Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As salamu alaikum,
I have an uncle who doesnt believe in the punishment of grave. He reads the tafsir of the quran and says it doesnt mention that anywhere. I know we`re supposed to obey ALLAH and his rasool(saw) but how do I explain that to him? Also I vaguely remember reading (Things that negate the shahadh by abdul wahhab) that whoever denies partly or wholly the hadith of rasoolALLAH(saw) has fallen out of the fold of islam!
Please explain coz I cant stand the way he talks and I dont even know if I shud initiate the salaam since he is out of islam.

Jazakallahu khairan

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Answer:

Punishment of grave from Quran

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Statement: I have an uncle who doesnt believe in the punishment of grave. He reads the tafsir of the quran and says it doesnt mention that anywhere.

There are several and explicit references to the punishment of the Hereafter all over the Quran. Although most of the references of the punishment of the graves are declared by the Messenger of Allah (saws) in the authentic narrations, there are a few references in the Quran regarding the severe punishment of the evil-doers in the period between their death and the Day of Resurrection.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 40 Surah Mumin verses 45-46:

45 At last, Allah saved the believer from all those evil plots that the people devised against him, and the companions of Pharaoh themselves were encompassed by the horrible scourge.

46 It is the Fire of Hell before which they are presented morning and evening. And when the Hour of Resurrection comes, it will be commanded: “Admit the People of Pharaoh to the severest torment.”

In the above Aayah of Surah Mumin it is absolutely clear that the Fire of Hell that is presented to the People of Pharaoh morning and evening is from amongst the punishment between their death and the Day of Resurrection.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 8 Surah Anfaal verses 49-51:

49 Lo! the hypocrites say and those in whose hearts is a disease: "these people--their religion has misled them." But if any trust in Allah, behold! Allah is Exalted in Might, Wise.

50 If thou couldst (only) see when the Angels take the souls of the unbelievers (at death) (how) they smite their faces and their backs (saying): "Taste the penalty of the blazing fire.

51 because of (the deeds) which your (own) hands sent forth: for Allah is never unjust to His servants:

In the above Aayahs of Surah Anfaal, it is clearly declared that the Angels of Allah punish the disbelievers immediately after taking their souls at their times of death. This is again proof that the punishment between one’s death and the Day of Resurrection warned by the Messenger of Allah (saws) is absolutely in accordance with the guidance of the Glorious Quran.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 47 Surah Muhammad verses 25-28:

25 Those who turn back as apostates after Guidance was clearly shown to them, the Shaytaan has instigated them and buoyed them up with false hopes.

26 This because they said to those who hate what Allah has Revealed "We will obey you in part of (this) matter"; but Allah knows their (inner) secrets.

27 But how (will it be) when the Angels take their souls at death, and smite their faces and their backs?

28 This because they followed that which called forth the Wrath of Allah, and they hated Allah's good pleasure; so He made their deeds of no effect.

Your Statement: I know we`re supposed to obey ALLAH and his rasool(saw) but how do I explain that to him?

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisa verse 79-80: We have sent you (O Mohamed) as a Messenger to mankind, and Allah’s witness suffices for this. Whoever obeys the Messenger, in fact obeys Allah, and whoever turns away from him, he will be accountable for his deeds. Anyhow, we have not sent you (O Mohamed) to be a guardian over them.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imran verse 31-32: O Prophet, tell the people, “If you sincerely love Allah, follow me. Then Allah will love you and forgive you your sins, for He is All Forgiving, All Merciful.” Also say to them, “Obey Allah and His Messenger.” And if, in spite of this, they do not accept your invitation, warn them that Allah does not love those, who refuse to obey Him and His Messenger.

Your Statement: Also I vaguely remember reading (Things that negate the shahadh by abdul wahhab) that whoever denies partly or wholly the hadith of rasoolALLAH(saw) has fallen out of the fold of islam!
Indeed, to profess belief and unconditional obedience to the Last Messenger of Allah, Mohamed ar-Rasool Allah (saws) is a vital ingredient and an obligatory condition of ‘emaan’ or faith. If one openly declares that he does not believe in the Prophet Mohamed (saws) as the Last and Final Messenger of Allah (saws), or if one openly declares that he refuses to unconditionally obey and follow the Messenger of Allah (saws), etc., indeed such a person would leave the fold of Islam and be considered an apostate.

But if a person sincerely believes in Prophet Mohamed (saws) as the Last and Final Messenger of Allah (saws), and is sincerely willing to unconditionally obey and follow the teachings and guidance of the Messenger of Allah (saws); but has a doubt on the authenticity of a particular hadith or narration, or says with knowledge and evidence that so and so hadith is weak or fabricated, there is absolutely no harm. Such an act does not constitute a legal basis for his leaving the fold of Islam in any way.

Thus it all depends on what is the intention and condition of the individual. If one openly professes disbelief and disobedience and refuses to follow everything said and done by the Messenger of Allah (saws), then indeed he would leave the fold of Islam and will be considered an apostate.

Your Statement: Please explain coz I cant stand the way he talks and I dont even know if I shud initiate the salaam since he is out of islam.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2526 Narrated by Anas ibn Malik

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Three things are the roots of faith: to refrain from (killing) a person who utters, "There is no god but Allah" and not to declare him unbeliever whatever sin he commits, and not to excommunicate him from Islam for his any action.’

Beloved and dear Brother in Islam, it is evident from your letter that your love for Allah and His Messenger (saws) transcends the love for even your closest relatives. May Allah Subhanah increase your love and your respect for Allah and His Messenger (saws) and May Allah Subhanah reward you generously for your intentions.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 1.13 Narrated by Abu Huraira

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "By Him in Whose Hands my life is, none of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father and his children."

My beloved and dear Brother in Islam, it is absolutely imperative that before we declare someone an apostate and out of the fold of Islam, we must do a thorough investigation regarding the person. Unless and until the person himself does not verbally and openly profess or refuse to believe in Prophet Mohamed (saws) as the Last and Final Messenger of Allah (saws), or openly and verbally declare his refusal to unconditionally obey and follow Prophet Mohamed (saws), he should not and cannot be declared an apostate!

If you uncle has a mis-understanding on the authentic narrations of the Prophet Mohamed (saws) regarding the punishment of the grave, it may be that when you show him the above quoted Aayahs of the Glorious Quran, he might change his opinion, Insha Allah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan