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The Stages of Life and the Soul’s Renewal in Islam
Sunrise symbolizing the soul’s renewal after darkness
Our bodies age in one direction, but our souls can begin again
Our bodies follow a simple arc. They begin small, grow strong, and slowly return to weakness.
But the soul does not obey that rule. It can be reborn again and again.
The Journey of the Soul
Before we ever entered this world, we existed in the Realm of Souls ʿĀlam al-Dharr.
It was there that Allah asked,
“Am I not your Lord?”
We all replied, “Yes, You are.”
Then came ḥayāt al-dunyā, this earthly life, where body and soul were joined, and we became a nafs, a self pulled between desire and devotion.
When the body dies, the soul journeys onward to al-barzakh, the world between worlds, still tethered to its earthly form even as the body returns to dust.
Then comes al-ākhirah, the Hereafter. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“There is no part of the human body that does not decay, except for one bone the coccyx. From it the body will be re-created on the Day of Resurrection.”
From that tiny remnant at the base of the spine, Allah will send a rain that causes the body to grow anew, joined once again with its soul.
That body and soul will live forever, shaped by what it once did in this world.
The Soul’s Spiritual Renewal
That is the physical journey. But spiritually, renewal can happen countless times before death ever comes.
A person can die at eighty years old yet have a soul only eight days old because every sincere return to Allah strips away layers of the old self. Each repentance, each awakening, each act of surrender is a new birth of the soul.
We often chase more, doing more, owning more, becoming more. But renewal in Islam is not about addition; it is about returning. Letting go of what burdens us, releasing attachment to what fades, and trusting Allah to fill the emptiness we leave behind.
Every return is a kind of rebirth.
Rebirth and Its Pain
I once met a seventy-five-year-old man who told people he was only four.
When asked why, he smiled and said,
“Because I was born the day I took my shahādah.”
But rebirth is not painless.
Every new stage of faith requires sacrifice. The comfort of old habits, the familiarity of sin, the ease of forgetfulness, all must be shed like a womb before new life begins.
That struggle is mercy in disguise.
The Two Killers of Renewal
The two most destructive forces that kill renewal are shirk and despair. Shirk severs the bond between Creator and creation. Despair severs hope in His mercy.
Allah says,
“Do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.”
If we stop believing we can be renewed, we close the very door Allah has promised never to shut.
The Door That Never Closes
No matter how far we have drifted, Allah’s mercy is not a one-time offer. It is an eternal door, always open.
Every act of remembrance, every prayer performed with presence, every sincere return to Him is a new birth. Our souls were created to renew, to revive, to rise again.
“Know that Allah gives life to the earth after its death.”
And every time we turn back, Allah gives us a new life to live clean, forgiven, and alive again.
Applying This Teaching to Our Personal Lives
1. Renew through Tawbah (Repentance)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“All the children of Adam are sinners, but the best of sinners are those who repent often.”
(Sunan Ibn Majah 4251)
Spiritually, repentance reactivates the brain’s ability to form new habits through neuroplasticity a rewiring that parallels the soul’s renewal.
2. Engage in Dhikr (Remembrance)
Dhikr nourishes the heart like oxygen. Regular remembrance lowers stress hormones and improves emotional regulation, aligning the body and soul.
3. Revisit Your Intentions (Niyyah)
Each morning, renew your intention for Allah. This simple mindfulness practice aligns with cognitive reframing, turning ordinary actions into worship.
4. Simplify and Let Go
Detachment from material excess restores inner stillness. Studies show that minimalism and gratitude practices reduce anxiety and boost life satisfaction, echoing the Prophetic teaching:
“Be in the world as though you were a stranger or a traveler.”
5. Rebirth Through Service
Serving others reignites purpose. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most beloved people to Allah are those who are most beneficial to others.”
(al-Mu‘jam al-Awsat 6192)
Modern neuroscience confirms that altruistic acts stimulate dopamine and oxytocin the brain’s pathways of joy and connection.
FAQ
1. What does Islam say about spiritual rebirth?
Islam teaches that the soul can be renewed through repentance, remembrance, and sincere turning back to Allah long before physical death.
2. What is ʿĀlam al-Dharr?
It is the pre-worldly realm where all souls testified to Allah’s Lordship, as described in (Surah Al-A‘rāf 7:172).
3. How does the Qur’an describe resurrection?
The Qur’an and authentic hadith affirm that Allah will recreate our bodies from a small remnant bone after sending down a life-giving rain.
4. Can a person feel spiritually reborn?
Yes. True tawbah and spiritual awakening often come with inner clarity, peace, and lightness, signs of the soul’s renewal.
5. How can I maintain renewal daily?
Through consistent prayer, reflection, dhikr, and gratitude. Renewal is not a single event, but a rhythm of returning.
Footnotes
Davidson, R.J., et al., “Alterations in Brain and Immune Function Produced by Mindfulness Meditation,” Psychosomatic Medicine, 2003.
Goyal, M., et al., “Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-Being,” JAMA Internal Medicine, 2014.
Beck, A.T., “Cognitive Therapy: Basics and Beyond,” Guilford Press, 2011.
Kasser, T., “The High Price of Materialism,” MIT Press, 2002.
Moll, J. et al., “Human Frontomesolimbic Networks Guide Decisions About Charitable Donation,” PNAS, 2006.
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