❀ A Scholarly Review of the Human Soul in Light of the Qur’an and Hadith ❀
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
The soul (rūḥ) is a profound secret whose true nature lies beyond human comprehension. While the Qur’an and ḥadīth provide some foundational insights, the complete knowledge of the soul remains solely with Allah. What has been revealed is sufficient for belief, reflection, and understanding the spiritual essence of human life.
Sūrah al-Isrāʾ (17:85)
"وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا"
Translation:
“And they ask you concerning the soul. Say: The soul is from the command of my Lord, and you have been given only a little knowledge about it.”
Point:
This verse clarifies that the reality of the soul is a concealed matter, and human beings have been granted limited knowledge concerning it.
Sūrah as-Sajdah (32:9)
"ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ..."
Translation:
“Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His soul. And He made for you hearing, sight, and hearts – little are you grateful.”
Point:
This verse reveals that the soul is the source of life, consciousness, and understanding, and is granted after the physical form is completed.
Sūrah az-Zumar (39:42)
"ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا..."
Translation:
“It is Allah who takes the souls at the time of their death and those that do not die during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has decreed death and releases the others until an appointed time.”
Point:
This verse shows that the soul is the core of life, and Allah takes it at death. Even in sleep, the soul is temporarily withdrawn, demonstrating its non-material, divine link.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When the drop of fluid (nutfah) is 42 days old, Allah sends an angel to breathe the soul into it, and write its provision, lifespan, deeds, and whether it will be wretched or blessed.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2643, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3208
Point:
This ḥadīth teaches that the soul enters the fetus by Allah’s command at a specific point, and the decree regarding the child’s life is also written then.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When the soul of a believer is taken, it is taken to the heavens and the angels say: ‘A pure soul has come!’ Then Allah commands: Record it in ʿIlliyyīn. But when a wicked soul is taken, the angels say: ‘A filthy soul has come!’ And Allah commands: Record it in Sijjīn.”
Musnad Aḥmad: 18557, Abū Dāwūd: 4753
Point:
After death, the soul undertakes a spiritual journey. Its destination—high or low—depends on its righteousness or wickedness, as decreed by Allah.
① The soul is non-physical and invisible.
② It is the fundamental source of life.
③ It can temporarily leave the body during sleep.
④ Souls are either pure or impure, based on one’s deeds.
◈ The soul is from Allah’s command, and only He has full knowledge of it.
◈ Life begins when the soul enters the body; death occurs when it departs.
◈ After death, the soul embarks on a journey to its appointed place based on its deeds.
◈ Even during sleep, the soul is partially detached, yet returned until its final departure.
◈ On the Day of Resurrection, the soul will be reunited with the body for final judgment.
May Allah grant us understanding of the truth and bless our souls with righteousness and His acceptance. Āmīn.
Written by: Qārī Usāmah bin ʿAbd al-Salām ḥafiẓahullāh
❖ The Human Soul – A Mysterious Reality
The soul (rūḥ) is a profound secret whose true nature lies beyond human comprehension. While the Qur’an and ḥadīth provide some foundational insights, the complete knowledge of the soul remains solely with Allah. What has been revealed is sufficient for belief, reflection, and understanding the spiritual essence of human life.
❖ The Soul in the Light of the Qur’an
➊ Knowledge of the Soul Belongs Only to Allah
Sūrah al-Isrāʾ (17:85)"وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلرُّوحِ ۖ قُلِ ٱلرُّوحُ مِنْ أَمْرِ رَبِّى وَمَآ أُوتِيتُم مِّنَ ٱلْعِلْمِ إِلَّا قَلِيلًۭا"
Translation:
“And they ask you concerning the soul. Say: The soul is from the command of my Lord, and you have been given only a little knowledge about it.”
Point:
This verse clarifies that the reality of the soul is a concealed matter, and human beings have been granted limited knowledge concerning it.
➋ The Soul Is Given by Allah’s Command
Sūrah as-Sajdah (32:9)"ثُمَّ سَوَّىٰهُ وَنَفَخَ فِيهِ مِن رُّوحِهِۦ..."
Translation:
“Then He fashioned him and breathed into him of His soul. And He made for you hearing, sight, and hearts – little are you grateful.”
Point:
This verse reveals that the soul is the source of life, consciousness, and understanding, and is granted after the physical form is completed.
➌ The Body Is Lifeless Without the Soul
Sūrah az-Zumar (39:42)"ٱللَّهُ يَتَوَفَّى ٱلْأَنفُسَ حِينَ مَوْتِهَا..."
Translation:
“It is Allah who takes the souls at the time of their death and those that do not die during their sleep. Then He keeps those for whom He has decreed death and releases the others until an appointed time.”
Point:
This verse shows that the soul is the core of life, and Allah takes it at death. Even in sleep, the soul is temporarily withdrawn, demonstrating its non-material, divine link.
❖ The Soul in the Light of the Hadith
➊ How the Soul Enters the Body
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When the drop of fluid (nutfah) is 42 days old, Allah sends an angel to breathe the soul into it, and write its provision, lifespan, deeds, and whether it will be wretched or blessed.”
Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2643, Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3208Point:
This ḥadīth teaches that the soul enters the fetus by Allah’s command at a specific point, and the decree regarding the child’s life is also written then.
➋ The Journey of the Soul After Death
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"When the soul of a believer is taken, it is taken to the heavens and the angels say: ‘A pure soul has come!’ Then Allah commands: Record it in ʿIlliyyīn. But when a wicked soul is taken, the angels say: ‘A filthy soul has come!’ And Allah commands: Record it in Sijjīn.”
Musnad Aḥmad: 18557, Abū Dāwūd: 4753Point:
After death, the soul undertakes a spiritual journey. Its destination—high or low—depends on its righteousness or wickedness, as decreed by Allah.
❖ Key Characteristics of the Soul
① The soul is non-physical and invisible.
② It is the fundamental source of life.
③ It can temporarily leave the body during sleep.
④ Souls are either pure or impure, based on one’s deeds.
❖ Summary of Core Concepts
◈ The soul is from Allah’s command, and only He has full knowledge of it.
◈ Life begins when the soul enters the body; death occurs when it departs.
◈ After death, the soul embarks on a journey to its appointed place based on its deeds.
◈ Even during sleep, the soul is partially detached, yet returned until its final departure.
◈ On the Day of Resurrection, the soul will be reunited with the body for final judgment.
❀ Supplication:
May Allah grant us understanding of the truth and bless our souls with righteousness and His acceptance. Āmīn.
