the true religion. Thus they neither believe in Allah nor in the Last Day, nor do they perform righteous deeds—so what of these philosophers? Allah, Exalted is He, says:
“Fight those who do not believe in Allah and the Last Day, who do not forbid what Allah and His Messenger have forbidden, and who do not follow the religion of truth, from among those who were given the Scripture, until they pay the jizyah out of hand while humbled.”
Although the Christians affirm the resurrection of bodies, their denial of what the Messenger reported concerning eating, drinking, and similar matters places them among those who do not truly believe in Allah or the Last Day. As for these philosophers, they do not even acknowledge bodily resurrection.
Regarding the return of souls they offer three opinions—each of which is attributed to al-Fārābī himself, for at one time he would espouse one view, at another time a second, and at yet another a third.
- Some of them accept the resurrection of all souls without exception.
- Others maintain that only the rational, learned souls are resurrected. For, they argue, such a soul endures through its knowledge, whereas an ignorant soul, possessing no abiding object of knowledge, perishes. This view is held by a number of their principal figures, who have authored treatises on the subject.
- Still others deny the resurrection of souls altogether, just as they deny the resurrection of bodies; this is the stance of several groups among them. Many of them also believe in transmigration of souls (metempsychosis).
None of these positions amounts to faith in the Last Day as described in the Quran. The Last Day is that which Allah mentions when He says:
“Our Lord, surely You will gather mankind for a Day about which there is no doubt.”
And His words:
“Say: Indeed, the former and the later generations will all be gathered to the appointed time of a known Day.”
And His words:
“The disbelievers claim they will never be resurrected. Say: Yes, by my Lord, you will surely be resurrected; then you will surely be informed of what you did, and that is easy for Allah. So believe in Allah, His Messenger, and the light We have sent down. Allah is fully aware of what you do—on the Day He gathers you for the Day of Gathering; that is the Day of mutual loss and gain.”
And His words:
“When the messengers are assembled at their appointed time, it will be asked: ‘For what Day have they been deferred?’ They will answer: ‘For the Day of Decision.’ And what will make you understand what the Day of Decision is? Woe on that Day to the deniers, … ‘Proceed to that which you used to deny. Proceed to a shade of three branches, that offers no coolness and is of no avail against the flame. Indeed, it throws sparks as huge as palaces, as though they were yellow camels.’ Woe on that Day…"