Thank you for your question. There is a lot of confusion about the afterlife and whether it is a physical existence or just a spiritual one. Many believe that because the physical body has so many limitations, that it must be an inferior existence to that of the soul or spirit of a human being.

As Muslims, we believe what has been revealed to us through all the prophets of God, peace be upon them all, but of course the priority goes to what we are taught through the Holy Qur’an and the lessons from the life of prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.

As human beings, we should not elevate ourselves above the station that God has assigned us. God created us from the soil of the earth, much like He did when He created plants and animals. The difference for human beings is that God breathed into our physical forms a soul from His own Spirit:

{When I have fashioned him (in due proportion) and breathed into him of My Spirit, fall down before him in prostration.} Qur’an 38:72

Upon our death, God has promised to raise us up again in our bodies. The knowledge of this re-formation of our bodies was given to every prophet, who all conveyed it to their people, and most of them mocked their prophets at this news:

{What! When we die and become dust and bones, shall we then indeed be raised up (again)?} Qur’an 37:16

{Nay, I swear by the Day of Resurrection; Nay, I swear by the accusing soul (that this Scripture is true). Does man think that We shall not reassemble his bones? Yes, verily Yes. We are Able to restore his very fingertips! But man would fain deny what is before him.} Qur’an 75:1-5