Hundred Questions - Manifestations of Spirit
Manifestations of Spirit
Q26 What is the Isma`ili belief about the coming of the soul to this world again and again? Does the soul always appear in different manifestations?
A26 Before dealing with this question it is necessary to understand that Islam consists of shari`at, tariqat, haqiqat and ma`rifat. Thus the period between the time of the Prophet and qiyamat is divided into these four stages. Thus, in the beginning, emphasis is laid on shari`at, then if not all, some of them enter the tariqat, fewer reach the haqiqat and a very few reach the ma`rifat. This means that the exoteric teachings of Islam come first and then its esoteric teachings. Thus according to the esoteric teachings (haqiqat and ma`rifat) the soul comes to this world again and again. However, this question alone is not enough about the soul, we need to know further: Why does the soul come to this world? When does it come? How does it come? Does it come in the case of failure, or in the case of success? Does it come in both cases? If so, what is the difference between the two cases? And so on and so forth.
If the manifestation of the soul in this world is a Divine mercy, why should it not be given again and again as Divine mercy is infinite?
God has compared the concept of the existence and subsistence of all creatures to a circle by saying: "Everything moves on a circle" (36:40).
The holy Prophet has said: "The believers [of all communities] are indeed brothers and the prophets are like one soul". If all the prophets are like one soul, their coming to this world is like the numerous manifestations of one prophet. If this is the case, then from the haqiqati (esoteric) point of view, why should we not say that the manifestations of all these prophets were in fact, the different manifestations of the Nur-i Muhammadi (the light of Muhammad (May Allah send blessings and peace through him and his progeny)), and the Imams also are the different manifestations of the same light. Thus, it is evident that the soul also has numerous manifestations.
All our problems can be solved only in the light of Qur'anic wisdom. Thus, in Qur'anic wisdom it is said that the creation of the universe is [according to] the nature of God; and God has created people according to the same nature. This means that the shape and movement of the universe and the things therein are round and circular. There is nothing in it which by its form, shape and movement, does not show perpetual circulation, such as the heaven, the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, the air, the water, the earth etc. This shows that man also comes and goes. [However, the journey through this circle, which as explained in the answer to Question No. 2 consists of two semi-circles of the spiritual world and the physical world, is extremely long]. According to one estimation, it takes a man hundred lac, hundred lac and hundred lac (i.e. thirty million) years to go through one semi-circle, and hundred lac, hundred lac and hundred lac (i.e. thirty million) years to come through the other semi-circle. Thus the distance of the whole circle can be completed in the duration of sixty million years. For proper comprehension of the theme of the answer see also the answers to Questions 1 and 2.
| Chapter Index | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter |