Near-death experience (NDE)

The concept of the embodiment of deeds is discussed within the framework of Islamic eschatology, specifically concerning the afterlife, the recompense of actions, and divine justice. This study investigates the embodiment of deeds as reflected in Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) and examines its alignment with Islamic eschatological principles. Drawing on Qur’anic verses, Hadiths, and the philosophical insights of Allameh Tabataba'i, the research emphasizes the intrinsic connection between actions, the soul, and their eternal forms. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, over one hundred NDE accounts from Iranian Shi'a Muslims were analyzed. The findings reveal various forms of embodiment, including the manifestation of significant physical actions, spiritual qualities, and the perception of life events and their consequences. The study concludes that the ontological nature of NDEs corresponds closely to the initial stages of the intermediary realm (Barzakh), based on Tabataba'i perspective. By bridging empirical observations with Islamic teachings on divine justice and the system of reward and punishment, the research offers new insights into the interconnectedness of human actions and their spiritual realities. This multidisciplinary approach enriches contemporary discourse on the afterlife, highlighting the transformative potential of NDEs in fostering moral and spiritual awareness. The research further demonstrates that the embodiment of deeds, as reported in NDEs, is substantiated by both reason and revelation, with Qur’anic-philosophical interpretations from Allameh Tabataba'i providing a robust explanatory framework.