Philosophy of Life & Life Hereafter: Myth or Reality?
Background
Since ages human beings have been discussing and debating over the philosophy of life and life hereafter. Some believe that we have only one (present) life to live in this world. While others believe that this (current) life is short and temporary which will end soon. Similarly, they also believe that there's another life (life hereafter) which is immortal and hence real life to live forever.
Mostly, religious people believe in the philosophy of life hereafter which will be a real and unending life. Whereas, liberals and particularly atheists deny this Philosophy. In fact, they believe that there will be no any life hereafter. Therefore, we need to enjoy this life and try to make it as much comfortable and luxurious as we can.
So the most important question arises here that which of these two different philosophies is correct and which one is incorrect? In other words, what's the reality and how can a common man identify reality? Well, let me put some interesting facts about both of these philosophies of life. However, instead of imposing my personal beliefs, I leave it for your rationale and common sense to find the reality and reject the myths or misinformation.
In the meantime, I'll also be raising some serious questions that will further help you to draw a conclusion as per your cognitive abilities. So let's now read these two different Philosophies of life one by one and then draw our conclusion.
Philosophy of Life of Liberals & Atheists
Liberals mainly build their argument about life based on Western Philosophy. Similarly, they believe in the Evolutionary Theory which was initially proposed by the two British naturalists, Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace back in the mid of 19th century. Charles Darwin built his hypothesis through Natural Selection process that all the species evolved over a certain period of time due to change in environment. Darwin published his book On the Origin of Species in 1859.
Liberals therefore, claim that origin of all forms of life started from a single biological molecule and evolved gradually over a certain period of time. They also claim that dinosaurs evolved into birds and Indohyus (an amphibian mammal) into whales. Additionally, they believe that we the human beings are Homosapiens which means that ancestor of Apes (Chimpanzees and Gorillas) and human is same. It is pertinent to mention here that biologists who believe in evolution haven't been proving practically the process of evolution over the past two centuries.
Like liberals, atheists also are of the view that this entire universe including appearance of all forms of life is incidental and hence not planned and neither created by any supreme power (God). Science tells us that this entire universe came into existence through Big Bang. Astronomers believe that before birth of this universe (around 13.7 billion years ago) through a big bang it was an infinite, hot, and dense point Like a balloon. However, they have no idea that where from did this balloon or ball like infinite, hot, and dense thing come? Similarly, they have no proper information that whether this universe came into form incidentally or intentionally?
However, atheists believe that this universe functions on its own laws which are not framed by any spiritual and hidden powers. Additionally, atheists claim that knowledge is a self created thing which human beings have created by their own. However, they are unable to justify that why do only humans among all the other species have the ability to rationalise and think logically.
Western Philosophy on the other hand believes in materialism. Thus the entire focus of the Western Philosophy revolves around comfortable and luxurious lifestyle. It teaches us that humans should take advantage of Science, discover new things, think critically, and create new ideas to make life more advanced, full of ease, and complete in all aspects. It is Western Philosophy that borne Capitalism, Neoliberalism, Postmodernism and Circular Economy so that humans can earn unlimited wealth, power, and utilize resources properly.
Liberals see life through the lens of Western Philosophy. For them the real aim of life is to have a luxurious house, branded model car, private jet, unlimited bank balance, beautiful and sexier girlfriend, unending entertainment, nice job, fame, and enjoyment. Liberals see life as a commercial entity which revolves around a phenomenon of profit and loss. An important question that arises here is that whether all the above luxuries of life are possible for 8 billion people living on the planet earth or not? Is above mentioned luxurious lifestyle is just for successful people who are business tycoons, celebrities and have fame?
People who are great proponents of Western Philosophy and are called as Radicals, progressivists, modern, and open minded often talk about equality, equity, feminism, and universal human rights. However, they also support ruling elites who control almost half of the global economy and consider them as most successful human beings. They never question them that how they have earned this unlimited wealth and what is their contribution? I mean have they earned this wealth on the principles of equity, equality, fairness, honesty, access to opportunities, and equal universal citizenship or not?
Similarly, liberals, atheists, radicals, and proponents of the Western Philosophy are of the view that Science and technology have changed our life. Before scientific discoveries and advancements, our life was not secure, safe, peaceful, purposeful, and result oriented. Today because of Science and technology, we can build strong houses, cure deadly diseases, build roads, bridges, railway tracks, airports, and metropolitan cities, grow bumper crops, cook food quickly, use energy to brighten our lives, and discover new resources. Therefore, we can say that Science and technology have given real meaning to human life which was meaningless before.
On the other hand around 700 million people worldwide are living their lives in extreme poverty. Africa is the most poor continent in the world and Europe is the richest continent in the world. However, history witnesses that various European nations colonised Africa and plundered resources. As a result, African people are still living a miserable life even after having enough resources. Not only Europeans but different powerful nations have been plundering the resources of poor and scientifically less advanced nations.
