Hadith 124

It is narrated from Al-Bara' ibn 'Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When a believer is placed in his grave, two angels come to him, make him sit up, and ask him: "Who is your Lord?" He replies: "My Lord is Allah." They ask him: "What is your religion?" He replies: "My religion is Islam." They then ask: "Who is this man who was sent among you?" He replies: "He is the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)." They ask: "How do you know this?" He replies: "I read the Book of Allah, believed in it, and affirmed it." This is the meaning of Allah’s saying: "Allah keeps firm those who believe with the firm word" (Surah Ibrahim, 14:27). Then a caller from the heavens proclaims: "My servant has spoken the truth, so spread for him a bed from Paradise, clothe him with garments of Paradise, and open a door for him to Paradise." So its breeze and fragrance reach him, and his grave is expanded as far as his sight can reach. As for the disbeliever, the Prophet (peace be upon him) described his death and said: His soul is returned to his body, and two angels come to him, make him sit up, and ask him: "Who is your Lord?" He replies: "Oh! Oh! I do not know." They ask: "What is your religion?" He replies: "Oh! Oh! I do not know." They ask: "Who is this man who was sent among you?" He replies: "Oh! Oh! I do not know." Then a caller from the heavens proclaims: "He has lied, so spread for him a bed from Hell, clothe him with garments of Hell, and open a door for him to Hell." So its heat and scorching wind reach him. His grave is compressed until his ribs interlock, and a blind and deaf tormentor is appointed for him, holding an iron hammer which, if struck on a mountain, would reduce it to dust. He strikes him with it, and he lets out a scream that is heard by everything between the east and the west, except for humans and jinn. Then he is turned into dust, and his soul is returned to him. [Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud)