Fundamental Differences between Regression and Reincarnation Derived from Quranic Verses and Narrations

Regression and reincarnation are amongst the common terminologies in the literature of Islamic exegetes, prolocutors and philosophers. It is primarily necessary to expurgate the two subjects to find out the fundamental differences between them. Secondly, it is necessary to find out which concept is accepted by notable Islamic scholars and which is rejected by the key figures of hermeneutics, discourse and philosophy. The present paper aims to investigate the two notions and present the views of the scholars of this field. In general, regression is accepted by hermeneutics scholars as it is a Quranic fact, and the regression of certain people during Imam Mahdi’s (pbuh) Coming is, under special circumstances, confirmed by Shiite scholars. Reincarnation, however, in all of its forms, is rejected by Peripatetic philosophers and those following Mulla Sadra’s philosophy, even though some Orientalist philosophers have accepted certain forms of reincarnation.