Life after death

There are innumerable recorded and researched cases of people, who have had past life experiences. This fact clearly points to life after death. Man has had an eternal faith that a world beyond the grave exists and there is life after death. This sentiment is unshakeable, and has been cherished since the times when man started to think. Death cannot be considered as the final thing if we say that the soul is immortal. Death is actually an entrance to a new world, a new life - a life after death.

Modern science, with its limitations, many a times falters in explaining such phenomena. But surprisingly, an increasing number of neurosurgeons and scientists are accepting that research needs to be done over the topic of life after death.

Near death experiences (NDEs)

Near death experiences can be considered as clinical evidences of life after death. Experiences like being out of and floating above the body, light at the end of the tunnel, a glowing light, seeing angelic guides etc. have been common among those experiencing this phenomenon. NDEs signify that as people approach death many sense that it is not the end of their existence but in fact the beginning of another, much beautiful journey.

Let us look at some such experiences. In November 2008, Eben, who had always been fit, woke up one morning with severe back pain, which got too serious in minutes and was later diagnosed as a very rare kind of meningitis. He had a seizure and went into coma. He says he had no memory of anything or awareness of his existence. He remembered seeing a beautiful girl by his side, who reassured him of love and being loved. He saw golden lights and heard beautiful music. And then he entered a black but comforting void and had left the universe behind. But he was then asked to go back. And after seven days he came out of coma. He tried to explain the life after death experience but no one understood. They were just stunned by his recovery.

Anita Moorjani was detected of lymphatic cancer in the final stage. It was declared that she had just a few hours to live. All her organs had failed and she went into coma. Then she felt herself leave her own body. She experienced an amazing lightness. She wanted to be there forever but met her father and friend, both of whom had passed away, who asked her to return, saying that her work on earth was not over. Unwillingly, but knowing that she would be healed, she returned. In four weeks, her tumours reduced by 70%, and in a few weeks, there was no sign of cancer. Her doctors were unable to explain this.

Does Islam, too, speak of life after death?

Islam teaches that a human being not only has a body, but also has a 'spirit' or 'soul'. Just as the body has developed from a small seed or zygote, the spirit too is a seed from which another; higher form of life appears from within us, a form higher than physical life. During life, a person's spirit is given a shape through his deeds, for better or worse. When the person dies, his physical existance is    but his spirit remains, as he or she had moulded it by their deeds when alive. Existence of spirit even after death is the actual life after death.

Practical Benefits

Belief in life after death works as a source of personal security, optimism, and spiritual betterment. Nothing offers more courage than the confidence that there is a better life after death for those who use the present for the betterment of others. Belief in the unlimited opportunities of eternity has enabled many to make sacrifices for the happiness of other beings.