Arts & Humanities - 22 February 2007

Are there degrees of life? If yes, what are they?
There are five degrees of life.

The first degree of life is as we live here and now, which is bound by certain conditions.

The second degree of life is manifested in the lives of Khadr and Elijah. This second degree is to some certain extent free in that those who have it can be present in different places at the same time, and their life is not bound by the necessities that bind ordinary human life. Like us, they may eat and drink at times but, unlike us, they do not have to. The experiences that some godly persons who are able to discern the hidden truths have had with Khadr are enough to illuminate and prove this degree of life. Further, one of the spiritual degrees or stations which saints reach in their spiritual journeys is called ‘the station of Khadr’. A saint who has attained this degree may meet Khadr and be directly instructed by him. Indeed, it sometimes even happens that one who holds this station is mistaken for Khadr himself.

The third degree of life is manifested in the lives of the Prophets Jesus and Enoch, peace be upon them. These two prophets live in heaven free of the necessities of human life, in their worldly (corporal) bodies which, however, have acquired some sort of refinement and luminosity. The Prophet Muham-mad, upon him be peace and blessings, is reported to have said: Jesus will come back to the world before the end of time and follow the Shari‘a of Muhammad. This hadith implies that the religion of the followers of Jesus, that is, Christianity, will be purified of the polytheistic elements and superstitions that have found a way into it over time, and will ultimately join Islam. Consequently, this chosen way of God, or the true Religion will eradicate with ‘the sword of revelation’ the trends to disbelief and absolute materialism established by natural philosophy.

The fourth degree of life is the life of martyrs. Some Qur’anic verses state explicitly that martyrs enjoy a higher degree of life than the dead who are not martyrs. Since martyrs have sacrificed their life in His way, God Almighty has granted them an intermediate life that resembles the worldly life but without its pains and troubles. Martyrs do not feel the pangs of death. They do not know themselves to be dead; instead, they consider themselves to be transferred into a better world and enjoy perfect happiness. By contrast, the dead are aware that they are dead, although their souls are eternal; also, the pleasures they experience in the intermediate life are less than what is enjoyed by the martyrs. The difference can be explained by this analogy:

In a dream, two men enter a palace as beautiful as Paradise. One of them gets little pleasure because he is aware that this is only a dream and will, accordingly, disappear when he wakes up. As for the other, he is not aware that he is dreaming and therefore feels wholly contented and happy.

This explains the difference between the degree of enjoyment felt by the dead and by martyrs in the intermediate world. Besides the relevant Qur’anic verses, some Prophetic traditions and countless experiences undeniably prove that martyrs do lead a life with some degree of consciousness, knowing themselves to be alive. That life of martyrs is particularly well indicated in the experienced reality that Hamza, again and again comes to the aid of those seek help from him and carries forward some of their worldly affairs.

I had a student, called ‘Ubaid, who was a cousin of mine. He was martyred in my company and on my behalf when we fought together. I had a true dream of him. In my dream, I went underground into his tomb, where I found him enjoying the degree of life of martyrs. He told me that he knew me to have died, and himself to be living. He had cried much over me, he said, and built a fine house underground in order to avoid the Russian invasion. This dream, together with certain other signs, convinced me that martyrs do have, in some conditions, a higher degree of life than the dead.

The fifth degree of life is the spiritual life of the dead. Indeed, death is a changing of residence, a receiving of one’s discharge from worldly duties with the soul set free. It is not complete annihilation into non-existence. This degree of life is clearly established by such repeatedly observed facts as the soul of some godly persons appearing in their human (material) forms, and being seen by men who have insight into hidden truths. That the dead can communicate with us in dreams or even in wakefulness is another proof of their life.

2007-02-22 13:46:59 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

was just wondering why the 29th president- only served, two years in officees as president- cant sem to find out any reason in the history bo0ks on this one- and just stumbled on it it lists him only serving from--1921- too-1923-- is there a error in the history books etc?

2007-02-22 13:46:21 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in History

I'm at a loss right now. I just got done reading Such a Pretty Girl by Laura Weiss, and I'm finishing The Lovely Bones tonight most likely. I would like to finish Water For Elephants but the library took that back. Any ideas?

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I'll tell you what I think -- I adore him. I think I'll write my thesis on him! First I have to dig him up, though, and find a pen that works on bones...

But I digress. What do you think of Poe?

2007-02-22 13:41:38 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

What is the most you have spun on the rifle(that you caught)? And what's the coolest trick you've done on flag? Just wondering...
I am a colorguard nerd and I was just wanted to see any new things I can learn.

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how would uniforms prevent bullying in schools?

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I need the answer for homework... but the name has to be 6 letters long with the second and second-to-last letters as 'A'.

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i'm confused if it's VIRGINIA or JAMESTOWN.

2007-02-22 13:33:05 · 10 answers · asked by Samantha R 1 in History

Just philosophizing about the standard things we all have to endure in life.

Racism
Emotional Trauma.
Breaking somebodys heart.
Having somebody break your Heart.
Losing/Gaining a loved one.
Fist Fighting. Winning and Losing.
Games. Winning and Losing.
Entering the wrong restroom facility.
Car accident.
Being made fun of.
Making fun of somebody.

It is funny. Everybody endures those situations. We are constantly told that we are not alone.
We are guaged by our reactions to those situations, which we all endure.
Just put a check mark next to the ones you have endured and expect the others.

Can you provide me with more of the "Standards" of life?

2007-02-22 13:26:54 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Philosophy

http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/49414259/
its done in graphite, i took a bad picture of it but its the best i had out of 8 pictures , the drawing is 3 feet long by 19 inches, pretty big

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was so hurt by my ex's in the past that I now rejoice at the thought of never ever..ever falling in love again.. I happen to love too much & loose the guy or get one who loves me too much and I feel resentful. Now the thought of getting into a relationship fills me with dread. Its been 5 years now, I feel content with my life but wonder if am a 'type' that's cut to be single forever or did the hurt turn into a phobia. My social life is great....but I hate the idea or even thought of ever LOVING again. What do you think?

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Does anybody like photography? Well, I do. Do you consider it art? Well, the good pieces of photography I mean. There are some bad ones.

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I Need a good audition song that is from a musical for a tenor/Barritone, know of any good ones?

2007-02-22 13:21:12 · 2 answers · asked by Patrick 1 in Theater & Acting

The Poem's Called Lullaby
By Eve Merriam


Purple,

Purple,

Twilight

Sky light.



Purple as a king's cape

Purple as a grape.



Purple for the evening

When daylight is leaving.



Soft and purry,

Gentle and furry,

Velvet evening-time.



Purple,

Purple.

Sky light

Goodbye light.



Dusky

Musky

Into night.

2007-02-22 13:20:35 · 2 answers · asked by Anonymous in Books & Authors

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Examples: Britian were the lions and America was the Eagle/Uncle Sam. I just don't know about France and Germany. Thanks!!!!!

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For english i need to write a research paper, and i really want to do it on a topic about art. Well, we need to state a question...and i have no idea how to state it. I kind of want to do something with Chuck Close but i have no idea on what question too ask. Please help?

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