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The difference between the soul and the self

Question

What is the difference between the soul and the self? Which of them receives torment or the reward in the Hereafter?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The word ‘self’ may be used to refer to the soul. This was mentioned when the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned in a long Hadeeth that an angel stands at the head of the dying believer, and says, “O you good self, come out and receive forgiveness and reward from Allaah The Almighty,” and says to the dying disbeliever, “O you foul self, come out to the wrath and anger of Allaah The Almighty.” [Ahmad]

The word ‘self’ may be used to refer to the soul and body together like when Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {And they wronged Us not but they were [only] wronging themselves.} [Quran 2:57]

Torment and bliss are for both the soul and the body. For more information, please see Fatwa 81829.

Allaah Knows best.

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