The Concept of Death in Islam:
Every religion has its beliefs. Being the followers of Islam, we believe that everybody has to die, one time or another. Once we are dead, we will only be resurrected at the
day of Judgment. When we die, according to Islamic principles, we are given a burial. Our bodies are laid to rest in our graves. Once, in the grave, we are visited by angels who ask us several questions regarding our faith. Based on whatever we had been doing in our wodly lives, accordingly would be our grave’s environment.
If whatever we had been doing in our worldly lives was good not evil, then our graves would also reflect that good things. It would be spacious and pleasant, and Allah’s blessings would continue even in the grave. However, we did more bad than good, then our graves would be unpleasant, creeping with insects, snakes, scorpions, etc. What we are doing in life that we are living today, will determine the future of our life hereafter.
Sins and Forgiveness:
All of us commit sins, some are major while others are minor. However, Allah has repeatedly said in the Quran that those believers, who would sincerely repent for their sins, will be forgiven no matter what. There are certain sins which will not be forgiven like Shirk.
The smaller, minor sins can be eliminated by asking for forgiveness from Allah, and also by doing more kind and good deeds.
We are reminded of our Allah’s mercifulness time and time. From the Holy Quran Chapter 3 Surah Ale Imraan verse (135-136), it is evident that those of us who sincerely repent will be forgiven of our sins, but what happens when we are not forgiven? What happens if we never begged for Allah’s forgiveness to begin with? What if we die before we get a chance to repent for our shortcomings?
In that case, our loved ones which includes families and friends can always pray for us. We can even invest in ‘Sadaqa Jariya’ which is as easy as just planting a tree which would provide shade to other people. As long as it provides shade and comfort to others, the person who planted the tree will have Allah’s blessings on him/her.
Allah is very merciful and it is entirely up to him, whom he chooses to forgive and whom he chooses not to forgive, but while we have the time, let us sincerely repent for our sins for a better hereafter.
Grave Torture in Islam:
Our beloved Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said ‘This world is a prison for the pious believer, and a place of enjoyment for the blasphemer’. A believer who knows that if he gives or yields into temptation, it will not end well for him. He will have to pay the price of his sins. This price will very definitely be in the form of grave torture and later, an eternity in Hell. Since, he would not give in to his temptations; he would perceive the world as a prison.
Whereas, a non-believer who does not think twice before doing something wrong, will have to pay its price. For him, this world is full of glitz and glamour, but the world hereafter will be very bleak. Being Muslims, we believe that every act of ours, whether good or bad, will have its merits and demerits, likewise. If we offer our prayers, it will be good for us, if we do not, and choose to ignore them, that will not be good for us, and we will have to suffer the consequences of neglecting our religious duties, in the form of grave torture.
Not offering prayers, not paying Zakaat, being impolite and ill mannered, being disrespectful, being mean towards the poor, being jealous, drinking alcohol, extramarital affairs, backbiting, etc. All of these things have their own consequences which we will have to put up, when our bodies are laid to rest in our graves.
Grave torture is very real according to Islam. We have a number of Ayyahs and Hadiths in support of this view. Our Prophet Muhammad SAW once said that if we knew what happens in the graves, then we would have very little to smile and laugh about and a lot to cry about instead. Similarly, in Quran we are told that those who are ill-doers have a very horrifying punishment, awaiting them.
May Allah guide us all towards the right path and make us better Muslims..
