10 Facts About Death & Resurrection

islamerica

1 Ummah under God
10 Facts About Death & Resurrection


1. Every created thing will taste death eventually. Repentance by the disbeliever is not accepted by God once death approaches.

And We granted not to any human being immortality before you (O Muhammad): then if you die, would they live forever? Everyone is going to taste death, and We shall make a trial of you with evil and with good. And unto Us you will be returned.
(Qur'an, 21:34-35)
And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says: "Now I repent!" Nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them We have prepared a painful torment.
(Qur'an, 4:17-18)

"There is no Deity worthy of worship except Allah. Verily death comes with agonies." (Hadith)

2. Once a person dies, they can never return to this world as a barrier is set between called the 'Barzaqh' (souls do not return as ghosts or spirits, rather they are explained by mischievous Jinn).


Until when death approaches one of them (the polytheists), he says, "My Lord! Send me back, so that I may do good in that which I have left behind!" No! It is but just a word that he speaks; and behind them is a barrier (Barzaqh) until the Day when they will be Resurrected.
(Qur'an, 23:99-100)

3. The Angel of Death is sent to remove the soul from the dead body smoothly (whose soul smells like perfume) from a believer and violently (whose soul stinks) from the disbeliever.


"Verily when the believing slave (of Allah) is at the point of departure from the worldly life, and is about to enter the next life, Angels descend from Heaven. Their faces are white (and bright) like the sun. They carry with them a shroud from the clothes of Paradise, and embalmment from the fragrance of Paradise. They sit away from him at the limit of his eyesight. The Angel of Death then arrives, sits by his head and says, "O good and peaceful soul, depart to Allah's Forgiveness and Pleasure!" On hearing this, the soul leaves the body (as easily) as water pours out from the spout of a water-skin container; and he (the Angel of Death) takes it... there emanates from the soul the best smelling scent of musk perfume that ever existed on the surface of the Earth... And verily, when a disbelieving (or disobedient) slave (of Allah) is at the point of departure from the worldly life, and is about to enter the Hereafter, strong hulking Angels with dark faces descend to him from the Heavens. They bring with them course fabric from the Fire. They sit away from him at the limit of his eyesight. The Angel of Death arrives, sits by his head and says, "O malicious soul, depart to the Wrath and Anger of Allah!" On hearing this, it becomes terrified, and clings to the body; but he extracts it by force, like a thorny skewer is pulled from wet wool, causing the veins and nerves to burst... and from it emanates the most repugnant odor of a decaying cadaver that ever existed on the surface of the Earth." (Hadith)

4. The Angels ascend towards Heaven with the souls and a believer's record is written in a Book called 'Illiyun' (signifying highness), whereas the disbeliever's record is written in a Book called 'Sijjeen' (signifying constriction).


"The Angels then ascend with it (the believer's soul). As they pass by gatherings of Angels, they ask them, "What is this good soul? They (the Angels holding it) reply, "This is so and so, the son (or daughter) of so and so," using the best names with which he had been addressed in the first life. When they reach the lowest Heaven, they ask for permission to enter; and the gates open for them. The most elite (Angels) of each Heaven escort him to the next one, until the soul reaches the Seventh Heaven. (Hadith)

Allah then says, "Write My servants records in Illiyun. And what will make you know what Illiyun is? A Register inscribed. To which bear witness those who are nearest (to Allah, i.e. the Angels).
(Qur'an, 83:18-21).

Thus, the souls records are inscribed in Illiyun (Qur'an, 83:18)

and the Angels are told, "Take him back to the Earth, because I promised them that; from it (Earth) I created them, into it I shall return them, and from it I shall Resurrect them once again."
(Qur'an, 20:55)

He is returned to Earth; and his soul is returned to his body, so that he hears the thumping of his companion's shoes as they walk away from his grave... The Angels then ascend with it (the disbeliever's soul) As they pass by gatherings of Angels, they ask them, "What is this malicious soul? They (the Angels holding it) reply, "This is so and so, the son (or daughter) of so and so," using the worst names with which he had been addressed in the first life. When they reach the lowest Heaven, they ask for permission to enter; and the gates are not opened for him. "For them (the disbelievers), the gates of Heaven will not be opened; and they will not enter
Paradise until the camel goes through the eye of a needle!"(Qur'an, 7:40).

Allah then says, "Write his records in Sijjeen in the lowest Earth." (Qur'an, 83:7).

