Body

72945

Is it correct to say that the body, soul and spirit are 3 components of a human being and that on death the spirit, and not the soul, leaves the body?

Rebecca Masterton, Dr Rebecca Masterton graduated with a BA in Japanese Language and Literature; an MA in Comparative East Asian and African Literature and a PhD in Islamic literature of West Africa. She has been... Answered 1 day ago

Scholars have not agreed upon how the body, soul and spirit are interconnected. Due to the Neoplatonic influences upon the Islamic tradition, some have come to believe that the body is like a shell consisting purely of matter, and that the soul yearns to be free of it to return back to its Creator (a whole stream of thought and practice in the mystical tradition has arisen based upon this idea, e.g. see the work of Shihabuddin Suhrawardi). Others, such as Mulla Sadra, say the body is a manifestation of the soul. However, still influenced by Neoplatonism, Mulla Sadra holds that, as the 'person' progresses through stages of purification, they move away from this material manifestation towards immateriality. Generally, among Muslim thinkers, the soul could be likened to the psyche. It is the part of ourselves that consists of desires, fears, and the characteristics that make up our personality. The Qur'an says that 'every soul (nafs) will taste death' (3:185). The Quran also talks about the experiences that we will have in the next world. The spirit is that which animates the body and gives it life. The spirit is also that which gives the soul life. Therefore, both will leave the body upon death, but it is the soul that experiences the trials and rewards of the next stage of existence.

96185

Water . Head . Ghusl . Body

Is making water reach every part of head and neck necessary during Ghusl or we can just pass water and make it completely reach the head and neck while washing the whole body? Are the ears included as well in this requirement?

Zaid Alsalami, Shaykh Dr Zaid Alsalami is an Iraqi born scholar, raised in Australia. He obtained a BA from Al-Mustafa University, Qom, and an MA from the Islamic College in London. He also obtained a PhD from... Answered 1 month ago

Bismihi ta'ala

Yes, in ghusl, water must reach all parts of the body, but not that you have to scrub it in. Just by allowing water to flow over it would be enough, with some assistance with your hands to make sure its completely reached the parts.

Ears are also included, like everywhere else. But, of course not the inside of the ear, or the inside of the nose. Just outer parts of the body.

And Allah knows best.

88537

Body . Prostration (sujud)

Which parts of the body should be touching the floor during Sajdah?

Bismihi ta'ala

There are seven obligatory parts that must be touching the ground while in the state of prostration in Salat.

Tip of the toes of both feet, both knees, both palms, and forehead.

It is also mustahab for the nose to be touching earth as well.

And Allah knows best.

80831

Body . Prophets . Qur'anic Verse . Prophet Muhammad

I have heard that the body of the Prophet Muhammad (pbh) and the other Prophets will not decompose. If true, does that not contradict Quranic verses 20:55 and 41:6?

Sayyed Mohammad Al-Musawi, Sayyed Mohammad al-Musawi is originally from Iraq and heads up the World Ahlul Bayt Islamic League in London. Other than being involved in various humanitarian projects, he frequently responds to... Answered 6 months ago

There is contradiction at all. Allah (SWT) grants everlasting life to the martyrs (2:154) and (3:169). The Prophets and Infallible Imams are much higher in degree from the martyrs, so, their continuous life is very obvious. Every Muslim salutes in his Salah, the Prophet السلام عليك أيها النبي ورحمة الله وبركاتهand all Pious servants of Allah السلام علينا وعلى عباد الله الصالحين

This means that they are alive to receive and respond to our salutations.

Allah (SWT) Has created the rules of this universe, but, His will is above all te rules. He made the fire cool and peace on Ibrahim, and He made Easa able to revive dead to alive. He ordered continuous life for His most humble servants.

Wassalam.

73717

Body . Salah (Prayers)

If you inadvertently scratch yourself anywhere on the body during prayer will that break the prayer?

Your prayer will not be invalid unless your body or cloth become Najis with considerable quantity of blood. If your body and cloth are Taahir, your Prayer is valid.

Wassalam.

65992

Islam . Body . Burial

Why does Islam require the body of a deceased to be buried quickly?

Bismihi ta'ala

One of the primary mustahab things for a deceased body is that it is quickly washed, shrouded and buried. There are numerous ahadith from Ahlul Bayt (a.s.) that point to the hastening in the process of laying the mayyit to rest in his/her grave.

