THE STAY IN THE GRAVE

The interrogation in the grave by the angels, and the punishment of the grave is a reality.

A human being came into existence as a result of the mating between the soul and the body. The last and eternal part of his life is the one that will start when the judgment is passed on him after being resurrected on the Day of Judgement. Other than this, all the other earlier stages of his life are not only transitory, but non-reversible. Our Creator made our body and put into it the soul which had already been created earlier by His command. In the Holy Quran , reference is made to this by Allah , the Lord of Honour and Glory:

_______________Arabic____________Surah Al-A'raaf, Verse 172

Translation: "And (remember) when your Lord brought forth from the Children of Adam, from their loins their seed and made them testify as to themselves (saying ); 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes! We testify."

The body was made and the soul put into it.The first stage- a helpless infant; then a child running about; childhood passed and he became an adult; then his youth passed away and he became old; then old age brought him to the threshold of the next stage-the state of Barzakh (the partition), which he has to enter. Even Barzakh is transitory, but here the soul liberated itself from the body. The soul's ability to feel has not been lost; but the corporal existence that enabled the body to give expression to its feelings, has ended till the Creator's next command.

The human being who used to have full control over his body and would take it wherever he pleased has now been deprived of this control. He is not permitted now^to leave this world to which he has been sent. Here, his past deeds will be the cause of his imprisonment or freedom; if the deeds were evil, he will be imprisoned in Sijjin and if his actions were righteous, then he will be entitled to receive the benefits of Illiyin.

Comfort or Torture in the Grave:

People who are unable to perceive the concept of another kind of life after death or the feelings experienced at that time, are invited to reflect on good and bad dreams, the effects of magic or the harm caused by the evil eye. Is this a physical phenomenon or is it only the spirit that is effected by them? If we accept all this without hesitation, then, accepting the concept of rewards and punishment in the grave and the ability of the soul to feel different sensations (because it is the body that has died and not the soul) should not be difficult. This is part of the Muslim's belief as, in addition to Quranic verses, there are many ahadith which provide sufficient evidence of this.

Referring to the Quranic verses and ahadith:

With reference to the Quranic verses and ahadith, this subject can be divided in to 3 parts.

1. The questioning by the Angels
2. The Punishment in the Grave
3. Fine Hospitality  

1. The Questioning by the Angels;

_______________Arabic_________(Surah Ibrahim, Verse 27)

Translation: "Allah will keep,those who believe, with the word that stands firm in this World and in the Hereafter.

And then, the promise of Allah SWT in the Holy Quran:

____________________Arabic______(Surah Hamim Sajda, Verse 30)

Translation: "Verily, those who say; 'Our Lord is Allah' and then stand firm, on them the angels will descend; Tear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!'

INBOX: Come let us learn this "word that stands firm"

______________Arabic____________

Translation: "My Lord is Allah, my religion is Islam, my Prophet is Muhammad, may Allah's blessings be upon him, I have read Allah' Book, believed in it and declared it to be true."

Hazrat Uthman(RAA) narrated that after having buried the deceased, the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to stay near the grave for a while and urge the people who had gathered there;

"Seek Allah's forgiveness for your (deceased) brother and pray for his steadfastness because he is now being interrogated." (Sunan Abu Dawood)

Hazrat Abu Hurairah(RAA) reported that the Prophet (SAW) said: "When the deceased is buried, two angels both having black faces and blue eyes, come to him, one called al-Munkar and the other al-Nakir. They ask: 'What did you use to say about this man?' He will say that what he used to say was: 'He is the slave of Allah and His Messenger.' They will say: 'We knew you would say this.' Then they will expand his grave for him, seventy cubits by seventy, and light it for him Then he will be told: 'Sleep.' He will say: 'I want to go back to my family and tell them.' They will say; 'Sleep like the groom who should not be woken up by any except those he loves most.' -until Allah will resurrect him from his place of rest. If the deceased was a hypocrite, he will say; 'I heard the people saying such-and-such and I said likewise. I do not know.' They will say: 'We knew that you would say this.' Then the earth will 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."(Sunan Tirmizi)

The hadith of Hazrat Bara' Ibn 'Azib narrated on the previous pages of this book has a detailed account regarding this subject.

