WHAT to call LIFE?

JM asked: ... do you have a distinction WHAT to call LIFE? 

What life? human only, or "ANY"? including plant, microbial, inorganic, etc.?

Do the diverse kinds of such diversified life-listings have different Gods? 

Do a rose struggle to get into the ROSE-HEAVEN? (or into the same, where we may prefer to spend eternity?) ...

Answer: 

The following verses address some of your questions:

Present Creation

Do not see those who disbelieved that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We parted them and We made from [the] water every living thing? Then will not they believe? 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/21/30/ 

And present to them the example (of) the life (of) the world, like water which We send down from the sky, then mingles with it (the) vegetation (of) the earth then becomes dry stalks, it (is) scattered (by) the winds. And Allah over every thing (is) All Able. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/18/45/ 

And not [of] any animal in the earth and not a bird (that) flies with its wings - but (are) communities like you. We have not neglected in the Book [of] anything, then to their Lord they will be gathered. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/38/ 

Glory be (to) the One Who created (in) pairs all of what grows the earth and of themselves, and of what not they know. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/36/36/ 

Creation in the Hereafter 

Regarding the details of the wonderful life promised in the Gardens of Eden, they are intended as a delightful surprise: 

And not knows a soul what is hidden for them of (the) comfort (for) the eyes (as) a reward for what they used (to) do. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/32/17/  

The Quran does list some of the characteristics of the Gardens promised for the Hereafter. What strikes me is that the characteristics listed are generally those which scientists theorise as primary conditions essential for life, as well as those to not to age or decay. I've listed some verses at: 

Immortality & A Kingdom that Never Decays: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/11/mission-of-messengers-vi.html 

Bliss & Realm Magnificent: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/09/bliss-realm-magnificent.html  

On the contrary, Immortality is also promised in Hell, but everything there will be in a state of decay, and thus great suffering will be the fate of those who must dwell there. The following are some aspects of that which I've tried to understand: 

Fuel of Hell: Humans & Stones: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2015/03/fuel-of-hell-humans-and-stones.html 

Until the Camel passes through the Eye of the Needle: http://signsandscience.blogspot.com/2014/05/until-camel-passes-through-eye-of-needle.html 

One and Only God

And they make with Allah partners - jinn though He has created them, and they falsely attribute to Him sons and daughters without knowledge. Glorified is He and Exalted above what they attribute. Originator (of) the heavens and the earth. How can be for Him a son while not (there) is for Him a companion, and He created every thing? And He (is) of every thing All-Knower. That (is) Allah your Lord, (there is) no god except Him, (the) Creator (of) every thing, so worship Him. And He (is) on every thing a Guardian. 

http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/100/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/101/ ; http://islamawakened.com/quran/6/102/ 

Quran Chapter 27, verses 60-66 question thus: 

1 Ta, Seen. These are the verses of the Qur'an and a clear Book 

...

60 [More precisely], is He [not best] who created the heavens and the earth and sent down for you rain from the sky, causing to grow thereby gardens of joyful beauty which you could not [otherwise] have grown the trees thereof? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but they are a people who ascribe equals [to Him].

61 Is He [not best] who made the earth a stable ground and placed within it rivers and made for it firmly set mountains and placed between the two seas a barrier? Is there a deity with Allah? [No], but most of them do not know.

62 Is He [not best] who responds to the desperate one when he calls upon Him and removes evil and makes you inheritors of the earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Little do you remember.

63 Is He [not best] who guides you through the darknesses of the land and sea and who sends the winds as good tidings before His mercy? Is there a deity with Allah? High is Allah above whatever they associate with Him.

64 Is He [not best] who begins creation and then repeats it and who provides for you from the heaven and earth? Is there a deity with Allah? Say, "Produce your proof, if you should be truthful."

65 Say, "None in the heavens and earth knows the unseen except Allah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected."

66 Rather, their knowledge is arrested concerning the Hereafter. Rather, they are in doubt about it. Rather, they are, concerning it, blind. 

...

92 And to recite the Qur'an." And whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] himself; and whoever strays - say, "I am only [one] of the warners."

