THE LIFE OF THE BARZAKH

When a human being dies he moves into another stage of life, the stage of Barzakh (intermediate between this life and the Hereafter). It is the life he spends after death till the Hour when Allah will resurrect people to receive their retribution. Allah (SWT) says: “Until, when death comes to one of them, he says: ‘O my Lord! Send me back (to life) in order that I may work righteousness in what I have neglected.’ By no means! It is but a word that he says. Before them is a Barzakh (barrier) till the time they will be resurrected.” (XXIII: 99-100)

So the grave is either one of the gardens of Paradise or one of the ditches of Hell. Allah’s Messenger (peace upon him) said: “Thus the righteous person sits in his grave neither frightened nor madly scared, while the evil person sits in his grave frightened and madly scared….”[5]

Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) also says: “…Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels visit him and make him sit up and say to him: ‘Who is your Lord?’ He says: ‘My Lord is Allah.’ They then say to him: ‘What religion is yours?’ He says: ‘My religion is Islam.’ They then say to him: ‘What do you think of the man who was raised up among you?’ He says: ‘He is Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him). Then they say to him: ‘What is your knowledge?’ He says: ‘I read the Book of Allah and believed in it and was convinced by it.’ Then a crier from the heaven proclaims: ‘My slave has said the truth. Lay out for him a carpet from Paradise and dress him with a garment from Paradise and open a gate for him leading to Paradise.’ Then there comes to him of its breeze and fragrance; his grave is extended as for as an eye can see. Then a handsome, well-dressed, good-smelled man comes to him and says: ‘Indulge in what pleases you. This is the day you were promised.’ He then says: ‘Who are you, whose face heralds good?’ He then says: ‘I am your good deeds.’ Whereupon he says: ‘O Lord! Let the Hour take place so that I may return to my family and property!’”)…. Then his (the disbeliever’s) soul is returned to his body and two angels visit him and make him sit up and say to him: ‘Who is your Lord?’ He says: ‘Uh! Uh! I don’t know!’ They then say to him: ‘What religion is yours?’ He says: ‘Uh! Uh! I do not know!’ They then say to him: ‘What do you think of the man who was raised up among you?’ He says: ‘Uh! Uh! I do not know!’ Then a crier from the heaven proclaims: ‘He has told lies. Lay out for him a carpet from Hell and dress him with a garment from Hell and open a gate for him leading to Hell.’ Then there comes to him of its heat and scorching wind and his grave is made so narrow that his ribs are mixed up together. Then an ugly, badly dressed, nasty-smelled man comes to him and says: ‘Indulge in what displeases you. This is the day you were promised.’ He then says: ‘Who are you, whose face heralds evil?’ He then says: ‘I am your bad deeds.’ Whereupon he says: ‘O Lord! Let not the Hour take place!’”[6]

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