The Hereafter in Islam

[DesertRose]

Every Soul Shall Taste Death!

"Are You prepared for Death ?
Do you know what happens to you when you die?
Life slips away second by second.
Are you aware that every day brings you closer to death or that death is as close to you as it is to other people?
As we are told in the verse "Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever” [al-Rahmaan 55:26-27] “Every soul shall taste death in the end; to Us shall you be brought back.” (Surat al-‘Ankabut: 57)

Everyone who has ever appeared on this earth was destined to die.
Without exception they all died, every one. Today, we hardly come across the traces of many of these people who passed away. Those currently living and those who will ever live will also face death on a predestined day.
Despite this fact, people tend to see death as an unlikely incident.

Think of a baby who has just opened its eyes to the world and a man who is about to breathe his last. Both had no influence on their individual birth or death whatsoever.
Only God possesses the power to inspire the breath of life or to take it away.
All human beings will live until a certain day and then die; God in the Qur’an gives an account of the attitude commonly shown towards death in the following verse: Say: “The death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did!” (Surat al- Jumu’ah: 8)
The majority of people avoid thinking about death. In the rapid flow of daily events, a person usually occupies himself with totally different subjects: what college to enroll in, which company to work for, what color of clothing to wear next morning, what to cook for supper; these are the kinds of major issues that we usually consider.
Life is perceived as a routine process of such minor matters.

Attempts to talk about death are always interrupted by those who do not feel comfortable hearing about it.

Assuming death will come only when one grows older, one does not want to concern himself with such an unpleasant subject. Yet it should be kept in mind that living for even one further hour is never guaranteed.

Everyday, man witnesses the deaths of people around him but thinks little about the day when others will witness his own death. He never supposes that such an end is awaiting him!

Nevertheless, when death comes to man, all the “realities” of life suddenly vanish. No reminder of the “good old days” endures in this world. Think of everything that you are able to do right now: you can blink your eyes, move your body, speak, laugh; all these are functions of your body. Now think about the state and shape your body will assume after your death.

While all this is taking place in the world, the corpse under the soil will go through a rapid process of decay.
Skin and soft tissues will completely disintegrate. The brain will decay and start looking like clay. This process will go on until the whole body is reduced to a skeleton.

However, our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH), was reported to have said that the dead body of prophets, pious people and martyrs would not decay in the grave and that there is enjoyment in the grave just as there is punishment in it. There is no chance of going back to the old life again.
Gathering around the supper table with family members, socializing or to having an honorable job will never again be possible.

In short, the “heap of flesh and bones” to which we assign an identity faces a quite nasty end. On the other hand, you – or rather, your soul – will leave this body as soon as you breathe your last.
The remainder of you – your body – will become part of the soil. Yes, but what is the reason for all these things happening? If God willed, the body would never have decayed in such a way. That it does so actually carries a very important inner message in itself.

(36:12) – Verily, We shall indeed bring the dead back to life, and We shall record whatever [deeds] they have sent ahead, and the traces [of good and evil] which they have left behind: for all things do We take account in a record clear. [Asad]

(17:13) – And We have fastened every man's deeds to his neck, and on the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring out for him a book which he will find wide open. [Hilali & Khan]

(17:14) – [and he will be told:] “Read this thy record! Sufficient is thine own self today to make out thine account!” [Asad]

(6:15, 10:15) – Behold, I would dread, were I [thus] to rebel against my Sustainer, the suffering [which would befall me] on that awesome Day [of Judgment]. [Asad]

(2:284) – Unto God belongs all that is in the heavens and all that is on earth. And whether you bring into the open what is in your minds or conceal it, God will call you to account for it. [Asad]

(13:11) – Verily, God does not change men's condition unless they change their inner selves. [Asad]

(11:5) – Oh, verily, they [who are bent on denying the truth of this divine writ] are enshrouding their hearts in order to hide from Him. Oh, verily, [even] when they cover themselves with their garments [in order not to see or hear], He knows all that they keep secret as well as all that they bring into the open - for, behold, He has full knowledge of what is in the hearts [of men]. [Asad]
Visit http://www.AllahsWord.com to find out more about Islam "

Al-barzakh (the interval between his death and the Day of Resurrection)


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The Hereafter Series

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10 videos Last updated on May 18, 2019



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http://www.AllahsWord.com In this series, we will attempt to take you on a journey through the hereafter. The journey starts with Death followed by the torment of the grave then continuing on to the Day of Reckoning, followed by a description of hellfire and those that will enter it and then followed by a tour of Paradise and those whom will enter it and finally finishing off the journey with The Day of Increase and on which the inhabitants of Paradise will receive a gift beyond all comprehension.


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The Creator is the Most Merciful and The Most Compassionate if you have the right faith and sincerely repent our record will be wiped clean.


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[DesertRose]

