both human and animal. He said that the soul is more ancient in lineage than the body and that it returns to birth without ceasing.

The soul of the true philosopher rises above pleasures and desires as much as possible, and it is impossible for it to enter "hell" due to the purity and holiness that characterized its way of life. However, if it leaves the body while polluted by lusts, it quickly falls into a new body.

A question from Miss Dima Al-Sadr: "Greetings, my honorable professor, and I thank you for these chapters, as they are valuable like those before them. Allow me the following question: You mentioned that if the soul leaves the body while polluted by lusts, it quickly falls into a new body. The question is, what is the nature of this 'body'? We know that the word 'body' (Jasad) is specific to humans, and this means that this polluted soul will emerge from one human body and fall into another. Is it possible for this soul to fall into an animal or a plant, as they are both living beings? Thank you very much."

The Answer: With the help of Allah, "body" (jasad) is a general term intended to encompass all realms—human, animal, plant, and inanimate. As for "physical form" (jism), it is a specific term usually intended for humans. Since the Greek text used "body" (jasad) and not "physical form" (jism), the intent covers all realms, including animals, plants, and inanimate objects.