the gathering and reward or chastisement (on Judg1nent Day) of one who eats up another and one eaten up by another

 Q: Please describe how will be the gathering and reward or chastisement (on Judg1nent Day) of one who eats up another and one eaten up by another?

A: Some philosophers have raised a doubt regarding reward or punishment in the Hereafter (bodily punishment/ reward) of a person who eats up another and of one eaten up by another. They say that, in such circumstances, the body of one fully becomes a part of the other's body. In this case, if on Judgment Day, the eater's body is made to rise, the one who was eaten up is not raised as his body has become a part of the eater. In case one who was eaten up is raised (had he or she not become a part of another's body) then the eater's body will remain incomplete.

They also say that doubtlessly the parts of everyone's body go on changing from birth till death. So, will all the parts during the whole life be raised or it will be only the parts present at one's death? How will the parts of one who has become part of another be raised for punishment or reward? If only the parts at the time of death are raised, it is possible that one had, after committing wrong in the past, performed good deeds at the last moment. Thus, if they are rewarded, it will be no justice as the earlier evils will remain unpunished. People will not thus get their due!

As for the root of the doubt: Many religions have replied this question in their own ways which are satisfactory. One of them is the reply of Khwaja Nasiruddin Tusi (r.a.) in his Tajreedul Kalam. He writes: Every person has some original parts, which remain his throughout his life and do not change.

There also are some parts other than original ones, which continue to change all the time. They constantly require food. During illness such changes take place. Man becomes weak and feels that some of his physical parts have become diluted. The parts of the body which will be raised in Qiyamat will be the original and unchanging parts, which do not become part of any other body even if one eats up another. It is only the soluble or dilutable parts which mix up with dust (in grave). Parts which have remained unchanged will, by the Omniscient God, be made to come and gather for getting their due.


Sayyid Abdul Husayn Dastghaib

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