The reality of Paradise is something which people will never be able to understand until they actually enter it, but God has shown us glimpses of it in the Quran. He has described it as a place essentially different to the life of this world, both in the very nature and purpose of life, as well as the types of delights which people will enjoy therein.
The Quran tells people about Paradise, which God offers to them, describes its great blessings, and proclaims its beauties to everyone. It informs people that Paradise is one of two ways of life prepared for them in the afterworld, and that every good thing will be theirs in Paradise to a degree that surpasses our present ability to imagine.
It also shows that Paradise is a place where all blessings have been created perfectly and where people will be offered everything their souls and hearts will desire, and that people will be far removed from want and need, anxiety or sadness, sorrow and regret. Every kind of beauty and blessing exists in Paradise and will be revealed with a perfection never seen or known before. God has prepared such blessings there as a gift, and these will be offered only to people with whom He is pleased.
But what is the nature of these delights in Paradise, and how will it be different from the delights of this world? We will try to highlight a few of these differences.
Pure delight without pain and suffering
While people in this world experience some delight, they also face much toil and suffering. If one was to scrutinize the life which they live, they will find that the amount of hardship they face is much more than the ease and comfort. As for the life of the Hereafter, there will be neither hardship nor suffering in it, and people will live therein in pure joy and delight. All the causes of sorrow, pain and suffering which people experience in this life will be absent in the Hereafter. Let’s take a look at some of these causes.
Wealth
When one thinks of success in this life, they usually conjure the image of big houses, fine jewelry and clothing, and expensive cars; financial stability is seen to be the key to a happy life. To most people, success is inseparably related to wealth, even though this is the furthest from the truth. How many times have we seen the wealthiest of people living such miserable lives, that it sometimes even leads them to commit suicide! Wealth is something which humans in their very nature desire at any cost, and this desire has been created for a great and wise purpose. When this desire is not satiated, it causes some extent of grief in a person. For this reason, God has promised the inhabitants of Paradise that they will have all that they imagined as far as wealth and belongings are concerned, both for those who were extremely poor, experiencing even hunger and thirst, to those well-to-do but who desired even more. God gives us a glimpse of this when he says:
“... there will be there all that the souls could desire, all that the eyes could delight in …” (Quran 43:71)
“Eat and drink at ease for that which you have sent forth (good deeds) in days past!” (Quran 69:24)
“… They will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold, and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade. They will recline therein on raised thrones. How good [is] the recompense! How beautiful a couch [is there] to recline on!” (Quran 18:31)
Disease and Death
Another cause of pain and suffering in this life is the death of a loved one or disease, which are both non-existent in Paradise. None will feel any sickness or pain in Paradise. The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said about the people of Paradise:
“They will never fall ill, blow their noses or spit.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
None will die in Paradise. All shall live eternally enjoying the pleasures therein. The Prophet Muhammad said that a caller will call out in Paradise when people enter it:
“Indeed may you be healthy and never be sick again, may you live and never die again, may you be young and never grow feeble again, may you enjoy, and never feel sorrow and regret again.” (Saheeh Muslim)
Social Relationships
As for the remorse felt due to a rift in personal relationships, people will never hear any evil or hurting comments or speech in Paradise. They will only hear good words and words of peace. God says:
“They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin. But only the saying of: Peace! Peace!” (Quran 56:25-26)
There will be no enmity between people nor ill-feelings:
“And We shall remove from their breasts any (mutual) hatred or sense of injury (which they had, if at all, in the life of this world)…” (Quran 7:43)
The Prophet said:
“There will be no hatred or resentment among them, their hearts will be as one, and they will glorify God, morning and evening.” (Saheeh Al-Bukhari)
People will have the best of companions in the Hereafter, who were also the best people in the world:
“And whoever obeys God and the Messenger – those will be with the ones upon whom God has bestowed favor – of the prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs and the righteous. And excellent are those as companions!” (Quran 4:69)
The hearts of the people of Paradise will be pure, their speech will be good, their deeds righteous. There will be no hurtful, upsetting, offensive or provocative talk there, for Paradise is free of all worthless words and deeds. If we were to discuss all the causes for anguish in this life, we would surely find its absence or opposite to be true in Paradise.
https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/11/pleasures-of-paradise-part-1
To be continued.....

 

[DesertRose]

" The Eternalness of the Hereafter
The Pleasures of this world are transient whilst the joys of the hereafter are lasting and eternal. In this life when a person enjoys something, it is only a short while before they get bored with it and proceed to search for something they feel is better, or they may not feel a need for it altogether. As for the delights of Paradise, a person will never feel bored with anything, but rather, its goodness will increase each time they indulge in it.
Also, the life of this world is very short. Humans only live on this earth for a short while, and very few people reach the age of seventy.
“…Say: Short is the enjoyment of this world. The Hereafter is (far) better for him who fears God...” (Quran 4:77)
As for Paradise, people will live forever. God says:
“...its provision is eternal and so is its shade…” (Quran 13:35)
“What is with you must vanish, and what is with God will endure …” (Quran 16:96)
“(It will be said to them): This is Our Provision, which will never finish” (Quran 38:54)

Superior Delights
The delights of the people of Paradise, such as their clothing, food, drink, jewelry and palaces, will be far superior to their counterparts in this world. There is in fact no room for comparison, as even the smallest space in Paradise is better than this world and all that is in it. The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said:
“The space of the bow of any one of you in Paradise is better than all that the sun rises upon” (Mishkaat al-Masaabeeh 3/85, no. 5615)

Free from all Impurities
Paradise is free from all the impurities of this world. Eating and drinking in this life results in the need for excretion and its associated unpleasant odors. If a person drinks wine in this world, he loses his mind. Women in this world menstruate and give birth, which are sources of pain and hurt. Paradise is free from all of these discomforts: its people will not urinate, defecate, spit or suffer from catarrh. The wine of Paradise, as described by its Creator, is:
“Crystal-white, delicious to those who drink (thereof), free from intoxication, nor will they suffer intoxication therefrom” (Quran 37:46-47)
The water of Paradise does not become brackish, and its milk never changes in flavor:
“...rivers of water incorruptible; rivers of milk of which the taste never changes...” (Quran 47:15)
The women of Paradise are pure and free from menstruation, postnatal bleeding and all the other impurities suffered by women in this world, and all are free from stool and feces. God says:
“...and they shall have therein purified mates…” (Quran 2:25)
The prophet answered a person when they asked how the people of Paradise will relieve themselves:
“They relieve themselves by perspiring through their skins, and its fragrance will be that of musk, and all stomachs will have become lean.” (ibn Hibbaan)
What we have mentioned has been a mere comparison in order to understand the nature of Paradise, but as God said, its delights are truly hidden:
“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy, as a reward for what they used to do.” (Quran 32:17)

