Question
Does the soul (rūḥ) die?
Answer
The soul is a creation of Allah ﷻ, created to remain, not to perish. According to Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah, the soul does not die nor become annihilated. Some innovators, however, claim that the souls will perish, but this is contrary to the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah.
Evidence from Aḥādīth
❀ Sayyidunā ʿAbdullāh ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) reported:
أرواحهم فى جوف طير خضر، لها قناديل معلقة بالعرش، تسرح من الجنة حيث شاءت
“Their souls (of the martyrs) are in the insides of green birds, having lanterns suspended from the Throne. They roam about in Paradise wherever they wish.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 1887)
Scholarly Commentary
❀ Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ (رحمه الله, d. 544H) said:
فيه أن الأرواح باقية لا تفنى، فينعم المحسن ويعذب المسيء كما جاء فى القرآن والآثار، وهو مذهب أهل السنة، خلافا لغيرهم من أهل البدع القائلين بفنائها
“This ḥadīth proves that souls remain and do not perish. The righteous are blessed, and the wicked are punished, as mentioned in the Qur’an and traditions. This is the belief of Ahl al-Sunnah, contrary to some innovators who claim that the souls perish.”
(Ikmāl al-Muʿlim 6/306)
Conclusion:The soul does not die or vanish. It continues to exist—enjoying blessings if righteous or suffering torment if evil—until the Day of Judgment. This is the consensus of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah.
