Written by: Hafiz Abu Yahya Noorpuri
The belief that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), is present at every grave at the time of questioning is not supported by any authentic Hadith. It is not even established by any weak Hadith, and no scholar among the Salaf (righteous predecessors) holds this view. Thus, this belief is considered an innovation and a misguided notion.
Three questions are asked to the deceased in the grave, one of which is:
"What did you use to say about this man?"
“What did you say about this man?”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1347]
Some people argue that the word "this" indicates proximity, suggesting that the Prophet (ﷺ) is present at every grave. However, deriving such a conclusion from this Hadith is a distortion of the religion and a sign of ignorance. For instance:
Evidence No. 1:
The deceased is asked:
"What did you say about this man, Muhammad (ﷺ)? The believer will say, 'I bear witness that he is the servant and Messenger of Allah.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1347]
In this Hadith, the phrase "this man" is clarified as referring to Muhammad (ﷺ). If the Prophet (ﷺ) were present, there would be no need for this clarification.
Evidence No. 2:
Narrated by Sayyida Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
"It will be said (in the grave), 'Who was this man who was among you?' The believer will say, 'He was Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), who brought us clear signs from Allah, and we believed in him...'"
[Musnad Ahmad: 140/6, and its chain is authentic]
This clear Hadith indicates that only a question is asked about the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave; he is not visible.
Evidence No. 3:
Narrated by Sayyida Asma bint Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنها):
"What do you say about this man, meaning the Prophet (ﷺ)? He (the disbeliever or sinner) will ask, 'Who?'..."
[Musnad Ahmad: 352/6, its chain is authentic]
The deceased is asked, "What do you say about this man?" He responds, "Which man?" The response clarifies, "Muhammad (ﷺ)."
[Musnad Ahmad: 353/6, al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Tabarani: 125/24, and its chain is authentic]
This Hadith makes it clear that the Prophet (ﷺ) is not present in the grave at the time of questioning; otherwise, what is the meaning of "Who?" and "Which man?"
Evidence No. 4:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"The deceased is asked, 'What do you say about this man who was among you? What do you testify about him?' He will ask, 'Which man?' It will be said, 'The one who was among you.' He will not be guided to his name until it is said to him, 'Muhammad (ﷺ)...'"
[Sahih Ibn Hibban: 3113, al-Awsat by Tabarani: 2630, al-Mustadrak by Hakim: 379/1-381/1, its chain is Hasan]
Imam Ibn Hibban declared this Hadith "authentic," Imam Hakim classified it according to the conditions of Imam Muslim, and Hafiz Dhahabi agreed. Hafiz Haythami stated, "Its chain is Hasan."
[Majma' al-Zawa'id: 51/3-52]
This Hadith clarifies that the deceased is only asked about the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave, and he is not present there.
Further Explanations:
Allama Ahmad Qastallani:
In explaining the phrase "this man," he mentions,
"The Prophet (ﷺ) is referred to as 'this man' to test the deceased so that they do not learn the veneration of him from the words of the questioner. Some say the veil is lifted for the deceased to see the Prophet (ﷺ). However, if this were correct, it would be a great glad tiding for the believer. But we do not know of any authentic Hadith regarding this. The proponents of this view argue that the indication is only made to someone present. However, it may also be a reference to what is in the mind, thus making it metaphorical."
[Tuhfat al-Ahwazi by Muhammad Abdul Rahman Mubarakpuri: 155/4]
Hafiz Suyuti:
He was asked if the deceased sees the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave. He replied,
"There is no Hadith narrated in this regard. Some people have claimed this without any basis, merely relying on the word 'this man.' But this is not a valid argument, as the reference is to what is present in the mind."
[Sharh al-Sudur by Suyuti: 20]
Thus, the argument that the deceased sees the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave is invalid. Despite this, Zakariya Tablighi Deobandi writes, "After death, the first thing in the grave will be the sight of the Master of both worlds (ﷺ)."
[Darhi Ka Jawab by Zakariya Tablighi: 9]
Moreover, Muhammad Yaqub Nanotvi Deobandi states, "Instead of coming to our funeral, the Prophet (ﷺ) will come to the grave."
