Question:
There are people who believe that there is no such thing as the punishment of the grave for it is not mentioned in the Quran. Are there evidences supporting the existence of the punishment of the grave?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
It is true that there is no direct statement of the punishment of the grave in the Quran, but there are indications of the existence of it in the verses of the Quran. This is supported with the commentaries of scholars and mufassiruun. Among the verses are:
First: Allah SWT state:
فَوَقَىٰهُ ٱللَّهُ سَيِّـَٔاتِ مَا مَكَرُوا۟ ۖوَحَاقَ بِـَٔالِ فِرْعَوْنَ سُوٓءُ ٱلْعَذَابِ ﴿٤٥﴾ ٱلنَّارُ يُعْرَضُونَ عَلَيْهَا غُدُوًّا وَعَشِيًّا ۖ وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوٓا۟ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ ٱلْعَذَابِ
So, Allah protected him from the evils they plotted, and the people of Pharaoh were enveloped by the worst of punishment - The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], "Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment."
Surah Ghafir (45-46)
Sayyid Qutub said: The above verse mentions that the people of Pharaoh are punished in the morning and evening for a duration amount of time after death before the day of Judgement. This may be the punishment of the grave for after that the Quran says:
وَيَوْمَ تَقُومُ ٱلسَّاعَةُ أَدْخِلُوٓا۟ ءَالَ فِرْعَوْنَ أَشَدَّ ٱلْعَذَابِ
“And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], "Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment.”
Surah Ghafir (46)
The above verse explains the punishment before the day of Judgement is a form of severe punishment. They are punished with hell in the morning and evening. When commenting on the above verse, Imam al-Qurtubi said, Mujahid, Ikrimah, Muqatil and Muhammad bin Ka’ab said that this verse proves the existence of the punishment of the grave in this world.
Furthermore, in Takmilah Adhwa’ al-Bayan, a book written by Syeikh Atiyyah Salim, he said the above verse is a clear evidence in the Quran indicating the existence of the punishment of the grave.
Second: Allah SWT state:
يُثَبِّتُ ٱللَّهُ ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ بِٱلْقَوْلِ ٱلثَّابِتِ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا وَفِى ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ ۖ وَيُضِلُّ ٱللَّهُ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ ۚ وَيَفْعَلُ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ
“Allah keeps firm those who believe, with the firm word, in worldly life and in the Hereafter. And Allah sends astray the wrongdoers. And Allah does what He wills.”
Surah Ibrahim (27)
Ibnu Kathir when commenting on the above verse mentioned a hadith narrated by Ahmad Ibn Hanbal where the Prophet PBUH said: “Ask for protection from Allah SWT from the punishment of the grave.” Al-Sabuni in Sofwah al-Tafasir stated: “Allah SWT set their stand on the phrase of tawhid of لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ الله and their faith in their lives so that they are not misguided or confused, while in the hereafter, Allah SWT has set that they are asked by angels in their graves.” Abu al-Laith al-Samarqandi Rahimahullah in Tanbih al-Ghafilin said: “The determinations are made in three times:
- When witnessing the angel of death
- When answering the questions of Munkar and Nakir
- When facing hisab (scale/balance) in the hereafter
The determinations made when witnessing the angel of death is based on three matters:
- Protected from disbelief, receive taufiq and consistent on his tawhid and died as a Muslim.
- Protected by the angels and receive blessings.
- Is able to see his place in paradise.
The determinations in the grave are of three matters, which are:
- Blessed with the ability to answer the questions asked.
- Removal of the feelings of fearfulness and nervousness.
- Is able to see his place in paradise and his grave becomes one of the gardens of paradise.
As for the determinations when faced with hisab, it is also based on three matters:
- Blessed with the ability to answer the questions asked with correct answers.
- His hisab is lightened and made easy.
- His sins are forgiven.
There are also those who said that the determinations are made four times:
- During death.
- In the grave until he is able to answer the questions without fear or nervousness.
- During hisab.
- When crossing the Bridge of Sirat as fast as lightning.
Third: Allah SWT state:
سَنُعَذِّبُهُم مَّرَّتَيْنِ ثُمَّ يُرَدُّونَ إِلَىٰ عَذَابٍ عَظِيمٍ
“We will punish them twice [in this world]; then they will be returned to a great punishment.”
Surah al-Taubah (101)
Here, we include the opinions stated by Ibn Kathir:
- Mujahid said: “It is a form of murder and arrest.”
