, or haram earnings.

Reflective Questions:

• How can I rekindle the sweetness of worship when it begins to diminish?
• What role does sincerity play in experiencing spiritual sweetness?

Rabbit Holes:
Halawat al-Ibadah, Dhikr and Reviving the Heart, Sincerity in Worship

Summary:
Achieving a good death requires consistent preparation through acts of worship, repentance, and righteous deeds. Avoiding sins, maintaining sincerity, and relying on Allah’s mercy are key to a peaceful end.

Actionable Steps / Examples:

1. Daily Habits for a Good Death:
   • Pray Salah consistently and in congregation.
   • Recite Quran daily (15 minutes morning/evening).
   • Seek forgiveness and make regular tawbah.
2. Avoid Major Causes of a Bad Death:
   • Laziness in Salah, zina, intoxicants, disobedience to parents, and haram income.
3. Make dua for Husn al-Khatimah: “O Allah, grant me a good end.”

Reflective Questions:

• How can I integrate small, consistent habits that prepare me for a good end?
• Which aspects of my life need improvement to align with the goal of Husn al-Khatimah?

Rabbit Holes:
Husn al-Khatimah, Avoiding Su’ al-Khatimah, Daily Habits for Spiritual Success

Summary:
In Islamic theology, there is a clear ontological distinction between the Creator (Allah) and the creation, including the human soul (nafs). Unlike non-dual philosophies like Advaita Vedanta, where the individual self merges with the ultimate reality (Brahman), Islam upholds the principle of tawhid (monotheism). Allah remains eternally distinct and transcendent, while all creation is dependent upon Him.

Key Points:

1. The Creator-Creation divide is fundamental to tawhid.
2. The human nafs is part of creation and not divine in itself.
3. Allah’s transcendence (Al-Aliyy) and immanence (Al-Qareeb) coexist without compromising His absolute distinction.

Quotes:

“There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.” Quran 42:11

Reflective Questions:

• How does maintaining the Creator-creation distinction protect the concept of tawhid?
• What are the spiritual implications of recognizing that the nafs is created and not divine?

Rabbit Holes:
Tawhid in Islamic Theology, Non-Dualism vs. Islam, Attributes of Allah

Summary:
The idea of a conflict between the nafs and Allah is a misunderstanding. In Islam, the struggle is not external but internal—it is a fight within the human self (jihad al-nafs). This spiritual struggle aims to purify the soul and align it with divine guidance (shariah and sunnah). The nafs can manifest as a source of evil (lower self) or ascend toward a state of purity (nafs al-mutma’innah).

Key Points:

1. The nafs has levels:
   • Nafs al-Ammarah (commanding self): Inclined toward evil.
   • Nafs al-Lawwamah (self-reproaching self): Aware of its faults.
   • Nafs al-Mutma’innah (tranquil self): At peace with Allah’s will.
2. The struggle (jihad al-nafs) is a form of self-purification.
3. Aligning the nafs with divine guidance brings spiritual growth and proximity to Allah.

Quotes:

“And I do not absolve my soul (nafs), for indeed the soul is a persistent enjoiner of evil, except those upon whom my Lord has mercy.” Quran 12:53

Reflective Questions:

• How can you identify and address the inclinations of your nafs?
• What practices help elevate the soul from nafs al-ammarah to nafs al-mutma’innah?

Rabbit Holes:
Levels of the Nafs, Jihad al-Nafs, Tazkiyah (Self-Purification)

Summary:
Islam balances the paradox of divine decree (qadr) and *human free will. While Allah’s omnipotence ensures that nothing occurs without His will, humans are granted agency and moral responsibility. This duality is approached differently in theological schools:

• Ash’arite View: Allah creates human actions, but humans “acquire” (kasb) these actions through their choices.
• Mu’tazilite View: Humans possess independent free will and are fully responsible for their actions.

The Qur’an supports both divine omnipotence and human accountability:

Key Points:

1. Humans have free will within the scope of Allah’s divine will.
2. Allah’s knowledge and decree do not negate human accountability.
3. Justice is achieved on the Day of Judgment, where actions are rewarded or punished.

Quotes:

“Indeed, We have guided him to the way, be he grateful or ungrateful.” Quran 76:3
“Allah does not burden a soul beyond that it can bear.” Quran 2:286

Reflective Questions:

• How do you reconcile Allah’s will with personal accountability for your actions?
• In what ways can understanding qadr strengthen your trust in Allah’s plan?

Rabbit Holes:
Qadr and Free Will, Theological Views on Free Will, Human Accountability in Islam

Summary:
In certain Sufi interpretations, the universe is seen as a manifestation of Allah’s attributes (Asma’ wa Sifat). Everything in existence reflects aspects of Allah’s divine names, such as Ar-Rahman (The Merciful) or Al-Khaliq (The Creator). This perspective emphasizes Allah’s presence in creation while maintaining the Creator-creation distinction.

Key Points:

1. The cosmos reflects divine attributes but does not share in Allah’s essence.
2. Reflecting on creation leads to greater awareness of Allah’s perfection and mercy.
3. Human beings, as Ashraf al-Makhluqat (the most honored creation), carry a responsibility to embody and reflect Allah’s names in ethical conduct.

Quotes:

“And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.” Quran 7:180

Reflective Questions:

• How can reflecting on Allah’s names deepen your understanding of the universe?
• What steps can you take to embody the attributes of Allah in your daily life (e.g., mercy, justice, generosity)?

Rabbit Holes:
99 Names of Allah, Divine Attributes and Creation, Sufi Cosmology