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:

Do the following physically exist?
Sky.
"Janat" (Paradise).
"Jahnam".
What happens to a dead body and its soul from its death till "Qiamat"?

(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:

Does sky paradise hell physically exist

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.

Ref: Sky

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 31 Surah Luqmaan verses 10-11:

10 He (Allah) created the ‘samawaat’ (heavens) without any pillars that ye can see; He set on the earth mountains standing firm lest it should shake with you; and He scattered through it beasts of all kinds. We send down rain from the sky and produce on the earth every kind of noble creature in pairs.

11 Such is the Creation of Allah! Now show Me what is there that others besides Him have created? Nay, but the transgressors are in manifest error.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 67 Surah Mulk verse 3:

3 He Who created the seven ‘samawaat’ (heavens) one above another; no want of proportion wilt thou see in the Creation of (Allah) Most Gracious; so turn thy vision again: Seest thou any flaw?

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 29:

29 It is He who hath created for you all things that are on earth; moreover His design comprehended the ‘samawaat’ (heavens) for He gave order and perfection to the seven firmaments; and of all things He has Perfect Knowledge.

The Arabic term ‘Sama’ literally means an enormous height or space; and it includes the space of the sky/skies above and all that is contained therein, the sun, the moon, all the heavenly bodies, etc. Without an iota of a doubt, these ‘samas’ or sky/skies or space are amongst the creation of Allah Subhanah and are in physical existence and in absolute obedience to the Laws and Decrees of their Lord Creator, Allah Subhanah.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 17 Surah Israa verse 44:

44 The seven ‘samawaat’ (heavens) and the earth and all beings therein declare His glory: there not a thing but celebrates His Praise; and yet ye understand not how they declare His Glory! Verily He is Oft- Forbearing, Most Forgiving!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 41 Surah Haa Meem verses 11-12:

11 Moreover He Comprehended in His design the ‘sama’ (sky) and it had been (as) smoke: He said to it (the sky) and to the earth: "Come ye together willingly or unwillingly." They (the sky and the earth) said: "We do come (together) in willing obedience."

12 So He completed them (the ‘samawaat’ or heavens) as seven firmaments in Two Days and He assigned to each heaven its duty and command. And We adorned the lower heaven with lights and (provided it) with guard. Such is the Decree of (Him): the Exalted in Might, Full of knowledge.

Ref: Paradise and Hell Fire

To believe in the concept of the Hereafter, Day of Judgment, Paradise and Hell in the absolute ‘unseen’ is indeed amongst the absolutely obligatory articles of faith in Islam; and because the Paradise and the Hell Fire are from amongst the ‘unseen’, their exact state and existence is known to none save Allah Subhanah Alone.

Regarding all matters of the ‘unseen’, the believers are to believe with absolute conviction in only, and we reiterate, only in what the Lord Most Majestic has chosen to inform us about them in His Glorious Quran, or informed us through His appointed Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 100:

100 The vanguard (of Islam), the first of those who forsook (their homes) and of those who gave them aid and (also) those who follow them in (all) good deeds… well pleased is Allah with them as are they with Him: for them hath He prepared Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein for ever: that is the Supreme Felicity.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 9 Surah Taubah verse 88-89:

88 But the Messenger and those who believe with him, strive and fight with their wealth and their persons: for them are (all) good things: and it is they who will prosper.

89 Allah hath prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow to dwell therein: that is the Supreme Felicity.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale-Imraan verse 131:

131 Fear the Fire (of Hell) which is prepared for those who reject faith.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 18 Surah Kahf verses 29-31:

29 Say "The Truth is from your Lord": let him who wills, believe; and let him who wills, reject (it): for the wrongdoers We have prepared a Fire whose (smoke and flames are) like the wall and roof of a tent (which) will hem them in: if they implore relief, they will be granted water like melted brass that will scald their faces! How dreadful the drink! How uncomfortable a couch to recline on!

30 As to those who believe and work righteousness verily We shall not suffer to perish the reward of any who do a (single) righteous deed.

31 For them will be Gardens of Eternity; beneath them rivers will flow; they will be adorned therein with bracelets of gold and they will wear green garments of fine silk and heavy brocade; they will recline therein on raised thrones. How good the recompense! How beautiful a couch to recline on!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 18 Surah Kahf verse 102:

102 Do the Unbelievers think that they can take My servants as protectors besides Me? Verily We have prepared Hell for the disbelievers for (their) entertainment.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4726 Narrated by Abu Hurayrah

The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: ‘When Allah, High and Exalted, created Paradise, He said unto Hadrat Jibrael (a.s.): Go and look at it.’ Jibrael (a.s.) went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy Might, no one who hears of it will fail to enter it!’ He (Allah) then surrounded it with disagreeable things (hardships), and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibrael.’ He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy Might, I am afraid that no one will enter it!’ When Allah created Hell, He said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibrael.’ He went and looked at it, then came and said: ‘O my Lord! By Thy Might, no one who hears of it will (wish to) enter it!’ He then surrounded it with desirable things (temptations) and said: ‘Go and look at it, Jibrael.’ He went, looked at it, then came and said: O my Lord! By Thy Might and Power, I am afraid that no one will remain who does not enter it!’