93 And say, "[All] praise is [due] to Allah. He will show you His signs, and you will recognize them. And your Lord is not unaware of what you do."

http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display.php?chapter=27&translator=29

What will Human Females get in the Hereafter?

Question: I was raised a 'believer' and studied several religions to end up as a "scientific agnostic" who does not know the 'why'-s and 'how'-s but asks questions about items other people believe in. 

Many yeas ago on a different list I engaged in a discussion when an irate 'believer' bursted out: "who gave you the audacity to feel so much 'smarter' than the rest of us?" so now I keep my mouth shut. - As far as I can (??). Then again on another kind of list I asked a female Muslim US professor about Huris and what happens to human females after death? the answer was: it is not so simple. Nothing more. 

Do you have a solution to (human) women whether they go straight to hell, or to heaven? What happens to them THERE(?) ? 

The other day I heard a cute solution for nonbelievers on TV (it was a stupid soap opera): a priest said to a nonbeliever: God offers solace to the universe for those who believe. Why to the universe? otherwise it is OK. 

I do not bother you with more of my questions but am interested in the solution for the womenfolk (both terresstrial and afterwordian). 

Answer: According to what I read in the Quran and my understanding of it, all of us humans, men and women, are in pledge for our beliefs and our deeds (Quran 52:21), and will benefit from our truthfulness (Quran 5:119). We are all being tested, and all those who pass this terrestrial exam and get accepted in Heaven, will find their reward, far above and beyond their expectations and imagination (Quran 32:17), awaiting them! God is keeping an accurate account of all thoughts and deeds, and the record doesn't leave out a single thing (Quran 18:49). 

In Quran, 66:10-12, God gives the example of four women: two who disbelieved (the wife of Noah and and wife of Lot) who will not be able to enter Heaven in spite of having been married to righteous persons in this world, and God gives the example of two believing women (Aasiya, the queen of Pharoah, and Maryam, the daughter of Imran / mother of Jesus) who will enter Heaven because of their righteousness.    

While many verses speak of fair and just reward for all believing men and women, 'huris' are mentioned in only four of the 6000+ verses of the Quran. Mostly 'huris' are understood to be females, but I'm not too sure about that, as the word itself is neuter gender in Arabic. Whether we humans will retain our genders or not in Heaven and if there will be sex / procreation in Heaven is also subject to speculation. Honestly, I don't know, but I trust that all those who are accepted in Heaven, will be in a perfect state of joy, comfort, happiness and pleasure. When I dwell upon the various verses of the Quran giving a preview of Heaven, I think the human soul's yearning for the perfect person, its soulmate, will be fulfilled. 

As regards the terrestrial portion of your question, men and women are but two types of humans, one of whom is responsible for the financial and security needs of the family (the man), while the other (the woman) has the domestic responsibility. In many ways, women enjoy a privileged position. I attempted to answer a similar question some years ago, you may wish to read this: http://islam-qna.blogspot.com/2008/11/to-be-or-not-to-be-equal-comments-on.html 

I hope I've answered your main question. Please feel free to ask further. 

Reproduced below are few relevant verses: 

5:119 Allah will say, "This is the Day when the truthful will benefit from their truthfulness." For them are gardens [in Paradise] beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide forever, Allah being pleased with them, and they with Him. That is the great attainment. [Translator: Sahih International] 

6:32 And the worldly life is not but amusement and diversion; but the home of the Hereafter is best for those who fear Allah , so will you not reason? [Translator: Sahih International]

9:71 The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and establish prayer and give zakah and obey Allah and His Messenger. Those - Allah will have mercy upon them. Indeed, Allah is Exalted in Might and Wise. [Translator: Sahih International]

18:49 And the record [of deeds] will be placed [open], and you will see the criminals fearful of that within it, and they will say, "Oh, woe to us! What is this book that leaves nothing small or great except that it has enumerated it?" And they will find what they did present [before them]. And your Lord does injustice to no one. [Translator: Sahih International]

24:26 Vile women are for vile men, and vile men for vile women. Good women are for good men, and good men for good women; such are innocent of that which people say: For them is pardon and a bountiful provision. [Translator: Pickthall]

