BARZAKH: LIFE IN THE GRAVE
In the name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful the
Exceptionally Merciful
All praise is to Allah – the Lord of the world. May His peace and blessing be upon the last messenger, Prophet Muhammad, his household, his companions and those on the path of righteousness until the Last Day.
All praise is to Allah – the Lord of the world. May His peace and blessing be upon the last messenger, Prophet Muhammad, his household, his companions and those on the path of righteousness until the Last Day.
It is part of the Islamic beliefs that after
death, all mankind will enter a realm before the day Allah will resurrect
everyone. This realm is what is known as the "Barzakh".
However, there are many Islamic sects that outright deny and do not believe in this realm. It should be known that it is a grave misunderstanding on their part; as denying the realm of Barzakh is equivalent to denying the reality of death which, according to al-Jibaly, is the ultimate reality that no human being can escape from. It forces everyone to realize the worthlessness of this worldly life and the necessity to prepare for the permanent abode in the next one. It awes and challenges all of their false claims and deviant beliefs. It puts an end to their hopes for prosperity in this life. It transfers them to an intermediate stage of living entirely different from the life in this world.
According to the Islamic etiquette of knowledge, nothing should be discussed about in the religion of Allah without consulting the Qur’an and the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). To understand the correct concept of Barzakh, we are to refer to what Allah and His Messenger (Pbuh) have said about it.
Barzakh literally means "Barrier". It implies the period between Death and the Day of Resurrection, i.e., the day on which all human beings will be brought back to life. The human must have passed through the stage of death before entering to the realm of Barzakh. In an article titled “Islamic Concept of Soul and Barzakh”, the author wrote:
“Death occurs when the soul separates from the human body and enters the realm of ‘Barzakh’, which is the period between one’s death and the Hereafter.”
However, there are many Islamic sects that outright deny and do not believe in this realm. It should be known that it is a grave misunderstanding on their part; as denying the realm of Barzakh is equivalent to denying the reality of death which, according to al-Jibaly, is the ultimate reality that no human being can escape from. It forces everyone to realize the worthlessness of this worldly life and the necessity to prepare for the permanent abode in the next one. It awes and challenges all of their false claims and deviant beliefs. It puts an end to their hopes for prosperity in this life. It transfers them to an intermediate stage of living entirely different from the life in this world.
According to the Islamic etiquette of knowledge, nothing should be discussed about in the religion of Allah without consulting the Qur’an and the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). To understand the correct concept of Barzakh, we are to refer to what Allah and His Messenger (Pbuh) have said about it.
Barzakh literally means "Barrier". It implies the period between Death and the Day of Resurrection, i.e., the day on which all human beings will be brought back to life. The human must have passed through the stage of death before entering to the realm of Barzakh. In an article titled “Islamic Concept of Soul and Barzakh”, the author wrote:
“Death occurs when the soul separates from the human body and enters the realm of ‘Barzakh’, which is the period between one’s death and the Hereafter.”
In addition, it is worth noting that one’s
beliefs and deeds have effect on the separation of one’s soul (i.e, removal of
the soul by the Angels of death) from one’s body. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) said:
“Angels come to the dying person, and if the man was righteous, they say: ‘Come out, O good soul that was in a good body, come out praiseworthy and receive glad tiding of mercy and fragrance and a Lord who is not angry.’ And this is repeated until it comes out before it is taken to the heaven...
But if the man was evil, they say: ‘Come out O evil soul that was in an evil body. Come out blameworthy, and receive the tidings of boiling water and the discharge of dirty wounds, and other torments of similar kind, all together...” (Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Bk 37, No. 4403.)