- In another narration, it is said: It is a form of famine and punishment of the grave, where they are then returned to a greater punishment.
- Ibnu Jurair said: It is the punishment in this world and the punishment of the grave, then they are returned to a greater punishment.
- Abdurrahman ibn Zaid said: “As for the punishment in this world, it is in the form of wealth and children.”
Sayyid Qutub said: “They will be punished twice in this world. The closer commentary regarding twice the punishment is the punishment of feeling anxious, restless and fearful of others learning of their wrongdoings. And the punishment when facing death, where their souls are asked, faces and bottoms are hit by the angel. Or it is the punishment of regret and humiliation for the success of the Muslims and the punishment of being afraid that their secrets and hypocrisy are exposed and faced with a great war.”
Fourth: Allah SWT state:
وَلَوْ تَرَىٰٓ إِذِ ٱلظَّـٰلِمُونَ فِى غَمَرَٰتِ ٱلْمَوْتِ وَٱلْمَلَـٰٓئِكَةُ بَاسِطُوٓا۟ أَيْدِيهِمْ أَخْرِجُوٓا۟ أَنفُسَكُمُ ۖ ٱلْيَوْمَ تُجْزَوْنَ عَذَابَ ٱلْهُونِ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تَقُولُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ غَيْرَ ٱلْحَقِّ وَكُنتُمْ عَنْ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ تَسْتَكْبِرُونَ
“And if you could but see when the wrongdoers are in the overwhelming pangs of death while the angels extend their hands, [saying], "Discharge your souls! Today you will be awarded the punishment of [extreme] humiliation for what you used to say against Allah other than the truth and [that] you were, toward His verses, being arrogant."
Surah al-An’am (93)
Ibnu Kathir presented several opinions as the following:
- Adh-Dhahak and Abu Solih are of the opinion that the angels stretched out their hands, which means hit/strike.
- Ibnu Kathir commented that when the disbelievers are facing death (near death/sakaratul al-maut), then the angel will bring bad news in the form of punishment, shackles, chain, hell, boiling water and the wrath of Allah SWT, that is why his soul is distressed and refused to leave his body. Then, the angel will strike it, until the soul exits the body.
- The evidence of the existence of the punishment of the grave from the above verse is Allah SWT tell that they will be punished with a humiliating punishment on the day. If the humiliating punishment refers to the punishment of hell and will be delayed until the day of Judgement, then it is inaccurate for Allah SWT stated in the verse: “Today you will be awarded the punishment,” Hence, it should be explained as the punishment of the grave.
- Sayyid Qutub said: “The scenario painted by the Quran to depict the punishment that the tyrants or disbelievers will receive is horrible, torturous and dreadful. The word Ghamarat (غمرات) “sufferings” depicts the anguish, while the angel punishes them with blows, claiming their souls threatening them to leave their bodies.”
Fifth: Allah SWT state:
وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَن ذِكْرِى فَإِنَّ لَهُۥ مَعِيشَةً ضَنكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُۥ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ أَعْمَىٰ
And whoever turns away from My remembrance - indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind."
Surah Taha (124)
Al-Mawardi in his book al-Nukat wa al-U’yun said, Abu Said al-Khudri RA and Ibn Mas’ud RA stated the meaning of the above verse is the punishment of the grave. Depressed life stated in the verse explains the punishment of the grave. It is explained as the punishment of the grave considering the verse that followed it, which states:
وَلَعَذَابُ ٱلْءَاخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَىٰٓ
“And the punishment of the Hereafter is more severe and more enduring.”
Surah Taha (127)
This means that the depressed life will happen before the punishment of the hereafter. Thus, the depressed life before the hereafter is explained as the punishment of the grave in the realm of barzakh. However, from among the two, which one is accurate?
If the depressed life is explained as the life in this world, surely everyone that turns away from Allah SWT’s guidance will lead a depressed life. While the reality shows that the disbelievers live in more comfort and luxury than some of the believers.
