According to Islamic belief, the first stage of a person's life after death is the grave, which is called Barzakh. In the Holy Quran, Allah Almighty says:
﴿وَمِنْ وَرَائِهِمْ بَرْزَخٌ إِلٰى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ﴾
Al-Mu'minun 100)
That is, after death, there is a veil (Barzakh) until the Day of Judgment.
When a person is placed in the grave, according to the command of the Holy Prophet ﷺ, two angels, Munkar and Nakir, come and ask him three questions:
Who is your Lord? What is your religion? And who is your Prophet?
(Tirmidhi)
The believer who lives in the world with faith and good deeds, Allah Almighty grants him the ability to answer. His grave is widened, a window to Paradise is opened, and he remains in comfort until the Day of Judgment.
It is mentioned in the Hadith: The grave is either a garden from the gardens of Paradise or a pit from the pits of Hell.
(Tirmidhi)
On the contrary, the person who is involved in disbelief, hypocrisy, or sins, is unable to answer the questions. His grave is narrowed until the ribs enter into each other.
(Musnad Ahmad)
In the Holy Quran, it is said about the family of Pharaoh that they are presented to the fire morning and evening, which is evidence of the torment of the grave.
(Surah Ghafir: 46)
The Holy Prophet ﷺ used to seek refuge from the torment of the grave and taught us to pray for it as well.
(Bukhari, Muslim)
The torment or comfort of the grave is according to deeds, so a Muslim should protect his faith, establish prayer, avoid sins, and do good deeds in abundance, so that the life of the grave may be easy.
May Allah Almighty protect us from the torment of the grave and make the grave a garden of Paradise. Amen.
Mufti Sadiq Amin Qasmi