The symbols { } are used for clarification purposes only.

In the beginning mankind didn’t begin life as a fleshy creature. He was just in spirit form only and what dimensions he could exist in or travel in or how he performed within a group belongs to the UNSEEN and knowledge of these things should be classified as  speculation only!!!!!

But apparently such souls branched out and eventually, however that may have occurred, took on experiences or developed interests which helped to make or ‘form’ their various  ‘personalities’.

Is there any proof from the Bible that we were ‘bodiless spirits’ BEFORE we came to Earth besides the hadith quoted in the last article, ‘Seers Versus Prophets and Other Important Things’ about the soul entering the body after 120 days? There are several probable verses explaining such a possible event. The strongest one might be the verses found in the beginning of Genesis:

In the beginning GOD created the heavens and the earth.

Now the earth was formless and empty {full of water without distinguishing features}, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit {the collective, homogenus group later to be called mankind} of GOD was hovering over the waters.                          Genesis (1:2)

So, one can say, “The COLLECTIVE spirit of GOD was involved in the examining the wonders and being in awe of the Creative Forces at work before ‘life’ started on land.” That would be over 4 billion years ago and counting.

It would be totally facetious as well as outrages to think that GOD is a ‘floating spirit’ hovering over the waters like a helicopter!!!

It (these ‘collective spirits’) is much like a one year old child looking around inquisitively and with wonder at the sights and sounds of what we would call everyday life. Here we find the ‘souls’ experiencing wonders and much like a conscience-forming child in its education of the environment surrounding it, so to with these ‘souls’.

In all reality, this ‘jelling of the Creative Forces’, occurred before the following event:

Verily, WE did offer the TRUST to the heavens, and the earth, and the MOUNTAINS but they refused TO BEAR IT because they were afraid of it. Yet man took it up for, verily, he was indeed unjust and foolish {to the purpose of his created (spirit) soul}.       Q (33:72)

This idea has tremendous philosophical and psychological implications for mankind, especially for his over developed and selfish ego which causes man to seek out selfishly for himself.

In a previous article, ‘Are We Alone’, discussing whether man exists on other planets or other realms, we find that man, as we understand the term in the narrow sense, as to being a member of the human race called Homo sapiens.

As far as we know and admittedly we don’t know much, the soul keeps its shape whereas the ‘SHELL’ or body can change – a change in shape/sex/color/size/abilities/place of birth/etc. are not out of contention. This expands greatly the concept of Ibnu Adam to include whatever fits the bill! And this gives us some understanding of ourselves as to others or it should but often does not.*

       {*There but for the GRACE of GOD go I!}

Whatever fits the bill means ‘soul development‘ as ALLAH and ONLY ALLAH is the ‘GARDENER‘ – PLANNER, CARETAKER, MOVER, DEVELOPER, PROTECTOR, THE FIRST, THE LAST AND THE VICTOR. Simply put, HE is THE ONLY TRUE RULER AND SOVEREIGN KING whom all must submit to!

Jesus declared “I am the true vine, and my FATHER is the GARDENER (HUSBANDMAN)**. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit HE takes {it} away; and every branch that bears fruit HE prunes {it}, that it may {grow and} bear more fruit.”                                          John (15:1-2)

And if it is HIS DECISION to send someone to Paradise so be it and it happens! And if it is HIS DECISION to send someone to the Hell-Fire so be it and it happens.

All the more reason to increase one’s awareness of the ONE WHO gave us life, provides us WITH THE LESSONS NEEDED FOR SUCCESS  (which comes in many forms and IF we are open enough to take it) EVEN IF THESE LESSONS ARE PAINFUL TO RECEIVE AND HE IS ALSO THE ONE WHO HAS MADE A FINAL DESTINATION FOR THE SUCCESSFUL BEYOND WONDER AND BEAUTY.

The problem with these thoughts is not that they are too advanced, and in some degree they seem very plausible, but that these things should be classified in the category of the UNSEEN. Therefore, they are ‘interesting’ but NOT immediately practical for the majority of the currently ‘suffering’ human beings in this world.

      {**I used the example of ALLAH being a GARDENER (CARETAKER – HUSBANDMAN) taken from the concepts found in the Gospel of John (15:1) and from HIS HOLY NAME (AL-MUHAYMIN).

This provides yet another learning point in that the various Ummahs or named religions have their own peculiar flavoring. Here we are concerned with the basically the Abrahamic Faiths,  which have their own way to coat things.

“I {Jesus} am the true vine, and my {GOD} FATHER is the GARDENER.

HE cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit HE prunes it so that it will be even more fruitful.  John (15:1-2)}

The New Testament, for example, has great things of so-called mystic beauty which are extremely hard to understand BUT it also contains ways for people to ruin their lives as Paul expresses in 2Thessalonians and which the Quran talks about in Q (40:75)

And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness {found} in them that perish {in the secret recesses of the heart or that seat of blessedness of the soul}; because they did not receive {believe in or fight for} the love of the truth that they might be saved.

And for this cause {contempt for GOD’s TRUTH so that they will be rejected by GOD} GOD shall send {upon} them STRONG DELUSION that they should believe {in} a lie {focus not on doing what is right – the real food for the soul}:

That they all might be damned who didn’t believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness {took their comfort in doing other than the truthfull WAY with the highest example of believing in joining partners with GOD}.                                                                                             2 Thessalonians (2: 10-12)-words accredited to Paul.

You have met this fate because you rejoiced on the earth in things OTHER THAN THE TRUTH, and then EXULTED {REVELED} in it.”             Q (40:75)

These ways are like ‘traps’ set to catch the intended prey’. The key word here is ‘INTENDED‘ showing just how knowledgeable and how much in control ALLAH is!!!

EVEN JESUS (PBH) DECLARED AS MUCH WHEN HE CONFIRMED THAT HE TALKED IN PARABLES FOR A REASON!

The Disciples came to him {Jesus} and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.

Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance {as they have been pruned by THE GARDENER – and every branch that bears fruit HE prunes {it}, that it may {grow and} bear more fruit.”}. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.

This is why I speak to them in parables: “Though seeing, they do NOT see; though hearing, they do NOT hear or understand.

In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah: “‘You will be ever hearing but NEVER understanding; you will be ever seeing but NEVER perceiving {and so ALLAH has cut off the LIGHT from reaching their hearts for HE is the ONLY ONE responsible for SALVATION}.

For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn {to faith}, and I would heal them {with ALLAH’s PERMISSION}.

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.

For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.  Matthew (13:10-17)

So, one can understand how any Holy Book can uplift OR destroy a person!

And in Islam one can see the lunacy of many immature souls trying to do ALLAH a favor by joining ISIS, for example, and in reality turning what ISLAM REALLY IS into a ‘dark, arrogant’ and twisted philosophy – for themselves!

On the so-called Christian side of things, when one sees the passages of Paul and some expressions of Jesus (pbh) found in the New Testament, THE UNBALANCED MIND OF THAT PERSUASION CAN HAPPILY, JOYFULL AND WILLFULLY SWIM IN THE SMELLY  SEWER OF JOINING PARTNERS WITH THE ONE GOD AND STILL FEEL SO GREAT AND RIGHTEOUS ABOUT THEMSELVES!

THEN WILL COME THE RECKONING!

So, it is like the warning given on a pack of cigarettes, for example. It is there but if the soul has ‘got to have it’ and forges ahead with embracing his actions with purposeful and joyful intent – well he WAS WARNED AND HAS TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCE OF HIS WILLFUL ACTIONS!

You hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,

This people {who overly praise me – Jesus} draw nigh unto me WITH THEIR MOUTH, and HONOR ME WITH THEIR LIPS; BUT THEIR HEART is FAR from me.

But IN VAIN they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men*** {Following after the ways of the world as what men have done in the past to cheapen the REAL TRUTH}.  Matthew (15:7-9)

     {***The ‘commandments of men’ refer to ‘worldly ways’ on how to succeed or placate one’s ‘god’ as if one is in a ‘tribal’ setting of old with various fluffy, illogical concepts.}

An example of this is the old, phony, philosophical ‘duality’ concept, of two gods, a good god and a bad god which is so illogical but gets its worldly twisted ways from misunderstanding certain actual concepts.

Some examples of a notion of real dualism, however, can be found when one talks about good vs. evil; Holy Books healing or being destructive; The Christ vs. the Anti-Christ; the Prince of Peace (Jesus) and Jesus saying {“Think NOT that I am come to send peace on earth: I came NOT to send peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34)}; the teachings of Jesus (pbh) who came for the Jews alone can truthfully be used to spread truth to the Gentiles though he is NOT the prophet sent to the Gentiles according to him as he was COMMANDED to be SENT to the lost tribes of Israel only but truth itself cannot be denied; Islam using the ‘sword’ of strength and adherence to GOD’s PEACEFUL and ABUNDANT WAYS to bring a calm, unity and societal devotion instead of letting corrupt, world-loving monsters do their own thing while eradicating true belief.

On the right we find truth but on the left we find falsehood. Therefore, misapplication of real truths will no doubt bring about falsehoods such as that which was expressed as dualism! And the same MISAPPLICATION OF RELIGION HAS PLAYED HAVOC WITH THE SOULS OF MAN DOWN THROUGH THE CENTURIES.

For the Christians to go DIRECTLY TO JESUS without intermediaries that they can’t fully understand, would be a good thing. So, they should listen to his voice above the others to determine what is right.

According to Jesus (pbh) “Do not believe {in} me unless I do the works of my FATHER.

But IF I do them {which he did}, EVEN THOUGH YOU DO NOT BELIEVE {in} ME, believe the works {my healings and miracles}, that you may know and understand {with the hope that you will be turned to good and find salvation} that the FATHER is in me, and I in the FATHER.” {with a oneness of consent and purpose}

Such a saying does NOT put belief in Jesus (pbh) as being central for salvation but puts the BELIEF IN THE SINGLENESS OF GOD TO BE THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM****.         John (10:37-38)

      {****It was ALLAH that chose that particular soul to eventually go through the treadmill of existence or to be that wonderful ‘Sign’ unto mankind. ALLAH chose him as Messiah!