Philosophy of Life of Different Religions including Islam
All the major religions such as Christianity, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism including Islam believe that there will be another life after death. In fact, Buddhism and Hinduism believe in several lives. They believe in a cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Buddhists call this life cycle as Samsara while Hindhus and Sikhs call it as Kamma. Samsara or Kamma belief in Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sikhism.
Christianity and Islam however do not believe in several lives. They believe that after death there will be another life called as life hereafter. Judaism also believes that there will be a life in this world for once only and after death there will be another life. Some of the modern Jews however have different interpretations about life hereafter. They are in doubt and thus are not clear about their belief in life hereafter.
It is important to mention here that Qur'an is the ultimate and only authentic source of information regarding Islam. The last messenger of Islam (Prophet Muhammad SAW) preached Islam through Qur'an. He didn't use any other scriptures or books. Even all the four Caliphs of Islam sought guidance from the Qur'an only. This clearly indicates that Islam can only be understood and interpreted though Qur'an only. Qur'an calls Islam the "Deen" and not a religion.
Unlike liberals, atheists, and proponents of the Western Philosophy, the concept about the philosophy of life is entirely different in almost all the major religions of the world including Islam. All the major religions of the world deny the idea that there would be no second life after death. Similarly, they reject the probability about the origin of life that life started incidentally and it wasn't planned by any supreme power and authority.
Around 2 billion Muslims across the globe believe in Islam whereas, Qur'an is the most read book in the world. Hence, let's try to know about the philosophy of life and life hereafter through the lens of Qur'an which is the most published and read book in human history.
Well, the Qur'an clearly denies Evolution Theory which states that we are Homosapiens. In fact, Qur'an tells that origin of Human life started with the creation of Adam (firstever human being) and Allah the Almighty (the Creator) created Adam from clay and water. Both Christianity and Judaism also endorse this claim of Qur'an. After the creation of Adam (male), Eve (firstever female) was also created. Later on, they both were sent down to earth and thus human life started on the planet earth.
Like other religious scriptures, Qur'an declares that this current life on the planet earth is mirtal and hence temporary. However, life hereafter (another life after death) will be the eternal and immortal life. Qur'an further explains that life on earth is temporary, short, and a test. All the human beings therefore, will be tested through life on earth and they will be awarded heaven or hell in the life hereafter on the basis of their actions and belief.
Qur'an also tells about the psyche and nature of humans and calls them impatient, greedy, weak, shortsighted, hasty, short tempered, disobedient, less informed, and less thankful. Qur'an discloses that Allah the Almighty (The Only True God) has given limited knowledge to humans. Which is why humans do not know much about the greatness and vastness of this giant, ever expending and unending universe.
According to Qur'an, the real aim of human life is not to live a luxurious life, seek power, become famous, and gather unlimited wealth. Similarly, the ultimate success for humans is to obey their creator (Allah the Almighty), follow His commandments, seek His mercy and live life according to His will to earn paradise which is an ultimate and best reward. Qur'an testifies that only those humans are successful who bow down infront of their creator (Allah the Almighty) to worship Him, have firm belief in Him, consider Him as the master of the entire universe, thank Him for the life which He has given to us, and never deny His authority and lordship.
Similarly, like Islam, christianity and Judaism believe in Monotheism and consider God (Allah the Almighty) as the One and Only true God worthy to be worshiped. Christainity and Judaism also believe in the reality of life hereafter and consider this life as mortal and temporary. Both faiths confirm that disbelievers will be punished and rewarded with hell on the day of judgement.
Like Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and other major religions consider adultery, alcohol consumption, drug addiction, corruption, killing innocent people, oppression, injustice, and abbrogating rights of others as big sins. Additionally, all the major religions including Islam claim that worshipping anything other than God (Allah the Almighty) is an unforgettable sin which will surely lead disbelievers to hell, such a terrible place which no one would like to enter into it.
Conclusion
From the above mentioned discussion we can conclude that there are two distinct philosophies of life and life hereafter. Liberals, atheists, and proponents of the Western Philosophy believe that we get life only for once, therefore we should enjoy it, make it comfortable, luxurious, and earn as much wealth as we can. They believe that life hereafter is a pure myth which has nothing to do with reality.
On the other hand, all the major religions of the world including Islam believe that this life is temporary, short, and mortal hence it will end sooner or latter. Therefore, we need to be worried about the life hereafter which is immortal and real. Hence, the secret of real success lies in the earning of heaven which is the place of ultimate luxury and comfort beyond human expectations and imagination. Above all of this, the life of heaven will be unending and immortal.
Finally, the decision is yours. It is entirely upto your rationale and cognitive abilities that whether do you agree with liberals, atheists, and proponents of the opinion of Western Philosophy or you go with the philosophy of Islam and other leading religions of the world.
As far as my personal viewpoint is concerned, I firmly believe in the life hereafter because I am a Muslim. I consider Qur'an as the most valuable and ultimate source of information and knowledge in every walk of life.
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