Barzakh [Grave]
When a person dies, he goes to the world of Barzakh and stays there till Qiyamat. The period after your death until Qiyamat is known as Barzakh.Hazrat Jabir radhiallahu anhu quotes Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam as saying, “When the corpse (of a Believer) is placed in the grave, he supposes that the sun is setting. When his soul is returned to it, he sits up rubbing his eyes and asks (the angels) to let him alone so that he may offer his prayers.” (Ibn Majah)It is as if he considers himself alive in the world and tells the angels to leave aside the reckoning because he had to offer his prayers before the prescribed time is over. Obviously a person who is regular in offering his prayers in this life will say so. Those who are slack in offering their prayers must take a lesson form this. Let them think what will become of them if they are put to question suddenly?
According to Hazrat Abu Hurayrah radhiallahu anhu, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam said; “When the body is placed in the grave, two angels come to it. They are dark coloured and have blue eyes. One of them is Munkar, the other Nakir. They begin by asking him about the person (sent to them). If he is a Believer, he will say, He is a slave of Allah and His Messenger. I bear witness that no one besides Allah is worthy of worship and that without doubt Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam is His slave and Messenger.” The angels remark ‘we knew you will give this answer.’ His grave will be then extended seventy arms length square. He is asked to sleep but he wants to go and report his position to his family. They inform him that once here, no one can return) he must sleep like a bride whom only her husband can awake. (Thus he remains in the grave peacefully). He will be resurrected on the Day of Resurrection by Allah.
‘If he is a hypocrite, he will reply I do not know more than what I have heard people say. The angels will say that they knew he would give such a reply. The earth will be directed to squeeze him and he is pressed so that his ribs are broken. Then, he remains in torment until the Day of Resurrection.’ [Tirmizi]
These Ahadith tell us that the Believers will be content in the world of Barzakh. They will be full of consciousness. So they will be careful of their prayers and they will not be worried about reckoning. When they realize their good fate, they will wish to pass on the news to their family. They will be eager to face the Day of Resurrection so that they are admitted to Paradise soon. The point is when Allah is compassionate to anyone, the person retains his consciousness and Allah inspires him to give the correct answers. It is stated in Surah Ibrahim:
“Allah confirms those who believe with the firm word in the life of this world and in the Hereafter…” (14:27)
Rasulullah salllallahu alayhi wassallam asked Umar radhiallahu anhu; “O Umar what will be your condition when you are placed in the grave? The munkar and Nakir will come to you. They will be dark skinned and their hair will be very pulling along on the floor. Their voices will be like intense thunder and eyes threatening like lightening. The teeth will be long, digging the ground before them. They will wake you up terrorizing you, all the while. Hazrat Umar radhiallahu anhu enquired, “O Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wasallam, will I be in my senses then as I am now?” Rasulullah sall! allahu alayhi wasallam confirmed to him that he would be in his senses as he was then. Hazrat Umar radhiallahu anhu submitted to the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam “O Messenger of Allah, I will manage them” (Sharah us-Sudur).
The possession of full consciousness will be the result of firm faith and righteousness. If deeds are not righteous, then how will one be in his senses during the reckoning?
It is worth considering that no one will live in this world forever. Life is ephemeral. The comfort of the world is not extraordinary and the afflictions tolerable. The next stage of Barzakh is going to be very long (until the Day of Resurrection). If a man has not been righteous in this world or has neglected his duties for prayer and other Articles of Faith, he will be punished at this stage. What will he do then?
We must- all of us- worry about our fate after death. Verily this world is coming to an end. Life in this world is temporary! Is it not foolish to forgo Salat (prayers) only so that we may sleep a little more? Or, to love money so much that we do not pay zakah? And go through a severe torment in the grave (just for a little bit of sleep or money, etc.) Let us do pious deed and keep away from sinful activities so that our period in Barzakh is spent comfortably and on the Day of Resurrection too we emerge honourably. May Allah guide us to prepare for the Hereafter. May He preserve us from the punishment of the grave, on the Last Day, and of the Fire. Ameen!
