Al-Bara' ibn Azib (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: We went out with the Prophet (ﷺ) for the funeral of a man from the Ansar. When we reached the grave, it had not yet been dug. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) sat down, and we sat around him as if birds were perched on our heads. In his hand was a stick with which he was tapping the ground. He raised his head and said, "Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the grave," two or three times. Then he said, "When a believing servant is about to depart from this world and enter the Hereafter, angels with white faces descend from the heavens. Their faces are as bright as the sun, and they bring with them a shroud from Paradise and embalming perfume from Paradise. They sit as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits at the head of the dying person and says, 'O pure soul, come out to forgiveness and pleasure from Allah.' The soul then flows out like a drop of water flowing from a waterskin. The Angel of Death takes it, and they do not leave it in his hand for even a moment before placing it in the shroud and perfume. A fragrance like the finest musk on earth emanates from it. They ascend with it, and whenever they pass by a group of angels, they ask, 'Who is this pure soul?' They reply, 'So-and-so, the son of so-and-so,' using the best names he was called in the world. They continue until they reach the lowest heaven and request it to be opened for them, and it is opened. The angels of each heaven accompany it to the next until it reaches the seventh heaven. Allah, the Exalted, says, 'Record the book of My servant in Illiyyin and return him to the earth, for I created them from it, and to it I will return them, and from it I will bring them forth again.' The soul is then returned to the body, and two angels come to him, sit him up, and ask, 'Who is your Lord?' He replies, 'Allah is my Lord.' They ask, 'What is your religion?' He replies, 'My religion is Islam.' They ask, 'Who is this man who was sent among you?' He replies, 'He is the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ).' They ask, 'What is your knowledge?' He replies, 'I read the Book of Allah, believed in it, and affirmed it.' A caller from heaven announces, 'My servant has spoken the truth. Spread for him from Paradise, clothe him from Paradise, and open for him a gate to Paradise.' He is then enveloped by its breeze and fragrance, and his grave is expanded as far as the eye can see. A man with a handsome face, beautiful clothes, and a pleasant fragrance comes to him and says, 'Receive the glad tidings that please you. This is your day that you were promised.' He asks, 'Who are you? Your face brings good news.' The man replies, 'I am your good deeds.' He then says, 'O Lord, hasten the Hour so that I may return to my family and wealth.'
When a disbelieving servant is about to depart from this world and enter the Hereafter, angels with dark faces descend from the heavens, wearing coarse garments. They sit as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death comes and sits at the head of the dying person and says, 'O foul soul, come out to the wrath and anger of Allah.' The soul is then dispersed throughout the body and is extracted like a skewer is pulled from wet wool. The Angel of Death takes it, and they do not leave it in his hand for even a moment before placing it in the coarse garments. A stench like the foulest corpse on earth emanates from it. They ascend with it, and whenever they pass by a group of angels, they ask, 'Who is this foul soul?' They reply, 'So-and-so, the son of so-and-so,' using the worst names he was called in the world. They continue until they reach the lowest heaven and request it to be opened for them, but it is not opened. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) then recited, 'The gates of heaven will not be opened for them, nor will they enter Paradise until a camel passes through the eye of a needle' (Qur'an 7:40). Allah, the Exalted, says, 'Record his book in Sijjin in the lowest earth.' His soul is then cast down, and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) recited, 'And whoever associates others with Allah, it is as though he had fallen from the sky and was snatched by the birds or blown away by the wind to a far-off place' (Qur'an 22:31). The soul is then returned to the body, and two angels come to him, sit him up, and ask, 'Who is your Lord?' He replies, 'Hah, hah, I do not know.' They ask, 'What is your religion?' He replies, 'Hah, hah, I do not know.' They ask, 'Who is this man who was sent among you?' He replies, 'Hah, hah, I do not know.' A caller from heaven announces, 'He has lied. Spread for him from Hell, and open for him a gate to Hell.' He is then enveloped by its heat and scorching winds, and his grave is constricted until his ribs are crushed together. A man with an ugly face, filthy clothes, and a foul stench comes to him and says, 'Receive the tidings that displease you. This is your day that you were promised.' He asks, 'Who are you? Your face brings bad news.' The man replies, 'I am your evil deeds.' He then says, 'O Lord, do not hasten the Hour.'"
In another narration, it is added: "When the soul of a believer is taken, every angel between the heavens and the earth and every angel in the heavens prays for him, and the gates of heaven are opened for him. There is no gatekeeper who does not pray to Allah that his soul be taken through their gate. When the soul of a disbeliever is taken, it is extracted along with his veins, and every angel between the heavens and the earth and every angel in the heavens curses him. The gates of heaven are closed, and there is no gatekeeper who does not pray to Allah that his soul not be taken through their gate." [Narrated by Ahmad, Abu Dawud in his Sunan, Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, Ibn Abi Shaybah in his Musannaf, Al-Bayhaqi in Kitab 'Adhab al-Qabr, At-Tayalisi and 'Abd
1 in their Mustadraks, Hannad ibn As-Sari in Az-Zuhd, Ibn Jarir, Ibn Abi Hatim, and others through authentic chains. Mi'rak said, "The hadith of Ahmad is a good hadith."
Commentary and footnotes (3)
Note 1
(1) His statement: "Prompt your dying ones to say: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ..." It is said in Ad-Durr al-Mukhtar: "It is recommended to prompt them, and some say it is obligatory, with the testimony of faith (Shahadah), because the first part is not accepted without the second. This should be done before the death rattle, without being commanded, so as not to cause distress. If they say it once, it suffices, and it should not be repeated unless they speak, so that their last words are: 'La ilaha illallah.' It is also recommended to recite Surah Ya-Sin and Surah Ar-Ra'd. Prompting should not be done after shrouding, but if done, it is not prohibited. In Al-Jawharah, it is mentioned that this is a practice of the Sunnis, and it suffices to say: 'O so-and-so, son of so-and-so, remember what you were upon, and say: I am pleased with Allah as my Lord, with Islam as my religion, and with Muhammad (ﷺ) as my Prophet.' It was said: 'O Messenger of Allah, what if his name is not known?' He said: 'Refer him to Adam and Eve.' Those who are not questioned (e.g., martyrs) should not be prompted." In Radd al-Muhtar, it is elaborated that the majority hold the view that the dead can hear, and it is mentioned in Sharh al-Munyah that the majority interpret the hadith metaphorically. However, it is not prohibited to prompt after burial because there is no harm in it; rather, it is beneficial, as the deceased finds comfort in the remembrance, as mentioned in various narrations. It is also mentioned that eight categories of people are not questioned: the martyr, the one guarding the frontier, the one who dies of plague, the one who dies during a plague while being patient and hopeful, the truthful believer, children, the one who dies on Friday or its night, and the one who regularly recites Surah Al-Mulk. Some also include those who recite Surah As-Sajdah and Surah Al-Ikhlas during their illness. The commentator also added that the Prophets (peace be upon them) are included, as they are more deserving than the truthful believers.
Note 1
(۱) قوله : لقنوا موتاكم إلخ : قال في الدر المختار»: ويلقن ندبًا، وقيل: وجوبا بذكر الشهادتين؛ لأن الأولى لا تقبل بدون الثانية عنده قبل الغرغرة من غير أمره بها؛ لئلا يضجر، وإذا قالها مرَّةً كفاه، ولا يكرر عليه ما لم يتكلم؛ ليكون آخر كلامه: «لا إله إلا الله». ويندب قراءة «يس» و «الرعد». ولا يُلقن بعد تلحيده، وإن فعل لا ينهى عنه. وفي «الجوهرة»: أنه مشروع عند أهل السنة، ويكفي قوله: يا فلان يا ابن فلان اذكر ما كنت عليه، وقل: رضيت بالله ربا، وبالإسلام دينا، وبمحمد ﷺ نبيًّا». قيل: يا رسول الله ! فإن لم يعرف اسمه قال: ينسب إلى آدم وحواء، ومن لا يُسأل ينبغي أن لا يلقن انتهى. وقال في رد المحتار: وقد أطال في «الفتح» في تأييد حمل موتاكم في الحديث على حقيقته مع التوفيق بين الأدلة، على أن الميت يسمع أو لا، لكن قال في شرح المنية»: إن الجمهور على أن المراد منه مجازه، ثم قال: وإنما لا ينهى عن التلقين بعد الدفن؛ لأنه لا ضرر فيه، بل فيه نفع؛ فإن الميت يستأنس بالذكر على ما ورد في الآثار إلخ. ثم ذكر أن من لا يُسأل ثمانية: الشهيد والمرابط والمطعون والميت زمن الطاعون بغيره إذا كان صابرا محتسبا والصديق والأطفال والميت يوم الجمعة أو ليلتها والقارئ كل ليلة تبارك الملك، وبعضهم ضم إليها السجدة، والقارئ في مرض موته قل هو الله أحد. وأشار الشارح إلى أنه يزاد الأنبياء عليهم السلام؛ لأنهم أولى من الصديقين.