32:17 And no soul knows what has been hidden for them of comfort for eyes as reward for what they used to do. [Translator: Sahih International]

33:35 Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women, the obedient men and obedient women, the truthful men and truthful women, the patient men and patient women, the humble men and humble women, the charitable men and charitable women, the fasting men and fasting women, the men who guard their private parts and the women who do so, and the men who remember Allah often and the women who do so - for them Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward. [Translator: Sahih International] 

33:58 And those who harm believing men and believing women for [something] other than what they have earned have certainly born upon themselves a slander and manifest sin. [Translator: Sahih International] 

47:19 Know thou therefore that there is no god but God, and ask forgiveness for thy sin, and for the believers, men and women. God knows your going to and fro, and your lodging. [Translator: Arberry] 

52:21 And those who believed, and their seed followed them in belief, We shall join their seed with them, and We shall not defraud them of aught of their work; every man shall be pledged for what he earned. [Translator: Arberry] 

57:18 Indeed, the men who practice charity and the women who practice charity and [they who] have loaned Allah a goodly loan - it will be multiplied for them, and they will have a noble reward. [Translator: Sahih International] 

The 4 verses about Houris / Hoors 

44:54  Thus (shall it be), and We will wed them with Houris pure, beautiful ones. [Translator: Shakir] 

52:20 Reclining on ranged couches. And we wed them unto fair ones with wide, lovely eyes. [Translator: Pickthall] 

55:72 Fair ones, close-guarded in pavilions - [Translator: Pickthall] 

56:22 And (there will be) Companions with beautiful, big, and lustrous eyes,- [Translator: Yusuf Ali]   

Book Review: When Life Begins

Book Title: When Life Begins

Book Author: Abu Yahya

Translated By: Bashir Nazir et al.

Publisher: Inzaar Publications 

Year: 2012

Pages: eBook 129 pages; Paper back: 256

eBook: http://www.inzaar.org/books/when-life-begins/

When Life Begins is an astonishing journey into the future, a time-travel, which transports us into another world. A world where there is great misery and desolation for many, but also a world where a select few enjoy extreme bliss and complete peace. Yet, it is nothing like our world: there is no injustice in this world. Those who are suffering are suffering because of themselves, and they know that they have brought it on upon themselves. Those in bliss are continually being amazed by the wonderful life that is unfolding for them, beyond their deepest desires and wildest imagination.

It is the story of a family. The main character is Abdullah, the father, and his close companion Saleh, who explains and clarifies each situation, as the story develops. Abdullah, his wife Naimah, and some children are in bliss, while a son and a daughter are in a state of misery and desolation. The novel traces the reasons why which character is in which state. There are a few other additional characters who lend an explanation to the story. It also traces the larger story of nations, of humans and humanity, of trial and suffering in our present world, attempting to answer the bigger question: why!

The novel is an incredible, marvelous, harrowing, scary, romantic, sci-fi fantasy. What is unique about the book is that it is based upon the description of the Day of Reckoning and Hereafter, as related in the Quran and Sunnah. It builds upon the information in these two sources and presents a preview of what might be when we are raised from our graves and the sequel of events that will unfold. It is a very bold attempt and it can be argued that one should not take such liberties with religion. Indeed, but if one does not treat it as a religious text, if one is to read it only as a novel, it is a great introduction to what might be, and a starting point for the inquisitive mind to begin their own study of the Quran in search of the greater purpose of life!  

   

The original novel is in Urdu with the title: ‘Jab Zindagi Shuru Hogi’. Part 2 of the book has also been published, but is currently available in Urdu only, titled: ‘Qasam Us Waqt Ki’. This sequel is a journey into the past, taking the main character, Naimah, in her search for truth, back into the times of the prophets of God, so that she can witness with her own eyes how God has continually guided humans. This novel also attempts to handle contemporary questions raised by the curious, educated young minds, questions which need to be dealt with on an intelligent and objective basis, without prejudice and without requiring the questioning mind to take things on faith. This novel is another wonderful attempt to answer many pertinent questions, and help bring people towards the Quran. 

Published in Renaissance: When Life Begins