Paradise: There is Nothing Like It
The delights of Paradise surpass the imagination and defy description. They are like nothing known to the people of this world; no matter how advanced we may become, what we achieve is as nothing in comparison with the joys of the Hereafter. As is mentioned in several reports, there is nothing like Paradise:
“It is sparkling light, aromatic plants, a lofty palace, a flowing river, ripe fruit, a beautiful wife and abundant clothing, in an eternal abode of radiant joy, in beautiful soundly-constructed high houses”. (Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan)
The Sahabah asked the Prophet about the buildings of Paradise and he replied with a wonderful description:
“Bricks of gold and silver, and mortar of fragrant musk, pebbles of pearl and sapphire, and soil of saffron. Whoever enters it is filled with joy and will never feel miserable; he will live there forever and never die; their clothes will never wear out and their youth will never fade.” (Ahmad, at-Tirmidhi, ad-Daarimee)
God says:
“And when you look there (in Paradise) you will see a delight (that cannot be imagined), and a great dominion.” (Quran 76:20)
What God has kept hidden from us the delights of Paradise is beyond our ability to comprehend. The Prophet said that God said:
“I have prepared for My slaves what no eye has seen, no ear has heard and no human heart can imagine.” Recite if you wish:
“No person knows what is kept hidden for them of joy as a reward for what they used to do.” (Quran 32:17)
In another report:
“Never mind what God has told you; what He has not told you is even greater.” (Saheeh Muslim)"

The Pleasures of Paradise (part 2 of 2)

The second of a two-part article defining the fundamental differences between Paradise and the life of this world. Part 2: The superiority of its joys and delights in comparison to this life.

www.islamreligion.com

 

[DesertRose]

Salvation from Hellfire

God has said in the Quran:


"Those who have disbelieved and died in disbelief, the earth full of gold would not be accepted from any of them if one offered it as a ransom. They will have a painful punishment, and they will have no helpers." (Quran 3:91)
So, this life is our only chance to win Paradise and to escape from Hellfire, because if someone dies in disbelief, he will not have another chance to come back to this world to believe. As God has said in the Quran about what is going to happen for the unbelievers on the Day of Judgment:


"If you could but see when they are set before the Fire (Hell) and say, "Would that we might return (to the world)! Then we would not reject the verses of our Lord, but we would be of the believers!" (Quran 6:27)


But no one will have this second opportunity.


The Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: "The happiest man in the world of those doomed to the Fire (Hell) on the Day of Judgment will be dipped in the Fire once. Then he will be asked, ‘Son of Adam, did you ever see any good? Did you ever experience any blessing?’ So he will say, ‘No, by God, O Lord!’"[1]



Footnotes:
[1]Narrated in Saheeh Muslim, #2807, and Mosnad Ahmad, #12699.

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[DesertRose]

Description: The Names of Hell, its presence and eternalness, and its guardians.

​

Islam teaches that Hell is a real place prepared by God for those who do not believe in Him, rebel against His laws, and reject His messengers. Hell is an actual place, not a mere state of mind or a spiritual entity. The horrors, pain, anguish, and punishment are all real, but different in nature than their earthly counterparts. Hell is the ultimate humiliation and loss, and nothing is worse than it:

"Our Lord! Surely, whom You admit to the Fire, indeed You have disgraced him, and never will the wrongdoers find any helpers." (Quran 3:192)

"Know they not that whoever opposes God and His Messenger (Muhammad), certainly for him will be the Fire of Hell to abide therein? That is the extreme disgrace." (Quran 9:63)

The Names of Hell
Hell Fire has different names in Islamic texts. Each name gives a separate description. Some of its names are:
Jaheem – fire - because of its blazing fire.
Jahannam - Hell - because of the depth of its pit.
Ladthaa - blazing fire - because of its flames.
Sa’eer - blazing flame - because it is kindled and ignited.
Saqar - because of the intensity of its heat.
Hatamah - broken pieces or debris - because it breaks and crushes everything that is thrown into it.
Haawiyah - chasm or abyss - because the one who is thrown into it is thrown from top to bottom

Paradise and Hell Presently Exist and are Eternal
Hell exists at the present time and will continue to exist forever. It will never die down, and its inhabitants will remain in it forever. No one will come out of Hell except sinful believers who believed in the Oneness of God in this life and believed in the specific prophet sent to them (before the coming of Muhammad). The polytheists and unbelievers will reside in it forever. This belief has been held from classical times and is based on clear verses of the Quran and confirmed reports from the Prophet of Islam. The Quran speaks of Hell in the past tense and states that it has already been created:
"And fear the Fire which is prepared for the disbelievers." (Quran 3:131)
The Prophet of Islam said:
"When any of you dies, he is shown his position (in the Hereafter) morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, he is shown the place of the people of Paradise. If he is one of the people of Hell, he is shown the place of people of Hell. He is told, ‘this is your position, until God resurrects you on the Day of Resurrection." (Saheeh Al-Bukhari, Saheeh Muslim)
In another report, the Prophet said:
"Surely, the soul of a believer is a bird hanging on the trees of Paradise, until God returns it to his body on the Day of Resurrection." (Muwatta of Malik)
These texts make it clear that Hell and Paradise exist, and that souls may enter them before the Day of Resurrection. Speaking of Hell’s eternity,
God says:

"They will long to leave the Fire, but never will they leave there from; and theirs will be a lasting torment." (Quran 5:37)
"…And they will never leave of the Fire." (Quran 2:167)
"Surely, those who disbelieve and did wrong; God will not forgive them, nor will He guide them to any way except the way of Hell, to dwell therein forever." (Quran 4:168-169)
"Surely, God has cursed the disbelievers, and has prepared for them a flaming Fire wherein they will abide for ever." (Quran 33:64)
"And whosoever disobeys God and His Messenger, then surely, for him is the fire of Hell, he shall dwell therein forever." (Quran 72:23)

The Keepers of Hell
Mighty and stern angels stand over Hell who never disobey God. They do precisely as ordered. God says:
"O you who believe, save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is men and stones over which are (appointed) angels, stern and severe, who flinch not (from executing) the commands they receive from God, but do (precisely what) they are commanded." (Quran 66:6)

They are nineteen keepers of Hell as God says:

"Soon I will cast him into Hell Fire. And what will explain to you what is Hellfire? Nothing does it allow to endure, and nothing does it leave alone! Darkening and changing the color of man! Over it are nineteen (angels as keepers of Hell)." (Quran 74:26-30)

One should not think that the inhabitants of Hell will be able to overcome the keepers of Hell because there are just nineteen of them. Everyone of them has the strength to subdue all humanity by himself. These angels are called the Guards of Hell by God in the Quran:
"And those in the Fire will say to the Guards of Hell, ‘Call upon your Lord to lighten for us the torment for a day!’" (Quran 40:49)
The name of the chief angel guarding over Hell is Malik, as mentioned in the Quran:

"Surely, the disbelievers will be in the torment of Hell to abide therein forever. (The torment) will not be lightened for them, and they will be plunged into destruction with deep regrets, sorrows and in despair therein. We wronged them not, but they were the wrongdoers. And they will cry: ‘O Malik! Let your Lord make an end of us’ He will say: ‘Surely, you shall abide forever.’ Indeed We have brought the truth to you, but most of you have a hatred for the truth" (Quran 43:74-78)

A Description of Hellfire (part 2 of 5): Its Appearance

 

[DesertRose]

A Description of Hellfire (part 2 of 5): Its Appearance
Its Location

There is no exact mention from the Quran or the sayings of Prophet Muhammad which pinpoint the location of Hell. No one knows its exact place except God. Due to some linguistic evidence and context of certain hadeeth, some scholars have stated that Hell is in the heavens, yet others say it is in the lower earth.

Its Size

Hell is huge and immensely deep. We know this through several ways.


First, innumerable people will enter Hell, each, as described in a hadeeth, with the molar teeth as large as Uhud (a mountain in Medina)[1] The distance between the shoulders of its inhabitants has also been described as being equivalent to three days of walking.[2] Hell will house all the unbelievers and sinners from the beginning of time and there will still be room for more. God says:


"On the Day when We will say to Hell: ‘Are you filled?’ It will say, ‘Are there any more (to come)?’" (Quran 50:30)


The Fire of Hell is likened to a mill that grinds thousands and thousands of tons of grain and then waits for more to come.


Second, a stone thrown from the top of Hell will take a very long time to reach the bottom. One of the companions of the Prophet, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, describes how they were sitting with the Prophet and heard the sound of something falling. The Prophet inquired if they knew what it was. When they expressed their lack of knowledge, he said:


"That was a stone thrown into Hell seventy years ago and it is yet in the way (the other side) of Hell until now."[3]


Another report states:


"If a stone as big as seven pregnant camels was thrown from the edge of Hell, it would fly through it for seventy years, and yet it would not reach the bottom."[4]


Third, a great many angels will bring Hell on the Day of Resurrection. God speaks of it:


"And Hell will be brought near that Day…" (Quran 89:23)


The Prophet said:


"Hell will be brought forth that Day by means of seventy thousand ropes, each of which will be held by seventy thousand angels."[5]


Fourth, another report that indicates the vast size of Hell is that the sun and moon will be rolled up in Hell on the Day of Resurrection.[6]

Its Levels

Hell has various levels of heat and punishment, each is reserved according to the extent of their disbelief and sins of those being punished. God says:


"Surely, the hypocrites will be in the lowest depths (grade) of the Fire." (Quran 4:145)


The lower the level of Hell, the greater is the intensity of heat. Since the hypocrites will suffer the worst punishment, so will they be in the lowest part of Hell.


God refers to the levels of Hell in the Quran:


"For all will be (ranked) by degrees according to what they did." (Quran 6:132)


"Is one who seeks the good pleasure of God then like the one who draws on himself the wrath of God? His abode is Hell – and worst, indeed, is that destination! They are in varying grades with God, and God is All-Seer of what they do." (Quran 3:162-163)

The Gates of Hell

God speaks of seven Gates of Hell in the Quran:


"And surely, Hell is the promised place for them all. It has seven gates, for each of these gates is a class of sinners assigned." (Quran 15:43-44)


Each gate has an allotted share of the damned who will enter through it. Each will enter according to his deeds and assigned a level of Hell accordingly. When the unbelievers are brought to Hell, its gates will open, they will enter it, and stay in it forever:


"And those who disbelieved will be driven to Hell in groups until, when they reach it, its gates are opened and its keepers will say, ‘Did there not come to you messengers from yourselves, reciting to you the verses of your Lord and warning you of the meeting of this Day of yours?’ They will say, ‘Yes, but the word (meaning the decree) of punishment has come into effect upon the disbelievers.’" (Quran 39:71)


They will be told after admission:


"Enter the gates of Hell to abide eternally therein, and wretched is the residence of the arrogant." (Quran 39:72)


The gates will be shut and there will be no hope of escape as God says:


"But those who reject Our signs, they are the companions of the left hand. On them will be Fire vaulted over (meaning the gates will be locked).[7]" (Quran 90:19-20)


Furthermore, God says in the Quran:


"Woe to every scorner and mocker, who collects wealth and (continuously) counts it. He thinks that his wealth will make him immortal. No! He will surely be thrown into the Crusher. And what can make you know what is the Crushers? It is the fire of God, (eternally) fueled, Which mounts directed at the hearts. Indeed, it (Hellfire) will be closed down upon them in extended columns." (Quran 104:1-9)


The gates of Hell are also closed before the Day of Judgment. The Prophet of Islam spoke of them closing in the month of Ramadan.[8]

Its Fuel

Stones and stubborn unbelievers make the fuel of Hell as God says:


"O you who have believed, protect yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is people and stones..." (Quran 66:6)


"…then fear the Fire, whose fuel is men and stones, prepared for the disbelievers." (Quran 2:24)


Another source of fuel for Hell will be the pagan gods that were worshipped besides God:


"Indeed, you (disbelievers) and what you worship other than God are the firewood of Hell. You will be coming to (enter) it. Had these (false deities) been (actual) gods, they would not have come to it, but all are eternal therein." (Quran 21:98-99)

The Clothing of its Inhabitants

God tells us that the dress of the people of Hell will be garments of fire tailored for them:


"…But those who disbelieved will have cut out for them garments of fire. Poured upon their heads will be scalding water." (Quran 22:19)


"And you will see the criminals that Day bound together in shackles, their garments of liquid pitch (melted copper) and their faces covered by the Fire." (Quran 14:49-50)

 

[DesertRose]

Torment / Blessings in the Grave

Praise be to Allah.

Do dead people hear us?
What is mentioned in the question, that the dead do not hear anything which the living say is true and is correct. Allah says (interpretation of the meanings):
“but you cannot make hear those who are in graves. ” [Fatir 35:22]
“So verily, you (O Muhammad) cannot make the dead to hear.” [Ar-Rum 30:52]

Is there torment and punishment in the grave?

The belief of Ahl As-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah is that there is torment and punishment in the grave and life in Al-barzakh (the interval between death and the Day of Resurrection), and there is blessing and pleasure, according to the status of the deceased.
The evidence for that is the verse (interpretation of the meaning):
“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 Pharaoh’s people to enter the severest torment!’”[Ghafir 40:46]

Allah states here that the people of Pharaoh are exposed to torment morning and afternoon even though they are dead. From this verse, the scholars affirmed that the torment of the grave is real.

Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“This verse is the main basis of the belief of Ahl As-Sunnah in the torment of Al-barzakh , as Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon” [Ghaafir 40:46].” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 4/82)
According to the Hadith of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to supplicate in his prayer, “Allahumma inni a`udhu bika min `adhab il-qabr, wa a`udhu bika min fitnat il-masih id-dajjal, wa a`udhu bika min fitnat il-mahya wa fitnat il-mamat, Allahumma ini a`udhu bika min Al-ma’tham wal-maghram (O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, I seek refuge in You from the tribulation of the Dajjal, I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death, O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and loss).” (Narrated by Al-Bukhari, 798; Muslim, 589)

The relevant point in this Hadith is that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to seek refuge with Allah from the torment of the grave. This is one of the proofs that confirm the torment of the grave. No one disputed the torment of the grave apart from the Mu`tazilah and some other groups who are not worth paying attention to.

Interpreting Prophet Muhammad's Address to the Deceased Polytheists at the Battle of Badr
With regard to the Hadith which describes the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) addressing the dead bodies of the polytheists on the day of the battle of Badr, this was a unique case where Allah brought them back to life so that His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) might rebuke them and humiliate them.

• It was narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) stood over the well of Badr [into which the bodies of the polytheists had been thrown] and said, ‘Have you found the promise of your Lord to be true?’ Then he said, ‘They can hear what I am saying now.’” (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari, 3980; Muslim, 932)
• It was narrated that Abu Talhah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “ ‘Umar said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, why are you speaking to bodies that have no souls?’ The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, you do not hear what I am saying any better than they do.’” Qutadah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Allah brought them back to life so that they could hear what he was saying, so that they might be rebuked and feel regret and shame. (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari, 3976; Muslim, 2875. See Fath Al-Baari, 7/304)

The relevant point here is that Allah caused the people in the well to hear the words of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), so that they might be humiliated. Nonetheless, it is not correct to deduce from this Hadith that the dead can hear everything, because this applied only to the people in the well. Some scholars made an exception and said that the dead can hear the greeting of Salam, but this is a view for which clear sound evidence is lacking.

Does the torment of the grave befall both the soul and the body?

According to the most correct scholarly view, the torment of the grave befalls both the soul and the body .

Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“The view of the earliest generations of this Ummah and its Imams is that the torment or blessing (of the grave) happens to the soul of the deceased and his body. After it departs from the body, the soul continues to be blessed or punished, and it is also connected to the body from time to time, so that the blessing or torment befalls the body as well as the soul. Therefore, we must believe in that which Allah has told us.” (Al-Ikhtiyarat Al-Fiqhiyyah, p. 94)

Ibn Al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Shaykh Al-Islam (Ibn Taymiyah) was asked about this matter, and we will quote his reply in full:
“Indeed, the torment and blessing happen to both the soul and the body, according to the consensus of the Ahl As-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah. The soul is blessed or tormented separately from the body, and it is blessed or tormented in connection with the body. The body is connected to it, so in this case the blessing or torment happens to them both, and it may happen to the soul separately from the body.
The view of the Salaf and Imams of this Ummah is that when a person dies, he will be in a state of blessing or torment, and that happens to his soul and his body. After the soul has departed from the body, it remains in a state of blessing or torment, and that is sometimes connected to the body and the blessing or torment happens to them both. Then when the Day of Resurrection comes, the souls will be returned to their bodies and they will rise from their graves to meet the Lord of the Worlds. The physical resurrection is a matter upon which the Muslims, Jews and Christians are agreed.” (Al-Ruh, p. 51, 52)

The scholars likened that to dreams when one is asleep, for a person may dream that he is going and traveling, and he may feel happiness or grief and sorrow while he is sleeping, and that is when he is in his place and in this world. So it is more apt that things should be different in the life of Al-barzakh which is completely different from the life of this world and the life of the Hereafter.

