Based upon my reading of the Quran so far, I would consider LIFE or ALIVE to be that which contains a NAFS.
*NAFS* >From the little that I understand yet, NAFS is a physical object. Sleep is a sort of a brief-death, in which the body-machine is still running. It states in the Quran that God takes the NAFS of all when they sleep, and those upon whom death is decreed, their NAFS is not returned. The NAFS has the ability to suggest, and three forms have been described in the Quran: The NAFS-e-AMMARRA is the SELF which urges us to evil [ http://islamawakened.com/quran/12/53/] The NAFS-e-LAWAMMA is the SELF which we speak of as our conscience [ http://islamawakened.com/quran/75/2/] The NAFS-e-MUTMAINNA is the SELF who's conscience is clear and is satisfied and contented with God, and God is pleased with this SELF. [ http://islamawakened.com/quran/89/27/] [Quran 50:16-18, Translator: Sahih International] And We have already created man and know what his soul* whispers to him, and We are closer to him than [his] jugular vein When the two receivers receive, seated on the right and on the left. Man does not utter any word except that with him is an observer prepared [to record]. * soul= the Arabic word used in the verse is NAFS http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=50 *DEATH & RECORD * The longer death, which we believe will end upon resurrection, occurs when the Angel(s) of Death extracts the thing which contains our entire recorded life-data from our neck, as mentioned in the following verses: [Al-Qur’an 17:13-15, translator: Sahih International] And [for] every person We have imposed his fate upon his neck, and We will produce for him on the Day of Resurrection a record which he will encounter spread open. [It will be said], "Read your record. Sufficient is yourself against you this Day as accountant.” Whoever is guided is only guided for [the benefit of] his soul*. And whoever errs only errs against it. And no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. And never would We punish until We sent a messenger. * soul= the Arabic word used in the verse is NAFS http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=17 [Al-Qur’an 56:83-87, translator: Literal (word by word)] Then why not when it reaches the throat, And you (at) that time look on, And We (are) nearer to him than you but you (do) not see, Then why not, if you are not to be recompensed, Bring it back, if you are truthful. http://islamawakened.com/quran/56/83/ *ALTERNATE BIOCHEMISTRY * Of course, LIFE is or will be more than carbon-based. I've tried to understand the following verse in this blogpost Alternate Biochemistry [ http://signsandscience.blogspot.ca/2015/03/alternate-biochemistry.html]: [Al-Qur’an 56:60-62, translator: Sahih International] We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know. And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember? http://searchtruth.com/chapter_display_all.php?chapter=56 However, all LIFE contains water as an essential component: Do not see those who disbelieved that the heavens and the earth were a joined entity, then We parted them and We made from [the] water every living thing? Then will not they believe? http://islamawakened.com/quran/21/30/ And present to them the example (of) the life (of) the world, like water which We send down from the sky, then mingles with it (the) vegetation (of) the earth then becomes dry stalks, it (is) scattered (by) the winds. And Allah over every thing (is) All Able. http://islamawakened.com/quran/18/45/ I think that similar to the way we use electricity to code, record and transfer, water serves the same purpose in creation. There is emerging research in the properties of water, such as memory. This field of study is termed Digital Biology. I think our understanding will be radically changed once we begin to understand what all can be done with water. Hope the above helps. Samiya On Sun, Apr 3, 2016 at 5:53 PM, John Mikes <[email protected]> wrote: > In addition to the "topic" of this note I do not ask about the ORIGIN of > life as posted, rather ask about an identification what YOU would consider > * "LIFE"????* > I hope you are not caught within the terrestrial trap of C-based BIO > cop-outs. > (Nor the tribal superstition assigned reply about "a gift of God"). > > I would prefer (really?) a reply like* "CHANGE* (whatever), effectuated > by Cc (consciousness, what I define as RESPONSE to RELATIONS, whatever - > and in what respect they may arise). I would not restrict either Life, nor > Cc to the (humanly) physically described world and have a hard time to > separate the two terms. > We have but a tiny insight into the infinite complexity (Entirety) so we > have no idea - as per now - what domains and what 'relations' may come > into play. > I do not propose my thoughts to be accepted and do not want to argue FOR > them at present. > > I am seeking a reply (correction, addition, negative reply, etc.) which > then I can use to the betterment of my thinking. > > John Mikes > > We have but a ti > > On Sun, Mar 27, 2016 at 2:36 PM, Brent Meeker <[email protected]> > wrote: > >> >> >> On 3/27/2016 8:15 AM, John Clark wrote: >> >> But the question I really want an answer to is why faith is considered by >> God, or by anyone for that matter, to be a virtue and not a vice. >> >> >> Why would a leader teach that unthinking faith in his goodness and >> knowledge is a virtue? Hmmm...the answers right on the tip of my tongue.... >> >> Brent >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Everything List" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. >> Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. >> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. >> > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "Everything List" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. > Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/everything-list. > For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Everything List" group. 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