Then, the depressed life which explains the punishment of the grave is the accurate explanation. This istinbat is stated by Imam al-Tabari in his commentary. This is in accordance with a hadith from Abu Hurairah RA, where the Prophet PBUH said: “Do you know to whom this verse is revealed to: indeed, he will have a depressed life, and We will gather him on the Day of Resurrection blind. Do you know the meaning of depressed life? They answered: Allah and His Messenger know better. The Prophet PBUH then said: It is the punishment for the disbelievers in their graves.” Narrated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (3122)
Sixth: From Ali bin Abi Talib RA, he said: People doubt the punishment of the grave until the following statement of Allah SWT is revealed:
أَلْهَىٰكُمُ ٱلتَّكَاثُرُ ﴿١﴾ حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ ﴿٢﴾كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٣﴾ثُمَّ كَلَّا سَوْفَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٤﴾
“Competition in [worldly] increase diverts you. Until you visit the graveyards. No! You are going to know. Then no! You are going to know.”
Surah al-Takathur (1-4)
Athar of Ali bin Abi Talib narrated by al-Tirmizi (3355). He evaluate it as ‘gharib’ which means a weak (dhaif) hadith. It is also evaluated as ‘dhaif sanad’ by al-Albani in Dhaif Sunan Tirmizi (1/438)
Al-Qurtubi said: “This surah includes matters regarding the punishment of the grave and indeed, we have stated in the book al-Tazkirah that believing in it (the punishment of the grave) is obligatory and acknowledging it is a must. Following what is known as the truth, which is Allah SWT is the one who revive a mukallaf slave in his grave with his intellect still intact the same as when he was alive and able to comprehend and answer the questions asked of him. He will be able to understand what his God prepared for him, whether it is an honour or a humiliation. This is the madhhab of Ahli Sunnah wa al-Jamaah.”
Seventh: Allah SWT state:
مِّمَّا خَطِيٓـَٔـٰتِهِمْ أُغْرِقُوا۟ فَأُدْخِلُوا۟ نَارًا فَلَمْ يَجِدُوا۟ لَهُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ أَنصَارًا
“Because of their sins they were drowned and put into the Fire, and they found not for themselves besides Allah [any] helpers.”
Surah Nuh (25)
Syed Qutub presented two opinions, among the punishments of the grave meant in the verse may be the punishment of the grave in a short duration of time between this world and the hereafter. Imam al-Qurtubi cited the opinion of Imam al-Qusyairi who said: “This proves the existence of the punishment of the grave.”
The evidence that indicates the word ‘fire’ in the verse refers to the punishment of the grave and not hellfire. Allah SWT state that they are thrown into hellfire as soon as they are buried. This is understood from the letter fa’ (ف) which means in accordance with the order with the nearest length of time. If the word ‘fire’ is defined as the fire of hell, then the usage of the letter fa’ (ف) is abrogated according to the Arabic language.
Eighth: Allah SWT state:
وَإِنَّ لِلَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا۟ عَذَابًا دُونَ ذَٰلِكَ وَلَـٰكِنَّ أَكْثَرَهُمْ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
“And indeed, for those who have wronged is a punishment before that, but most of them do not know.”
Surah al-Thur (47)
There are numerous opinions of scholars regarding the above verse. Among their opinions are that the punishment is before death. According to Ibn Zaid’s opinion, all calamities in this world, such as famine, illness, disaster, and loss of property and children.
While Mujahid commented on the verse saying, it means famine or hardship for seven years. Ibn Abbas narrated two opinions from it; the first meaning is their killing in the war of Badar and the second opinion of Ibn Abbas state that it means the punishment of the grave. This is supported by al-Barra’ bin Azib and Ali bin Abi Talib.
Ninth: Allah SWT state:
فَذَرْهُمْ حَتَّىٰ يُلَـٰقُوا۟ يَوْمَهُمُ ٱلَّذِى فِيهِ يُصْعَقُونَ
“So, leave them until they meet their Day in which they will be struck insensible,”
Surah al-Thur (45)
According to the evidence of the Quran and hadith, we found that the punishment of the grave cannot be rejected. To support this argument, we would like to explain several logical reasoning for it, among them are:
- The realms experienced by humans is different between when one is dreaming and when he is awake. The same for the realm of dreams with other realms. Likewise, for when one is living and when one is dead, of which the realm of the dead is also known as barzakh or the realm of the grave.
- Humans experienced different feelings even when they are in the same place, for they have different souls, surroundings and internal situations. For example, if a person is sleeping in a certain place and another person sleeps in the same place as he is, both of them may experience different dreams.
- The human mind is able to differentiate whether an incident is good or bad according to their intellect or spiritual compass, not solely depending on the physical world. This matter is clear when we see some people are very happy while others are suffering.