He (the adam-Jesus complex) did NOT chose himself for he is only a servant and many were the servants before him. {Christ the son of Mary was no more than a prophet; many were the prophets that passed away before him. His mother was a woman of truth. They both had to eat their (daily) food. See how ALLAH does make HIS Signs clear to them; yet see in what ways they are deluded away from the truth! Q  (5:75)}

Jesus being anointed (the completed stamp of approval) as the one who succeeded in overcoming and finally becoming the Messiah during the baptism by John the Baptist (pbh) in the Jordan River.*****

         {*****”What do you say about the one whom the FATHER set apart {before man walked the Earth} as HIS very own and sent into the world” (as the Word?)}…    John (10:36)

And of the Jews, what of them? Did they not proclaim themselves as ‘royal souls’ of the world amidst the plain, ordinary ‘others’ (the Gentiles)? For many think that the ‘return’ means that the Jews (only) will be returned to the Holy Land.

If that is so, then for millennia, Jews have populated and continue to inhabit the Holy Land in the hundreds of millions! Seems like the last census taken in Israel was that the Jews numbered less than four million! Some return!!!

Rather the pride of the peoples has turned against them and they should, to be safe, acknowledge the progressive ways that came after them because ALLAH is THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN WEAR THE GARMENT OF PRIDE and HE will humiliate others who live in pride.

And so it is!

PRACTICALITY, however, trumps ideology****** and so one can take a look at the people buried next to the Prophet (pbh) as a measuring stick concerning this!

All this proves is that Islam can be very practical as well as very deep in providing awesome examples.

          {******The use of the RIGHT hand and/or starting with the RIGHT foot, for example, in Islam is known for certain important things. Suffice it to say that the right hand/right foot is the preferable hand/foot in doing certain acts of worship from eating to stepping out of the toilet.

‘Umar bin al-Khattab was one of the greatest heroes in Islamic history. He is considered stronger in the spread of Islam and more successful by many than his predecessor Abu Bakr or anyone who came after him. He also showed, according to hadiths, some psychic ability that Abu Bakr didn’t possess.

The Prophet (pbh) said concerning ‘Umar: “Among the nations who came before you there were muhaddathoon (men who were inspired) and if there are any such men among my Ummah, then ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab is one of them.”

It was narrated that ‘AbdALLAH ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) say: “While I was sleeping, a cup of milk was brought to me and I drank until I saw its wetness coming out of my nails. Then I gave the rest to ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab.” They said, “How did you interpret that, O Messenger of ALLAH?” He said, “(It is) knowledge.”

One might expect that ‘Umar, when he died, would be the one who would be buried on the right side of the Prophet (pbh) but that is NOT so! That honor belongs to the first chosen Caliph – Abu Bakr. So, what did he have going for him?

In one hadith discussing giving wealth for the cause of Islam ‘Umar was brave enough to contribute half of everything he had. When it came to finding out what Abu Bakr gave, the inquisitive ‘Umar was surprised to find out that he gave everything for the cause and what he left behind for his family was the Prophet (pbh).

According to ‘Umar, he stated that then and there he knew that he would not be able to surpass the ‘greatness’ of Abu Bakr in anything.

‘Umar’s qualities were great but Abu Bakr’s qualities were greater! This also has implications for a balanced thought. It seems that the doing {which is the following of the practices of Muhammad (pbh)}is more important than worldly concerns and psychic abilities!!!

Ali, the fourth Caliph of Islam and a man of great intellect, bravery and wisdom, narrates that the Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) said, “The best of this nation after its Prophet is Abu Bakr and {then comes} ‘Umar.”

Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri, who said: The Prophet (pbh) delivered a khutbah {Friday sermon} and said: “ALLAH has given a slave {of HIS} the choice between this world {of delights} or what is with HIM {in the Hereafter}, and he chose what is with HIM.” Abu Bakr al-Siddeeq (pbh) began to weep, and I said to myself, “What is making this old man cry if ALLAH has given a slave {true servant of ALLAH} the choice between this world or what is with HIM {in the Hereafter}, and he chose what is with HIM?” The Messenger of ALLAH (pbh) was that slave {being talked about}, and Abu Bakr was the most knowledgeable {in the heart} of {all of} us. He {Muhammad} said, “O Abu Bakr, do not weep {on account of you perceiving my coming death}. {You,} Abu Bakr have favoured me greatly with your companionship and your wealth. If I were to have taken a close friend among my Ummah, I would have chosen Abu Bakr, but the brotherhood of Islam is sufficient. Do not leave any door to the mosque without closing it off, apart from the door of Abu Bakr.”

It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar said: “We used to compare the people as to who was better at the time of the Messenger of ALLAH (pbh). We used to regard Abu Bakr as the best, then ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab, then ‘Uthman ibn ‘Affan (may ALLAH be pleased with all of them).” (Bukhari).

What is being expressed here is that the following or the actual doing is a higher product than just plain abilities or quantities of knowledge.

It’s true that abilities and knowledge can bring huge rewards and often do but in my opinion the willful following of the ways of the Prophet Muhammad (pbh) to the best of one’s abilities brings the higher rewards!

And so it goes!