Among the most powerful realities that every human being will face is death. In Islam, we are taught that death is not the end, it is simply a transition from this temporary worldly life to the eternal life of the Hereafter. However, before one reaches the final destination, Jannah or Jahannam, the soul must pass through several critical stages. One of the most intense, mysterious, and terrifying of these stages is the first night in the grave. Known in Arabic as laylat al-qabr, this is the moment when the soul returns to the body, the grave is closed, and the trial of the grave begins. This article explores in depth what happens during this stage, drawing from The Quran, authentic ahadith, and classical Islamic scholarship. The goal is not to create fear for fear’s sake, but to awaken the heart, remind the soul, and motivate us to live a life of purpose, in submission to Allah (SWT).
Death and departure of the soul
The first phase of the journey begins at the moment of death. The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) described, in vivid detail, the soul’s departure from the body and its journey to the unseen world. In the well-known and lengthy hadith of al-Bara ibn ‘Azib, which is narrated in Musnad Ahmad and Abu Dawood, the Prophet (SAW) taught that when a righteous person is about to die, angels with bright, shining faces descend from the heavens, bringing a shroud from Paradise and a fragrance sweeter than any found on earth. The Angel of Death then arrives and says, “O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah.”
The soul is drawn out gently, like a drop of water slipping from a jug. It is then wrapped in the heavenly shroud and taken upwards, passing by angels who ask, “Who is this beautiful soul?” The angels respond, “It is so-and-so, the son of so-and-so.” The soul is then taken through the heavens, where it is welcomed and registered in ‘Illiyyin, the record of the righteous.
For the disobedient or disbelieving soul, however, the process is drastically different. Angels with dark and terrifying faces descend with a foul-smelling cloth from Hell. The Angel of Death says, “O wicked soul, come out to the anger and wrath of Allah.”
The soul resists and is torn from the body with pain, compared in the hadith to pulling a thorny branch through wool. It is wrapped in the cloth of Hell and carries a stench so foul that the angels say, “What is this wretched soul?” The journey after death is not metaphorical, it is real, and it begins before the body is even buried.
Allah (SWT) says in The Quran, “But no! The wicked are certainly bound for Sijjin in the depths of Hell—and what will make you realize what Sijjin is?—a fate already sealed.” (The Clear Quran®, 83:7-9) Then, Allah (SWT) further goes on to describe, “Moreover, they will surely burn in Hell, and then be told, ‘This is what you used to deny.’ But no! The virtuous are certainly bound for ‘Illiyun in elevated Gardens—and what will make you realize what ‘Illiyun is?—a fate already sealed, witnessed by those nearest to Allah.” (The Clear Quran®, 83:19)
In Kitab al-Ruh, Imam ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziya explains how the righteous soul desires to move forward, while the wicked soul dreads it. You can quote his observation, “The soul, when righteous, is like a bird longing to fly to its Lord. But when it is wicked, it clings to the earth, terrified of what comes next.”
The return of the soul to the body and the first moments in the grave
Once the body has been washed, shrouded, and prayed over, it is lowered into the grave. At this point, something unseen but very real takes place. The soul, which had been taken up, is returned to the body in a manner known only to Allah (SWT). The Prophet (SAW) said, “When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their footsteps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him, ‘What did you say about this man, Muhammad?’ He will say, ‘I testify that he is Allah’s slave and His Apostle.’” (Sahih Bukhari)
These two angels are Munkar and Nakir, and their arrival marks the beginning of fitnat al-qabr, the trial or test of the grave. This is the moment when the soul begins to face the consequences of its beliefs and actions in the worldly life. The dead person is not unconscious. He or she is in a different state of life called barzakh, and this is a barrier between the worldly life and the afterlife. In this state, the soul is aware, conscious, and responsive to the events occurring in the grave. This is confirmed by the Prophet’s (SAW) statement when he says, “When the deceased is buried, he hears the footsteps of those who leave him behind.” (Sahih Muslim)
This is the first moment of true loneliness. Family, friends, and wealth remain behind. Only one thing remains, and that is your deeds.
After the Battle of Badr, the Prophet (SAW) stood by the graves of the Quraysh leaders and called them by name, saying, “Have you found what your Lord promised you to be true?” The companions asked, “O Messenger of Allah, are you speaking to the dead?” He replied, “They hear me better than you do, but they cannot respond.” (Sahih Bukhari)
The three critical questions of the grave
The most crucial moment of the first night in the grave comes when Munkar and Nakir ask the deceased three questions:
- Who is your Lord?
- What is your religion?
- What do you say about the man who was sent among you?
These questions are not answered by memorization. They are answered with sincerity of the heart and practice of the limbs. A person may have known the answers in the world, but only those who truly lived by them will be able to answer confidently in the grave. The believer will say:
- “My Lord is Allah (SWT).”
- “My religion is Islam.”
