The Body as a Trust and the Journey of the Soul in Islam

In Islam, the body we inhabit is viewed not as a permanent possession, but as something borrowed—a trust given to us by God (Allah). We experience the world through this body: we see with our eyes, we hear with our ears, and we interact with everything around us using these physical faculties. Yet, even with all these senses, there are countless realities in the universe that remain hidden from us. For example, things like air, gravity, or even emotions and thoughts—we know they exist, but we cannot see them with our eyes. Invisible realities are not unique to the hereafter; even in this world our perception is limited.

The end of our physical life—what we commonly call “death”—is, from a worldly perspective, the conclusion of this body’s journey. In Islamic belief, however, death is not an end, but a transition. Islam teaches that each person is composed of a soul (rooh) as well as a body. The soul existed before our birth and continues after the body’s demise. When we die, it is simply the moment our soul departs this earthly vessel and moves on to the next phase of existence.

This next phase is a return, in a sense, to a reality much greater than the earthly one—one from which the soul originated. Yet, the full knowledge of this metaphysical realm—the realities of the heavens and the earth—remains veiled from us in our human condition. Only God possesses this ultimate knowledge.

For Muslims, remembering that the body is a trust, and life is a journey, shapes how one should live: with responsibility, gratitude, and awareness of the unseen. For non-Muslim readers, this perspective invites reflection on the nature of existence and the mysteries that lie both within and beyond our physical perception.

In this understanding, our journey does not end with death; it simply continues beyond what our eyes can see now.

What Do the Scholars Say About the Soul?

When we try to understand the nature of our soul, we naturally turn to those who have studied these questions deeply. The most respected Islamic scholars throughout history have approached this topic with both humility and careful study of the Quran and authentic teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The Foundation of Our Understanding

The starting point for any discussion about the soul comes from a beautiful verse in the Quran where Allah says:

“And they ask you about the soul. Say: ‘The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And of knowledge, you have been given only a little.'” (Quran 17:85)

Think about this for a moment. Even when people directly asked about the soul, the response acknowledges that complete knowledge of it belongs to Allah alone. This doesn’t mean we can’t learn anything about it—rather, it reminds us to approach this topic with humility.

What does this mean for you and me? It means we shouldn’t expect to understand everything about our spiritual nature, and that’s perfectly okay. Sometimes the most profound truths require us to accept mystery alongside knowledge.

Death: An End or a Beginning?

Have you ever wondered what it really means to die? The scholars who came after Prophet Muhammad—those we call the Salaf, meaning the early generations—understood death very differently from how we often think about it today.

The Quran teaches us:

“Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good, and to Us you will be returned.” (Quran 21:35)

Notice the word “returned.” This suggests we’re going back to somewhere we came from, doesn’t it? Death isn’t described as an ending, but as a return journey.

Consider this: when you finish reading a book, the story doesn’t disappear. It continues to exist, just not in the same way you were experiencing it page by page. Similarly, when our physical life ends, our soul’s story continues—just in a different realm.

The Soul’s Temporary Home

Another verse that helps us understand this concept says:

“Allah takes away the souls at the time of their death, and those that die not during their sleep. He keeps those (souls) for which He has ordained death and sends back the others till an appointed term.” (Quran 39:42)

This verse reveals something fascinating. Even during sleep, there’s a temporary separation between soul and body. Have you ever noticed how different sleep feels from being awake? Your body rests, but your mind—your soul—can travel through dreams to places and experiences that feel completely real.

This daily experience of sleep gives us a small glimpse into what the greater transition of death might be like. Your soul doesn’t cease to exist when your body sleeps; it simply experiences a different state of being.

What Happens When the Soul Departs?

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said something that helps us visualize this transition: “When the soul is taken out, the eyesight follows it.” This hadith, recorded in authentic collections, suggests that even in the final moments, there’s a connection between our physical and spiritual selves.

But here’s what might surprise you: the journey doesn’t end there. According to authentic Islamic teachings, the soul experiences various stages after leaving the body. Classical scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah and his student Ibn al-Qayyim wrote extensively about these stages, drawing from the Quran and authentic hadiths.

A Different Perspective on Life

When you really think about what these teachings mean, they change how you view everything, don’t they? The Quran describes worldly life this way:

“Know that the life of this world is only play and amusement, pomp and mutual boasting among you, and rivalry in respect of wealth and children. It is like rain whose vegetation pleases the tillers; then it dries up and you see it turning yellow; then it becomes debris.” (Quran 57:20)

This doesn’t mean life is meaningless—quite the opposite. It means this life is temporary, like a season. Just as spring eventually gives way to summer, our earthly existence gives way to something greater.

Think about the last time you moved homes. The old house wasn’t your permanent address, even though it felt like home for a while. You packed up, moved on, and created new memories in a new place. The soul’s journey after death is similar—a relocation to a different realm of existence.

Questions for Your Reflection

As you consider these teachings, ask yourself:

• How does knowing your body is a trust from Allah change the way you treat it?
• If this life is temporary, what does that mean for the decisions you make today?
• What would change in your daily routine if you truly believed your soul continues beyond physical death?

The Bigger Picture

Here’s something beautiful to consider: Islamic scholars teach that when someone dies, their soul returns to their Creator, awaiting the Day of Judgment. Death becomes the beginning of a journey to what they call the “permanent home in the afterlife.”

But this raises an important question for all of us, regardless of our current beliefs: If there’s even a possibility that consciousness continues beyond physical death, how should that influence the way we live right now?

The scholars emphasize something profound—while we have limited knowledge about the soul’s complete nature, we have sufficient guidance about its journey and our responsibilities in this temporary life.

Living with This Awareness

Understanding the temporary nature of our physical existence and the continuing journey of our soul isn’t meant to make us fearful or detached from life. Instead, it’s meant to bring clarity to our priorities.

When you truly grasp that your body is borrowed and your soul is on a journey, several things naturally follow:

You start treating your body with more respect, knowing it’s a trust. You become more conscious of your actions, understanding they have consequences beyond this world. You develop a deeper appreciation for relationships, knowing they’re precious gifts during your temporary stay here.

Most importantly, you begin to live with purpose, recognizing that this life is preparation for something greater.

The Mystery and the Message

The early Islamic scholars, despite their deep knowledge, always returned to the fundamental truth: the complete nature of the soul remains Allah’s knowledge. But they found this mystery comforting rather than frustrating.

Why? Because it reminds us that some aspects of existence are meant to inspire awe and humility rather than complete understanding. Just as you don’t need to understand electricity to benefit from light, you don’t need to comprehend every aspect of the soul to live a meaningful spiritual life.

A Final Thought

Whether you’re Muslim or simply someone curious about different perspectives on life and death, this Islamic understanding offers something valuable: the idea that your existence has meaning beyond what you can see and touch.

Your current struggles, achievements, relationships, and choices all become part of a larger story—one that doesn’t end when your borrowed body can no longer serve as your temporary home.

The question isn’t whether you fully understand this concept. The question is: What would change in your life if you lived as though your soul’s journey truly extends beyond what your eyes can currently see?

In embracing this perspective, you join countless generations who have found peace in knowing that death is not an end, but a continuation of a journey that began long before birth and extends far beyond what we can imagine.

The mystery remains, but so does the hope. And perhaps, in the end, that’s exactly as it should be.