Surah 15 · Verse 29

[15:29] The word ruh, does not mean soul or spirit, as commonly thought. In the terminology of the Quran ruh means revelation, inspiration, information, or commands. The word nafs is used to mean person or consciousness (39:42). If we try to describe the human genetic makeup and the program etched into the brain in computer language, it is like a piece of hardware that facilitates communication, processing, analysis and synthesis of information through an intelligent system program containing God's knowledge/commands/code/logic (ruh) in its core. Person (nafs) is analogous to an open system program that can be improved through new application programs, addition of new features, and memory (experience) data. This system program (person) can be put in hibernation (sleep), or terminated by the turning off of the switch, or by the destruction of its essential hardware (death) (39:42; 21:35; 29:57; 2:28; 10:56; 32:11; 45:15). Contradictory and irrational actions that are the products of reflexive choices, gullibility, superstitious ideas, intoxicants, religious dogmas, peer pressure, ignorance, etc, might make the system program vulnerable to the attacks of evil viruses and Trojan horses (6:116; 10:36,42; 17:36; 53:28; 2:170-171; 3:154; 8:22; 10:100; 12:40; 13:19; 28:63; 35:28; 39:9,18; 41:46; 45:15; 79:40; 9:31). If due to prejudice and acquired bad habits, they do not use vigilant virus protection programs called critical thinking or logic, numerous harmful and fatal viruses might infect and corrupt system programs (persons) beyond reform (2:231; 4:110; 7:160; 17:7; 31:13; 65:1; 91:7, and 6:110). Good intentions, thoughts, deeds, habits, good networks, and numerous tests advance the system program (person) to new levels (2:272; 23:60). Then the improved or regressed system program is separated from the hardware (death) and uploaded (recorded in the master record/ummul-kitab) for evaluation (18:49; 6:38; 54:53). Those that kept the system program free from infection and corruption, and improved it through various tests, are beamed to a higher dimension for eternal enjoyment (89:27-30). The system programs (persons) that had progressed (through acknowledgment and good deeds) and passed all major tests (through a humble and appreciative attitude during blessings and tragedies) in its previous hardware (2:155; 3:186; 29:1-3); these few successful system programs will be matched with an indestructible hardware (body) to live in eternal bliss (81:7; 3:30,161,185; 40:17; 45:22; 50:21; 74:38; 89:27-28; 2:123,233,281). Also, see 17:85; 39:42.