Sayyiduna Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The grave is the first stage among the stages of the Hereafter."
Hadith Referenceمسند الشهاب / 247
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده حسن
Hadith Takhrij«إسناده حسن ، وأخرجه ترمذي : 2308، وابن ماجه : 4267 ،»
Sayyiduna ‘Uthman’s freed slave Hani’ reports that when Sayyiduna ‘Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) would stand by a grave, he would weep so much that his beard would become wet. Hani’ says that it was said to him: “Paradise and Hell are mentioned before you, yet you do not weep (so much), but you weep (so much) at this (grave)?” So he said: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘Indeed, the grave is the first stage among the stages of the Hereafter.’” And he narrated this hadith... And he narrated this hadith.
Hadith Referenceمسند الشهاب / 248
Hadith Gradingمحدثین:إسناده حسن
Hadith Takhrij«إسناده حسن ، وأخرجه ترمذي : 2308، وابن ماجه : 4267 ،»