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:

Salaamun alaikum

my question is regarding the matters of the grave. i read ur answers u provided in this link

http://www.islamhelpline.com/view_answers.asp?QAID=13289

im in a little confusion..according to what is explained in all the ahadeeth, once a believer answers the 3 questions correctly, the following will happen:

“…..Then a crier will call from Heaven: ‘My servant has spoken the truth. So spread a bed for him from Paradise, clothe him from Paradise, and open a door for him into Paradise.’ Then some of its air and perfume will come to him, and a space will be made for him as far as the eye can see…..’

(and you explained further that) `Such a fortunate person would remain in this state of bliss, peace, calm, and security until the Day of Resurrection.`

But according to this hadeeth in the same link:

Fiqh-us-Sunnah Fiqh 1.19b

Bukhari and Muslim report from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (saws) passed by two graves and said, "Both of them are being tortured in their graves, and they are not being tortured for a major sin. This one used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other used to slander (among the people to rouse hostilities, e.g., one goes to a person and tells him that so-and-so says about him such-and-such evil things).”

my question is, what if a believer, after he dies, answers the 3 questions correctly.. But, he has also committed minor sins in this world. will he not be tortured in the grave for these sins such as those in the latter hadeeth. If he hasnt repented in this world for those sins, but has answered the quesions asked my munkar and nakeer in the grave, will he be forgiven by Allah and blessed with the priviledges provided to a believer in the grave?

Jazakallau Khair

May Allah reward you for your good work.Plz keep mailing me your wonderful answers mashaAllah.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Punishment for minor sins in grave

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 4 Surah Nisaa verse 31:

31 If ye (but) eschew the most heinous (Kabair or Major Sins) of the things which ye are forbidden to do, We shall expel out of you (or forgive) all the evil in you and admit you to a Gate of Great Honor.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 14 Surah Ibraheem verse 27:

27 Allah will establish in strength those who believe with the Word (Laa ilaaha illalaah) that stands firm in this world and in the Hereafter; but Allah will leave to stray those who do wrong: Allah doeth what He Willeth.

Dear and beloved sister in Islam, in light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, there is enough evidence for the believers to hope and believe that if they answer the three all-important questions of Munkar and Nakeer in the graves perfectly, they will remain in a state of bliss, peace, calm and security until the Day of Resurrection as promised to them by Allah and His Messenger (saws).

Ref: Bukhari and Muslim report from Ibn Abbas that the Prophet (saws) passed by two graves and said, "Both of them are being tortured in their graves, and they are not being tortured for a major sin. This one used not to save himself from being soiled with his urine, and the other used to slander (among the people to rouse hostilities, e.g., one goes to a person and tells him that so-and-so says about him such-and-such evil things).”

The vast majority of the scholars are of the opinion that the two deceased mentioned in the above authentic hadith, whom the Messenger of Allah (saws) said were being tortured in their graves were not believers but were disbelievers.

If one studies the wordings of the above hadeeth, one will realize that these disbelievers were being tortured in their graves, not for any major sin (yet), but only for their minor sins of impurity, slander, and back-biting. If Allah Wills, He may make them taste a part of the torture for their major sin of disbelief in their graves, but their real and everlasting punishment for their major sin of disbelief will be prescribed to them only in the Hereafter.

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.”

Thus it is only in accordance with the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah that those that die in disbelief, will be accountable for their every mis-deed, minor and major ….from their graves until their final destination of Hell Fire as promised to them by their Lord Most High, Most Majestic and His Messengers.

Your Question: my question is, what if a believer, after he dies, answers the 3 questions correctly.. But, he has also committed minor sins in this world. will he not be tortured in the grave for these sins such as those in the latter hadeeth.
If he hasnt repented in this world for those sins, but has answered the quesions asked my munkar and nakeer in the grave, will he be forgiven by Allah and blessed with the priviledges provided to a believer in the grave?

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5352 (part) Narrated by Abu Sa'id

The Prophet (saws) said: "The grave is one of the gardens of Paradise, or one of the pits of Hell."

Beloved Sister in Islam, in light of the guidance of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) the grave is either one of two: either it is one of the blessed Gardens of Paradise, or one of the pits of Hell!

Thus if a believer answers the three questions posed by Munkar and Nakeer in their graves perfectly, it is expected that Allah Subhanah will overlook their minor sins and make their grave one amongst the Gardens of Paradise.

But for those who are unable to answer any of the three questions posed by Munkar and Nakeer in their graves perfectly, their torture starts from the moment their souls are taken until they reach their final destination as promised to them by Allah and His Messengers.

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:

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.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 132 Narrated by Uthman ibn Affan

The Prophet (saws) said: “Verily the grave is the first step in the stages of the Hereafter. If one finds salvation at this stage, the succeeding stages become easy for him. And if he does not find salvation at this stage, what follows this stage is very hard upon him. I have never seen a site more horrible than that of the grave.”

Our beloved and respected Sister in Islam, may Allah save you, us, and all the believers from the affliction of the grave and seek His refuge from the torment of the Hell Fire…..and in absolute and total fear, and awe, and in abject humility and in ardent hope implore our Lord Most Gracious Most Merciful to save the believers in the same words and manner as used by our beloved Messenger (saws):

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 8.387 Narrated by Aisha

The Prophet (saws) would pray, "O Allah! I seek refuge with You from the affliction of the Fire, and the punishment in the Fire, and affliction of the grave, and the affliction of wealth, and the affliction of poverty, and the affliction of Al-Masih Ad-Dajjal."

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

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan