بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
Allah’s Name to commence with, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
The World of Barzakh Explained
Between this world and the Hereafter lies another world known as Barzakh.
The Quran says: وَمِن وَرَآئِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَىٰ يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ (And in front of them is a barrier until the day in which they will be raised).
Parah: 18, Surah: 23, Verse No: 100
After death and before the Day of Resurrection, all humans and jinn dwell in this world based on their statuses. This world is vastly greater than the earthly world. The relationship between the world and Barzakh is similar to that between the mother’s womb and the world: while some experience comfort in Barzakh, others endure suffering.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Book on the Description of the Day of Judgment, Chapter on the Hadith: “Increase in the remembrance of the destroyer of pleasures,” Hadith 2468, Volume 4, Page 9.
“Indeed, the grave is either one of the gardens of Paradise or one of the pits of Hellfire.”
Belief: Fixed Lifespan
Every person’s lifespan is fixed, with no possibility of increase or decrease. The Quran says:
فَإِذَا جَآءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَـْٔخِرُونَ سَاعَةًۭ ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ (Then, when their promise (i.e.,the time of death or punishment) will come they will not (be able to) turn back (from it) for a moment nor go forward.)
Parah: 14, Surah: 16, Verse No:61
When the appointed time of life ends, Hazrat Azrael (peace be upon him), the Angel of Death, comes to take the soul.
۞ قُلْ يَتَوَفَّىٰكُم مَّلَكُ ٱلْمَوْتِ ٱلَّذِى وُكِّلَ بِكُمْ ثُمَّ إِلَىٰ رَبِّكُمْ تُرْجَعُونَ (Say you (O Beloved), ‘The angel of death, who is appointed over you, causes you to die and then towards your Lord you will return’).
Parah: 21, Surah: 32, Verse No: 11
At that moment, the person can see angels as far as the eye can reach. Angels of mercy surround a Muslim, while angels of punishment encircle a disbeliever.
Belief: Truth of Faith at Death
At the time of death, the truth of Islam becomes clearer than the light of the sun, Allah says in the Holy Quran:
فَلَمَّا رَأَوْا۟ بَأْسَنَا قَالُوٓا۟ ءَامَنَّا بِٱللَّهِ وَحْدَهُۥ وَكَفَرْنَا بِمَا كُنَّا بِهِۦ مُشْرِكِينَ فَلَمْ يَكُ يَنفَعُهُمْ إِيمَـٰنُهُمْ لَمَّا رَأَوْا۟ بَأْسَنَا ۖ سُنَّتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى قَدْ خَلَتْ فِى عِبَادِهِۦ ۖ وَخَسِرَ هُنَالِكَ ٱلْكَـٰفِرُونَ (So, when they saw Our punishment, they said, ‘We believed in One Allah and rejected those whom we ascribed with Him. ‘So, their (invalid) faith did not benefit them when they saw Our punishment; the tradition of Allah which has passed amongst His bondsmen (that the act of believing is not valid at the time of punishment), and there the disbelievers remained in loss.)
Parah: 24, Surah: 40, Verse No: 84-85
However, faith is not accepted at this point, as faith is valid only when based on the unseen. Once the unseen becomes apparent, the opportunity for faith ends.
Belief: Connection Between Soul and Body
Even after death, the soul retains its connection with the body. Though separated from the body, the soul is aware of and affected by whatever happens to it. This connection is even stronger than during life. In the earthly life, sensations like cool water, soft bedding, or delicious food are experienced by the body, but the soul feels pleasure or pain. In Barzakh, these sensations are more profound.
Belief: Muslim Souls’ Abodes
After death, Muslim souls occupy different stations based on their rank:
- Some remain near their graves.
- Others reside at the sacred well of Zamzam.
- Some are suspended between the heavens and the earth.
- Some stay in the first, second, or seventh heaven.
- Others soar beyond the heavens or reside beneath the Divine Throne in sacred lamps.
- Some souls dwell in ‘Illiyyin.
Regardless of their location, the soul maintains its connection with the body. It can recognize and hear visitors at its grave. This connection is not limited to the grave, as described in a hadith where the soul is likened to a bird freed from its cage.
The scholars explain:
“Pure souls, when freed from bodily ties, connect with the celestial world and see and hear everything as if they were present there.”