And the Angels are told, "Take him back to the Earth, because I promised them that; from it (Earth) I created them, into it I shall return them, and from it I shall Resurrect them once again."
(Qur'an, 20:55)

His soul is cast down to Earth without regard; and his soul falls into his body. "As for the one who joins partners with Allah, it is as if he plunges down from the skies, whereupon birds snatch him off, or the wind casts him away to a remote place (away from Allah's Mercy)."
(Qur'an, 22:31)

His soul is restored to his body, so that he hears the thumping of his companion's shoes as they walk away from his grave..."(Hadith)

5. All people are questioned by two Angels called Munkar and Nakeer in their graves, God helps the believers succeed unlike the disbelievers.
"When a dead person is buried, two black and blue Angels come to him. One of them is called Munkar and the other Nakeer..."(Al-Tirmidhi (1071))

"Two Angels of severe reprimand then come to him, and shake him. They make him sit up, and ask him, 'Who is your Lord? What is your religion (Deen)? Who is that man (Prophet) who was sent to you?' And this is the last trial (fitnah) to which a believer is subjected. In this regard Allah says, 'Allah keeps the believers firm with firm words in the first life, and in the last one...'"(Hadith)

6. There is pleasure and vision of Paradise for the believer who looks forward to Resurrection and punishment and vision of Hell for the disbeliever in the grave who fears Resurrection.


"He, (the believer) repeats, "My Lord is Allah, my Religion is Islam, and my Prophet is Muhammad." A caller then calls from the Heavens, "My servant has spoken the truth; so provide him with furnishings from Paradise; clothe him from Paradise; and open for him a door to Paradise." Thus he receives provision and perfume form it; and his grave becomes spacious to the extent of his eyesight... When he sees what is awaiting him in Paradise (of pleasures), he says, "O my Lord! Speed up the arrival of the Hour (of Resurrection), so that I may rejoin my family and my property!"... (As for the disbeliever) A caller calls from Heaven, "He lies! So spread for him 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... He then says, "O my Lord! Do not establish the Hour!"(Hadith)

"Verily, the dead are punished in their graves, and even the animals hear their screaming."(Hadith)

7. The believer has spaciousness and is accompanied by his good deeds comfortably in the grave, whereas the disbeliever is crushed in and accompanied by his bad deeds.

"Before him appears a man with a pleasant face, nice garments and a good smell. He says to him, "I am to give you glad tidings that will please you; tidings of Allah's acceptance, and of gardens of everlasting bliss. This is the day that you have been promised!" He responds, "Glad tidings from Allah be upon you too! Who are you? Your face is one that brings goodness." He says, "I am your good deeds. By Allah, I only knew you quick in obeying Allah, and slow in disobeying Him. May Allah reward you with good... (As for the disbeliever) Before him appears a man with an ugly face, repulsive clothes, and a foul smell; he says, "I am to give you evil tidings that will displease you; this is the day that you have been promised!" He responds, "Evil tidings from Allah be upon you too! Who are you? Your face is one that brings evil." He says, "I am your malicious deeds. By Allah, I only knew you slow in obeying Allah, and quick in disobeying Him. May Allah repay you with evil..."(Hadith)

"(The believers) grave is expanded for him to seventy cubits by seventy, it is illuminated for him and he is told to go to sleep. He says, "Let me return to my people to inform them (about my good condition). But they tell him, "Sleep as does the newly wed person, whom no one awakens except the most beloved member of his family who is nearest to him." (He sleeps like that) until Allah raises him from his resting place..."(Hadith)

"If anyone were to escape from the constriction of the grave, it would have been Saad Ibn Muadh; however he was squeezed once and then released."(Hadith)

8. There are some deeds which may benefit the dead believers in their graves.
"Among the good deeds that continue to benefit a believer after death are: a knowledge that he taught and disseminated, a righteous child who lived after him, a Qur’an book that he left as inheritance, a Mosque that he built, a house that he built for the wayfarers, a stream that he ran, or a charity that he gave from his wealth during his healthy lifetime, so that it would reach him (in rewards) after death."(Hadith)

9. Angel Israfeel is currently poised and will blow the Trumpet once for the annihilation of creation and a second time for the Resurrection and gathering for the Last Day.


