❖ The Barzakh Life of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and the Authenticity of Ḥadīths on Ṣalāh & Durūd in the Grave
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil: Bayān ʿAqāʾid, Vol. 1, p. 63
Is the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ alive in his grave?
In Faḍāʾil Aʿmāl, a narration is mentioned stating that the Prophet ﷺ is alive in his grave and, like the other prophets (عليهم السلام), offers ṣalāh there.
Does such a ḥadīth exist? (Faḍāʾil Aʿmāl does not provide a reference for this narration.)
Is there any ḥadīth stating that the Prophet ﷺ hears ṣalāh and durūd in his grave?
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
◈ The life of the Noble Prophet ﷺ in his blessed grave is Barzakh life, not worldly life.
◈ In a ḥadīth of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ mentioned that on the night of Miʿrāj, he saw Mūsā (عليه السلام) offering ṣalāh in his grave.
(Muslim — Kitāb al-Īmān — Bāb al-Isrāʾ bi Rasūlillāh ﷺ)
◈ There is a narration that states:
"اَلْاَنْبِيَآءُ أَحْيَاءٌ فِيْ قُبُوْرِهِمْ يُصَلُّوْنَ"
— “The Prophets are alive in their graves and they offer ṣalāh.”
◈ However, this narration is not authentic; it is weak (ḍaʿīf). Therefore, it is not correct to use it as evidence in matters of belief.
◈ This is especially true for those who do not even consider an authentic solitary report (khabar wāḥid ṣaḥīḥ) as proof in matters of creed.
It is established and true that:
➊ All the Prophets (عليهم الصلاة والسلام) are living a Barzakh life in their respective graves.
➋ Not only the Prophets, but all believers and disbelievers experience the stage of Barzakh in the grave, since the punishment and reward of the grave is a real and true matter.
➌ The Prophets (عليهم السلام) have the most superior Barzakh life compared to other believers.
➍ One distinct matter is that:
The pure bodies of the Prophets (عليهم السلام) are not consumed by the earth.
◈ For a detailed explanation and removal of doubts on this topic, refer to the treatise written by our teacher and Shaykh, Mawlānā Muḥammad Ismāʿīl Ṣāḥib Salafī (رحمه الله).
◈ If this booklet can be found, it is highly recommended to study it.
In shāʾ Allāh, it will remove all misconceptions.
◈ The narration often cited about the Prophet ﷺ hearing durūd in his grave is also weak (ḍaʿīf).
Allāh knows best what is correct.
Source: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil: Bayān ʿAqāʾid, Vol. 1, p. 63
Question:
Is the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ alive in his grave?
In Faḍāʾil Aʿmāl, a narration is mentioned stating that the Prophet ﷺ is alive in his grave and, like the other prophets (عليهم السلام), offers ṣalāh there.
Does such a ḥadīth exist? (Faḍāʾil Aʿmāl does not provide a reference for this narration.)
Is there any ḥadīth stating that the Prophet ﷺ hears ṣalāh and durūd in his grave?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh. Ammā baʿd:
1. The Prophet ﷺ’s Life in the Grave
◈ The life of the Noble Prophet ﷺ in his blessed grave is Barzakh life, not worldly life.
◈ In a ḥadīth of Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, the Messenger of Allāh ﷺ mentioned that on the night of Miʿrāj, he saw Mūsā (عليه السلام) offering ṣalāh in his grave.
(Muslim — Kitāb al-Īmān — Bāb al-Isrāʾ bi Rasūlillāh ﷺ)
2. The Ḥadīth About Prophets Offering Ṣalāh in Their Graves
◈ There is a narration that states:
"اَلْاَنْبِيَآءُ أَحْيَاءٌ فِيْ قُبُوْرِهِمْ يُصَلُّوْنَ"
— “The Prophets are alive in their graves and they offer ṣalāh.”
◈ However, this narration is not authentic; it is weak (ḍaʿīf). Therefore, it is not correct to use it as evidence in matters of belief.
◈ This is especially true for those who do not even consider an authentic solitary report (khabar wāḥid ṣaḥīḥ) as proof in matters of creed.
3. The Reality of Barzakh Life
It is established and true that:
➊ All the Prophets (عليهم الصلاة والسلام) are living a Barzakh life in their respective graves.
➋ Not only the Prophets, but all believers and disbelievers experience the stage of Barzakh in the grave, since the punishment and reward of the grave is a real and true matter.
➌ The Prophets (عليهم السلام) have the most superior Barzakh life compared to other believers.
➍ One distinct matter is that:
The pure bodies of the Prophets (عليهم السلام) are not consumed by the earth.
4. Recommended Reading on This Topic
◈ For a detailed explanation and removal of doubts on this topic, refer to the treatise written by our teacher and Shaykh, Mawlānā Muḥammad Ismāʿīl Ṣāḥib Salafī (رحمه الله).
◈ If this booklet can be found, it is highly recommended to study it.
In shāʾ Allāh, it will remove all misconceptions.
5. The Ḥadīth About the Prophet ﷺ Hearing Durūd in the Grave
◈ The narration often cited about the Prophet ﷺ hearing durūd in his grave is also weak (ḍaʿīf).
Allāh knows best what is correct.
