ہندومت کے تصور جونی چکر اور اسلام کے عقیدہ آخرت کا تقابلی جائزہ

A Comparative Study of the Concept of Reincarnation in Hinduism and the Belief in the Afterlife in Islam

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative study of two distinct eschatological beliefs: the concept of the jūnī chakkar (cycle of rebirth) in Hinduism and the belief in the Ākhirah (afterlife) in Islam. Hinduism perceives the soul (ātman) as eternal, trapped in a continuous cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsāra), influenced by one’s deeds (karma). This cycle continues until the soul achieves moksha (liberation), which is seen as union with the supreme reality (Brahman), thus ending the cycle of reincarnation. On the other hand, Islam teaches that the soul is created by Allah and lives only one worldly life. After death, it enters a phase of Barzakh until the Day of Judgment, when all souls will be resurrected. Salvation (Najāt) in Islam is based on correct faith (ʿAqīdah), righteous deeds (ʿAmāl-i-Ṣāliḥah), and ultimately, the mercy of Allah. The Islamic worldview emphasizes accountability, divine justice, and a linear concept of time and existence, unlike the cyclical notion found in Hinduism. This research highlights the fundamental theological, philosophical, and moral differences between the two worldviews. It also explores how these beliefs influence ethical behavior, social structures, and individual perspectives on suffering, responsibility, and purpose in life. The study concludes that while both religions address the soul’s journey and ultimate destiny, their foundational premises differ profoundly in terms of time, divine nature, and the means to salvation.