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Category: Death and the Grave

Back down, right into the earth.

The murky, dark, dirty and inexpensive soil beneath us shall one day be a part of us, engulfing us and freely entering within the openings of our noses and mouths as it becomes one with us. We won’t have any choice but to submit to it, as choice and free-will is something of this world and therefore will no longer be readily available to us in the grave. Towards the grave is our destination; indeed we were created from it, will be buried into it, and then will be resurrected from it. This is the promise of Allah and as believers we know that Allah’s promises are unlike the promises made by man. For, man may incessantly and repetitively without shame break his promises one after the other, but Allah (The High and Elevated) never ever ever fails in His promises. His promises will surely come to pass, whether or not we, with our limited intellects and restricted knowledge, have truly come to comprehend and grasp this reality. Allah (Almighty) made this clear to us:

{(Such is) the promise of Allah, never does Allah fail in His promise.} [Al Qur’an 39:20]

{The promise of Allah is true, and He is Exalted in Power, Wise.} [Al Qur’an 31:9]

One such promise, which Allah (the Mighty and Glorious) made to man is that after man’s death, when his soul is taken up into the heavens towards Allah (Almighty), and after Allah (Almighty) records his deed in either the Illiyeen or Sijjeen - depending on whether he accumulated good or bad deeds in this life, and the sort of life he lead - Allah (the Glorious) will return man’s soul into this world. But this time there will now be a difference as there will be a change in his destination. This time won’t be like the time before, when a person could easily traverse and venture into the valleys, path-ways and various tracks embedded in the face of this earth. Rather, he will placed inside the world, in a restricted and confined grave which Allah (the All-Powerful) had decreed for him and which awaits his occupation.

Indeed, Allah (Almighty) will come to fulfill the promise he made in Surah Taha, verse 55:

{From it (the earth) we created you, and into it we shall return you, and from it we shall bring You out once again.}

The Prophet (peace be upon him) further elucidates and elaborated that Allah (the Mighty and Powerful) will say - after the evil and disbelieving soul is brought up to Him, and his name is recorded in as-Sijjeen -:

‘Take him back to the earth, for this was my promise. I created them from it, I will return them to it, and I will resurrect them from it again.’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

In another narration we find:

“Take him back to the earth, because I promised them that from it I create them, into it I return them, and from it I resurrect them once again.”{footnote}Ahmad, Abu Dawud and others.{/footnote}

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said:

“…The soul will be taken up to its Lord then it will be said: ‘Take it to its destiny.’”{footnote}Saheeh Muslim{/footnote}

Then, the evil soul will be thrown down into the earth, to meet what awaits him, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“He will be taken back to the earth, and his soul will be returned to his body and he will hear the footsteps of his companions as they leave him.”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

The cold, dark excavation in the ground will now become his real home as s/he enters the stage of the hereafter and become one of its children. His or her friends walk away, oblivious and helpless; how can they help him when s/he can’t help himself? Now that which was hidden to him will become apparent and disbelief will become certitude and conviction in Allah’s promise. He will now come to know what true solitude is like, for only his deeds will be his friends. No wonder Haani’, the servant of ‘Uthmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) described,

“’Uthmaan (may Allah be pleased with him) used to cry until his beard became wet when he would stand next to a grave. He was told:

‘You mention the Heaven and the Hellfire and you don’t cry, but when you mention the grave you burst into tears!’ He said, ‘I heard the Prophet (peace be upon him) saying,

‘The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter, whoever passes it will be at ease afterwards, and if he does not pass it he will be in (the) worst condition.”

I also heard him (the Prophet, peace be upon him) saying,

“Never have I seen a sight more horrifying than the grave.”{footnote}Saheeh Muslim{/footnote}

We also find this fact collaborated by the following Prophetic Narrations in which the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“These graves are filled with darkness for their occupants. Allah enlightens them by me praying for them.”{footnote}Saheeh Muslim{/footnote}

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) also said,

"Seek Allaah's protection from the Punishment of the Grave, since punishment of the Grave is a fact/true."{footnote}Saheeh: At-Tabraanee in 'al-Kabeer' from Umm Khaalid bint Khaalid ibn Sa'eed ibn al-'Aas.{/footnote}

The great Tab’iee (Successor{footnote}A Successor is somebody who has met a Companion of the Prophet (peace be upon him) but not the Prophet (peace be upon him).{/footnote}), the student of the illustrious companion Anas Ibn Maalik (may Allah be pleased with him), Thaabit al-Bunani said, 'Once I was walking among the graves and I heard a voice behind me saying,

"Thaabit! Do not be deceived by their stillness. How many people in them are suffering!"

I turned around, but did not see anyone.'{footnote}The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh.{/footnote}

In another incident a girl died in the al-Jarif plague. Her father met her in a dream after her death and asked her to tell him about the Next World. She replied,

“My father, this is a huge subject you have raised. We know but cannot act. You can act but do not know. By Allah, one or two acts of glorification and one or two Rak'ats of the prayer in the book of my actions are preferable to me than the world and all it contains.”{footnote}The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh.{/footnote}

It is a fact, that the grave is such an abode that once one has entered its home, there will be no leaving it until the Day of Resurrection… a day in which all of one’s deeds will be scaled and the true nature of life will come forward. Then all that man did in this life will be for him or against him.