And the Trumpet will be blown, and all who are in the Heavens and the Earth will swoon away, except him who Allah Wills. Then it will be blown a second time, and behold they will be standing, looking on (waiting).
(Qur'an, 39:68)

"Since the time when the one who will blow the Trumpet was appointed, his eyes are ever ready, looking towards the Throne, fearing lest the Command be issued before he blinks, as if his eyes are two brilliant stars."(Hadith)

10. People will be raised from their graves barefoot, naked, and in terror, fearing Allah on Judgment Day.

When Aisha (the wife of the Prophet) heard the Messenger of Allah say, "Mankind will be gathered on the Day of Resurrection, barefoot, naked and uncircumcised," she said, "O Messenger of Allah, men and women together, looking at one another?" He said, "O Aisha, it will be too distressing for them to be looking at one another (on that Day)." (Hadith)


 

Kooba

New Member
I question that probably has been answered often, but I was not able to locate a proper response:

Unless I am wrong, it is my understanding that we are to reside in the grave until judgement day, and within the grave we will experience a small taste or either Heaven or Hell.

If we are the ones in a pleasent state, are we going to be with our loved ones that have also passed on, or do we have to wait until after judgement day?

"(The believers) grave is expanded for him to seventy cubits by seventy, it is illuminated for him and he is told to go to sleep. He says, "Let me return to my people to inform them (about my good condition). But they tell him, "Sleep as does the newly wed person, whom no one awakens except the most beloved member of his family who is nearest to him." (He sleeps like that) until Allah raises him from his resting place..."(Hadith)

Clarification of this Hadeeth:

Why are we to sleep if we are already in a alternate state of consciousness, is this a sleep/wake cycle or are we to sleep through until judgement day, and we are to sleep throughout why is it necessary to have an expansive enviroment? (Horizon-to-Horizon)

Or does this mean that this experience would be felt as a dream state, only to be awaken to "reality" once Judgement days comes along?
 

finding light

Ya Rab! Forgive me..
Thank you Sister for the informative post.
I also have a question... There are punishments in the grave for actions which we committed during our lives as Muslims. For example, crushing of the ribs because of not praying salaah. but the above does not cover this. Might we be believers and experience any punishment in the grave?
 

islamerica

1 Ummah under God
I question that probably has been answered often, but I was not able to locate a proper response:

Unless I am wrong, it is my understanding that we are to reside in the grave until judgement day, and within the grave we will experience a small taste or either Heaven or Hell.

If we are the ones in a pleasent state, are we going to be with our loved ones that have also passed on, or do we have to wait until after judgement day?

I don't think that is possible. A grave is your resting place, one which is made comfortable or uncomfortable depending on how you lived. It is in Jannah where everyone will be united.

Clarification of this Hadeeth:

Why are we to sleep if we are already in a alternate state of consciousness, is this a sleep/wake cycle or are we to sleep through until judgement day, and we are to sleep throughout why is it necessary to have an expansive enviroment? (Horizon-to-Horizon)

Or does this mean that this experience would be felt as a dream state, only to be awaken to "reality" once Judgement days comes along?

The life of the deceased in the grave is different from his life in this world; it is a special kind of life in al-barzakh (the interval between his death and the Day of Resurrection) which is not like his life in this world, where he needs food and drink etc.

The nature of al-barzakh is unknown to us, other than what has been told. Only Allah knows how a soul resides there until Resurrection day. We know those whose graves will expand and a window from jannah will open in their graves will be in pleasant state and they will wish Judgment Day comes quickly so they can go to Jannah whose fragrance and warmth they have been feeling from the window. Those whose graves will have window of hellfire opened will hope judgment day never comes because as much as they are punished, what is waiting for them from that other side of the window is far worst.


Thank you Sister for the informative post.
I also have a question... There are punishments in the grave for actions which we committed during our lives as Muslims. For example, crushing of the ribs because of not praying salaah. but the above does not cover this. Might we be believers and experience any punishment in the grave?

Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The grave has squeezing. If anyone were to be saved from it or spared it, Sa’d ibn Mu’aadh would have been spared it.”

The squeezing of the grave is the first thing that happens to the deceased when he is placed in his grave. In the texts it indicates that this is something that happens to everyone who is placed in the grave, and no one is spared it.

Being a believer will not spare you from the punishment of the grave. It will all be based on how sinful you were vs how good you were. Of course the non-Muslims will suffer but Muslims will not be spared either.

You can read more on this at the link below inshallah:

Reasons for the punishment in the grave .


Will the punishment stop or will it be continuous?

The answer is that the punishment in the grave is of two types:


A type which is continuous, apart from what has been narrated in some ahaadeeth which say that it will be reduced during the period between the two blasts of the Trumpet, then when they are raised from their graves, they will say:


“Woe to us! Who has raised us up from our place of sleep.” [Yaa-Seen 36:52 – interpretation of the meaning].


