I came to `Aisha while she was praying, and said to her, "What has happened to the people?" She
pointed out towards the sky. (I looked towards the mosque), and saw the people offering the prayer.
Aisha said, "Subhan Allah." I said to her, "Is there a sign?" She nodded with her head meaning, "Yes."
I, too, then stood (for the prayer of eclipse) till I became (nearly) unconscious and later on I poured
water on my head. After the prayer, the Prophet (ﷺ) praised and glorified Allah and then said,
"Just now at this place I have seen what I have never seen before, including Paradise and Hell. No
doubt it has been inspired to me that you will be put to trials in your graves and these trials will be like
the trials of Masih-ad-Dajjal or nearly like it (the sub narrator is not sure which expression Asma'
used). You will be asked, 'What do you know about this man (the Prophet (ﷺ) Muhammad)?' Then the
faithful believer (or Asma' said a similar word) will reply, 'He is Muhammad Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) who had
come to us with clear evidences and guidance and so we accepted his teachings and followed him.
And he is Muhammad.' And he will repeat it thrice. Then the angels will say to him, 'Sleep in peace as
we have come to know that you were a faithful believer.' On the other hand, a hypocrite or a doubtful
person will reply, 'I do not know, but I heard the people saying something and so I said it.' (the same).
"
Narrated by Narrated Asma':
Context
Asma' visits Aisha while she is praying and notices the people standing in prayer due to a celestial event. Aisha indicates that it is a sign, prompting Asma' to join the prayer. The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) later speaks about the trials believers will face in their graves, emphasizing the importance of faith and knowledge of him. This hadith underscores the significance of prayer and the trials of the afterlife.
Modern Application
In daily salah and moments of dhikr, Muslims can reflect on the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ) and the trials mentioned in this hadith. This encourages believers to strengthen their faith and knowledge, preparing them for the challenges they may face.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Day of Judgment and Prayer because it discusses both the importance of prayer during significant events and the trials believers will face in the afterlife.
And when Moses arrived at Our appointed time and his Lord spoke to him, he said, "My Lord, show me [Yourself] that I may look at You." [Allah] said, "You will not see Me, but look at the mountain; if it should remain in place, then you will see Me." But when his Lord appeared to the mountain, He rendered it level, and Moses fell unconscious. And when he awoke, he said, "Exalted are You! I have repented to You, and I am the first of the believers."
Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such [trial] has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until [even their] messenger and those who believed with him said, "When is the help of Allah?" Unquestionably, the help of Allah is near.
And when the bearer of good tidings arrived, he cast it over his face, and he returned [once again] seeing. He said, "Did I not tell you that I know from Allah that which you do not know?"
Certainly has Allah showed to His Messenger the vision in truth. You will surely enter al-Masjid al-Haram, if Allah wills, in safety, with your heads shaved and [hair] shortened, not fearing [anyone]. He knew what you did not know and has arranged before that a conquest near [at hand].