If only s/he truly knew.

The squeeze and then the Questioning begins

Some of us may have felt the sensation of being hugged so tight that it hurt, especially when as children, a certain auntie just wouldn’t let go till she gave her unwelcomed salaams by way of squeezing you so tight until you felt like you just wanted to escape from her clutches.

Well, the grave will give a similar hug to the person who enters within it but it wont be anything like the squeeze given by someone known to you, nor will it have any warmth to it. When the person is laid down in the grave and covered, the grave will press-in on the person and this is something none of us can escape. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said,

“If anyone could have escaped from the pressing-in of the grave it would have been Sa’d Ibn Mu’aadh, but even he was pressed by his grave before he was released.”{footnote}Ahmad, al-Musnad and at-Tirmidhi.{/footnote}

Imagine that!

Imagine being in a restricted excavation in the ground, which has no light, no ventilation and no escape.

Imagine the biting darkness which will surround you and the insects crawling around you.

Imagine the coldness of the earth which will now begin to squeeze you… and then you ask Allah (Almighty) the ability to change your ways before it’s too late. For after the squeeze, the questioning will begin; An interrogation unlike any other.

Some of us may fear being questioned because we have a lot to hide or we may feel like we haven’t prepared enough for it and have lagged behind in performing duties and deeds which we really should have performed. Whereas others, especially the likes of ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), are enthusiastic and rely on Allah (Almighty) hand-in-hand with having prepared for that day.

‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said that, ‘The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) mentioned the tormentor of the grave and ‘Umar asked, “Will our mental faculties be restored to us, O Messenger of Allah?” The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Yes, just as they are now.” ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said,

“I will put a stone in his mouth.”{footnote}Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb, Vol 4, with a Hasan Isnaad.{/footnote}

What ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) intends here is that because he honors His Lord, Allah (Almighty) will help him give the right answers, which will silence his questioner in the grave. But the question arises: How many of us are like ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him)? How many of us have sacrificed our lives and devoted our energies to spreading the message of Islaam and in defending the way of the Noble Messenger (peace be upon him). So how wise is it for us then to be confident in this regard?

We have more to fear, yet we must hope.

For, without hope we are doomed.

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Category: Death and the Grave

The great blessings bestowed or the painful punishment inflicted by Allah, the High, on the believer in his grave is something that we can’t thoroughly understand, even if all the mechanisms and devices available to us were utilised for this purpose. This is partly due to the fact that we can’t perceive, look at or touch these realities in this world. For example, we can’t see the door that opens for the believer in his grave towards paradise. Furthermore, even if we were to inspect every grave in this world, we can’t hear what the animals can hear from the grave, for the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“The dead are being punished in their graves, and even the animals can hear the voices.”{footnote}Classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami 2369.{/footnote}

He also said:

“This Ummah will be tried in its graves. If it were not for the fear that you might not bury your dead, I would pray to Allah to make you hear what I hear.”{footnote}Saheeh Muslim and Musnad Imaam Ahmad.{/footnote}

But this is not to say that miracles don’t, won’t and can’t occur; rather what is being alluded to here is that this is not the normal perceived scientific norm. Rather, it is the divine sources, namely the Qur’aan and Sunnah, which elucidate to us the secrets hidden deep within the depths of these covered graves. It is these very divine sources that a believer wholeheartedly accepts as reality due to the various incontestable signs and facts that testify to their veracity, even if science and scientists may denounce such beliefs as being mere hypothetical superstitions. Therefore, it is belief and conviction based on knowledge which is the driving force pushing a believer to work for that day when he will be laid in an empty grave, a grave which may seem to the world as being void of life and vitality, but holds either blissful realities or painful, anguishing and distressful facts. The Prophetic Narrations which follow, mentioning the evil, hypocritical and disbelieving soul’s punishments and torture, should push us, as believers, to ask Allah with a heart full of fear, anxiety and worry for His Forgiveness and Mercy.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Indeed, after a slave is placed in his grave, and his companions walk away from him, so that he can hear the echo of their footsteps, two angels come to him.”{footnote}Al-Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote} Then he will be “made to sit (up) in his grave.”{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“When the Kaafir is placed in his grave, an angel comes to him and rebukes him…”{footnote}Aboo Daawood.{/footnote}

“Two stern angels will come to him, rebuke him and sit him up…”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

At this critical moment the evil soul will not be blessed with tranquility and calm being bestowed upon him, rather, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) informed us, he will sit up in his grave utterly defeated, terrified and bewildered. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The man is sat up in his grave, scared and terrified.”{footnote}Ibn Maajah.{/footnote} Indeed, this is only the beginning; what follows will be even more difficult and stressful due to what his own hands have sent forth.

When interrogated by al-Munkar and an-Nakeer, the disbeliever will find himself confused and bewildered and it will only push him further into answering incorrectly. Then a little gap will be opened for him through which he will see the glimpse of Paradise which Allah has denied him, and this will only add to his sorrow and misery. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“…If he was a bad man, he will be sat up in his grave, full of fear and terror and he will be asked:

‘What did you say?’

He will say:

‘I heard the people saying such-and-such, so I said likewise.’”{footnote}Ahmad, the hadeeth is authentic.{/footnote}

They will say to him,

‘Who is your Lord?’