Note 1
ف: درمختار میں مذکور ہے کہ اس طرح تلقین کرنا مستحب ہے اور بعضوں نے اس کو واجب بھی قرار دیا ہے، مرنے والے کو کلمۂ توحید پڑھنے کا حکم نہ کرے کہ وہ سکرات کی تکلیف کی وجہ سے کہیں انکار نہ کردے، اگر مرنے والا ایک دفعہ کلمۂ توحید پڑھ لے تو دوبارہ اس کو کلمۂ توحید پڑھنے پر اصرار نہ کرے ہاں اگر وہ کلمۂ توحید پڑھنے کے بعد دنیا کی کوئی بات کیا ہو تو اس کے سامنے پھر کلمۂ توحید پڑھتے تاکہ وہ اس کو سن کر خود بھی کلمۂ توحید پڑھ لے اور اس کا آخر کلام ”لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ“ ہوا یہاں ہی دفن کے بعد بھی قبر کے پاس بیٹھ کر کلمۂ توحید ”لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ“، آواز سے پڑھنا اہل السنّت والجماعت کے پاس جائز ہے جیسا کہ جوہرہ میں مذکور ہے، اس لئے کہ مردہ اس کو سنتا ہے اور اس کو فرشتوں کے سوال و جواب دینے میں سہولت ہوتی ہے، قبر کے پاس بیٹھ کر تلقین ان الفاظ سے کی جائے: ”يَا فُلَانُ يَا ابْنَ فُلَانٍ اُذْكُرْ مَا كُنْتَ عَلَيْهِ وَقُلْ رَضِيتُ بِاللّٰهِ رَبًّا وَّ بِالْإِسْلَامِ دِينًا وَّبِسَيِّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ نَبِيًّا“۔ یعنی مردہ کا نام اور اس کے باپ کا نام لے کر یہ کہے کہ دنیا میں جیسے تو توحید اور رسالت کا اقرار کیا کرتا تھا، اب بھی فرشتوں کے سامنے توحید و رسالت کا اقرار کر (ڈرنا نہیں، کچھ غمزدہ نہیں ہونا اسی طرح کہنا کہ میں دل سے راضی ہوں کہ اللہ میرا رب ہے اور دین میرا اسلام ہے اور رسول میرے حضرت محمد صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم ہیں۔ تلقین کرنے والے سے جب مردہ یہ سنتا ہے اور یہی فرشتوں کو جواب دینا چاہتا ہے تو فرشتے کہتے ہیں اس کے بھائی نے اس کو سکھا دیا ہے، اب اس سے پوچھنے کی ضرورت نہیں، ایسا درمختار میں مذکور ہے اور امام سیوطی نے اپنے رسالہ میں ایسی ہی تصریح کی ہے اور جوہرہ میں یہ بھی مذکور ہے کہ قبر میں جن سے سوال نہیں ہوتا ہے ان کو تلقین نہیں کرنا چاہئے اور شرح سنیہ میں لکھا ہے کہ جن سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا وہ آٹھ لوگ ہیں: (1) ایک اللہ کی راہ میں کافروں کے مقابلہ میں لڑکر شہید ہونے والا۔ (2) دوسرا وہ شخص ہے جو سرحد اسلام پر سرحد کی حفاظت کر رہا ہے اور وہ اپنی موت سے مر گیا تو اس سے بھی قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا ہے (3) تیسرا شخص جس سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا وہ ہے جو طاعون میں مبتلا ہوکر مرے (4) چوتھا وہ شخص جس سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا ہے وہ ہے جو طاعون کے زمانہ میں کسی دوسری بیماری میں مبتلا ہوکر مرے بشرطیکہ وہ اس پر صابر اور طالب ثواب رہا ہو (5) پانچویں وہ لوگ جن سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا وہ صدیق ہیں جو انبیاء کرام کی امت میں سب سے زیادہ درجہ کے ہوتے ہیں، جن میں کمال باطنی بھی ہوتا ہے اور جن کو عرف میں اولیاء کہا جاتا ہے (6) چھٹے نابالغ بچے ہیں جن سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا ہے (7) ساتویں وہ لوگ ہیں جو جمعہ کے دن یا شب جمعہ مرے ہوں، ان سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا (8) آٹھواں وہ شخص جس سے قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا وہ ہے جو ہر رات میں سونے سے پہلے سورۃ ا لملک (سورۃ تبارک الذی) پڑھ کر سوتا ہو اور بعض علماء فرماتے ہیں کہ وہ شخص جو اپنے مرض الموت میں سورہ ”قل ہو اللہ احد“ پڑھا ہو، اس سے بھی قبر میں سوال نہیں ہوتا ہے۔ 12