Does Ibn al-Qayyim, in his book "Hadi al-Arwah," believe that the bliss of Paradise is spiritual, not physical?
Ibn al-Qayyim, in his book "Al-Ruh" (The Soul), holds that the blessings of Paradise are for both the soul and the body. He states that whoever attributes to him the opinion that the blessings are for the soul alone has confused two states: the blessings of souls before the Hour (Day of Judgment) and their blessings after the Hour. After the Hour, the blessings are absolutely for both the soul and the body. He supported this with the words of Allah Almighty: ﴿And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision.﴾ [Aal Imran: 169] and the saying of the Prophet ﷺ: "Indeed, the soul of the believer is a bird that hangs on the trees of Paradise until Allah returns it to its body on the Day He resurrects it." He also quoted his shaykh, Ibn Taymiyyah, as saying that torment and blessing befall both the soul and the body, by the consensus of the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah (Sunnis). The soul may experience blessing or torment independently of the body, or while connected to it.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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