He will say,

‘Huh, huh, I do not know!’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

He is told,

‘May you never know!’{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

He will be asked:

‘What did you worship?’

He says,

‘I don’t know.’

He is told,

‘You didn’t know and you didn’t care!’{footnote}Aboo Daawood.{/footnote}

And:

‘You did not know, nor did you recite (Qur'aan)!’{footnote}Recorded by Abu Dawud; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

Imagine his sorrow and pain. Having lived for so many years in the world, with the many blessings Allah (Almighty) had bestowed on him - from health to wealth and time to leisure -he did not bother to read the Qur’aan; he didn’t sincerely try to find out about its message or even to look through some of its pages. Rather, he obliviously passed by the aisle that held it in the many libraries and bookstores he had been given the chance to visit. This is because he either didn’t care about going through the religious scriptures sincerely to find the truth, or if he did, it was for a selfish purpose, a purpose that is not deserving of guidance. As for the sinful person, who may have had the Qur’aan lying somewhere within the four corners of his own home, then this very Qur’aan will be a proof against him, as we can see from the above narration. For this reason, he will be far from correctly answering the next question posed by the angels.

They will ask him,

‘What is your religion?’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

‘In what religion were you?’{footnote}Ibn Maajah.{/footnote}

He will say,

‘Huh, huh, I do not know!’{footnote}This lengthy hadith is narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib and is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

He is asked,

‘What did you do?’

He replies,

‘I do not know.’{footnote}Recorded in Ibn Majah, verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

“The disbeliever or hypocrite will be asked:

‘What did you say about this man?’

‘What do you say about this man who was sent among you?’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

‘Who is that man?’{footnote}Recorded in Ibn Majah, verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

He will say,

‘I don’t know. I used to say whatever the people were saying.’{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}

‘I used to say whatever the people were saying.’{footnote}Aboo Daawood.{/footnote}

‘I heard the people saying such-and-such, and I said likewise.’{footnote}Ibn Maajah.{/footnote}

‘I heard the people saying such-and-such, and I said likewise. I do not know.’{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami, 737.{/footnote}

He will be told,

‘You did not know and you did not care!’”{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}

“He will not even know his name, but he will be told –‘Muhammad’- and he will say:

‘Huh, huh, I do not know! I heard the people saying such-and-such.’

He will be told,

‘May you never know!’”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

They will say:

‘We knew that you would not know.’

‘We knew that you would say this.’{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami, 737.{/footnote}

“A hole will be opened for him, through which he will see paradise with its luxuries, and he will be told:

‘Look at that which Allah has taken away from you.’

Then a hole will be opened for him, through which he will see Hellfire, parts of it consuming others. He will be told:

‘This is your place in it. You used to doubt, you died doubting and you will be resurrected doubting, Allah Willing.’ Then he will be punished.”{footnote}Ahmad, the hadeeth is authentic.{/footnote}

“A door is then opened from his grave to Hell, and he is hit a blow that can be heard by every creature except the human beings and the Jinn.”{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

“Then he will be struck with an iron hammer between his two ears, and will utter a cry which will be heard by every creature around him, except for Jinn and men. Then his grave will be constricted for him until his ribs are crushed.”{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}

“Then a voice will call from heaven, saying:

‘He has lied, so furnish his grave from Hell, and open for him a gate to Hell.’

Then some of its heat and venom will reach him, and his grave will be constricted until his ribs are crushed together.”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

“The earth will then be told, ‘Press him.’ So it will press him and his ribs will be crushed together. It will continue to punish him until Allah resurrects him from that place.”{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami, 737.{/footnote}

His Bad Deeds will come in the Form of a Man

“There will come to him (or there will appear before him) a man with an ugly face, badly-dressed, and foul-smelling. He will say,

‘I bring you bad news: this is the day that you were promised.’

He will say:

‘And you, may Allah give you even worse news! Who are you? Your face brings bad news!’

He will say,

‘I am your evil deeds. By Allah, I only ever saw you reluctant to obey Allah, and ever eager to disobey Him. May Allah repay you with evil!’”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

The disbeliever will be struck with an iron chain until he is turned to dust. “Then he will be struck between his ears with an iron hammer and will utter a cry which will be heard by the whole of creation apart from Jinn and men.”{footnote}Aboo Daawood.{/footnote}

“Then there will be sent to him one who is blind, deaf and dumb, who will carry in his hand an iron rod which, if he were to beat a camel with it, would turn it to dust. He will beat him with it until he turns to dust, then Allah will restore him, then he will be beaten again. He will let out a scream that the whole creation will hear, except for men and Jinn. Then a gate will be opened for him to Hell and his grave will be furnished from Hell. He will say,

‘My Lord, may the hour never come!’”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

“And he is told, ‘Go to sleep like a bitten person.’ And his grave is made tight on him.”

The Companion, Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) was asked, "What is a bitten person?"

He replied,

"One who is bitten by creatures and snakes.”{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

This punishment will continue, while those living on the face of the earth will continue in their daily routines and chores, oblivious to the great torment and agony this person is suffering.

They won’t be able to hear his screams; if they could have, then they would no longer be able to live, and life itself would halt.