- “That man is Muhammad (SAW), the Messenger of Allah (SWT).”
The angels will say, “You have spoken the truth.” Then a door to Jannah is opened, and the person will smell its fragrance, see his place in Jannah, and experience a peaceful rest. As Allah (SWT) promises in The Quran, “Allah makes the believers steadfast with the firm Word of faith in this worldly life and the Hereafter. And Allah leaves the wrongdoers to stray. For Allah does what He wills.” (The Clear Quran®, 14:27)
But for the hypocrites or disbelievers, the answers are confused and shallow. They will say:
- “I don’t know.”
- “I used to say what people said.”
The angels will then say, “You did not know, nor did you follow.” Then a door to Jahannam is opened, and he is shown his place, and punishment begins.
Your grave is either an ethereal garden or a fiery pit
The Prophet (SAW) said, “The grave is either a garden from the gardens of Paradise, or a pit from the pits of Hell.” (Tirmidhi) The grave is not simply a resting place. It is the beginning of reward or punishment depending on one’s life and belief. For the righteous:
- The grave expands.
- A window to Jannah opens.
- The person is clothed in garments of Jannah.
- A beautiful man (representing his good deeds) visits and comforts him.
- He sleeps peacefully like a bride on her wedding night.
For the wicked:
- The grave tightens until the ribs overlap.
- A window to Jahannam opens.
- The person is dressed in the clothes of the Fire.
- A terrifying man, representing his evil deeds, visits him with bad news.
- He is struck with iron hammers, cries out in pain, and is tormented until the Day of Judgment.
The Prophet (SAW) used to frequently seek refuge from the punishment of the grave. In every prayer, before the taslim, he taught us to say, “Oh Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave.” (Sahih Muslim)
This alone shows how serious and real this phase is.
What happens after the first night?
After the first night, the condition of the deceased continues in one of two states:
- For the believer: peaceful rest, seeing his place in Paradise, longing for the Day of Judgment so he can meet his Lord and enjoy his reward.
- For the disbeliever or hypocrite: ongoing punishment, torment, and fear of what is to come.
This continues until the Trumpet is blown, and the souls are resurrected for the Day of Judgment. This period in the grave is known as al-barzakh, a life between death and the Hereafter. Allah (SWT) says, “[…] so I may do good in what I left behind.’ Never! It is only a useless appeal they make. And there is a barrier behind them until the Day they are resurrected.” (The Clear Quran®, 23:100)
Can the dead ever hear us? Do our a’maal reach them?
According to authentic ahadith, the deceased can hear certain things in the grave, such as the footsteps of those leaving, or greetings of salaam at the gravesite. The Prophet (SAW) said, “When one of you greets his brother, in Islam, at his grave, Allah returns his soul to him so that he may return the greeting.” (Musnad al-Bazzar)
As for whether our deeds benefit the deceased, yes, certain actions do reach them:
- Supplication, especially from righteous children.
- Charity on their behalf.
- Fasting, Hajj, or Umrah if missed.
- Recitation of The Quran.
These are real ways to assist our deceased loved ones, especially during their time in the grave.
How can the Ummah prepare for the grave today?
The grave may seem far away but, in truth, it may be closer than we think. Every day, people are buried who had plans for tomorrow.
What can we do now to prepare for the grave?
- Protect your daily prayers. The Prophet (SAW) said that the first thing to be asked about is prayer. If your prayers are intact, everything else will follow.
- Make dua regularly to be saved from the grave’s punishment. The Prophet (SAW) made this a habit. It should be part of our daily routine too.
- Even small acts of charity continue to benefit you after death.
- Guard your tongue. Many people will be punished in their graves for backbiting, lying, or arrogance.
- Visit the graves of your loved ones! The Prophet (SAW) said, “Visit the graves, for they remind you of death.” (Sahih Muslim)
This is not morbid, it’s spiritual preparation.
The first night in the grave is a night we will all face. It is a night alone with your deeds, your intentions, your beliefs, and your sincerity. There will be no social media, no distractions, no status, no wealth. Only the reality of what you lived for and whom you served. But for those who lived with iman, with trust in Allah (SWT), love for His Prophet (SAW), and commitment to Islam, the grave will be a place of peace, not fear. For them, the first night in the grave is the first step toward Jannah.
Let us deliver every day preparing for that night. Let us be among those who say in their grave, “O Allah, let the Hour come, so I may return to my family and my reward.” (Musnad Ahmad)
Dua
O Allah (SWT), Most Merciful,
Protect us from the punishment of the grave.
Make our resting place peaceful, and grant us the ability to answer with truth and certainty when questioned.
Strengthen us against temptation in this world, And keep our hearts anchored in Your remembrance.
Forgive us for every sin — big and small, known and hidden.
Do not let us leave this world except in Your complete forgiveness.
Let our final breath be in Your mercy, And our eternal home be in Your Paradise.
Ameen!
