The Messenger of Allah said: "When the deceased - or he said when one of you - is buried, two angels, black and blue (eyed_ come to him. One of them is called Al-Munkar, and the other An-Nakir. They say: 'What did you used to say about this man?' So he says what he was saying (before death) 'He is Allah's slave and His Messenger. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.' So they say: 'We knew that you would say this.' Then his grave is expanded to seventy by seventy cubits, then it is illuminated for him. Then it is said to him: 'Sleep.' So he said: 'Can I return to my family to inform them?' They say: 'Sleep as a newlywed, whom none awakens but the dearest of his family.' Until Allah resurrects him from his resting place.""If he was a hypocrite he would say: 'I heard people saying something, so I said the same; I do not know.' So they said: 'We knew you would say that.' So the earth is told: 'Constrict him.' So it constricts around him, squeezing his ribs together. He continues being punished like that until Allah resurrects him from his resting place."
Narrated by Abu Hurairah narrated that:
Context
This hadith narrates the experience of the deceased after burial, where two angels, Al-Munkar and An-Nakir, question the individual about their faith. The response determines their fate in the afterlife, illustrating the significance of one's beliefs and actions during their lifetime. This hadith serves as a reminder of accountability and the consequences of one's beliefs.
Modern Application
In contemporary society, this hadith can inspire individuals to reflect on their beliefs and actions, emphasizing the importance of living a life aligned with one's values. It encourages mindfulness about one's faith and the legacy left behind.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Day of Judgment and Afterlife because it addresses the accountability of individuals after death and the consequences of their beliefs.
They will say, "O woe to us! Who has raised us up from our sleeping place?" [The reply will be], "This is what the Most Merciful had promised, and the messengers told the truth."
Indeed, those whom the angels take [in death] while wronging themselves - [the angels] will say, "In what [condition] were you?" They will say, "We were oppressed in the land." The angels will say, "Was not the earth of Allah spacious [enough] for you to emigrate therein?" For those, their refuge is Hell - and evil it is as a destination.
O you who have believed, testimony [should be taken] among you when death approaches one of you at the time of bequest - [that of] two just men from among you or two others from outside if you are traveling through the land and the disaster of death should strike you. Detain them after the prayer and let them both swear by Allah if you doubt [their testimony, saying], "We will not exchange our oath for a price, even if he should be a near relative, and we will not withhold the testimony of Allah. Indeed, we would then be of the sinful."
This hadith is #1073 from Jami` at-Tirmidhi, in the Book of The Book on Jana''iz (Funerals). It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Hurairah narrated that:.