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Category: Death and the Grave

The time-span exacted for the soul to be taken up into the heavens is a matter unknown to us as time holds a completely different dimension in the next life. What we do know, however, is that after the person is buried and as his friends and family walk away, the soul is returned back to the body at this stage. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“When a person is placed in his grave and his companions leave him, he can hear their footsteps."{footnote}Agreed upon{/footnote}

We also learn from the following Prophetic Narrations that the questioning of the angels will immediately begin after the burial. For, whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) buried someone, he would stand by the graveside and tell the people,

“Ask Allah to forgive your brother and give him strength, for he is being questioned right now.”{footnote}Aboo Daawood and at-Tirmidhi.{/footnote}

From Prophetic Narrations we come to learn that the righteous soul will in fact undergo a significantly different ordeal in comparison to the evil one. Let’s first go through the ordeal experienced by the righteous soul as it is interrogated by the angels and Allah Willing, thereby hope that Allah (Almighty) makes us of them, Aameen. After which we will look at how the evil soul will be questioned and punished in the grave, may Allah (Almighty) save us from such an end. Aameen.

*Throughout this section I will be predominantly mentioning certain parts of the authentic Prophetic Narration narrated by al-Baraa’ Ibn ‘Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him) the beginning of which goes as follows:

“We went out with the Prophet (peace be upon him) to attend the funeral of one of the Ansaari men. When we reached the grave, and before the man was buried, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sat down [facing the Qiblah] and we sat down around him. We were as silent and still as if there were birds on our heads, and he had in his hand a stick with which he scratched up the earth. He began to look up towards the sky and down at the ground, and he raised and lowered his head three times. He said,

‘Seek refuge with Allah from the punishment of the grave.’ – two or three times…”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

Let’s pray that Allah (Almighty) saves us from the Fitnah of the grave, Aameen.

What follows is how the two angels will come in the grave and sit the lying deceased person up in his grave after his friends and relatives have buried him and walked away from the grave.

The Righteous IS Questioned

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Then two angels come to him, sit him up…”{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}

The names of these two interrogating angels that will come to a person in the grave are mentioned in the following Hadeeth: “When the deceased is buried, two black-and-blue angels come to him, one called al-Munkar and the other called an-Nakeer.”{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami; no 737..{/footnote}

Even the righteous believer will not be saved from the questioning which will take place in the grave. This is collaborated by the fact that the Prophet (peace be upon him) unequivocally mentioned: “A believer is made to sit in his grave.”{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote} and by other narrations which will shortly follow.

The difference between the believer and the disbeliever in this regard will be that the believer will be calm and self-composed when the angels sit him up in the grave, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) clearly elucidated: “The righteous man is sat up in his grave, not scared or terrified.”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote} And: “If he was a righteous man, he will be sat up in his grave, without fear or terror…”{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

This is a distinguishing feature which Allah (Almighty) blesses his slaves with. He strengthens their souls at this difficult time and gives them conviction. This is because the one who truly fears Allah will not have to fear anything or anyone else. It is from the Mercy of Allah (the Most Kind) that He will strengthen his slave even at this most critical stage, a stage which will determine what lies ahead of him.

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When the Believer is sat up in his grave, he will bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and that is the meaning of the verse:

{Allah will establish in strength those who believe, with the word that stands firm…} (Ibraaheem [14]:27){footnote}Al-Bukhaari.{/footnote}

Other narrations clearly mention the wording of the questions which the angels will pose and also the manner in which the believer will respond to these questions. I thoroughly searched and went through as many narrations as I could possibly find to ascertain the exact questions mentioned by the Prophet (peace be upon him), himself, regarding the questioning that will take place in the grave by the angels. Interestingly I found that, although commonly people have only heard of three questions that will be posed in the grave, there is also mention of a fourth one: namely regarding the Qur’aan. Yes, the Book of Allah, our guide in the life of this world which explains to us the reality of our existence and where we are heading. But what is worrying is that so many of us have failed in our duty towards it and have underestimated our obligation towards it, so much so that many of us are oblivious of the fact that we will be questioned in the grave about the Qur’aan.

The only way we can gain a thorough understanding of this topic is by going through the various authentic narrations passed down from the Prophet (peace be upon him).

And this is what we are going to venture into right now.

The Various Narrations

The following are the different wordings found in the various Prophetic Narrations which mention the questions which will be posed to the believer in the grave and how s/he will reply to them.

*As mentioned earlier, we will first go through how the believer will respond to the questions posed to him. Whereas in the next article we’ll go through how the disbeliever will incorrectly respond to the questions posed to him and the consequences he will have to face as a result of that.

***

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“…Two stern angels will come to him, [rebuke him] and sit him up,

‘Who is your Lord?’/

‘What did you use to worship?’{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}

He will answer,

‘My Lord is Allah.’

In another narration it’s mentioned:

“Allah guides him and he says, ‘I used to worship Allah’.“{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}

They will ask him,

‘What is your religion?’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim..{/footnote}‘ /

‘In what [religion] were you?’{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote} /

‘What did you used to say about Islaam?'{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

“He will say,

‘My religion is Islaam.’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim{/footnote} /

‘I was in Islaam.’{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

After this he will be questioned about the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Last and Final Messenger of Allah sent to mankind. The Prophet (peace be upon him) himself said:

“…As for the Fitnah of the grave, (the deceased) will be tested concerning me and asked about me…”{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

“They will ask:

‘Who is this man who was sent among you?’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}/

‘Who was this man who was among you?’{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}/

‘Who is this man?’{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}/

‘What did you used to say about this man?’{footnote}Agree upon.{/footnote}/

"Who is your Prophet?"{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

“He will say,

‘He is the Messenger of Allah.”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standard.s of Bukhari and Muslim{/footnote}/

‘Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). He brought us clear signs from Allah and we believed in him.’ /

‘Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, who brought the clear signs from Allah, so we believed in him.’”{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}/

‘He is the slave and Messenger of Allah.’{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}/

‘I bear witness that he is the slave and Messenger of Allah.’{footnote}Agree upon.{/footnote}/

‘He is the slave of Allah and His Messenger, I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.’{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}/

"He is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, who came with clear signs from Allah; and we believed in him."{footnote}Recorded by Ahmad; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}/

"My prophet is Muhammad."{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

The angels will say,

‘We knew that you would say this.’…{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Jaami; no 737.{/footnote}/

"We expected you to say this."{footnote}Recorded by at-Tirmidhi; verified to be hasan.{/footnote}

He is asked,

‘Have you seen Allah?’

He says,

‘No-one may see Allah.’{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

“They will ask him,

‘What did you do?’

He will say,

‘I read (or recited) the Book of Allah. And I believed in it.’

He will rebuke him and ask:

‘Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet?’

This is the last of the trials to face the Believers…”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

In this way, the believing slave will past the greatest test and gain the everlasting bliss and pleasure of the Almighty. Sorrow will become something of the past; pain will cease to exist; hurt will be uplifted and sadness taken away.

Happiness upon happiness; joy upon joy -increasing as the moments pass by and as the Day of Resurrection draws close.

A Hole Opened Towards Jannah

The grave, that dark murky excavation in the ground that was once dark and unlit, will now have a hole opened in it for the believer. He will be shown that which he has been saved from and that which he has been gifted with. For it is only by knowing that which you have been saved from does one really know what they have truly gained. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“A hole will be opened for him, through which he will see the hellfire, parts of it consuming others.”{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}/ “An opening is made (from his grave) to the Fire, so that he sees its various sections crushing each other.He is told,

"Look at that from which Allah (azza wa jall) has saved you."{footnote}Recorded in Ibn Majah, verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: “He is not questioned about anything else after this. He is taken to a house in the Fire, and is told,

‘This is your house which was in the Hellfire, but Allah has protected you and had mercy on you, and has exchanged it for a house in Paradise for you.’"{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}

“Then a gate of Paradise and a gate of Hell will be opened for him, and it will be said to him:

‘This is your place if you had disobeyed Allah. But Allah has given you this instead of that.’”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

“Then a hole will be opened through which he will see paradise, with all its luxuries.”{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}/ “Then he is shown Paradise, and he looks at its beauty and everything in it.”{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

He is told:

‘Look at your place in Hellfire, which Allah has exchanged for a place in Paradise.’{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}/ ‘Look at that which Allah, may He be Exalted, has saved you from.’{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

“So he will look at them both…”{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}

“A door is then opened from his grave (to Jannah), and he is told,

‘Look at your (future) abode.’”{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote} “He is told: ‘This is your place{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote} in it.’{footnote} Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

In another narration it is stated: "Another opening is then made (from his grave) in the direction of Jannah; and he views its grandeur and the things (bounties) in it. He is then told,

"This will be your position. You lived with certitude (about Allah's promises); upon it you died; and upon it you will be raised when Allah (az) wills."{footnote}Recorded in Ibn Majah, verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

In the lengthy Hadeeth narrated by al-Baraa’ Ibn ‘Aazib (may Allah be pleased with him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“A voice will call from Heaven:

‘My slave has spoken the truth, so furnish his grave from Paradise and clothe him from Paradise, and open for him a gate to Paradise.’

Some of its breeze and scent will reach him, and his grave will be widened for him as far as the eye can see.”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}/“…Then they will expand his grave for him, seventy cubits by seventy, and illuminate it for him.”{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani, op.cit, No 737.{/footnote}

He will also be allowed to eat from the trees of Paradise before the Day of Judgment. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “The soul of a believer is a bird eating from the trees of Paradise until Allah restores it to its body on the Day of Resurrection.”{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani. Saheeh al-Jaami;2369.{/footnote}

How Merciful our Lord is! Although the people of the world may look towards the grave of this person thinking that his life has halted after his death, that he no longer knows the meaning of joy and happiness, that he is restricted between the four walls of his grave, they know not how Allah (Almighty) can bless his servants in a way that we can’t imagine nor envisage. In a way that we can only hope and wish for. But if the believer had debts, then his soul will be tied to his debts. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said,

“The soul of the believer is tied to his debts until they are paid off.”{footnote}Narrated and classed as Hasan by at-Tirmidhi; classed as Saheeh by al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami 6655.{/footnote}

For Allah is Just and does not overlook the right owed to another. Justice is one of the distinguishing hallmarks and benchmark of Islaam and it is performed, even if that means in the next life.

Good Deeds Come in the Form of a Man

Another blessing of the Almighty is that one’s good deeds will come in the form of a handsome, well-dressed, finely-perfumed man who will bring glad tidings to the believer, as the following narration illustrates:

“There will come to him a handsome, well-dressed and finely-scented man, who will say,

‘I bring good news which will make you glad. I bring good news of the good pleasure of Allah, and Gardens wherein is eternal blessing. This is the day which you were promised.’