Hadith Reference
Sharh al-Sudur, Chapter on the Virtues of Death, Page 13.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
“When a believer dies, their path is opened, and they can roam wherever they wish.”
By Ibn Abi Shaybah, Book of Asceticism, Sayings of Abdullah ibn Amr, Hadith 10, Volume 8, Page 189.
Shah Abdul Aziz (may Allah have mercy on him) stated:
Fatawa Razaviya Volume 29, Page No: 545, with reference to Fatawa Aziziya
“For the soul, physical proximity or distance holds no significance.”
The Souls of Disbelievers
Impure souls of disbelievers also reside in various locations:
- Some remain near their graves or cremation sites.
- Others are in Bahrut, a pit in Yemen.
- Some stay on the first, second, or seventh level of the earth.
- The lowest souls are confined in Sijjin, a place of torment.
Despite their confinement, they can recognize and hear those who pass by their graves or cremation sites. However, they lack freedom of movement as they are imprisoned.
Belief: Refutation of Reincarnation
The belief that a soul enters another body—human or animal—known as Tanasukh or reincarnation, is false and baseless. Believing in such notions constitutes disbelief (Kufr).
Belief: The Eternity of the Soul: Death signifies the separation of the soul from the body, not the destruction of the soul. Denying the soul’s permanence is considered heresy.
Belief: The dead speak, and all creatures except humans and jinn hear their speech.
Belief: The Squeezing of the Grave: When a deceased person is buried, the grave squeezes them. For a Muslim, this embrace is gentle, like a mother lovingly hugging her child. For a disbeliever, the squeeze is so severe that their ribs interlock and cross over.
Belief: The Arrival of Munkar and Nakir
After burial, as people leave the gravesite, the deceased hears their footsteps. At that moment, two fearsome angels, Munkar and Nakir, arrive. Their terrifying appearance includes:
- Black bodies,
- Enormous eyes like burning cauldrons,
- Hair covering them from head to toe,
- They come with long, sharp teeth tearing through the ground.
They wake the deceased roughly and ask questions in a stern, thunderous voice.
The Three Questions of the Grave
- Who is your Lord?
The Muslim replies: “My Lord is Allah.” - What is your religion?
The Muslim answers: “My religion is Islam.” - What did you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)?
The Muslim responds: “He is the Messenger of Allah.”
When asked how they know this, they reply:
“I read Allah’s Book, believed in it, and affirmed its truth.”
Narrations About the Events in the Grave
It is narrated that after the deceased answers the questions of the grave correctly, the angels will say, “We already knew you would answer this way.” At that moment, a caller from the heavens will announce, “My servant has spoken the truth. Spread for him a bedding of Paradise, clothe him in garments of Paradise, and open the door to Paradise for him.”
From this door, the breezes and fragrances of Paradise will continue to come to him. His grave will be expanded as far as his sight can reach, and it will be said to him, “Sleep as a bridegroom sleeps.”
This experience is general for the chosen ones and for the common believers whom Allah wills. However, the extent of the grave’s expansion varies based on the individual’s rank. For some, it may be seventy by seventy cubits, while for others, it may stretch as far as the eye can see.
For sinners, however, there will be punishment in the grave proportionate to their sins. Eventually, through the intercession of spiritual leaders, religious scholars, saints, or purely by Allah’s mercy, they will be saved whenever Allah will.
Some scholars say that the punishment of the grave for sinful believers lasts until the night of Friday, and with the arrival of Friday, it is lifted. Allah knows best.
Special Protection on Friday and Ramadan
It is established through hadith that any Muslim who dies on the night or day of Friday, or during any day or night of the blessed month of Ramadan, will be protected from the questioning of Munkar and Nakir and the punishment of the grave.
The Vision of Heaven and Hell
When it is said that the deceased will have a window to Paradise opened, it will first happen as follows:
- A window to Hell will be opened on their left side, exposing them to its scorching heat, flames, and foul smell. However, this will immediately be closed.
- Then, a window to Paradise will be opened on their right side, and they will be told, “If you had failed to answer these questions correctly, this (Hell) would have been your abode. But now, this (Paradise) is yours.” This is so the individual recognizes the immense blessing of their Lord, who saved them from such a severe punishment and granted them such a great reward.
