What is Soul?

The soul is something which we neither see nor understand, yet we believe in it, for we see its effects. The soul is one of the greatest proofs of the existence of our Lord. It also serves as a refutation of the materialists who always desire tangible evidence so that they may perceive with their senses, for they believe in the soul, although they cannot perceive it with their senses but rather through its effects. The soul is one of the heavenly secrets. No one knows its true reality except God (Allah), and any attempt to investigate it is futile. Allah says:(And they ask you (O Muhammad) about the soul. Say, “The soul is of the affair of my Lord. And mankind have not been given of knowledge except a little.) [17:85]

Ar-Raaghib al-Asfahaani ‘(The spirit) is that with which a body would come to life, move about, sense his surroundings, gain knowledge and hold certain opinions, and be able to discern (between good and evil). If a person loses this, he will not possess any of these traits and will become a carcass that needs to be carried… It is that to which the spiritual characteristics are attached just as physical characteristics are attached to the body.” In this stage (mudghah) the bones are formed and then clothed with flesh. Allah says: (We made out of that little lump of flesh bones, and then We clothed the bones…