He will say:

‘And you, may Allah give you better news. Who are you?’

He will say,

‘I am your good deeds, and by Allah I only ever saw you hastening to obey Allah, and ever-reluctant to disobey Him, so may Allah reward you with good.’{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}

What About Family?

“When he sees what is in Paradise…”{footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote} "...He’d want to share his achievement with his family, for surely they must be worried about him. So he asks,

‘Let me go and tell my family of this good news’,{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}/

‘I want to go back to my family and tell them.’{footnote}Classed as Hsan by al-Albaani. Saheeh al-Jaami; 737.{/footnote}

An inner urge will make him ask:

“My Lord! Hasten the coming of the Hour, so that I may return to my family and my wealth.’

The reply of which will be:

"Be tranquil."{footnote}Recorded by Abu Dawud; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}/

‘Be patient’ (Literally, ‘Dwell here.’){footnote}This lengthy hadith narrated by al-Baraa ibn Aaazib is reported by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, at-Tayalisi, and al-Hakim who said it is according to the standards of Bukhari and Muslim.{/footnote}/

‘Remain where you are.’{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote}/

‘Sleep like the groom who should not be woken by any except those he loves most.’

“Until Allah will resurrect him from his place of rest.”{footnote}Classed as Hasan by al-Albaani. Saheeh al-Jaami; 737.{/footnote}

And then his grave, “…will be filled with greenery until the Day of Resurrection.”{footnote}Agreed upon.{/footnote}

Sleep Until the Day of Resurrection

After all of this, he will be reassured and given glad tidings:

‘You were certain (‘ala’l-Yaqeen), you died certain, and you will be raised certain, Allah Willing.’{footnote}Ibn Maajah. This Hadeeth is also to be found in al-Albaani, Saheeh al-Jaami; no 1964, and at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}/

‘You had strong faith, you died with strong faith, and you will be resurrected with strong faith, Allah Willing.”{footnote}Narrated by Ahmad, with a Saheeh Isnaad; reported in Saheeh at-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb.{/footnote}

And: “He will not be asked about anything else.”{footnote}Narrated by Aboo Daawood from Anas; see Saheeh al-Jaami’; No 1926.{/footnote} “…Then he will be told, ‘Sleep’.”"{footnote}Classed as Hsan by al-Albaani. Saheeh al-Jaami; 737.{/footnote}

So the righteous slave will then sleep peacefully, just as the Prophet (peace be upon him) described:

“He is then left in the grave, and (the time passes) as if it is but a nap.”{footnote}Recorded by al-Bazzar; verified to be authentic.{/footnote}

But the questions remain:

What will happen to the evil soul, the disbeliever and the hypocrite?

How will they reply to these questions, and how will they be treated in return?

Click here to continue this journey.

Details

Category: Death and the Grave

As Muslims, we believe in the punishment of the grave. There are many narrations which verify its authenticity. One such narration is: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said, "Seek Allaah's protection from the Punishment of the Grave, since the Punishment of the Grave is a fact/true." (Saheeh: At-Tabraanee in 'al-Kabeer' from Umm Khaalid bint Khaalid ibn Sa'eed ibn al-'Aas.)

Our righteous predecessors have mentioned many stories in this regard, some of which are as follows:

Ibn Abi'd Dunya (rahimahullah) mentioned that one of his companions said, “My brother died and I saw him in a dream. I said, "How was it when you were placed in your grave?" He replied,

"Someone brought me a fiery flame and if it had not been that someone else made supplication for me, I think he would have hit me with it.” ("The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh.)

Bashar b. Ghalib (rahimahullah) said, “I saw Rabia, on whose behalf I make frequent supplication, in a dream. She said to me,

"Bashar b. Ghalib! Your gifts have been brought to me on plates of light, covered in silken cloths."

I asked, "How can that be?" She replied,

"That is what the supplication of living believers is like. When they make supplication for a dead person, that supplication is answered for them on plates of light, veiled in silken cloths. Then they are brought to the dead person for whom the supplication was said and they are told, 'This is the gift of so-and-so to you.'” ” ("The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh.)

Amr bin Dinar (rahimahullah) said “The sister of one of the men of Medina died and he buried her. When he came back from the burial, he remembered that he had left something in the grave. He asked one of his companions to help him. His companion related that they had dug up the grave and found what they were looking for. Then the man said, "Let us dig further and find out what has happened to my sister." He lifted up one of the stones covering the burial cavity and found the grave filled with fire. He replaced it and filled in the grave again. Then he returned to his mother and asked, "What was my sister really like?" She replied, "Why do you ask about her when she is dead?" He said, "Tell me." She said,

"She used to delay the prayer and she also used to go to our neighbours' doors, put her ear to them, and then tell other people what they said." ("The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh.)

One of the early Muslims said,

"We passed by a watering-place on the way to Basra. We heard the braying of a donkey and asked the people there what the braying was. They replied that it was one of the men who used to be with them whose mother had asked him for something and he had told her to bray like a donkey. Since his death, this braying had been heard every night from his grave.” ("The Soul journey after death" an abridgement of Ibn al-Qayyim's kitabar-ruh.)

