Punishment in Grave | Ask Alimah

Question

The other day my 14 years old daughter asked me if immediately after death good people start experiencing the sweetness of Heaven and the bad people start experiencing the horror of Hell, then why is there The Day of Judgment? I couldnotanswer her well, since I also know there is punishment in the Grave after death and some indications in the Holy Quran where we find bad people will be received with hot water whereas the good people will receive Salam form Allah. What is the link here with the Day of Judgment? Can you answer please?

Answer

1. According to the Aqaid (beliefs) of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah`,Adhaabul Qabr (punishment in the grave) is Haqq (true and established).(Sharhul Aqaid)

It (punishment of the grave) is proven from the Qur'an and Ahadith. Allah Ta'ala discusses the punishment given to Fir'awn. He says, 'The fire is given to them in the morning and evening and on the Day of Judgment.' The fire before the Day of Judgment refers to the punishment in the grave.
(Ibid)

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 'When a person is buried and the people go away, two angels approach the deceased and ask three questions,
a) Who is your lord? b) What is your religion? and c) Who is he (Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam)?

A believer will answer all three questions and he will be honored with the clothing of Jannah. The window of Jannah will be opened for him and he will enjoy the sight of Jannah. On the contrary, a disbeliever will express regret at not being able to answer the questions. Upon that, an angel who is blind and deaf is appointed to punish him. Blind so that the angel does not see the punishment and feel mercy and deaf so that the punishment is not heard. The hammer used to punish a disbeliever is so heavy that it can reduce a mountain to dust. The disbeliever screams with pain and every creation can hear him besides human and Jinns.' (Mishkat)

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 'The grave is a garden of paradise or a pit of hell.'
(Ibid)
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, 'If you are made to listen to the punishment in the grave, you will stop burying your deceased.' (Tirmidhi)

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) advised, 'Seek protection from the punishment of the grave.' (Ibid)

It was the noble habit of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) to make du'a in Salat for protection from the punishment of the grave. May Allah Ta'ala save us, our families and the entire Ummah from the trials of the Qabr.

And Allah knows best.

Ask Alimah Team

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