We have learnt that much before the Day of Accounting (when the Scroll of Deeds will be opened), Munkir and Nakir's questioning in the grave will be like a preliminary examination. The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter and whoever is successful in this relatively easy 'interview'- type test will easily get admitted tq^the 'university' and on the basis of this interview, he will be eligible for admission in the class of Illiyin or Sijjin to stay there till the Day of Resurrection.

Punishment of the Grave:

____________Arabic______(Surah Al-Mu'min, Verse 45,46)

Translation: "While an evil torment encompassed Fir'aun's (Pharoah) people. The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon. And on the Day when the Hour will be established (it will be said to the angels): 'Cause Fir'aun's people to enter the severest torment!"

___________Arabic________(Surah At-Tauba , Verse 101)

Translation: "We shall punish them twice, and thereafter they shall be brought back to a great torment."

___________Arabic___________(Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 50, 51)

Translation: "And if you could see when the angels take away the souls of those who disbelieve (at death); they smite their faces and their backs, (saying): 'Taste the punishment of the blazing Fire. This is because of that which your hands had forwarded. And verily Allah is not unjust to His slaves.'

_______________Arabic_________ (Surah Al-Anaam,Verse 93)

Translation: "And if you could but see when the Zaiimun (polytheists and wrong- doers) are in the agonies of death, while the angels are stretching forth their hands (saying): 'Deliver your souls! This day you shall be recompensed with the torment of degradation.'"

______________Arabic_________ (Surah al-Nahl, Verses 26 to 29)

Translation "And the torment overtook them from directions they did not perceive. Then on the Day of Resurrection, He will disgrace them and will say: 'Where are My (so-called) partners concerning whom you used to disagree and dispute?' Those who have been given the knowledge will say; 'Verily disgrace and misery this Day are upon the disbelievers. Those whose lives the angels take while they are doing wrong to themselves'. Then they will make (false) submission (saying ) : 'We used not to do any evil.' 'Yes, truly Allah is All-Knower of what you used to do' 'So enter the gates of Hell, to abide therein, and indeed what an evil abode it will be for the arrogant.'"

Fire or Garden:

There is a hadith similar to the Verse regarding[Pharoah}and his followers being presented to the fire day and night. The Prophet (SAW) said^ " When anyone of you dies, he is shown his place both in the morning and in the evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, he is shown his place in it; and if he is from the people of the Hell-Fire, he is shown his place therein. Then it is said to him: ' This is your place till Allah resurrects you on the Day of Resurrection.' "

Likewise, the grave is either one of the gardens of Paradise or one of the pits of Hell. (Sunan Tirmizi)

In the verse of Surah Al-Anaam mentioned above, the subject has been opened with the words "If you could but see." because the people in this world can never imagine either the intensity of the heat of the Fire, or the beauty of the Garden in the grave, because they have no similarity to our experience of these same things in this world. If Allah wants, he can ignite the earth and stones in a grave for its occupant in the same way that it can become a delightful place for him. In fact, in one grave where two bodies may be buried, for one He can make the grave a pit of Hell, whereas the fortunate neighbour will never experience this, as the very same grave is a garden of Paradise for him. His unfortunate neighbour will of course, never experience its pleasures and delights.

Believing without seeing:

Allah SWT's powers are much more amazing than this; but our limited knowledge cannot compass them. However, those on whom Allah bestows acceptance and belief, do not deny it; this is belief without seeing.