The torment in the grave will vary according to the sins committed by the person in this world, whether he was a disbeliever or a disobedient Muslim. There are authentic narrations which describe this torment for the people who commit these sins. For example:

1 – Being struck with an iron hammer.

It was narrated from Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“When a person is placed in his grave and his companions leave him, and he can no longer hear the sound of their sandals (footsteps), two angels come to him and make him sit up, and they ask him, ‘What did you say about this man Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)?’ He says, ‘I bear witness that he is the slave of Allaah and His Messenger.’ It is said, ‘Look at your place in Hell which Allaah has replaced for you with a place in Paradise.’” The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “And he sees them both. But as for the kaafir or hypocrite, he says, ‘I do not know, I used to say what the people said.’ It is said, ‘You did not know and you did not follow those who knew.’ Then he is struck a blow with an iron hammer between his ears and he screams a scream which everything around him can hear apart from the two races (of mankind and the jinn).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 1222.)

2 –7: Furnishings from Hell are prepared for him; he is clothed with fire; a door to Hell is opened for him; his grave is made narrow for him; he is struck with a great hammer which, if a mountain were to be struck with it, it would turn to dust; and he is given the tidings of torment in the Hereafter. Hence he will wish that the hour would never come.

Ahmad (17803) and Abu Dawood (4753) narrated that al-Baraa’ ibn ‘Aazib said:

"We went out with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) for the funeral of a man from among the Ansaar. We came to the grave and when (the deceased) was placed in the lahd, the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) sat down and we sat around him, as if there were birds on our heads (i.e. quiet and still). In his hand he had a stick with which he was scratching the ground. Then he raised his head and said, “Seek refuge with Allaah from the torment of the grave,” two or three times. Then he mentioned the soul of the believer and how he is blessed in his grave. Then he said: “But when the disbelieving slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him from heaven angels with black faces, bringing sackcloth, and they sit around him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits by his head, and he says, ‘O evil soul, come forth to the wrath of Allaah and His anger.’ Then his soul disperses inside his body, then comes out cutting the veins and nerves, like a skewer passing through wet wool. When he seizes it, they do not leave it in his hand for an instant before they take it and put it in that sackcloth, and there comes from it a stench like the foulest stench of a dead body on the face of the earth. Then they ascend and they do not pass by any group of angels but they say, ‘Who is this evil soul?’ and they say, ‘It is so and so, the son of so and so, calling him by the worst names by which he was known in this world, until they reach the lowest heaven. They ask for it to be opened to them and it is not opened.” Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited (interpretation of the meaning):

“For them the gates of heaven will not be opened, and they will not enter Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of the needle.” [al-A’raaf, 7:40]

He said: “Then Allaah says, ‘Record the book of My slave in Sijjeen in the lowest earth, and return him to the earth, for from it I created them, to it I will return them and from it I will bring them forth once again.’ So his soul is cast down.” Then the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recited the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“And whoever assigns partners to Allaah, it is as if he had fallen from the sky, and the birds had snatched him, or the wind had thrown him to a far off place.” [al-Hajj, 22:31]

He said: “Then his soul is returned to his body, and there come to him two angels who make him sit up and they say to him, ‘Who is your Lord?’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ They say, ‘What is your religion?’ He says, ‘Oh, oh, I don’t know.’ Then a voice calls out from heaven, ‘Prepare for him a bed from Hell and clothe him from Hell, and open for him a gate to Hell.’ Then there comes to him some of its heat and hot winds, and his grave is constricted and compresses him until his ribs interlock. Then there comes to him a man with an ugly face and ugly clothes, and a foul stench, who says, ‘Receive the bad news, this is the day that you were promised.’ He says, ‘Who are you? Your face is a face which forebodes evil.’ He says, ‘I am your evil deeds.’ He says, ‘O Lord, do not let the Hour come, do not let the Hour come.’” (This hadeeth was classed as saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaani in Ahkaam al-Janaa’iz, p. 156)

8 – Being swallowed up by the earth.

It was narrated from Ibn ‘Umar that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

“Whilst a man was dragging his lower garment out of pride, the earth swallowed him up and he will continue sinking into the earth until the Day of Resurrection.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 5345; Muslim, 3894)

9- The edge of the mouth being torn to the back of the head.

10- The head being smashed with a rock.

11- Being burnt in a tannoor oven

12- Swimming in a river of blood whilst being pelted with stones.

Al-Bukhaari (1386, 7047) narrated that Samurah ibn Jundub said:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) often used to ask his companions, “Has any one of you had a dream?” Then those whom Allaah willed would tell him (about their dreams). One morning he said, “Last night, two people came to me (in a dream), and woke me up and said, ‘Let’s go!’ I set out with them, and we came across a man who was lying down, with another man standing over him, holding a big rock. He threw the rock at the man's head, smashing it. The rock rolled away, and the one who had thrown it followed it, and picked it up. By the time he came back to the man, his head had been restored to its former state. Then he (the one who had thrown the rock) did the same as he had done before. I said to my two companions, ‘Subhaan Allaah! Who are these two persons?’ They said, ‘Move on!’

So we went on, and came to a man who was lying flat on his back, with another man standing over him, holding an iron hook. He put the hook in the man's mouth and tore off that side of his face to the back (of his neck), and he tore his nose and his eye from front to back in a similar manner. Then he turned to the other side of the man's face and did likewise. No sooner had he finished the second side but the first side was restored to its former state, then he went back and did the same thing again. I said to my two companions, ‘Subhaan Allaah! Who are these two persons?’ They said, ‘Move on!’