Al-Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“If it is said, we see the deceased and how he is in his grave, so how can he be questioned, made to sit up and beaten with iron rods, when no mark is left on him? The answer is that this is not impossible, and indeed there is a similar case in our regular lives, that of the sleeper who feels joy or pain of which we feel nothing. A person who is awake may also feel joy or pain because of something he hears or thinks about, and those who are sitting with him feel nothing of that. Similarly, Jibril used to come to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and tell him of the Revelation, and the people present were unaware of it. All of that is clear and evident.” (Sharh Muslim, 17/201)
Shaykh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
“When a person sleeps, he may feel joy or pain, and that happens to his soul and his body. He may dream that someone is beating him and wake up with pain in his body, or he may dream that he is being fed some good food, then wake up with the taste of food in his mouth. This is something that really happens. If the body and soul of a sleeping person can experience joy and pain that are not felt by the person next to him, and a sleeper may even cry out because of the intensity of pain or fear of what is happening to him, and those who are awake can hear him, and he may speak, reciting Quran or dhikr, or talking to someone, and those who are awake can hear that, even though he is asleep with his eyes closed, and he does not hear them if they speak to him – then how can we deny that the one who is buried in his grave also feels things, when the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has told us that he “hears the sound of their footsteps” and “You do not hear what I say any better than they do”?
The heart is akin to the grave, hence the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, when he missed ‘Asr on the day of Al-Khandaq: “May Allah fill their hearts and graves with fire.” Moreover, Allah differentiated between them (graves and hearts) in the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“Knows he not that when the contents of the graves are poured forth (all mankind is resurrected)?
And that which is in the hearts (of men) shall be made known?” [Al-‘Aadiyat 100:9-10]

This is just to explain that this could happen.
We cannot say that the blessing or torment that the dead experience is like that which a sleeper experiences when he dreams, rather that blessing or torment is more complete and more far-reaching; it is a real blessing and a real torment. Yet, this example is given to show that this is possible. If someone were to say that the dead person does not move in his grave, and the soil does not change, and so on, this matter may be explained in more detail, but that would take too long to explain here. And Allah knows best. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.” (Majmu’ Al-Fatawa, 4/275, 276)

For more details, please see this category: Torment and Blessing in the Grave

And Allah knows best
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/10547/torment-and-blessing-in-the-grave

 

[Haich]

My grandfather died last week and although we knew it was coming (he was in his late 80s with dementia), it still shook me and I’ve been thinking about the reality of this existence since. Your thread has come about at the perfect time…jzk as always sister DR.

 

[DesertRose]

My grandfather died last week and although we knew it was coming (he was in his late 80s with dementia), it still shook me and I’ve been thinking about the reality of this existence since. Your thread has come about at the perfect time…jzk as always sister DR.

May Allah grant eternal peace to your grandfather, Haich! You are most welcome, sis!
As Allah the Most High tells us, "But ˹continue to˺ remind. For certainly reminders benefit the believers. " 51:55
May Allah The Most High, place in your family's hearts solace and tranquility. Ameen!
Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un إِنَّا لِلَّٰهِ وَإِنَّا إِلَيْهِ رَاجِعُونَ
To God we belong and to Him we return.

 

[DesertRose]

Muhammad, the Prophet of Islam who passed away in 632, related:

"Gabriel came to me and said, ‘O Muhammad, live as you wish, for you shall eventually die. Love whom you desire, for you shall eventually depart. Do what you please, for you shall pay. Know that the night-prayer[1] is the honor of a believer, and his pride is being independant on others.’" (Silsilah al-Saheehah)​

If there is only one thing certain about life, it is that it ends. This truism instinctively raises a question which preoccupies most people at least once in their life: What lies beyond death?


At the physiological level, the journey that the deceased takes is plain for all to witness. If left alone to natural causes,[2] the heart will stop beating, the lungs will stop breathing, and the body’s cells will be starved of blood and oxygen. The termination of blood flow to the outer extremities will soon turn them pale. With the oxygen cut off, cells will respire anaerobically for a time, producing the lactic acid which causes rigor mortis – the stiffening of the corpse’s muscles. Then, as the cells begin to decompose, the stiffness wanes, the tongue protrudes, the temperature drops, the skin discolors, the flesh rots, and the parasites have their feast - until all that is left is dried-out tooth and bone.


As for the journey of the soul after death, then this is not something that can be witnessed, nor can it be gauged through scientific enquiry. Even in a living body, the conscious, or soul, of a person cannot be subjected to empirical experimentation. It is simply beyond human control. In this regard, the concept of a Hereafter - a life beyond death, resurrection, and a Day of Reckoning; not to mention the existence of a Divine, Omnipotent Creator, His angels, destiny, and so on - comes under the subject of belief in the unseen. The only way in which man can come to know anything of the unseen world is through divine revelation.


"And with God are the keys of the unseen, none knows them but He. And He knows whatever there is in (or on) the earth and in the sea; not a leaf falls, but He knows it. There is not a grain in the darkness of the earth, nor anything fresh or dry, but is written in a Clear Record." (Quran 6:59)


While what has come down to us of the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel - the scriptures revealed to early prophets - all speak of a Hereafter, it is only through God’s Final Revelation to humanity, the Holy Quran, as revealed to His Final Prophet, Muhammad, that we learn most about the afterlife. And as the Quran is, and will forever remain, preserved and uncorrupted by human hands, the insight it gives us into the world of the unseen is, for the believer, as factual, real and true as anything that can be learnt through any scientific endeavor (and with a zero margin of error!).