Prophets and the Unseen:

Allah SWT has required the noble prophets (AS) to do special and extra-ordinary tasks and therefore, after being bestowed with special capacities, certain invisible realities were manifest to them which are beyond the perception of ordinary people'

[[ Hazrat Zay^i bin Thabit (RAA) relates that: "As Allah's Apostle (SAW) was going with us to the dwellings of Banu an-Najjar, while riding his pony it shied and he nearly fell off.

He found four, five or six graves there. He said; 'Which of you knows about those lying in the graves?' Someone said: ' I do.' Thereupon he (SAW) said: 'In what state did they die?'

He said: 'They died as polytheists.' He said: 'These people are passing through the ordeal in the graves. If it were not for the fact that you would stop burying (your dead) in the graves if you heard the torment in the grave, which I hear, I should have certainly made you listen to it. Then turning his face towards us, he said: 'Seek refuge with Allah from the torment of Hell.' They said; 'We seek refuge with Allah from the torment of Hell.' He (SAW) said;

'seek refuge with Allah from the torment of the grave.' (Sahih Muslim)] ]

Hazrat Ibn Masood (RAA) narrates that the Prophet (SAW) said: "If you were not (to abandon) the burying of the dead (in the grave), I would certainly have supplicated Allah that he should make you listen to the torment of the grave." ( SahihMuslim) .

[[ Hazrat 'Aisha (RAA) relates that; "A Jewess came to me and mentioned the punishment in the grave and said: 'May Allah protect you from the punishment in the grave.' Hazrat 'Aisha then asked Allah's Apostle (SAW) about punishment in the grave and he said: ''yes, (there is) punishment in the grave.' Hazrat 'Aisha added 'After that I never saw Allah's Apostle (SAW) but seeking refuge with Allah from the punishment in the grave in every prayer he prayed.'"(Sahih Bukhari)]]

Hazrat Aisha (RAA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said: "The dead are being punished in their graves and even the animals can hear their voices.: (Sunan Nisa'i)

[[ Hazrat Abu Ayoub (RAA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) once went out after sunset and heard a dreadful voice and said: 'The Jews are being punished in their graves.(Sahih Bukhari)]]

[[ The Prophet (SAW) said:

"There dominate ninety-nine dragons over the unbeliever in the grave. They (constantly) bite him and sting him till there comes the Hour (of Resurrection) (Tirmizi)]]

Hospitality in the Grave:

_Arabic_________(Surah Al-Nahl, Verse 32)

Translation; "Those whose lives the angels take while they are in a pious state saying (to them): 'Salamun Alaikum' (peace be upon you) enter you Paradise, because of that (the good) which you used to do( in the world)."

________Arabic   /_________(Surah Yasin, Verses 26&27)

Translation: It was said : ^Enter Paradise'6 He said: "Would that my people knew that my Lord (Allah) has forgiven me, and made me of the hounoured ones." 

___________Arabic__________(Surah Hamim Sajda, Verse 30)

Translation: "Verily those who say: 'Our Lord is Allah (Alone)' and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): 'Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of Paradise which you have been promised!"

____________Arabic)_________(Surah Al-Fajr, Verse 27-30)

Translation: "0 (you) the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord - well-pleased (yourself) and well-pleasing (unto Him)! Enter you then among My (honoured) slaves, And enter you My Paradise."

This will be told to the Nafs Mutma 'inna (the soul at rest) on three occasions;  

# At the time of death

# On the Day of Resurrection when he is raised again and will proceed to the plain of Hashr (for the Gathering)

# When the time comes to present himself in Allah's court.

Thus, at every stage he will be reassured that he is proceeding towards Allah's grace and favour. These will be those fortunate and victorious people who were successful in the mission for which they had been sent to this world. Amongst these fortunate people will be the prophets, the sincere (lovers of truth), the martyrs and the righteous. Their deeds will be registered in Illiyin, the Register of Good deeds and they will also receive excellent hospitality in the grave.., Although while alive, we cannot imagine them, the comfort and pleasures of the grave are not impossible. History has witnessed that when the graves of Allah's beloved and chosen servants were opened accidentally or due to valid reasons, their bodies were found absolutely intact, fresh and fragrant. Despite the passage of so many years -in fact centuries, according to the testimony of eye witnesses, the bodies of martyrs were so well-preserved and fresh that one would think they were alive. In this way, the truth of the Prophet's(SAW) saying is affirmed .

