LIFE AFTER DEATH

LIFE AFTER DEATH Evidence of Eternal Existence W ILL I be raised again after I die and turn to dust or ashes? This question, though not often explicitly asked, lingers in the minds of those who doubt the existence of life after death. A person who shows no concern for the afterlife in their daily life may be demonstrating an underlying uncertainty about what comes after death, whether they consciously think about it or not. The Quran says: ‘What!’ they say, ‘When we are turned to bones and dust, shall we be restored to life?’ Say, ‘[yes] even if you turned to stones or iron, or any other substance which you think unlikely to be given life.’ Then they will ask, ‘Who is it that shall restore us to life?’ Answer them, ‘He who created you the first time.’ They will then shake their heads at you and say, ‘When will that be?’ Say, ‘It may well be very soon.’ (17: 49-51) However, if we take a moment to reflect deeply on this matter, the reality of life after death becomes more evident. While God has kept the specifics of the afterlife hidden from us as part of our test, countless signs in the world around us hint at these truths. The universe itself serves as a mirror reflecting the reality of the world to come. We were not always in our current form. Human life begins as a formless, lowly substance in the womb, gradually developing into a fully-formed human being. This miraculous transformation of an unseen, insignificant substance into a six-foot-tall person is a phenomenon we witness daily. So, why should it be difficult to believe that the particles of our bodies, once dispersed into the earth, could come together again to form a complete human being? Every human being is composed of countless atoms that were once scattered across the Earth and atmosphere. These atoms, brought together by air, water, and food, now form a living person. After death, the elements of our bodies will disperse again, only to be reassembled at God’s command, just as they were in the beginning. If something has happened once, why should it be surprising if it happens again? The body, made up of tiny cells, is in a constant state of renewal. Over time, every cell in our body is replaced, so much that after about ten years, we have an entirely new body.