"…We have neglected nothing in the Book; then unto their Lord they shall all be gathered." (Quran 6:38)


Coupled with the question of what happens after we die, is the question: Why are we here? For if there is indeed no greater purpose to life (that is, greater than simply living life itself), the question of what happens after death becomes academic, if not pointless. It is only if one first accepts that our intelligent design, our creation, necessitates an intelligence and designer behind it, a Creator who will judge us for what we do, that life on earth carries any significant meaning.


"Then did you think that We created you in vain and that to Us you would not be returned? Therefore exalted be God, the Sovereign, the Truth; no deity is there save Him, Lord of the Supreme Throne." (Quran 23:115-116)


If aught else, a discerning person would be forced to conclude that life on earth is full of injustice, cruelty and oppression; that the law of the jungle, survival of the fittest, is what is paramount; that if one cannot find happiness in this life, whether due to an absence of material comforts, physical love, or other joyous experiences, then life is simply not worth living. In fact, it is precisely because a person despairs of this worldly life while having little, no, or imperfect faith in an afterlife, that they may commit suicide. After all, what else do the unhappy, unloved and unwanted; the dejected, (desperately) depressed and despairing have to lose?![3]


"And who despairs of the Mercy of his Lord except those who are astray?" (Quran 15:56)


So can we accept that our death is limited to mere physiological termination, or that life is merely a product of blind, selfish evolution? Surely, there is more to death, and so to life, than this.

DR: The following articles will delve into what happens in the grave for believers and unbelievers. Then, what happens in the day of judgment for believers and unbelievers. After that, we can discuss or comment on what captures our attention concerning the afterlife and why.

 

[DesertRose]

After that, we can discuss or comment on what captures our attention concerning the afterlife and why.

This bridge and Judgement are alarming events that capture my attention.
Receiving our books and crossing this bridge by the mercy of Allah. May we all cross it with ease. Ameen.
As-Sirat [The Bridge]

Crossing the Sirat Bridge! 7 Questions at 7 Stops! - Towards Eternity

 

[DesertRose]

Another event on the Day of Judgement. The scale happens before the bridge.
The End Series - The Scale of Deeds on Judgement Day

Praise be to Allah.
Firstly:
One of the matters of the hereafter in which we are required to believe is the Balance or scales of justice in which people’s deeds will be weighed, as Allah, may He be glorified, says (interpretation of the meaning):

{And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all. And if there is [even] the weight of a mustard seed, We will bring it forth. And sufficient are We as reckoners} [al-Anbiya’ 21:47].

At-Tahhaawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his famous ‘Aqeedah: And we believe in the resurrection and requital of deeds on the Day of Resurrection; the presentation of deeds and the reckoning; the reading of the record of deeds; the reward and punishment; and the siraat [a bridge over Hell which all must cross] and the Balance. End quote.

The weighing of deeds in the Balance will come after the reckoning and before the siraat.

Al-Qurtubi (may Allah have mercy on him) said: The scholars said: When the reckoning is finished, after that will come the weighing of deeds, because the weighing is for requital, so it should come after the reckoning. So the reckoning is to present the deeds so that the doer will acknowledge them, and the weighing is to show their weight, so that the requital will be commensurate with that. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
{And We place the scales of justice for the Day of Resurrection, so no soul will be treated unjustly at all } [al-Anbiya’ 21:47]
{Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds],
He will be in a pleasant life, But as for one whose scales are light, His refuge will be an abyss} [al-Qaari ‘ah 101:6-9].
End quote from at-Tadhkirah, p. 359.

However, there is no religious text that shows these events in this order, and there is only what some scholars worked out on the basis of ijtihad. The sequence of events mentioned by al-Qurtubi, narrating from the scholars, is appropriate from a chronological point of view, because Allah will bring a person to account for his deeds, and He will make him acknowledge them, then after that the Balance will be set up to follow on from that reckoning, so that Allah will show the person the verification of that reckoning accurately in the Balance.
See: al-Hayaat al-Aakhirah by al-‘Awaaji, 3/1169.

Secondly:
When their deeds have been weighed, people will be divided into three groups:

The first group will be those whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds. They will be blessed and successful, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning)
{And those whose scales are heavy [with good deeds] - it is they who are the successful.
But those whose scales are light - those are the ones who have lost their souls, [being] in Hell, abiding eternally} [al-Mu’minoon 23:102, 103]
{Then as for one whose scales are heavy [with good deeds],
He will be in a pleasant life.
But as for one whose scales are light,
His refuge will be an abyss.
And what can make you know what that is?
It is a Fire, intensely hot} [al-Qaari‘ah 101:6-11].

The second group will be those whose bad deeds outweigh their good deeds. If such a person is a Muslim, he will enter Hell, then when he has been purified, he will be brought forth from it and will enter Paradise. But if he was a disbeliever, he will remain in it for ever and ever, as stated in the verse from Soorat al-Mu’minoon quoted above.

The third group will be those whose good deeds and bad deeds are equal. These are the people of the a‘raaf. They will be in a place between Paradise and Hell, able to see the people in both, as Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
{And between them will be a partition, and on [its] elevations are men who recognize all by their mark. And they call out to the companions of Paradise, “Peace be upon you.” They have not [yet] entered it, but they long intensely
And when their eyes are turned toward the companions of the Fire, they say, “Our Lord, do not place us with the wrongdoing people”} [al-A‘raaf 7:46-47].