For the hypocrite, the process will be the opposite.
- First, a window to Paradise will open, allowing them to experience its fragrance, coolness, and comfort. However, it will then be closed.
- Afterward, a window to Hell will be opened, and they will be told, “If you had answered correctly, this (Paradise) would have been yours. But because of your actions, this (Hell) is now your abode.”
This contrast will intensify the hypocrite’s regret, as they will realize what they lost by rejecting the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) or by showing even the slightest disrespect toward his exalted status.
The Hypocrite’s Response
If the deceased is a hypocrite, they will respond to the questions of the grave by saying:
“Alas! I do not know.”
“I used to hear people saying something, and I used to repeat it.”
At that moment, a caller from the heavens will proclaim: “This person is a liar. Spread for them a bedding of fire, clothe them in garments of fire, and open the door to Hell for them.”
Punishment of the Grave
- The heat and flames from Hell will reach the hypocrite, and two angels will be assigned to punish them. These angels are blind and deaf, incapable of being moved by cries or pleas.
- They will carry iron hammers so heavy that if struck on a mountain, it would turn to dust. The hypocrite will be beaten with these hammers repeatedly.
- Snakes and scorpions will also torment them.
- Additionally, the hypocrite’s evil deeds will take the form of terrifying animals, such as wolves or other creatures, to harm and punish them. Conversely, the good deeds of righteous believers will appear as beloved and beautiful forms to provide them comfort.
Belief: The Reality of Punishment and Reward in the Grave
- The punishment of the grave is real, as is the comfort of the grave. Allah says in the Quran:
ٱلنَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّۭا وَعَشِيًّۭا (The fire upon which they are presented in the morning and the evening (in their graves)
Parah: 24, Surah: 40, Verse: 46
- Both punishment and comfort affect the soul and the body. Even if the body decays, burns, or turns to dust, its essential elements remain until the Day of Judgment. These elements, known as Ajb al-Dhanab (the tailbone), are so minute that they cannot be seen even with microscopes. They cannot be burned by fire, nor decomposed by the earth. They act as the seed of the body.
Resurrection of the Body
On the Day of Judgment, the soul will be reunited with the same body, not a different one. Changes such as growth or decay do not mean the body has changed. For example, a child grows into an adult, or a person becomes frail during illness and recovers. These changes do not make them a different person.
Similarly, on the Day of Resurrection, Allah will gather the scattered particles of the body, reconstruct it in its original form, and send the soul back into it. This process is called Hashr (Resurrection). Denying the punishment and comfort of the grave is considered a deviation from true belief.
Punishment Without Burial
If a deceased person is not buried but left exposed, they will still face questioning and receive punishment or reward wherever they are. Even if devoured by an animal, such as a lion, the questioning, punishment, or reward will occur in the remains of the body.
Special Status of Prophets, Saints, and the Righteous
- The bodies of prophets, saints, pious scholars, martyrs, and those who memorized and practiced the Qur’an are not consumed by the earth.
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَن يُقْتَلُ فِى سَبِيلِ ٱللَّهِ أَمْوَٰتٌۢ ۚ بَلْ أَحْيَآءٌۭ وَلَـٰكِن لَّا تَشْعُرُونَ (And those who are slain in the path of Allah, do not say they are dead; rather, they are alive. Yes; you are not aware (that martyrs are alive).
Parah: 2, Surah: 2, Verse No: 154
- Those who dedicated themselves to sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are also protected.
- Anyone who utters the vile statement that prophets are reduced to dust after death is misguided, impious, and guilty of blasphemy.
FAQs Section
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of Barzakh?
Barzakh is an intermediate realm between this world and the Hereafter where all souls reside after death and before the Day of Resurrection.
What is the relationship between the earthly world and Barzakh?
The relationship between this world and Barzakh is similar to that between the mother’s womb and this world. Barzakh is far more expansive than the earthly world.
What happens to a person’s soul immediately after death?
Upon death, the soul is taken by the Angel of Death, Hazrat Azrael (peace be upon him). Muslims are surrounded by angels of mercy, while disbelievers are encircled by angels of punishment. The soul then transitions to the realm of Barzakh, where it remains until the Day of Resurrection.