Sahih Muslim Hadith 6435 Narrated by Aisha

I heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: Don't you know that Allah created the Paradise and He created the Hell and He created the dwellers for Paradise and the denizens for Hell?’

In light of the various passages of the Glorious Quran and the authentic narrations of the Prophets (saws), it would be safe to assume that Paradise and Hell are indeed created, prepared, and in actual existence in the Realms of the ‘unseen’……And Allah Subhanah Alone Knows Best.

Besides, the Majestic and Supreme Lord Creator is not bound in the least by the dimension of time, or to allocate space, or collect or assemble material when He intends to create something….such is the Magnificence of the Lord All-Mighty that when He intends for a thing to come into existence, He merely Commands ‘BE’ and it comes into existence immediately!

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 36 Surah Yaa Seen verse 82:

82 Verily when He (Allah Subhanah) intends a thing, His (only) Command is "Be" and it is!

Your Question: What happens to a dead body and its soul from its death till "Qiamat"?

Dear and Beloved brother, whatever happens to the soul after death in the grave, on the Day of Judgment, etc. is what is known as the knowledge of the ‘unseen’; and none possesses the Knowledge of the ‘unseen’ except Allah Subhanah, the Lord of the Worlds, Alone. Thus to know what exactly transpires after death or in the grave, we must rely on only what is Declared by the All-Knowing Lord in His Glorious Quran, or what Allah Subhanah made known to Prophet Mohamed (saws) through inspiration, and he (saws) narrated it to the believers in his authentic traditions.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 8 Surah Anfaal verses 50-51:

50 If thou couldst 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 27-28

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.

In light of the above guidance of the Glorious Quran, it is evident that the Angels of Allah Subhanah take control of the soul of the deceased. Neither the soul has the power to ‘flee’ from the Angels, nor do the Angels of Allah set these souls free so that they may go where they please; and the Quran guides that the souls are placed in a place called the ‘Barzakh’ until life will be restored again to each by the Lord Most Majestic on the Day of Resurrection.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 23 Muminoon verses 99-103:

99 (In Falsehood will they be) until when death comes to one of them he says: "O my Lord! send me back (to life)

100 In order that I may work righteousness in the things I neglected." By no means! It is but a word he says; before them is a ‘Barzakh’ (Veil or Partition) till the Day they are raised up.

101 Then when the Trumpet is blown, there will be no more relationships between them that day nor will one ask after another!

102 Then those whose balance (of good deeds) is heavy they will attain salvation:

103 But those whose balance is light will be those who have lost their souls; in Hell will they abide.

The literal meaning of the term ‘barzakh’ is something of a barrier or a veil, or something which is kept hidden. In Quranic terminology, the period between one’s death on earth and when one will be granted life again by Allah on the Day of Judgement, is known as ‘Barzakh’.

What happens immediately to the soul of the deceased is narrated in truth by the Messenger of Allah (saws):

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4735 Narrated byAl-Bara' ibn Azib

The Prophet (saws) said: “When a believer is buried in the grave two angels will come to him (Munkar and Nakir, both have dark faces and blue eyes), make him sit up, and ask : ‘Who is your Lord?’ He will reply: ‘My Lord is Allah.’ They will ask him: ‘What is your religion?’ He will reply: ‘My religion is Islam.’ They will ask him: ‘What is your opinion about the man who was sent on a mission among you?’ He will reply: ‘He is the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him).’ They will ask: ‘ Who made you aware of this?’ He will reply: ‘I read Allah's Book, believed in it, and considered it true.’ 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. At the death of the unbeliever his soul will be restored to his body in the grave. Then two angels will come to him. They will make him sit up and ask him: ‘Who is your Lord?’ He will reply: ‘Alas, alas! I do not know.’ They will ask him: ‘What is your religion?’ He will reply: ‘Alas, alas! I do not know.’ They will ask: ‘Who was the man who was sent on a mission among you?’ He will reply: ‘Alas, alas! I do not know.’ Then a crier will call from Heaven: ‘He has lied, so spread a bed for him from Hell, clothe him from Hell, and open for him a door into Hell. Then some of its heat and burning hot wind will come to him, and his grave will be compressed, such that his ribs will be crushed together. An angel who is blind and dumb will then be placed in charge of him, having a sledge-hammer, such that, if a mountain were struck with it, it would become dust. He will give him a blow with it, which will be heard by everything between the east and the west except by men and jinn, and he will become dust. Then his soul will be restored to him (again).

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5352 Narrated by Abu Sa'id

The Prophet (saws) said: "The grave (or the life of the soul between one’s death and one’s resurrection on the Day of Judgment) is one of the Gardens of Paradise, or one of the pits of Hell!"

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