_______Arabic_______(Abu Dawood)

Translation: "Allah the Exalted has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of prophets."

This is also possible for those servants of Allah who are close to Him.

A True Incident:

{{{It is said that in 1935, the ruler of Iraq, Shah Faisal the first, and the Grand Mufti , both dreamt consecutively, that two companions of the Prophet (SAW) were informing them of the seepage of river water into their graves, and instructing them to shift their bodies elsewhere. These two companions were Hazrat Jaabar bin Abdullah(RAA) and Hazrat Huzaifa Bin Yamaan(RAA) . After this dream being seen repeatedly, religious scholars and other rulers decided that the bodies would be shifted. The Haj season was approaching and this task was undertaken in the presence of the arriving pilgrims. When the graves were opened as scheduled, lacs of Muslims had the opportunity to witness this historical scene for themselves. The bodies of both of the companions (RAA) were intact and preserved to the extent that the shroud and every hair in the beard was intact and even the lustre of the eyes had not been lost. (Reference: Article on Pg 53 -64^ titled "Mushahidat bilad Islamia" by Mahmooda Uthman Haider in Takbeer' publication of Nov 7,1991)}}}

The above incident also bears testimony to the truth of the promise made in the Book of Allah with regard to martyrs. Incidents regarding the preservation of the bodies of martyrs have also been witnessed in the jihad in Kashmir, Pak-India wars and jihad in Afghanistan.

A normal believer who lives a righteous and God-conscious life( oftaqwa) has also been given the good news of a good fate after death. The Prophet (SAW) has said:

"When a believer dies, the grave says to him; 'Welcome and greeting. You are indeed the dearest to me of those who walk on me. I have been given charge of you today and you have come to me and you will see how I shall treat you.' It will then expand for him as far as the eye can see and the door to Paradise will be opened for him."(Tirmizi)

Seeking Protection from the torment of the grave;

Du'as (Supplications):

The Prophet (SAW) used to ask Allah's protection from the punishment in the grave and instructed his Ummat (nation) to do the same very frequently.

Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas(RAA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) used to teach them these du 'as in the same way as he used to teach him the verses of the Quran. (Nisa'i) (These du 'as can be found at the end of the book)

Standing Guard:

The Prophet (SAW) said:

"Everyone who dies will have fully completed his action, except one who is on the frontier (in Allah's path), for his deeds will be made to go on increasing till the Day of Resurrection, and he will be safe from the trial in the grave." ( Sunan Abu Dawood)

Martyrdom: Of the six rewards from Allah that the martyr becomes eligible for, one of them is preservation from the punishment in the grave.(Reference Tirmizi)

Surah Mulk: Regarding the importance of this, the Prophet (SAW) has said:

{{ "Anyone who reads this every night is saved by Allah from the punishment in the grave."}} Guarding oneself from back-biting and keeping oneself clean: Backbiting and not saving oneself from (being soiled with) urine will be the cause of being punished in the grave. (Reference Bukhari)

Death on Friday:

The Prophet (SAW) said:

"Any Muslim who dies on Friday or Thursday night will be protected by Allah from testing in the grave. (Sunan Tirmizi)

INBOX:

{{ Hazrat Abu Amama (RAA) relates that the Prophet (SAW) said:

"On the Day of Judgement, a person's Record of Deeds will be brought to him open, (he will read it) and then say; '0 my Lord, in the world I did so-and-so good deed, but these are not in it.'

Allah SWT will answer: ' Due to backbiting, these have been erased from your Record of Deeds." (Targheebo Tarheeb)}}