As for burying the body quickly, besides the health reasons, the family of the deceased also need to vent their emotions and have a fixed place where they are able to mourn and then regularly visit.

However, if there are valid reasons for postponing the burial, then there would be no problem in that.

And Allah knows best.

67355

Sleep . Body

Is sleeping less a desirable objective in Islam? How can the amount of sleep that someone's body requires be decreased?

Amina Inloes, Amina Inloes is originally from the US and has a PhD in Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter on Shi'a hadith. She is the program leader for the MA Islamic Studies program at the... Answer updated 10 months ago

Sleep is one of the signs and blessings of Allah which is mentioned in the Qur'an.

Allah gave us sleep as a time of rest and recovery. Sleep makes us humble and reminds us that we are not invincible. Even if we are the most powerful person in the world, we still have to sleep and be vulnerable when we sleep.

Sleep is a time when we can keep away from sins, and we can be thankful to Allah to have that time. It is also a reminder of death and the resurrection, for those who pay attention to it and ponder it.

Sleep has been praised by Imam Rida (A): "Sleep is the sultan of the brain, the foundation of the body, and its strength."

Of course this praise is not for excessive sleep. It is not good to sleep excessively (beyond what one needs) or to live in such a way that all one cares about is eating and sleeping or to sleep just out of laziness. Still, a normal amount of sleep can be considered a part of worship (especially in the month of Ramadan), and what is normal or required varies from person to person and at different ages of our lives.

Sleep is part of the natural cycle, and virtually all animals sleep. They sleep at the correct time for their species and are awake at the correct time for their species.

Sometimes it is valuable to reduce sleep for the sake of worship, and of course there is nothing wrong with being awake because one needs to be awake, one wants to be awake, or one simply can't sleep. And of course it is good to be awake on laylat al qadr, etc. But in general in order to be a healthy functioning person, it is good to get the amount of sleep that one needs. I think in general, in industrialized/urban areas, there is much more of a tendency to get not enough sleep (especially in the age of electronics and television) rather than to oversleep.

Happy sleeping!

Sleep . Body

Is sleeping less a desirable objective in Islam? How can the amount of sleep that someone's body requires be decreased?

Abbas Di Palma, Shaykh Abbas Di Palma holds a BA and an MA degree in Islamic Studies, and certifications from the Language Institute of Damascus University. He has also studied traditional Islamic sciences in... Answered 10 months ago

as salam alaikum

Allah has created the night so that people may better rest and sleep. It is advisable to sleep in the first part of the night and not to go to sleep too late. There are some exceptions in certain days of the year or in relation to certain acts like seeking knowledge and reading the Qur'an. However generally speaking, the believer is not advised to stay awake an amount of time that would weaken his body or psychological state for salat al-layl, salat al-fajr or his daily commitments. Every person needs to adjust their timetable according to their situations and not necessarily sleeping less tantamount to lack of piety.

Having said that, sleeping too much is undesirable. To cut oversleeping habits, it is advisable to pray salat al-fajr as soon as the time enter and not fall asleep after it. If the body gets too tired by not sleeping enough in the morning, it is recommended to sleep a little in the middle of the day.

With prayers for your success

64565

Body . Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq

Where can I learn more about the questions on the human body that were answered by Imam Jafar Sadiq (AS)?

Tawheed al-Mufadhdhal is very good book in this regard. You can find it in the internet.

Wassalam.

62774

Body . Ghusl . Mayyit

If one is not sure whether the dead body they have touched has been given the Ghusl Mayyit or not, what should they do?

If they are not sure that the dead body was given Ghusl of Mayyit, they should preform Ghusl of touching the dead body (Ghusl of Mass-e- Mayyit) which is like any other Ghusl.

Wassalam.

63685

Body . Martyrdom

Has anyone ever tested a dead body of a Shaheed by keeping it in a room to see if it never gets spoiled?

It not allowed in Islam to keep a dead body with out burying it.

It have been confirmed that the body of Shaheed (martyr) and many pious believers remain fresh and never decay. Hundreds of such cases are registered in many countries when their graves were accidentally broken after long time and they bodies were found fresh. There are books written in this subject mentioning details of many similar cases.

Wassalam.

60155

Body . Man . Shaving

Is it allowed in Islam for males to shave body hair, such as on their arms, chest and legs, using a razor?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 1 year ago

Bismillah

Thank you for your question. There is no problem in manscaping any area of the body by yourself.

May you always be successful.