Two Types of Souls
In the present world, you are free to choose between two courses. You can choose to purify your soul or pollute it.
The Quran says: “He who purifies it will indeed be successful, and he who corrupts it is sure to fail.” (91:9-10)
The present world is a testing ground for us before the life of the Hereafter dawns. It is an opportunity for us to prepare for the Hereafter. If you leave this world and enter the world of the Hereafter as a noble and pure soul, you will be settled in the delightful environs of Paradise. Moreover, if you depart from this world for the world of the Hereafter as a soul laden with evil, you will be hurled into Hell.
The present world is, as it were, God’s nursery. Different types of plants are grown in a nursery. The gardener inspects all of them. Those that he does not want, he plucks out and throws away. However, he lifts the ones he finds desirable from their beds very carefully so they can grow and flourish in a garden.
In the present world, you are free to choose between two courses. You can choose to purify your soul or pollute it. You can accept God’s greatness and surrender yourself before Him. When faced with the Truth, you can choose to acknowledge it unhesitatingly. In your dealings with others, you can choose to reflect concern for their welfare and justice. Whether in friendship or enmity, you can willingly choose to obey God’s will instead of your whims or prodding your ego in every situation. If this is how you choose to be and lead your life, you have cleansed your soul. Moreover, you will then be settled in the beautiful world of God’s Paradise.
However, on the other hand, you can choose to be immersed in your self-perceived greatness. When confronted with the Truth, you can choose not to accept it. In your dealings, you can choose to be unjust and cruel. You can choose to follow your own will, not God’s will. You have polluted your soul if this is how you choose to be and behave. The Lord of this universe will not accept you in His neighbourhood.
