The Other Side

People sometimes say, "I will see you on the other side." Buthow certain can one be of this other plane of existence? Whereexactly is that "other side", and how can you be sure you willreach it?Everything begins with a fundamental truth: those whom wehave buried from our loved ones are not truly dead. They havemerely passed into a special realm known as the Barzakh, a stageof existence between this life and the Hereafter. In that world,the souls of the deceased continue to live: some in peace, othersin torment. The souls of martyrs may dwell in the bodies of greenbirds, flying freely in Paradise, while others may suffer and drownin rivers of blood. Some are reunited with long-deceased lovedones in beautiful homes, while others are subject to terrifyingpunishment at the hand of the Angels.What is this realm? Who resides within it? And how doesknowledge of this world affect the understanding of our currentlocation? To reflect on the Barzakh is to reflect on our ultimatereturn to Allah and to reconsider the spiritual path we are ontoday in a world that is plagued with injustice and confusion.