Assalamualaikum Respected Mufti Saheb can you please tell me about the trials of the grave?Jazakallah Khair.may Allah reward you for your good work.

According to the Aqaaid (beliefs) of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah`, Adhaabul Qabr (punishment in the grave) is Haqq (true and established). (Sharhul Aqaaid)

That (punishment of the grave) is proven from the Qur'aan and Ahaadith. Allah Ta'ala discusses the punishment given to Fir'awn. He says, 'The fire is given to them in the morning and evening and on the day of judgement.' The fire before the day of judgment refers to the punishment in the grave. (Ibid)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'When a person is buried and the people go away, two angels approach the deceased and ask three questions, a) Who is your lord? b) What is your religion? and c) Who is he (Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam))?. A believer will answer all three questions and he will be honoured with the clothing of Jannah. the window of Jannah will be opened for him and he will enjoy the sight of Jannah. On the contrary, a disbeliever will express regret at not being able to answer the questions. Upon that, an angel who is blind and deaf is appointed to punish him. Blind so that the angel does not see the punishment and feel mercy and deaf so that the punishment is not heard. The hammer used to punish a disbeliever is so heavy that it can reduce a mountain to dust. The disbeliever screams with pain and every creation can hear him besides human and Jinns.' (Mishkaat)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The grave is a garden of paradise or a pit of hell.' (Ibid)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'It has been revealed to me that the trial in the grave is similar to the trial of Dajjaal.' (Tirmidhi)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'If you are made to listen to the punishment in the grave, you will stop burying your deceased.' (Tirmidhi)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) advised, 'Seek protection from the punishment of the grave.' (Ibid)

In one Hadith, two reasons have been cited for the punishment in the grave: a) Not exercising precaution from the splashes of urine drops, b) Gossiping.

It was the noble habit of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) to make Du'aa in Salaat for protection from the punishment of the grave. May Allah Ta'ala save us, our families and the entire Ummah from the trials of the Qabr.

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.