Reincarnation
Assalaamu Alaikum.
Recently, I came across a book called “Many Lives, Many Masters” by Dr. Brian Weiss, which speaks of Reincarnation. It explains that reincarnation is a belief in Hinduism, Buddhism and even Christianity. I know that as muslims we do not hold to this belief but can you give some thoughts on this subject for me please as far as Islam is concerned. What exactly is reincarnation?
Answer:
Wa Aliakum As Salaam,
Reincarnation (often equated with transmigration) refers to the belief that after the end of one’s life, the soul moves into another living form.
It is often connected with a belief that the actions of the soul in one’s life determine the future existence. It is a belief found within Hindu traditions, Greek philosophy, some traditions of Christianity and other theological systems.
As for Islam, it totally condemns this belief of reincarnation/transmigration of the soul. There is no place for this in Islam, and there is no teaching of the Quran and the Sunnah that indicates to it.
Islam believes in the concept of resurrection which necessitates a piece of the original body to initiate the formation of the resurrected body.
According to the doctrine of reincarnation, the soul is moved into a completely new and separate body in this world. The advocates of this belief do not believe in paradise, hell and all the matters of the hereafter. Resurrection however, is the returning of the soul to the same body in the hereafter (not in this world), and this is the belief of Muslims.
And Allah knows best,
Mufti Waseem Khan