BİRİNCİ FEN · ÜÇÜNCÜ BÂB · ONUNCU FASIL · Dördüncü Madde
Fourth Article
It explains the manner of the descent and ascent of the body and soul, passing through the stations of the body, the return of the human soul, the corruption and transformation of the body, and the abidingness of the soul.
O noble one! Know that wise scholars have said:
If someone wishes to investigate their destined end and return to their origin by traversing the waystations of return, they should know that humankind was in the age of maturity before old age, in youth before the age of maturity, in childhood before youth, in the womb as a fetus before childhood, a *mudga* before a fetus, an attachment (*alaka*) before a *mudga*, a combined sperm (*nutfa*) in the womb before an attachment, sperm in the father’s loins and mother's breast before sperm, blood in the veins before sperm, nourishment of the parents before blood, an animal before nourishment, a plant before an animal, parts of the four elements and compounded earth before a plant, absolute body before the parts of the four elements, absolute nature before absolute body, abstract essence before absolute nature.
Whoever has reached this station through spiritual states has completely traversed the corporeal and spiritual path. He has lifted all veils of darkness and light; he has known and understood his own self. He has recognized and found his Lord. Knowing from where he came and to where he will return, he has become aware of his origin and destination. He has become a knower of God (*‘arif-i billah*) and one who has attained to God (*wāsil-i ilallāh*). Through this spiritual ascension, all difficulties have been resolved and all desires fulfilled for him. What is implied by this statement is that although the human soul is close to the body through actions, in essence (in its origin) it is different from the body and opposed to it. For the soul is an abstract essence (*mücerret*) which abides in a state of permanence. The body, however, changes every moment and is ephemeral. The soul differs from the body in that it has traversed all the stations of the body, distinguishing between good and evil. Through this means, he has reflected on the path of beginning and return, remembered his end, and arrived at the conclusion of the matter. He has attained to the truth of the states through verification and certainty. Therefore, if a person can measure and estimate something in this way, that person is not the same as that thing, but other than it.
There are many proofs in books of wisdom regarding the soul’s separation from the body. There is no need whatsoever to prolong the discourse on this matter. However, the proof appropriate for this station is that the soul is the soul that existed when the body was five years old. But the body is not that body. For that body has entered many forms and acquired many attributes. It has grown by moving in length, width, and depth. First it was young; now it is old. First it was plump; now it is thin. First it was fine; now it is thick. Therefore, the aged body is truly different from the body of youth. The youthful body is also different from its state in childhood. Whereas the body has experienced so much change and difference, the soul remains in its original condition.
At the time of a person’s natural death, he finds the body he separated from in the grave and on the Day of Judgment. He either finds torment in Hell or attains to blessings in Paradise with it.