Al Barzakh The Realm After Death in Islam

It is the belief ('Aqeedah) of deen that after death, mankind will enter a realm before the day of resurrection, which is known as Aalam-e-Barzakh. There are many sects in Islam who claim to be Muslims but do not believe in Aalam-e-Barzakh.' This is a grave misunderstanding on behalf of these people. Death is the ultimate reality that no human can escape. It awes people and challenges all of their false claims of deviant beliefs. It puts an end to their hopes for prosperity and success in this life. Once there, they have no way of returning to this life.

Allah say's in the noble Qur'aan:

"Until, when death comes to one of them (those who join partners with Allah), he say's, "My lord! Send me back. Perhaps I may do good in that which I have left behind," Indeed no! It is but a word that he speaks, and behind them is a Barzakh until the day when they are raised up."


The discussion regarding Al-Barzakh is only based on authentic text from Allah's book and his messengers Sunnah. It has been mentioned in the Qur'aan and has been established by numerous Ahaadeeth.

Al-Barzakh has two states. A person will either be punished in this realm, which is known, as "Azhaabul-Qabr" or he will receive the blessings and bounties of Allah due to his faith and good deeds, this is known as "Tan'eemu Ahlit-Taa'ah Fil Qabr" in Arabic.

Majority of the books on six Aqeedah only mention the former state and suffice on that. This is due to the fact that the narration regarding six Azhaabul-Qabr exceeds the narrations regarding Tan'eemu Ahlit-Taa'ah Fil Qabr. Also, due to the fact that there are more people who will be punished in the grave than those who shall receive bounties. It is reported in an very lengthy Hadeeth reported by Ahmed and Abu Dawood on the authority of Al-Baraa Bin Azhib, that they (the companions) when out with Allah's messenger to the funeral of a man from the Ansaar.

They reached the location of the grave before it was dug. The messenger of Allah sat down facing the Qibla; and they sat around him quietly, as if afraid to disturb birds standing on their heads. He held in his hand, a stick with which he was moving the earth, raising and lowering his eyes three times. He said to them (two or three times),

"seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave." Then he said (three times), "oh! Allah I seek refuge in you from the punishment of the grave."

From this Hadeeth, we can see that the prophet himself seeked refuge from the punishment of the grave. No human being will be speared from the squeeze of the grave. However, the following Hadeeth indicates that it is not the same degree of severity for all people; some it would be Sa'ad bin Mu'az; however, he was squeezed once then released." (Narrated by At-Tabrani in Al-Kabir).

However those who will receive the bounties and the mercy of Allah will truly be in the gardens of bliss. Although it is apparent that the best protection against punishment in the grave is to carry the truth belief in Allah and avoid the major sins. There are specific things that are mentioned in the Ahaadeeth that protect a person from the punishment of the grave. These things are as follows: Martyrdom on the battlefield (At-Tirmizhi), standing guard in the way of Allah (Muslim), death caused by abdomen disease (At-Tirmizhi), reciting suratul Mulk (Al-Hakim), Dying on Friday (Ahmed and At-Tirmizhi).

Before the two above mentioned, it states that the person will be approached by Munkar and Nakeer.

Be Children of the Hereafter

How easy it is to get caught up in this dunya, to become ensnared by its glitter, to become lured by its temptations, to become captivated by its fleeting enjoyments. A guise covers our eyes, such that we become immersed in this life and seemingly forget the Hereafter. And indeed, insaan (man) forgets of the eternal life that awaits, and the impending judgment that looms large. And insaan forgets death, even while the fact that others are dying while they themselves remain should serve as the ultimate reminder. And insaan forgets of the torment and torture of Hellfire and the eternal bliss and happiness of Paradise as so vividly described in the Qur’aan.

We forget – for if we were cognizant of these realities, aware of them with yaqeen (certainty) and a firm resolution, would we be in such a state of ghaflah (heedlessness) by which our hearts are attached to this world and forgetful of the Hereafter? Indeed it would not be so.

So awaken, oh sleepy ones, awaken from your heedlessness. The akhirah awaits us, death is coming, our graves are ready and our judgment is impending. Our destinations are unknown, so we must strive ever more so towards a good end and race towards the Pleasure of Allaah.

And let us heed the words of ‘Ali radiAllaahu ‘anhu, in which he said:

“The world has departed behind you and ahead of you is the Hereafter. Both of them have children, so be the children of the Hereafter and do not be the children of this world. Today is the day of action with no judgment and tomorrow is the Day of judgment with no action” [Hilyatul Awliyaa]

The Children of the Hereafter look to the akhirah, longing for it fervently; they do not busy themselves with the fictitious escapes of this life, for they bring only temporary happiness. Indeed, that which is better is with your Lord, everlasting bliss for the righteous. So shall we then sell ourselves for the transient pleasures of this life, while forgetting the final destination?

أُوْلَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ اشْتَرُوُاْ الضَّلاَلَةَ بِالْهُدَى فَمَا رَبِحَت تِّجَارَتُهُمْ وَمَا كَانُواْ مُهْتَدِينَ

They are those who have purchased error [in exchange] for guidance, so their transaction was profitless. And they were not guided.

May Allaah ta’ala make us amongst the Children of the Hereafter. Aameen.

A reminder for myself and you.

A Sermon from the Dying to the Living

There once lived in Basrah a prolific and profoundly spiritual worshiper whose fear of the Hereafter caused him to become physically weak, and whose constant crying made him skinny and sick. When he was on his deathbed, his family gathered around him, and they all began to cry.

“Help me sit up.” He said He addressed his father first: “O my father, what is making you cry?”

“My son,” began his father, “I remembered that I will lose you, and that I will be alone after you die.”

The worshipper then turned his gaze towards his mother and said, “O my Mother, what is making you cry?”

“I am crying because I will soon have to taste the bitterness of losing you,” she said.

He then turned to his sister and asked, “What is making you cry?”

“Because I will soon lose out on your kindness and will consequently have to depend on others for help,” she said.

Finally, he looked at his children and asked, “What is making you cry?”

“The prospect of hard and humiliating life of being orphans after you die,” they said. Now it was his trun to cry. “And what is making you cry?” everyone asked.

“I am crying because I saw that each one of you cried for his or her own self, and not for me, he said. Is there none among you who cries for the long, hard journey I am about to embark upon, and the few supplies (i.e. good deeds) that I have for it? Is there none among you who cries because I will be lying down in dirt? Is there none among you who cries because I will be held accountable (and might have to endure punishment)? Is there none among you who cries because of when I will stand before the Lord of all that exists (for judgment)?” He then rolled over onto his face, when they tried to move him they realized that he had just died.

The Grave - Punishments and Blessings

By Husayn al-Awayishah. Question abound about what happens after death. In western societies, in particular, there is a great deal of speculation on these matters. Mulsims, however, have answers to these quetions. Islam tells us what we can expect when we have finally made our exit from this world; we are also given ample guidance as to how we may best prepare ourselves and earn the rewards of Paradise in the Hereafter. In this book the author outlines the Islamic teaching on death and the grave. It is an essential reading for any Muslim who wants to know more about the topic from the authentic sources of Islam.

Click Save as Target

Download

Blessings In The Grave

It has been related from those who used to dig graves that once a grave was dug in some city. In this particular grave a man appeared, sitting on a throne. On seeing this, the grave digger ran and fell unconscious. His companions, not knowing what had happened carried him away.

When night fell, he came round and related the whole incident. Obviously intrigued with what they had heard, the companions requested the man to point out the grave in order that they may experience themselves this unusual phenomena for themselves. He agreed to show them at first light, so his companions lay in wait for daybreak.

That night he saw the same man from the grave in a dream warning him, “I swear by Allah if you show anybody my grave you will receive great punishment” The man awoke sweating and breathless. He realised the location of the grave should not be disclosed.

He repented and refused to show anyone. This angered the people but despite their anger the grave digger would not disclose the site of the grave. They were never to know were the grave was.

The Seven Wonders in Humans

1. Man is aware about his inevitable death, yet he indulges in laughter and merriment.
2. Knowing that this world will come to an end, man still hankers after it.
3. Man knows that everything has been predestined yet he laments over the loss of something.
4. Man has been warned and has the full knowledge about the fire of hell but he continues to sin.
5. Man believes in the Reckoning of the hereafter but still he persists in amassing wealth.
6. Declaring his belief in the Unity and Oneness of Allah, yet man remembers others besides Allah.
7. Man believes in Jannah but still finds pleasure in the idle pursuit of this fleeting world.