Furthermore, it is understood from the aforementioned narration that the soul of the dying human will be removed and will be taken to heaven. On the way to heaven, the soul will experience praiseworthiness or blameworthiness from its Lord and Angels, depending on its beliefs and deeds and will be taken back to the earth (that is, returned back to the dead body which has been put into the grave). The soul then begins to experience series of occurrences in that state, which is called the Barzakh. It is also noteworthy here that once the soul enters into the realm of Barzakh, it will neither have a way of returning back to this life, nor will it have a way to make contact with people of this world; as Allah says:
“[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind. “No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.” (Q23:99-100, cited from Saheeh International Translation)
Al-Qurtubi in his Tafseer stated:
“The Barzakh is a barrier between two things. It is the stage between this world and the other world – from the time of death until the time (of) Resurrection. Thus, whoever dies enters the Barzakh.” (Tafseer Qurtubi, vol.12, p.150)
It should be known to the disbelievers (and some deviant Muslims who call upon their righteous dead leaders, saints and ancestors for seeking help and support), that those who are called are incapable of doing a thing for them because Allah has taken away their hearings to hear their calls. Allah says:
“Indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs, retreating.” (Q27:80)
Ibn Jarir at-Tabari explained this verse in his tafseer by saying:
“This is a parable which means, ‘You cannot make these disbelievers understand, because Allah has sealed their hearing, and has taken away their ability to understand the revealed lessons that are recited to them – just as you cannot make the dead understand by giving them hearing, because Allah has taken away their hearing faculty.” (Tafsir at-Tabari)
However, even though the person in state of Barzakh could not make contact with the people of this world, it still experiences some things in his/her grave. What s/he will experience in the state of Barzakh depends on who s/he was during the lifetime. If he was a believer, he will be rewarded and will be happy while if he was a disbeliever, he will be punished and will be sad. In a long narration of al-Bara bin ‘Azib, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“We went out with the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) accompanying the bier of man of the Ansar. When we reached his grave, it was not yet dug. So the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sat down and we also sat down around as if birds were over our heads. He had in his hand a stick with which he was scratching the ground. He then raised his head and said: Seek refuge with Allah from the punishment in the grave. He said it twice or thrice. The spirit of the believer will be restored to his body, two angels of severe reprimand will come to him and shake him. They make him sit up, and ask him, “Who is your Lord?” He will reply, “My Lord is Allah.” They will ask him: “What is your religion? He will reply: My religion is Islam. They will ask him: What is your opinion about the man who was sent on mission among you? He will reply: He is the Messenger of Allah. They will ask: Who made you aware of this? He will reply: I read Allah’s Book, believed in it, and considered it true. A caller will then call from the Heaven, “My servant has spoken the truth; so provide him with furnishings from Jannah; clothe him from Jannah, and open for him a door to Jannah.” Thus he receives provision and perfume from it and his grave is spread to the extent of his eyesight.
He also mentioned the death of the disbeliever, saying: His spirit will be restored to his body, two angels of severe reprimand will come to him and shake him. They will make him sit up, and ask him, “Who is your Lord?” He will reply: “Alas, alas, I do not know!” They will ask him: what is your religion? He will reply: ‘Alas, alas! I do not know!’… Then a caller will call from the Heaven, “He has lied; so provide him with furnishings from the Fire; and open for him a door to the Fire.” Thus its heat and fierce hot wind reach him; and his grave is tightened around him, causing his ribs to break…” (Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others; verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahihul-Jami’ no. 1676)
In conclusion, there are many narrations of the Prophet (pbuh) and writings of the leading Islamic scholars describing the correct concept of Barzakh, which one can read to have adequate knowledge of what is meant by Barzakh. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this piece of write-up will provide an insight to understand the basic, correct concept of Barzakh. And Allah knows best.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Authored by Yusuff Ademola Adesina Edited by Nida Usman
___________________________________________________________________________________________
“Angels come to the dying person, and if the man was righteous, they say: ‘Come out, O good soul that was in a good body, come out praiseworthy and receive glad tiding of mercy and fragrance and a Lord who is not angry.’ And this is repeated until it comes out before it is taken to the heaven...
But if the man was evil, they say: ‘Come out O evil soul that was in an evil body. Come out blameworthy, and receive the tidings of boiling water and the discharge of dirty wounds, and other torments of similar kind, all together...” (Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, recorded in Sunan Ibn Majah, Bk 37, No. 4403.)
Furthermore, it is understood from the aforementioned narration that the soul of the dying human will be removed and will be taken to heaven. On the way to heaven, the soul will experience praiseworthiness or blameworthiness from its Lord and Angels, depending on its beliefs and deeds and will be taken back to the earth (that is, returned back to the dead body which has been put into the grave). The soul then begins to experience series of occurrences in that state, which is called the Barzakh. It is also noteworthy here that once the soul enters into the realm of Barzakh, it will neither have a way of returning back to this life, nor will it have a way to make contact with people of this world; as Allah says:
“[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, “My Lord, send me back that I might do righteousness in that which I left behind. “No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.” (Q23:99-100, cited from Saheeh International Translation)
Al-Qurtubi in his Tafseer stated:
“The Barzakh is a barrier between two things. It is the stage between this world and the other world – from the time of death until the time (of) Resurrection. Thus, whoever dies enters the Barzakh.” (Tafseer Qurtubi, vol.12, p.150)
It should be known to the disbelievers (and some deviant Muslims who call upon their righteous dead leaders, saints and ancestors for seeking help and support), that those who are called are incapable of doing a thing for them because Allah has taken away their hearings to hear their calls. Allah says:
“Indeed, you will not make the dead hear, nor will you make the deaf hear the call when they have turned their backs, retreating.” (Q27:80)
Ibn Jarir at-Tabari explained this verse in his tafseer by saying:
“This is a parable which means, ‘You cannot make these disbelievers understand, because Allah has sealed their hearing, and has taken away their ability to understand the revealed lessons that are recited to them – just as you cannot make the dead understand by giving them hearing, because Allah has taken away their hearing faculty.” (Tafsir at-Tabari)
However, even though the person in state of Barzakh could not make contact with the people of this world, it still experiences some things in his/her grave. What s/he will experience in the state of Barzakh depends on who s/he was during the lifetime. If he was a believer, he will be rewarded and will be happy while if he was a disbeliever, he will be punished and will be sad. In a long narration of al-Bara bin ‘Azib, the Prophet (pbuh) said:
“We went out with the Messenger of Allah (Pbuh) accompanying the bier of man of the Ansar. When we reached his grave, it was not yet dug. So the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) sat down and we also sat down around as if birds were over our heads. He had in his hand a stick with which he was scratching the ground. He then raised his head and said: Seek refuge with Allah from the punishment in the grave. He said it twice or thrice. The spirit of the believer will be restored to his body, two angels of severe reprimand will come to him and shake him. They make him sit up, and ask him, “Who is your Lord?” He will reply, “My Lord is Allah.” They will ask him: “What is your religion? He will reply: My religion is Islam. They will ask him: What is your opinion about the man who was sent on mission among you? He will reply: He is the Messenger of Allah. They will ask: Who made you aware of this? He will reply: I read Allah’s Book, believed in it, and considered it true. A caller will then call from the Heaven, “My servant has spoken the truth; so provide him with furnishings from Jannah; clothe him from Jannah, and open for him a door to Jannah.” Thus he receives provision and perfume from it and his grave is spread to the extent of his eyesight.
He also mentioned the death of the disbeliever, saying: His spirit will be restored to his body, two angels of severe reprimand will come to him and shake him. They will make him sit up, and ask him, “Who is your Lord?” He will reply: “Alas, alas, I do not know!” They will ask him: what is your religion? He will reply: ‘Alas, alas! I do not know!’… Then a caller will call from the Heaven, “He has lied; so provide him with furnishings from the Fire; and open for him a door to the Fire.” Thus its heat and fierce hot wind reach him; and his grave is tightened around him, causing his ribs to break…” (Recorded by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, and others; verified to be authentic by al-Albani (Sahihul-Jami’ no. 1676)
In conclusion, there are many narrations of the Prophet (pbuh) and writings of the leading Islamic scholars describing the correct concept of Barzakh, which one can read to have adequate knowledge of what is meant by Barzakh. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this piece of write-up will provide an insight to understand the basic, correct concept of Barzakh. And Allah knows best.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Authored by Yusuff Ademola Adesina Edited by Nida Usman
___________________________________________________________________________________________
“Perfection belongs to Allah alone; we acknowledge
any mistake or error in this response as ours.”
REFERENCES
Al-Jibali, Muhammad. Life in Barzakh. 2nd
ed. _____: Kitaab &As-Sunnah
Publishing.
Islamic Concept of Soul Barzakh
http://qsep.com/modules.phpname=ilm&d_op=article&sid=250
Life after Death – Barzakh, http://imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=3339
Life after Death – Barzakh, http://imamreza.net/eng/imamreza.php?id=3339
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