Athaab-e-Qabr (The Punishment Of The Grave)
- INTRODUCTION
- ATHAAB IN THE QABR ON ACCOUNT OF GHEEBAH AND URINE
- PROTECTION FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF THE GRAVE
- THE SUBSTANTIATION OF ATHAAB-E-QABR
- CONCLUSION
ATHAAB IN THE QABR ON ACCOUNT OF GHEEBAH AND URINE
Ibn Abbaas (radhiyallahu anhuma) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) once passed by two graves. He said:
“Both are being punished. They are not being punished for any major sin. One of the two would indulge in nameemah (gossip) and the other would not be careful regarding urine.” He then took a fresh branch and broke it into two. Then he planted one on each grave, and commented: “Perhaps Allah will lighten the punishment as long as the branches have not dried out.”
Abdullah Bin Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “Verily when any of you dies, his abode is presented (shown) to him morning and evening. If he happens to be among the inmates of Jannat, then (he will be shown) Jannat and if he is among the inmates of the Fire, then the Fire (will be shown to him). It will then be said to him: ‘This is your abode (and it will be shown to you) until Qiyaamah, the day Allah raises you.”
(Narrating about the wailing of the mayyit), Saeed Bin Khudri (radhiyallahu anhu) said that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
“If man had to hear it, he will become unconscious.
IRSHAADUS SAARI, Commentary of Saheeh Bukhari states in regard to Athaab-e-Qabr the following:
The dalaa-il (proofs) in substantiation of Athaab-e-Qabr (punishment of the grave) appear with abundant clarity in the Kitaab (Qur’aan) and the Sunnah. The Ahlus Sunnah is unanimous on this (i.e. the belief in the reality of Athaab-e-Qabr). There is no rational impossibility for Allah Ta’ala to return life to a part of the body or to the whole of it. He thus rewards it (the deceased) or He punishes it. The Shariah states it (Athaab-e-Qabr). Accepting it, is incumbent and belief in it is compulsory.
In Jaamiul Masaabih it is said: “The Ahaadith regarding Athaab-e-Qabr are so abundant that many (Ulama) have said that they are (of the Mutawaatir category). If the likes of such (Ahaadith) are not authentic then not a single act of the Deen will be proper (i.e. not a single act, practice or belief of Islam will be authentic on account of assumed lack of evidence)!
Some people have claimed that Athaab-e-Qabr is not mentioned in the Qur’aan and they have opined that it is mentioned in only Ahaadith Aahaad (i.e. a lower category of authentic Hadith).
Ibn Mas’ud (radhiyallahu anhu) narrated that their souls will be in the bodies of black birds. They will be presented to the Fire morning and evening. It will thus be said to them: This is your abode.
Qurtubi said: “According to the Jamhoor this presentation will be in Barzakh.” In this is proof for the continuity of life and for Athaab-e-Qabr.
In a Hadith in Musnad of Imaam Ahmad, Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) proclaimed loudly: “0 People! Seek Allah’s protection against the punishment of the grave, for verily it is the Haqq (Truth).”
In Saheeh Muslim appears the narration of Ibn Shuhaab narrating from Urwah who narrates from Aishah (radhiyallahu anha) that a Jewish woman said to her: ‘I inform you that you will be put to trial (i.e. punished) in the graves.” When Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) heard her statement, he became fearful and he said:
“Verily, the Yahood will be punished (in the grave).” Then after a few nights he said: “I inform you that it has been revealed to me that you will certainly be punished in the graves.”
A Marfoo’ Hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah appearing in the Sahih of Ibn Hibbaan states that the meaning of the aayat:
“For you will be a constricted life…”, is Athaab-e-Qabr.
The aayat: “Allah will fortify the People of Imaan with a firm statement in this world and in the Aakhirah…”, was revealed in relation to Athaab-e-Qabr.
(Referring to a form of punishment which will be meted out in the grave, the Hadith states): “He will be hit with hammers of iron.” In the Hadith of Abu Saeed it appears: “The creation of Allah besides man and jinn can hear his screaming.”
In this Hadith is substantiation for Athaab-e-Qabr and that it will befall the kuffaar and on whomever Allah Ta’ala wishes among the Muwahhideen (i.e.Mu’mineen).
The correct view is that even the kaafir will be questioned about this (i.e. about the Deen and Rasulullah -sallallahu alayhi wasallam) because numerous Marfoo’ Ahadith by way of many (different) chains are narrated in this regard. Tirmizi has emphasised this fact.
Ibn Qayyim says in Ar-Rooh: “In the Kitaab (Qur’aan) and the Sunnah there is proof that the kaafir and the Mu’min will be questioned (in the grave). Allah Ta’ala says: ‘Allah will fortify those who believe with a firm statement in this world and in the Aakhirah and Allah will lead astray the transgressors.’”