Punishment and Rewards in the Grave: An Islamic Perspective
It is seldom that the majority of people engage in discussions on the punishments of the grave. In fact, this type of discussion is likely to be avoided amongst many circles. Many of us have heard some of the most crippling stories of the punishment in the graves, often leaving us in a state of fear, where we may struggle to contemplate our preparation for the Hereafter. The truth is, although we should fear the punishments of the grave, we should also remember that Allah Almighty is the All Merciful and the All Forgiving, and therefore, have the utmost hope and belief in the perfection of His Attributes.
Hope and Rewards Awaiting the Believers
Accordingly, the many rewards one may receive in the grave and our aspirations in returning to our Creator, Allah Almighty, should be something that we equally reflect upon. We are told that Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessing be upon him) advises about this as in Hadith 1627 as recorded in Mishkat Al Masabih:
‘Hazrat Abu Hurayra (RA) reported Allah Almighty’s Messenger as saying: “The Angels are present with one who dies, and if a man is good, they say: ‘Come out, good soul, which was in the good body; come out praiseworthy and be happy with rest and provision and a Lord who is not angry.’ That continues to be said to it until it comes out. It is then taken up to Heaven and the door is opened for it. The Angels are asked who this is and reply that he is so and so, whereupon these words are spoken: ‘Welcome, good soul, which was in the good body; enter praiseworthy and be happy with rest and provision and a Lord who is not angry.’ That continues to be said to it until it comes to the Heaven in which God is. But when it is a bad man what is said is: ‘Come out, wicked soul, which was in the wicked body; come out blameworthy and be grieved by a boiling liquid, one dark and intensely cold and other kinds of its type.’ That continues to be said to it until it comes out. It is then taken up to Heaven and the door is opened for it. The question will be asked who this is and the reply given that it is so and so, whereupon these words are spoken: ‘There is no welcome for the wicked soul which was in the wicked body; go back blameworthy, for the gates of Heaven will not be opened for you.’ It will then be sent away from Heaven and come to the grave.” ‘
There are two outcomes, one for the good soul and another for the bad soul. In this article we will consider some of the punishments as well as some of the rewards in the grave.
Punishments in the Grave
Punishments – Tightening of the Grave
Punishments in the grave start after the burial process is completed, when the deceased undergoes the process of interrogation with regards to his belief and piety. This process of questioning is administered by two Angels, Al Munkar and Al Nakeer. Both of whom are black in colour, blue eyed and with large teeth. When asked the following question, referring to holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him): ‘What did you used to say about this man?’
Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states:
‘If he was a hypocrite he would say: “I heard people saying something, so I said the same; I do not know.” So they say: “We knew you would say that.” So the Earth is told: “Constrict him.” So it constricts around him, squeezing his ribs together. He continues being punished like that until Allah Almighty resurrects him from his resting place.’
(Tirmidhi, Hadith 1071)
Exposure to the Hellfire
The searing hot winds of Hell engulf the deceased while the grave tightens, crushing the deceased until the ribcage is broken by the force – causing the ribs of one side to intertwine with the ribs of the other.
Beating with a Sledge-hammer
Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states:
‘One who is blind and dumb will then be placed in charge of him, having a sledge-hammer such that if a mountain were struck with it, it would become dust. He will give him a blow with it which will be heard by everything between the East and the West except by men and Jinn, and he will become dust. Then his spirit will be restored to him.’
The one who is carrying an iron rod does not hear the deceased cry in torment. It has been stated that if this iron rod were to strike a mountain, the mountain would disintegrate into rubble. He strikes the deceased with a blow, which turns him into dust. Then Allah Almighty returns the deceased to his original form, whereupon he is struck a second time. This causes him to shriek with great violence.
The Cry of the Deceased Heard by Creation
Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states:
“Then he will be hit with an iron hammer between his two ears, and he will cry and that cry will be heard by whatever approaches him except human beings and Jinns.”
(Sahih Al Bukhari, Hadith 1338)
Therefore, various animals can hear the punishment happening in the grave as holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states:
“Verily, the dead are surely punished in their graves, such that even the beasts can hear their cries.”
(Al Mu’jam Al Kabeer, Hadith 10459)
Deadly Snake
Amongst one of the worst tortures in the grave are ones involving snakes. Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states:
“Ninety-nine dragons will be given power over an infidel in his grave and will bite and sting him until the last hour comes. If one of those dragons were to breathe over the Earth, it would bring forth no green thing.”
(Mishkat Al Masabih, Hadith 134)
We can only imagine these reptiles to be the deadliest of snakes to such an extent that if they were to come to the surface of the Earth, nothing would grow.
Rewards in the Grave for the Righteous
Expansion and Illumination of the Grave
In contrast to the restriction of the grave for a bad soul as mentioned above, we are told that for the good soul, the grave will expand. Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states:
‘Then his grave is expanded to seventy by seventy cubits, then it is illuminated for him. Then it is said to him: “Sleep.” So he says: “Can I return to my family to inform them?” They (the Angels) say: “Sleep as a newlywed, whom none awakens but the dearest of his family.” Until Allah Almighty resurrects him from his resting place.’
(Tirmidhi, Hadith 1071)
Comfort, Peace, and Rest Until Resurrection
The grave of the blessed good soul is illuminated with light and the deceased is asked to sleep as a newlywed, who is secure and at peace and need only to wait to wake on the Day of Judgment.
Doors of Paradise Opened in the Grave
Holy Prophet ﷺ (peace and blessings be upon him) states in relation to the rewards in the grave:
‘My servant has spoken the truth, so spread a bed for him from paradise, clothe him from paradise, and open a door for him into paradise.’ A door will then be opened for him towards paradise, some of its air and perfume will come to him, and a space will be made for him in it as far as the eye can see.”
(Mishkat al-Masabih, Hadith 131)
The Bliss of the Believer in the Grave
With the absence of fear and panic, we can only imagine the serenity and comfort the good soul will experience in the grave, until the Day of Judgment begins. It is the bliss of seeing one’s palace in Paradise, smelling its air and perfume and dressing from its clothes which we should strive to accomplish. The good soul will then move from the grave, into paradise by the will and mercy of Allah Almighty.