By Sahibzada شاہد صدیق (Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq)
Anjuman Gulzar-e-Madina International
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Human Age and Soul Age — Two Journeys Within Us
Every one of us carries two ages:
1. The age of our body
2. The age of our soul
Allah SWT reminds us of this journey:
“Surely you will return to your Lord.”
(Surah Al-‘Alaq 96:8)
One part of us returns to the earth,
and the other returns to Allah SWT.
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1 — Our Body Age: The Countdown Back to Our Origin
Allah SWT declares:
“Every soul shall taste death.”
(Surah Aal-Imran 3:185)
Our age is not growth;
it is movement toward our return.
20 → 30 → 40 → 50 → 60…
These increasing numbers are signs of approaching our permanent world.
Allah SWT says:
“From the earth We created you, into it We shall return you, and from it We shall bring you forth once again.”
(Surah Taha 20:55)
Every birthday quietly reminds us:
We are one year closer to our original, eternal home.
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2 — Our Soul Age: Inner Transformation
The soul does not age through numbers.
It ages through remembrance, experience, reflection, and closeness to Allah SWT.
Allah says:
“Truly, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
(Surah Ar-Ra’d 13:28)
A living heart is a young soul.
The Qur’an describes three spiritual stages of the human soul.
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Stage 1 — The Child Soul (Nafs-e-Ammarah)
Allah describes this state:
“Indeed, the soul commands toward evil, except the one upon whom my Lord has mercy.”
(Surah Yusuf 12:53)
This soul is emotional, reactive, sensitive, and governed by desires.
Even adults may live with a child-like soul.
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Stage 2 — The Mature Soul (Nafs-e-Lawwama)
Allah SWT says:
“And I swear by the self-reproaching soul.”
(Surah Al-Qiyamah 75:2)
This soul becomes:
• Responsible
• Patient
• Disciplined
• Self-aware
• Spiritually conscious
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“The strong one is the one who controls himself when angry.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)
This behaviour reflects the mature soul.
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Stage 3 — The Weak or Tired Soul (Nafs-e-Mutma’innah)
Allah describes this soul with honour:
“O tranquil soul, return to your Lord, pleased and pleasing.”
(Surah Al-Fajr 89:27–28)
This soul is not weak due to age
but weak due to the weight of experiences
and strong in its surrender to Allah.
This soul speaks less, feels deeper, and stays closer to Allah SWT.
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3 — The Best Stage: The Mature and Tranquil Soul
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The most beloved deed to Allah is the one done consistently, even if small.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
Consistency and maturity transform a struggling soul into a peaceful one.
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4 — The Soul Rotates Between All Three Stages
Throughout our lives, we may shift through all three states:
• Child in emotion
• Mature in responsibility
• Tired in pain and heartbreak
The Prophet ﷺ said to Hanzala (RA):
“There is a time for this and a time for that.”
(Sahih Muslim)
This confirms that emotional and spiritual shifts are natural.
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5 — Our Body vs. Our Soul
Body age increases automatically.
Soul age increases intentionally.
Allah SWT says about the body:
“We reverse you in age.”
(Surah Ya-Sin 36:68)
The Prophet ﷺ said about the believer’s soul:
“A believer is never satisfied with good deeds until he meets Allah.”
(Tirmidhi)
The body declines.
The soul, through good deeds, rises.
The body moves toward death.
The soul moves toward Allah.
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6 — Caring for the Body as Allah’s Amanat
Allah SWT commands:
“Do not throw yourselves into destruction with your own hands.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:195)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Your body has a right over you.”
(Sahih Bukhari)
Caring for our body is a form of worship.
A healthy body supports prayer, clarity, service, and patience.
A neglected body becomes a burden.
When we honour this amanat:
• Our life becomes peaceful
• Our worship becomes stronger
• Our soul remains young
• Our journey becomes lighter
A soul connected to Allah never ages.
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7 — Why We Feel 25 Even When We Are 50
Allah SWT explains the cycle of change:
“Allah created you in weakness, then gave you strength, then after strength returned you to weakness and old age.”
(Surah Ar-Rum 30:54)
Our body may weaken with age,
but our soul remains youthful when it is alive with:
• Remembrance
• Gratitude
• Purity
• Hope
• Connection with Allah SWT
This is why, at times:
Our body is 50,
but our soul feels 25.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“The best people are those who live long and whose deeds are good.”
(Tirmidhi)
True youth is measured in the light of the soul,
not the numbers of the body.
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8 — Final Reflection
Our body is returning to the earth.
Our soul is returning to Allah.
Allah SWT reminds us:
“To Him we belong and to Him we shall return.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:156)
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“This world is a prison for the believer and a paradise for the disbeliever.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Real freedom begins when we return clean.
Let us maintain:
• A healthy body as amanat
• A living soul through remembrance
• A soft heart through gratitude
• A sincere journey through faith
• A pure ending through obedience
The body grows old.
The soul connected to Allah remains forever young.
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Final Dua
O Allah, keep our hearts alive with Your remembrance.
Keep our souls young with Your mercy.
Grant us healthy bodies as a trust from You.
Fill our lives with wisdom, our hearts with gratitude, and our ending with faith.
When we return to You, allow us to return clean, forgiven, and honoured among Your beloved servants.
Aameen.
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Wassalam
Sahibzada شاہد صدیق (Sahibzada Shahid Siddiq)