Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: When the soul of a believer would go out (of his body) it would be received bv two angels who would take it to the sky. Hammad (one of the narrators in the chain of transmitters) mentioned the swetness of its odour, (and further said) that the dwellers of the sky say: Here comes the pious soul from the side of the earth Let there be blessings of Allah upon the body in which it resides. And it is carried (by the angels) to its Lord, the Exalted and Glorious. He would say: Take it to its destined end. And if he is a nonbeliever and as it (the soul) leaves the body-Hammad made a mention of its foul smell and of its being cursed-the dwellers of the sky say: There comes a dirty soul from the side of the earth, and it would be said: Take it to its destined end. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) put a thin cloth which was with him upon his nose while making a mention (of the foul smell) of the soul of a non-believer.
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:
➊ Every human being has two appointed terms (ajal):
One in this world—the appointed term of death,
and the other after death—the Barzakh (intermediate state) appointed term,
after which he will be raised for reckoning.
As a result of this reckoning, a person will enter either Paradise or Hell.
In this hadith, the state of the soul of a believer and a disbeliever is described, and their respective abodes are also alluded to.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 7221
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
1834. Commentary:
➊ "They hand him over to one another"—just as relatives, with great joy, pass around a newborn child to look at him. It is understood from this that the soul is a reality and is something distinct from the body. It has its own existence. It is another matter that it is not visible, because it is very subtle. If air, despite being something of this world, is not visible yet is a reality, then what wonder is there if the soul is not seen?
➋ "Leave him"—this may refer to the new soul, meaning: do not trouble him with too many questions and answers. He is still in the sorrow of the world.
➌ At the time of the death of a believing person, the angels of mercy are present and give him glad tidings.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 1834
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
Angels are the sacred creation of Allah.
They perform various duties by Allah’s command.
➋
Angels are also appointed to seize the souls of human beings.
Their chief is the one referred to in the hadith as Malik al-Mawt (the Angel of Death).
And among the common people, his name is popularly known as Azra’il.
➌
Angels come to the person near death and address him.
At that time, he sees them and hears their words.
But other humans cannot see them,
nor can they hear their speech.
➌
The soul (ruh) is a non-material entity.
With its presence, the body is called alive.
But the angels extract it, seize it, speak to it, and also punish the soul of the evil person.
➍
The sky (heaven) is a solid entity.
It has gates that are opened and closed.
And angels come and go through them.
➎
The righteous soul is taken up to the sky (heaven).
And it is welcomed there.
Whereas the evil soul is also taken up to the sky,
but it is not granted permission to ascend further.
➏
The punishment of the grave is also among those unseen matters
in which it is necessary to have faith.
Even though, due to the structure of our present physical senses, its perception is not possible.
Relief for the believer is also of this same category.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 4262
Hafiz Zubair Ali Zai
Authentication of the Hadith:
The chain of narration of this hadith is authentic.
The hadith scholar Busiri has also declared it authentic.
Jurisprudential Explanation of the Hadith:
➊ The return of the soul (i‘adah al-ruh) in the grave during the Barzakh is true.
➋ No person in this world can see Allah, the Exalted, while awake.
➌ Blind following (taqlid) is not permissible.
➍ The gates of the heavens are not opened for the wicked soul.
➎ The punishment of the grave is true for those who are deserving of punishment, and for the people of faith, by the grace and mercy of Allah, the reward of the grave (the blessings of the grave) is true.
➏ Allah, the Exalted, is established (mustawi) above His Throne (‘Arsh) above the seventh heaven. «كما يليق بجلاله و شانه»
➐ From Allah, our master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), came with clear signs.
Source: Adwa al-Masabih fi Tahqiq Mishkat al-Masabih, Page: 139
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Benefits and Issues:
➊
The stage of questioning and answering in the grave is certain.
However, it pertains to the unseen realm (ʿālam al-ghayb), which living humans cannot perceive.
The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would become aware of it,
because such matters of the unseen are shown to the noble Prophets.
➋
The person who remained steadfast upon faith (iman) and righteous deeds (ʿamal salih) in the world is granted the ability to answer correctly.
One whose heart was devoid of faith cannot give an answer.
➌
In the grave, every person is shown the scenes of Paradise (Jannah) and Hellfire (Jahannam),
and he perceives the effects of Paradise or Hellfire according to his deeds.
However, permanent entry into Paradise or Hellfire will occur on the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamah).
➍
Standing by the grave after burial, addressing the deceased, and informing him of the answers given by the inhabitants of the grave is not established from the hadith; therefore, there is no benefit in it. After death, the deceased’s connection with this world is severed.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 4268