The ultimate fate of the people of the a‘raaf will be admittance to Paradise after that.

Ibn Katheer (may Allah have mercy on him) said in his Tafseer (2/289): When Allah, may He be exalted, mentions the people of Paradise speaking to the people of Hell, He points out that between Paradise and Hell there is a partition, which is a barrier that prevents the people of Hell reaching Paradise. … Ibn Jareer said: The word a‘raaf is the plural of ‘urf; the Arabs call any high ground ‘urf; in fact the comb of the rooster is called ‘urf because it is elevated.

According to a report narrated from Ibn ‘Abbaas, al-A‘raaf is a hill between Paradise and Hell at which some of those who committed sin will be detained, between Paradise and Hell. According to another report from him, it is a wall between Paradise and Hell. Ad-Dahhaak and more than one of the scholars of tafseer said something similar. As-Saddi said: It is so called because those who are detained there will recognize (ya‘rifoon) people. The comments of the mufassireen as to who the people of the a‘raaf are vary, but they are all close in meaning and point to one idea, which is that they are people whose good deeds and bad deeds are equal. This was stated by Hudhayfah, Ibn ‘Abbaas, Ibn Mas‘ood and others among the earlier and later generations (may Allah have mercy on them). Ibn Jareer said: Ya‘qoob told me: Hushaym told us: Husayn informed us, from ash-Sha‘bi, from Hudhayfah, that he was asked about the people of the a‘raaf and he said: They are people whose good deeds and bad deeds are equal, so their bad deeds will detain them from Paradise and their good deeds will hold them back from Hell. So they will be detained there on the wall, until Allah passes judgement concerning them. End quote.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) said: In addition to his bad deeds, a person may do good deeds that equal them and counteract them, and thus he will be saved from the Fire but he will not deserve Paradise; rather he will be one of the people of the a‘raaf. Even though they will ultimately enter Paradise, they are not among those to whom Paradise will be brought near, because they did not have sufficient fear of Allah and did not turn to Him often.
End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa (16/177).

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) asked: I have heard of someone who says that the a‘raaf is a wall between Paradise and Hell, where they will remain for a number of years.

He replied: On the Day of Resurrection, the people will be divided into three groups:

A group whose good deeds outweigh their bad deeds; they will not be punished and will be admitted to Paradise. Another group whose bad deeds outweigh their good deeds; they will deserve punishment commensurate with their bad deeds, then they will be saved and admitted to Paradise. And the third group whose bad deeds and good deeds are equal; they are the people of the a‘raaf and are not among the people of Paradise or the people of Hell. Rather they will remain in a place with a lofty barrier, where they can see the Fire and can see Paradise. They will remain there for as long as Allah wills, and ultimately they will enter Paradise.

This is by the perfect justice of Allah, may He be glorified and exalted, for He will give to each person what he deserves. So the one whose good deeds weigh more heavily will be one of the people of Paradise; the one whose bad deeds weigh more heavily will be punished in the Fire for as long as Allah wills; and the one whose good deeds and bad deeds were equal will be one of the people of the a‘raaf. But the a‘raaf is not something that will continue forever; rather what will continue forever is either Paradise or Hell. May Allah make me and you among the people of Paradise.
End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab al-Maftooh (14/16).

And Allah knows best.
https://islamqa.info/en/answers/98964/the-one-whose-good-deeds-outweigh-his-bad-deeds-will-enter-paradise-and-will-be-safe-from-punishment

 

[DesertRose]

The Barzakh is the interval between life and the Day of Judgement:

"Life in the grave

The life of the deceased in the grave is different from his life in this world; it is a special kind of life in al-barzakh (the interval between his death and the Day of Resurrection) which is not like his life in this world, where he needs food and drink etc.
It is a special kind of life wherein he can understand the questions and answers, so the two angels will ask him, Who is your Lord? What is your religion? Who is your Prophet?

The believer will say, My Lord is Allah, Islam is my religion and Muhammad is my Prophet. This will be the answer of believing men and women. Then he will be asked, What do you know about this man (Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him))? He will say, He is the Messenger of Allah. He brought us guidance and we believed in him and followed him. It will be said: we knew that you were a believer. Then a gate to Paradise will be opened for him, and he will feel its rest and provision and blessings. It will be said, This is your place until Allah resurrects you to it. And he will be shown his place in Hell, and it will be said to him, This would have been your place if you had disbelieved in Allah, but now Allah has granted you refuge from it and you have ended up in Paradise.

As for the non-Muslim, he will be asked about his Lord and his religion and his Prophet, and he will say, Oh, oh, I don’t know, I heard the people saying something so I said the same. Then he will be beaten with an iron rod and will utter a scream that will be heard by all things apart from al-thaqalayn, i.e. jinn and men; the animals will hear it. Then a gate to Hell will be opened for him, and his grave will constrict until his ribs intermingle, and his grave will be like one of the pits of Hell. A gate to Hell will be opened for him and he will feel its heat and torment . It will be said, This is your place until Allah resurrects you to it. Then a door to Paradise will be opened for him and he will be shown his place in Paradise, and it will be said to him, This would have been your place if Allah had guided you.

From this, we know that the grave will be either one of the gardens of Paradise or one of the pits of Hell. The torment or blessing will happen to the body as well as the soul in the grave, and also in the Hereafter, in either Paradise or Hell."

Nature of Life in the Grave - Islam Question & Answer

The life of the deceased in the grave is different from his life in this world. It is a special kind of life in al-barzakh (the interval between his death and the Day of Resurrection) which is not like his life in this world.

islamqa.info

The Creator is the Most Merciful and The Most Compassionate if you have the right faith and sincerely repent our record will be wiped clean.