Death
Death is the point at which a physical organism ceases all biological functions,[1] and (in humans) results in the severing of the connection between the body and the soul. After death, the affected organism normally begins to decompose into its constituent elements. Death is a natural, inevitable occurrence for all organisms; it can result from the process of aging, disease, physical trauma, or environmental change.
Death does not affect the human soul, as its existence is entirely non-physical. ‘Abdu’l-Bahá likens the effect of death on the soul as being like the breaking of a cage which holds a bird within it. He explains that the soul has nothing to fear from the death of the body, much like the bird has nothing to fear from the destruction of the cage; rather, it is the cause of the bird's freedom.[2] The life of the soul is eternal, continuing after death without end as it progresses through the spiritual worlds of God, unhindered by difficulties inherent to physical existence (such as physical or mental illness) and possessed of power and insight beyond what is possible before death. It is in this sense that Bahá’u’lláh calls death a "messenger of joy".[3]
Notwithstanding the exalted nature of life after death and the glory attained by martyrs who sacrifice their lives for God, Bahá’u’lláh discouraged His followers from seeking their own physical death. Bahá’ís are counselled not to end their own lives nor the lives of others intentionally, as power over life and death belongs to God.[note 1] Bahá’u’lláh does, however, exhort His followers to prepare for their eventual death, both by writing a will while still alive, and by developing spiritual qualities to prepare their souls for life in the spiritual worlds. The body of a deceased person is to be treated with respect, as the body is the "temple of the spirit";[4] certain laws apply to burial, specifying procedures to be followed to prepare and inter the body.
Physical vs. spiritual life[edit]
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Preparation for death[edit]
Death is a portal from the material world into the next stage of life, that of the Abhá Kingdom. Bahá’u’lláh emphasised this when He said:
| “ | I have made death a messenger of joy to thee; wherefore dost thou grieve? | ” |
| — Bahá’u’lláh, The Hidden Words[3] | ||
After the death of the body, the soul continues to progress "through all the worlds of God".[citation needed] Progress is dependent upon a number of things, among which is development of spiritual qualities. The whole of human life on this earth, therefore, is a preparation for this further continuation. In that context, deliberate efforts to acquire such spiritual qualities could be seen as preparation for death.
There are also practical aspects to the question of preparation for death. Bahá’u’lláh suggests, in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, that each person should write a will, in the certain knowledge that at some point he or she will be overtaken by death. Certain indications are made in the Aqdas as to how to approach this task.
After death[edit]
Funeral and interment of the body[edit]
In the Bahá’í Writings it is acknowledged that the body is but a physical thing. Nonetheless, this was the human temple for the soul, and should therefore be treated with respect.[4]
Bahá’í teachings do not lay down very much that could be labelled as ritual. So it is with the Bahá’í funeral, the only stipulated element of which is the inclusion of the prayer for the dead.
The body should be laid in a durable coffin, made of hard wood, crystal or other stone, and buried; according to the living wishes of the deceased. This has to be done at a place less than an hour's travel from the place of death.
Progress of the soul[edit]
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Social effects[edit]
Grief[edit]
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Inheritance[edit]
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According to the text of the Kitáb-i-Aqdas, it is incumbent on every Bahá’í to make a will. It is made clear that a Bahá’í is free to leave his or her possessions as he/she sees fit. However, should a person die without having made a will, then the laws of inheritance which are laid down in the Kitáb-i-Aqdas come into play. The formula for the sharing of the possessions which was laid down by the Báb is altered slightly by Bahá’u’lláh. The estate is divided among seven categories of person:
See also[edit]
References[edit]
Notes[edit]
- ↑ "Suicide is forbidden in the Cause. God Who is the Author of all life can alone take it away, and dispose of it in the way He deems best. Whoever commits suicide endangers his soul, and will suffer spiritually as a result in the other Worlds Beyond." (From a letter written on behalf of Shoghi Effendi to an individual believer, August 25, 1939, Lights of Guidance, no. 1200)
Citations[edit]
- ↑ "Death". Dictionary.com. Retrieved 18 June 2024.
- ↑ ‘Abdu’l-Bahá. Some Answered Questions. https://www.bahai.org/r/321264860
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Arabic Hidden Words, n.32
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, March 18, 1975, in Lights of Guidance, no. 986
