Part 5

<As for the fitnah of the Dajjdl, there never was a prophet but has warned his people from him. However, I will tell you a thing (about the Dajjal) from which no other prophet warned his nation: He is one-eyed; and Allah is not one-eyed. Between his eyes is written the word “kafir”, which every believer will be able to read.

And as for the tribulation of the grave: with me will people be tested, and about me will they be asked.

A righteous person is made to sit in his grave, without having any fear or terror. He is asked, “What did you use to say about Islam?” He is also asked, “‘Who is that man who was among you?” He replies, “He is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, who came with clear signs from Allah; and we believed in him.”

An opening then appears (from his grave) to the Fire; he observes its various sections crushing each other. He is told, “Look at that from which Allah (8%) has saved you.” Another opening then appears (from his grave) to Jannah. He observes its grandeur and the things (bounties) in it. He is told, “This will be your place in it.” And he is told, “You lived with certitude (about Allah); upon that you

| The Dajjal: The lying imposter who will claim that he is the Messiah Jesus Son of Mary.

Life in Al-Barzakh 17 Texts Describing al-Barzakh

died; and upon it you will be raised — when Allah wills.”

As for an evil person, he is made to sit in his grave in a state of fear and terror. He is asked, ‘What did you use to say?” He replies, “I heard the people say things; so I said as they said.”

An opening then appears (from his grave) to Jannah. He observes its grandeur and the things (bounties) in it. He is told, “Look at that from which Allah has deprived you.” Another opening appears (from his grave) to the Fire. He observes its various sections crushing each other. He is told, “This will be your abode in it. You lived in doubt (about Allah); upon that you died; and upon it will you be raised — when Allah wills.” He is then tortured. '

4. Abii Hurayrah’s Second Hadith Abi Hurayrah () reported that Allah’s Messenger (2%) said:

<When a believer dies, the angels of mercy come to him with a piece of white silk. They say, “Depart (from the body) to Allah’s (granted) happiness.” It departs with the most beautiful scent of musk. They even pass it from one angel to the next, smelling it.

When they arrive at the gate of the (lowest) heaven, they are asked, “What is this beautiful scent coming from the earth?” They continue their ascent; and as they arrive at each one of the heavens, the same thing is said to them.

They (the angels) take it to (the location of) the souls of the believers. They (the other souls) are happier in meeting it than are those to whom a

1 Recorded by Ahmad; verified to be authentic by al-Albani in Sahih ut-Targhibi wat-Tarhib.

beloved one returns after a long absence. They ask it, “What happened to such and such (a disbeliever)?”” Some of them interrupt, “Leave him until he rests, because he was in the grief of the world.” However, he says, “He died; did he not come to you?” They (the angels) then say, “He was taken to a bottomless pit (of Fire).”

As for a disbeliever, the angels of punishment come to him with coarse fabric and say, “Depart (from the body) to Allah’s wrath.” It departs, smelling like the worst of decayed corpses. It is then taken to the gate of the earth. '

5. Aba@ Hurayrah’s Third Hadith Abi Hurayrah (<%) reported that Allah’s Messenger (2#) said:

<When a (believing) dead person is buried, two black and blue angels come to him. One of them is called Munkar, and the other Nakir. They ask him, “What did you use to say about this man (Muhammad)?” He says, as he used to say, “He is Allah’s ‘abd and Messenger; I testify that there is no deity (worthy of being worshipped) but Allah, and that Muhammad is His ‘abd and Messenger.” They say, “We expected you to say this.” His grave is then expanded for him to seventy cubits by seventy; it is illuminated for him; and he is told, “Go to sleep.” He says, “Let me return to my people to inform them (about my good condition).” But they tell him, “Sleep as does a newlywed person, whom no one awakens except the member of his family who is dearest to him.” (He sleeps like that) until Allah raises him from his resting place.

| Recorded by Ibn Hibban and Ibn Majah; verified to be authentic by al-Albant (Sahih ut-Targhibi wat-Tarhib).