So we went on, and came to something like a tannoor (a kind of oven, lined with clay, usually used for baking bread)." (I think the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, in that oven there was much noise and voices. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) added:) "We looked into it and saw naked men and women. A flame of fire was reaching them from underneath, and when it reached them, they cried out loudly. I asked them, ‘Who are these?’ They said to me, ‘Move on!’

So we went on and came to a river. (I think he said, red like blood.) In the river there was a man swimming, and on the bank there was a man who had gathered many stones. Whilst the swimmer was swimming, the man who had gathered the stones approached him. The swimmer opened his mouth and the man on the bank threw a stone into it, then the swimmer carried on swimming. Each time he came back, he opened his mouth again, and the man on the bank threw another stone into his mouth. I said to my two companions, ‘Who are these two persons?’ They said, ‘Move on, move on!’

I said to them, "I have seen many wonders this night. What do all these things mean that I have seen?’ They said, ‘We will tell you.

The first man you came across, whose head was being smashed with the rock, is the man who studies the Qur’aan, then he neither recites it nor acts upon it, and he goes to sleep, neglecting the obligatory prayers.

The (second) man you came across whose mouth, nose and ears were being torn from front to back, is the man who goes out of his house in the morning and tells a lie that is so serious that it spreads all over the world.

The naked men and women whom you saw in a structure that resembled an oven are the adulterers and adulteresses.

The man you saw swimming in the river with rocks being thrown into his mouth is the one who consumed riba (usury).”

Al-Haafiz ibn Hajar said:

“This indicates that some sinners will be punished in al-barzakh (the interval between death and the Day of Resurrection).” (Fath al-Baari, 12/445)

12- Items stolen from the war booty will be set ablaze on the one who stole them.

Al-Bukhaari (4234) and Muslim (115) narrated that Abu Hurayrah said:

“We went out with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) to Khaybar, and Allaah granted us victory. We did not take gold or silver as booty, but we seized goods, food and clothes, then we set out for the valley. With the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) there was a slave called Rifaa’ah ibn Zayd. When we camped in the valley, the slave of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) stood up and began to unpack his saddlebag, when he was struck by a stray arrow which proved fatal. We said, ‘Congratulations to him, for he is a martyr, O Messenger of Allaah.’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:

‘Not so, by the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, for the small garment that he stole from the booty on the day of Khaybar and which was not part of his share, is burning like fire on him.’

The people were very distressed by this. Then a man brought one or two shoelaces and said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, I found (them) on the day of Khaybar.’ The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘A lace of fire,’ or ‘Two laces of fire.’”

13- Along with this physical punishment there will also be a spiritual or mental punishment, which is that in the grave the kaafir will be shown what would have been his place in Paradise if he had obeyed his Lord; this will increase his regret and pain when he realizes the greatness of the blessing that he has missed out on.

Ahmad (10577) narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said:

"I attended a funeral with the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “O people, this ummah will be tested in their graves. When a man is buried and his friends leave him, an angel with a hammer in his hand comes and sits by him and asks, ‘What do you say about this man?’ If he is a believer, he says, ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.’ He says, ‘You have spoken the truth.’ Then a door to Hell is opened for him and he says, ‘This would have been your place if you had disbelieved in your Lord, but because you believed, this is your place.’ Then a door to Paradise is opened for him and he wants to go there, but the angel says to him, ‘Calm down,’ and his grave is made wide and spacious for him. But if he is a disbeliever or a hypocrite, (the angel) says to him, ‘What do you say about this man?’ He says, ‘I do not know, I heard the people saying something.’ The angel says, ‘You did not know and you did not follow those who knew and you were not guided.’ Then a door to Paradise is opened for him and he says, ‘This would have been your position if you had believed in your Lord. But because you disbelieved, Allaah has replaced it for you with this.’ Then a gate to Hell is opened for him, and he strikes him a blow with the hammer which is heard by all of Allaah’s creation apart from the two races (of mankind and the jinn).” Some of the people said, “O Messenger of Allaah, there is no one who would have an angel standing by him holding a hammer but he would be dumbfounded.” The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah will keep firm those who believe, with the word that stands firm.” [Ibraaheem, 14:27 – interpretation of the meaning] (Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in his commentary on Kitaab al-Sunnah by Ibn Abi ‘Aasim, 865)

These are some of the kinds of punishment that will befall some sinners in the grave.

Morning AND Evening

The people in their graves are actually shown their places in Paradise or Hell continuously.

Allah (Almighty) has said in the Qur’aan,

{In front of the Fire they will be brought morning and evening, and (the Sentence will be) on the Day that Judgment will be established: Cast the people of Pharaoh into the severest penalty.} (Al-Mumin, 40:46)

Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him) said, “When any of you dies, he is shown his place morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, then he is one of them, and if he is one of the people of Hell, then he is one of them. He is told:

‘This is your place until Allah raises you on the Day of Resurrection.’”

May Allah (Almighty) make us of the righteous believers, whose grave is expanded with the delights of the hereafter. May Allah (Almighty) forgive our sins and instil steadfastness into our hearts. Aameen.