Further evidence that this punishment will be continuous is to be seen in the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):


“The Fire, they are exposed to it, morning and afternoon” [Ghaafir 40:46]



The second kind: which will last for a while, and then stop.


This is the punishment of some sinners whose sins are not so great; they will be punished in accordance with their sins, then the punishment will be reduced, just as they will be punished in the fire then the punishment will end.


The punishment may be stopped by du’aa’, charity, seeking forgiveness or the reward of Hajj – this may reach the deceased from some of his relatives or others.


http://islamqa.com/en/ref/7862
 

Kooba

New Member
The second kind: which will last for a while, and then stop.


This is the punishment of some sinners whose sins are not so great; they will be punished in accordance with their sins, then the punishment will be reduced, just as they will be punished in the fire then the punishment will end.


The punishment may be stopped by du’aa’, charity, seeking forgiveness or the reward of Hajj – this may reach the deceased from some of his relatives or others.

Thank you for the response.

So this last part, this may go in to a slightly different direction but does this also include where people gather in a group to recite the Quran for the deceased? Is this allowed or valid in anyway?

As for the above, charities, Dua'a, Seeking forgiveness, and Hajj, this is to be performed by the relatives, or can it be anyone?

Charity: Would this be say a donation on behalf of the deceased, or would this where you set a donation or charity before you pass away, that keeps on running after you do?

Seeking forgiveness: Can this be asked from the deceased once they are in the grave? Or again is this by relatives and acquaintances?

Hajj: Again can Hajj be performed by anyone for the deceased or does it have to be a certain relative?
 

islamerica

1 Ummah under God
Thank you for the response.

So this last part, this may go in to a slightly different direction but does this also include where people gather in a group to recite the Quran for the deceased? Is this allowed or valid in anyway?

No. There is no basis in Islam of Quran'khaani.

With regard to reading Qur’aan, there is some difference of opinion among the scholars as to whether the reward from that will reach the deceased. According to the more correct of the two opinions, it does not reach them, because there is no evidence to that effect, and because the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did not do that for the Muslims who died, such as his daughters who died during his lifetime, neither did the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them all) did not do that either, as far as we know.

So it is better for the believer not to do that and not to read Qur’aan for either the dead or the living, or to offer salaah or fast voluntarily on their behalf, because there is no evidence for any of these things. The basic principle regarding acts of worship is to refrain from everything except that which is proven to be enjoined by Allaah or by His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

More @ http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/20996


As for the above, charities, Dua'a, Seeking forgiveness, and Hajj, this is to be performed by the relatives, or can it be anyone?

It can be done by anyone.

Charity: Would this be say a donation on behalf of the deceased, or would this where you set a donation or charity before you pass away, that keeps on running after you do?

It could be a general donation now and then or it could be an ongoing charity. A good way to have ongoing charity is to invest on behalf of the dead. For example, you donate for the construction or upkeep of the masjid. So long as that masjid stands, any good deed done in there will benefit the person on whose behalf the donation was made. This is one type of sadaqa jariyah (continuous charity).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "When a person dies, all his deeds come to an end except three: sadaqah jaariyah (ongoing charity, e.g. a waqf or endowment), beneficial knowledge (which he has left behind), or a righteous child who will pray for him." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, no 1376; he said this is a saheeh hasan hadeeth)

Another thing that may reach the deceased is sadaqah (charity) given on his behalf, because ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that a man said to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "My mother has passed away, and if she could have spoken, she would have given something in charity. Will she receive a reward if I give something on her behalf?" He said, "Yes." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, Fath, 1388)


Seeking forgiveness: Can this be asked from the deceased once they are in the grave? Or again is this by relatives and acquaintances?

You can't ask the dead for anything, once they are dead they have broken all connections with the living. So you can't ask the dead to forgive you or something but rather you can ask Allah to forgiven them.

Prayers for forgiveness offered by both sons and daughters of the deceased bring great benefits, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "A man’s status will be raised in Paradise and he will ask, ‘How did I get here?’ He will be told, ‘By your son’s du’aa’s (prayers) for forgiveness for you." (Reported by Ibn Maajah, no 3660; see also Saheeh al-Jaami’, 1617)


Hajj: Again can Hajj be performed by anyone for the deceased or does it have to be a certain relative?

Anyone can give in charity, make dua, seek forgiveness for the dead or do hajj on the behalf of the dead. The closer you are in kin, the more right you have on doing it but otherwise anyone can do it.
 
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