Life in Al-Barzakh 19 Texts Describing al-Barzakh

As for a hypocrite, he replies (to their questioning), “I heard the people say things; and I said the same; but I do not know.” They say, “We expected you to say this.” The earth is then told, “Contract on him.” And it contracts on him until his ribs break. Thus, his punishment continues therein, until Allah raises him from his abode. '

6. Abii Hurayrah’s Fourth Hadith Abi Hurayrah (#) reported that Allah’s Messenger (88) said:

His soul is taken up to the heaven. The souls of the believers come to him and inquire from him about their acquaintances of the dwellers of the earth. They are pleased when he says, “I left such and such in the dunya (the first life)’ And when he says, “Such and such had died,’ they say (disappointedly), “But he was not brought to us.” ”

A believer is made to sit in his grave, and is asked, “Who is your lord?” He replies, “My lord is Allah.” He is asked, “Who is your prophet?” He replies, “My prophet is Muhammad (2#).” He is asked, “What is your religion?” He says, “My religion is Islam.” A door is then opened from his grave (to Jannah), and he is told, “Look at you

1 Recorded by at-Tirmithi; verified to be hasan by al-Albant (Sahih ul-Jami’ no. 724).

2 The souls of the believers meet al! other believers’ souls upon their death. They are concerned about those whom they have not met yet, and would rather know that they are still in the dunyd, and still have a chance of dying as believers, than to know that they had died as disbelievers.

(future) abode.” He is then left in the grave, and (the time passes) as if it is but a nap.

And when death descends upon an enemy of Allah, and he witnesses things (implying his imminent punishment), he wishes that his sou] would never depart, and Allah hates to meet him.

Abi Hurayrah was asked, “What is a bitten person?” He replied, “One who is bitten by creatures and snakes,” !

7. Anas’s First Hadith Anas (#8) reported that Allah’s Messenger (&8) said:

<Verily, when a believer is placed in his grave, an angel comes to him and asks him, “What did you worship?” If Allah guides him, he replies, “I worshipped Allah.” Then he asks him, “What did you say about this man (Muhammad)?” He answers, “He is Allah’s ‘abd and Messenger.”

He is not questioned about anything else after this. He is taken to a house in the Fire, and is told, “This would have been your house in the Fire; but Allah protected you and had mercy upon you; thus He substituted it for you with a house in Jannah.”

1 Recorded by al-Bazzar, verified to be authentic by al-Albani (as-Sahthah no. 2628).

Life in Al-Barzakh 21 Texts Describing al-Barzakh

He says, “Allow me to go give this good news to my family.” But he is told, “Be tranquil.”

When a disbeliever is put into his grave, an angel comes to him, rebukes him, and asks him, “What did you worship?” He replies, “I do not know.” He is told, “You did not know; nor did you recite (Qur'an)!” He is then asked, “What did you say about this man?” He replies, “I said what the people said.” He (the angel) then hits him with an iron hammer between his ears; and he emits a shriek which is heard by all creatures except the human beings and jinns. '

8. Anas’s Second Hadith Anas (5) reported that Allah’s Messenger (8) said:

<Verily, after a ‘abd 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. They make him sit, and ask him, “What did you saying about this man (Muhammad)?”

A believer replies, “I bear witness that he is Allah’s ‘abd and Messenger.” He is then told, “Look at your place in the Fire, Allah has substituted it for you with a place in Jannah.” Thus he views both of them. His grave is then expanded for him to seventy cubits; and it is filled with greenery until the Day of Resurrection.

As for a disbeliever or a hypocrite, he replies, “I do not know. I said what the people said.” He is then told, “You did not know; nor did you recite (Quran)” He is then hit one blow between his ears

1 Recorded by Abii Dawid; verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahih ul-Jami‘ no.

with an iron hammer; and he emits a shriek which is heard by all creatures near him except jinns and human beings. His grave contracts on him until his ribs break. '

1 Al-Bukhari and Muslim.

CHAPTER 3 THE MOMENT OF DEATH

In this chapter, we present the incidents that take place from the time that one is on the verge of death, until one’s soul starts its trip to the heavens. The incidents are segmented to make it easy for the reader to follow.

With the approach of death, a believer is pleased because the material barrier is about to dissolve, and he is therefore about to meet his Lord. His soul departs with ease, emitting beautiful odors that delight the angels. A disbeliever, on the other hand, is terrified to realize that his great punishment is eminent. His soul is extracted from his body by force, emitting the most loathsome odors.