Does the soul have a physical body in the hereafter? (Sunni view)
In Sunni belief, the soul is understood to have a distinct existence in the hereafter, and it is associated with a form that is different from its earthly body. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ provided insights into this concept through various hadiths.
One narration states: The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a deceased person is present, the angels attend him. If he was righteous, they say, 'Come forth, good soul, which was in a good body; come forth praised and receive glad tidings of a refreshing spirit and a Lord who is not angry.'
Sunan Ibn Majah 38:163. This indicates that the righteous soul is recognized as being connected to a good body, suggesting a form of continuity between the soul and the body in the afterlife.
Furthermore, another narration explains: Ka'b bin Malik told me that the Prophet said, 'The soul of the believer is like a bird in the trees of Paradise until Allah sends it back to its body on the Day of Resurrection.'
Sunan an-Nasa'i 21:256. This illustrates that the soul of a believer resides in a state of peace and comfort in Paradise, likened to a bird, until the Day of Resurrection, when it will be reunited with its body.
These narrations support the view that while the soul exists in a form that may not resemble our physical bodies, there is a connection between the soul and the body that persists into the hereafter, reflecting the soul's importance and its relationship with the divine.
Sources
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Sunan Ibn Majah 38:163
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 38, Hadith 163 · Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When a deceased person is present, the angels attend him. If he was righteous, they say, 'Come forth, good soul, which was in a good body; come forth praised and receive glad tidings of a refreshing spirit and a Lord who is not angry.' This continues to be said until the soul departs. Then it is taken up to the heavens, and a gate is opened. They ask, 'Who is this?' They reply, 'So-and-so.' They say, 'Welcome, good soul which was in a good body; enter, praised and receive glad tidings of a refreshing spirit and a Lord who is not angry.' This continues until it arrives at the heaven where Allah is. If the man was wicked, they say, 'Come forth, evil soul, which was in an evil body; come forth blamed and receive tidings of burning water and scorching fire and a last torment.' This continues until the soul departs. Then it is taken up to the heavens, but no gate is opened for it. They ask, 'Who is this?' They reply, 'So-and-so.' They say, 'No welcome, evil soul which was in an evil body; return, blameworthy, for the gates of heaven will not be opened for you.' It is then sent back from the heaven to the grave.
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Sunan an-Nasa'i 21:256
Sunan an-Nasa'i · Book 21, Hadith 256 · Narrated by Abdur-Rahman ibn Ka'b
Ka'b bin Malik told me that the Prophet said, "The soul of the believer is like a bird in the trees of Paradise until Allah sends it back to its body on the Day of Resurrection."
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