[Qisas al-Akabir by Ashraf Ali Thanawi: 188]
Anwar Shah Kashmiri Deobandi refutes these views, stating, "Mental recognition is sufficient, and there is no evidence for visual recognition."
[al-Arf al-Shadhi by Anwar Shah Kashmiri: 450/2]
Therefore, according to Shah Sahib, the statements of Zakariya and Yaqub Nanotvi are baseless and without evidence. An unsupported claim holds no value.
"He who leaves evidence is led astray from the straight path!"
Under "this man," Allama Sindhi Hanafi writes:
"That is, the famous man among you. It does not necessitate presence, and not mentioning the name is to prevent instilling reverence, as that would be a hint, which is inappropriate for a test."
[Hashiya Sindhi on Ibn Majah, under Hadith 3258, Hashiya Sindhi on Nasa'i: 97/4, Hadith 2052]
Additional Point:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) narrated that a black woman used to clean the mosque. When the Prophet (ﷺ) noticed her absence, he asked about her. The Companions informed him that she had passed away. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Why did you not inform me? It was as if they deemed her matter insignificant. He (ﷺ) then asked to be shown her grave, which they did. He then prayed over her."
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1337, Sahih Muslim: 956]
If the Prophet (ﷺ) were present at every grave at the time of questioning, he would have known about her death.
Conclusion:
The Prophet (ﷺ) does not appear at the time of questioning in the grave.
The belief that Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), is present at every grave at the time of questioning is not supported by any authentic Hadith. It is not even established by any weak Hadith, and no scholar among the Salaf (righteous predecessors) holds this view. Thus, this belief is considered an innovation and a misguided notion.
Three questions are asked to the deceased in the grave, one of which is:
"What did you use to say about this man?"
“What did you say about this man?”
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1347]
Some people argue that the word "this" indicates proximity, suggesting that the Prophet (ﷺ) is present at every grave. However, deriving such a conclusion from this Hadith is a distortion of the religion and a sign of ignorance. For instance:
- Narrated by Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه): When the news of the Prophet's (ﷺ) prophethood reached Sayyiduna Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (رضي الله عنه), he said to his brother:
"Ride to this valley and bring me news about this man who claims to be a prophet."
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1/544, Sahih Muslim: 2/297, Hadith 2474]
In this Hadith, Sayyiduna Abu Dharr al-Ghifari (رضي الله عنه) refers to Mecca as "this valley" and to the Prophet (ﷺ) as "this man," even though his tribe was far from Mecca. Can any rational person claim that Mecca was present at his place or that the Prophet (ﷺ) was present and he sent his brother to learn about him? - Narrated by Sayyiduna Amr bin Salamah (رضي الله عنه):
"We were living at a place where people passed by. We would ask them, 'What is the state of the people? Who is this man?' They would reply, 'He claims that Allah has sent him and has revealed such and such to him.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 615/1, Hadith 4302]
Sayyiduna Amr bin Salamah (رضي الله عنه) and others used the words "this man" when inquiring about the Prophet (ﷺ). Was the Prophet (ﷺ) present there? - Narrated by Heraclius, asking Sayyiduna Abu Sufyan (رضي الله عنه) and the disbelievers of Quraysh about the Prophet (ﷺ):
"Who among you is closely related to this man who claims to be a prophet? I am going to ask about this man..."
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1/4, Hadith 7; Sahih Muslim: 2/97, Hadith 1773]
Numerous similar examples exist in the Hadith literature.
Evidence No. 1:
The deceased is asked:
"What did you say about this man, Muhammad (ﷺ)? The believer will say, 'I bear witness that he is the servant and Messenger of Allah.'"
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1347]
In this Hadith, the phrase "this man" is clarified as referring to Muhammad (ﷺ). If the Prophet (ﷺ) were present, there would be no need for this clarification.
Evidence No. 2:
Narrated by Sayyida Aisha (رضي الله عنها):
"It will be said (in the grave), 'Who was this man who was among you?' The believer will say, 'He was Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), who brought us clear signs from Allah, and we believed in him...'"
[Musnad Ahmad: 140/6, and its chain is authentic]
This clear Hadith indicates that only a question is asked about the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave; he is not visible.
Evidence No. 3:
Narrated by Sayyida Asma bint Abi Bakr (رضي الله عنها):
"What do you say about this man, meaning the Prophet (ﷺ)? He (the disbeliever or sinner) will ask, 'Who?'..."
[Musnad Ahmad: 352/6, its chain is authentic]
The deceased is asked, "What do you say about this man?" He responds, "Which man?" The response clarifies, "Muhammad (ﷺ)."
[Musnad Ahmad: 353/6, al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by Tabarani: 125/24, and its chain is authentic]
This Hadith makes it clear that the Prophet (ﷺ) is not present in the grave at the time of questioning; otherwise, what is the meaning of "Who?" and "Which man?"
Evidence No. 4:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه): The Prophet (ﷺ) said,
"The deceased is asked, 'What do you say about this man who was among you? What do you testify about him?' He will ask, 'Which man?' It will be said, 'The one who was among you.' He will not be guided to his name until it is said to him, 'Muhammad (ﷺ)...'"
[Sahih Ibn Hibban: 3113, al-Awsat by Tabarani: 2630, al-Mustadrak by Hakim: 379/1-381/1, its chain is Hasan]
Imam Ibn Hibban declared this Hadith "authentic," Imam Hakim classified it according to the conditions of Imam Muslim, and Hafiz Dhahabi agreed. Hafiz Haythami stated, "Its chain is Hasan."
[Majma' al-Zawa'id: 51/3-52]
This Hadith clarifies that the deceased is only asked about the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave, and he is not present there.
Further Explanations:
Allama Ahmad Qastallani:
In explaining the phrase "this man," he mentions,
"The Prophet (ﷺ) is referred to as 'this man' to test the deceased so that they do not learn the veneration of him from the words of the questioner. Some say the veil is lifted for the deceased to see the Prophet (ﷺ). However, if this were correct, it would be a great glad tiding for the believer. But we do not know of any authentic Hadith regarding this. The proponents of this view argue that the indication is only made to someone present. However, it may also be a reference to what is in the mind, thus making it metaphorical."
[Tuhfat al-Ahwazi by Muhammad Abdul Rahman Mubarakpuri: 155/4]
Hafiz Suyuti:
He was asked if the deceased sees the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave. He replied,
"There is no Hadith narrated in this regard. Some people have claimed this without any basis, merely relying on the word 'this man.' But this is not a valid argument, as the reference is to what is present in the mind."
[Sharh al-Sudur by Suyuti: 20]
Thus, the argument that the deceased sees the Prophet (ﷺ) in the grave is invalid. Despite this, Zakariya Tablighi Deobandi writes, "After death, the first thing in the grave will be the sight of the Master of both worlds (ﷺ)."
[Darhi Ka Jawab by Zakariya Tablighi: 9]
Moreover, Muhammad Yaqub Nanotvi Deobandi states, "Instead of coming to our funeral, the Prophet (ﷺ) will come to the grave."
[Qisas al-Akabir by Ashraf Ali Thanawi: 188]
Anwar Shah Kashmiri Deobandi refutes these views, stating, "Mental recognition is sufficient, and there is no evidence for visual recognition."
[al-Arf al-Shadhi by Anwar Shah Kashmiri: 450/2]
Therefore, according to Shah Sahib, the statements of Zakariya and Yaqub Nanotvi are baseless and without evidence. An unsupported claim holds no value.
"He who leaves evidence is led astray from the straight path!"
Under "this man," Allama Sindhi Hanafi writes:
"That is, the famous man among you. It does not necessitate presence, and not mentioning the name is to prevent instilling reverence, as that would be a hint, which is inappropriate for a test."
[Hashiya Sindhi on Ibn Majah, under Hadith 3258, Hashiya Sindhi on Nasa'i: 97/4, Hadith 2052]
Additional Point:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (رضي الله عنه) narrated that a black woman used to clean the mosque. When the Prophet (ﷺ) noticed her absence, he asked about her. The Companions informed him that she had passed away. The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
"Why did you not inform me? It was as if they deemed her matter insignificant. He (ﷺ) then asked to be shown her grave, which they did. He then prayed over her."
[Sahih al-Bukhari: 1337, Sahih Muslim: 956]
If the Prophet (ﷺ) were present at every grave at the time of questioning, he would have known about her death.
Conclusion:
The Prophet (ﷺ) does not appear at the time of questioning in the grave.