Death is inevitable. No one can escape. Everyone must taste it. The first step after death is the grave. Life from the grave to resurrection is called 'Alame Baryakh'. After being freed from the horrors of Barakh, the next tests will be lighter. Hazrat Uthman (RA) said, I heard the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying, "The grave is the first phase of the Hereafter." For him who is freed from its torment, the next phases will be easy. And for those who don't get released, the next steps will be more difficult. (Tirmidhi: 2308).

Grave condition: Someone's grave is a pit of hell. Someone is a garden of paradise. The punishment of the grave is proved by the Qur'an-Sunnah and Ijma. In the grave there are terrible punishments like the pressure of the earth on both sides, the stings of snakes and scorpions, the great blows of the angels with hammers and the burning fire. (Tirmidhi: 2460). The Prophet (PBUH) said, I have never seen a more horrible sight than the grave. (Ibn Majah: 4267). The horrible situation cannot be described in words. That is why the Prophet (peace be upon him)He said: Seek refuge with Allah from Hellfire. Ask Allah for deliverance from the punishment of the grave. (Tirmidhi: 3404). But for the believer, the grave will be a bed of peace. garden of paradise His life will pass in a peaceful sleep. (Ahmad: 18534).

Who is your Lord: The first question of the grave seems very simple. But the question is complex. Most people are indifferent to this. If we do not accept Tawhidur Rububiyyah (oneness in upbringing) in the world then it will not be possible to answer this question. Those who put people in the Lord's seat will also say in response to this question, La Adri means I know nothing. How do people make people slaves? Al-Qur'an says, "They have taken their religious masters and leaders as Lord." (Surah Tawbah: 31). Hearing this verse, Hazrat Adi Ibn Hatim Tai (R.A.) said to the Prophet (S.A.W.). Ya Rasulullah (SAW), Jews and Christians did not accept their religious masters and leaders as Lord. The Prophet (pbuh) said, what they considered halal, did they not accept it as halal? What was forbidden, did not accept it as forbidden? But they did not pay attention to the Book of Allah. Hazrat Adi said, Yes, O Messenger of Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) said, This is their worship, this is accepting them as Lord. (In Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 4/119).

What is your religion and way of life? Everyone knows the answer to the second question of the grave. But the reality is not so simple. Only those who fully embrace Islam can answer it. And those who have not accepted Islam as a way of life in the world will say, La Adri means I do not know anything. We are all nominal Muslims. I practice Islam in name only. But in real life we ​​have accepted the man-made laws given by the Judeo-Christians as a way of life. Allah Ta'ala says, whoever accepts anything other than Islam as a way of life, it will never be accepted, rather he will be among the losers in the Hereafter. (Surah Al-Imran: 85). Islam is the only way of life chosen by Allah. (Surah Al-Imran: 19) Can we pass the answer to the question? If the Islamic way of life continues to be ignored in the world today, this day will not come out saying, 'Dinial Islam' that is, my way of life is Islam.

Who is your prophet: Can we be successful in the last question of the grave? Two angels will come and ask, who is your prophet, who was the ideal man, whose Sunnah and customs do you follow? Those who follow the ideals of singers, actresses and players will also say, 'La Adri' in response to this question. Those who reject the Prophet's Sunnah and adopt the lifestyle of pagans will also fail in this phase. Only those who have accepted Risalat, Seerat and Sunnah on the authority of Rasul (PBUH) and applied them in real life, will be able to answer this question.

What a believer should do: It is not enough to memorize the answers to the three questions of the grave in Arabic. Allah Ta'ala will bring out the answers from the mouths of those who have acted in the world on the subject of these three questions. It is not necessary to know the question and answer. And those who did not accept Allah as one Lord, did not accept Islam as a complete way of life and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)Whoever does not accept as a prophet, only one sentence will be uttered from their mouth on that day, 'La Adri' i.e. I know nothing. (Mustadreke Hakeem: 107).

So a true Muslim will keep only Allah in the seat of Lord to avoid the temptation of the grave. Do not associate anyone with him. Will follow complete Islam in all aspects of life. Accept Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a prophet. Only then he can go to the paradise of eternal happiness.

May Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grant us Tawfiq to understand and act seriously on the above discussions, Ameen.

---

Author: Prominent Islamic thinker, writer and columnist, former Imam and Khatib Qadmatli Mazar Jame Masjid Sylhet