Do souls in Barzakh remain connected to their bodies?
Yes, even after death, the soul maintains a connection with its body. Though separated, the soul is aware of and affected by whatever happens to the body, such as the conditions of the grave or any other form of existence.
What are the abodes of Muslim souls in Barzakh?
Muslim souls dwell in various places according to their status, including:
Near their graves.
At the sacred well of Zamzam.
Between the heavens and the earth.
On different levels of heaven.
Under the Divine Throne (Arsh) in sacred lamps.
In ‘Illiyyin, the highest station.What happens to disbelievers’ souls in Barzakh?
The souls of disbelievers occupy different locations, such as:
Near their graves or cremation sites.
In Bahrut, a pit in Yemen.
On different levels of the earth.
The lowest souls are confined in Sijjin, a place of torment in Hell.Is reincarnation or Tanasukh (soul entering another body) a valid belief?
No, the belief in reincarnation or Tanasukh is false and baseless in Islam. Believing in such notions constitutes disbelief (Kufr).
Do the dead speak in their graves?
Yes, the dead can speak, and all creatures except humans and jinn can hear their speech.
What is the squeezing of the grave?
When a person is buried, the grave squeezes them. For a believer, this is gentle and loving, akin to a mother hugging her child. For a disbeliever, the squeeze is so severe that it causes their ribs to interlock and cross over.
Who are Munkar and Nakir?
Munkar and Nakir are two fearsome angels who visit the deceased in their grave to question them about their faith. They have terrifying appearances, including black bodies, enormous fiery eyes, and sharp teeth.
What questions are asked in the grave?
The deceased are asked three key questions:
Who is your Lord?
(The believer replies: “My Lord is Allah.”)
What is your religion?
(The believer replies: “My religion is Islam.”)
What did you say about this man (Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him)?
(The believer replies: “He is the Messenger of Allah.”)What happens to believers who answer the questions correctly?
A caller from the heavens announces, “My servant has spoken the truth.” The following blessings are then granted:
A bedding of Paradise is spread for them.
They are clothed in garments of Paradise.
A window to Paradise is opened, allowing its fragrance and breezes to reach them.
Their grave is expanded as far as their sight can reach.
They are told to sleep in peace like a bridegroom.What happens to hypocrites who fail the questions?
For hypocrites and disbelievers, the following occurs:
They are unable to answer the questions, saying, “Alas! I do not know.”
A caller from the heavens announces, “This person is a liar.”
A bedding of fire is spread for them.
They are clothed in garments of fire.
A window to Hell is opened, and its heat and flames reach them.
Blind and deaf angels strike them with iron hammers repeatedly.Are there special protections for those who die on Fridays or during Ramadan?
Yes, it is established through hadith that any Muslim who dies on the night or day of Friday, or during any day or night in Ramadan, is protected from the questioning of Munkar and Nakir and the punishment of the grave.
What is the vision of Heaven and Hell in the grave?
Believers are shown both Heaven and Hell. First, a window to Hell is opened to show them what they were saved from, followed by a window to Paradise, which is now their abode. For hypocrites, this process is reversed, increasing their regret and despair.
Are the punishment and rewards in the grave real?
Yes, both the punishment and rewards in the grave are real. They affect the soul and the body, even if the body decays, burns, or turns to dust.
How does resurrection occur on the Day of Judgment?
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will gather the scattered particles of the body, reconstruct it in its original form, and send the soul back into it. This process is called Hashr (Resurrection).
What happens if the deceased is not buried?
If a person is not buried or is devoured by an animal, the questioning, punishment, or reward will still occur wherever their remains exist, even inside the animal’s body.
Are the bodies of prophets and righteous individuals preserved?
Yes, the bodies of prophets, saints, pious scholars, martyrs, and those who dedicated themselves to sending blessings upon the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are not consumed by the earth.
What is the significance of Ajb al-Dhanab (tailbone)?
The Ajb al-Dhanab is the indestructible part of the body that remains until the Day of Judgment. It serves as the seed from which the body will be reconstructed during resurrection.
What is the punishment for disrespecting prophets?
Uttering the vile statement that prophets turn to dust after death is considered a grave act of disrespect, and the person is deemed misguided, impious, and guilty of blasphemy.
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