Source: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Volume 09
It is said that after burial, the soul is returned to the body so that it may undergo questioning. Does the soul remain within the body after this questioning? If not, where does it go? When the body experiences comfort or punishment, is the soul present in the body, or does it have any connection to it? Are the soul and body punished separately?
According to Islamic teachings, when a person dies and is buried, the soul is returned to the body so that the process of questioning in the grave may take place. This questioning is conducted by two angels, Munkar and Nakir, who ask the deceased about their faith and deeds.
Regarding whether the soul remains in the body after the questioning, there are various narrations. However, scholars generally agree that the soul is indeed returned to the body. Nevertheless, this connection between the soul and body is not like that of worldly life. After the questioning, the soul transitions into the realm of Barzakh, yet at times, it maintains a special link with the body. This link is beyond our material perception.
In the grave and Barzakh, both punishment and comfort affect the soul and the body. The state of comfort or torment in Barzakh is beyond our worldly comprehension, as it pertains to the unseen. The experience of punishment or reward is not restricted to just the body or soul alone; rather, it occurs through a unique interconnection between the two. This means both the soul and body are affected by these experiences.
The relationship between the soul and body in Barzakh differs significantly from their worldly connection and is imperceptible. When a person experiences torment or comfort, both the soul and body are involved, and this experience is jointly endured. However, the torment or comfort experienced by the soul may differ in nature from that of the body, as the reality of Barzakh is beyond human comprehension.
① In the grave and Barzakh, both the body and soul are subject to comfort or punishment.
② The connection between the soul and body continues even after the questioning, although the nature and condition of this relationship transcend human understanding.
③ The soul and body experience Barzakhī punishment or comfort together, all of which occurs under the knowledge and power of Allah ﷻ.
❖ Question
It is said that after burial, the soul is returned to the body so that it may undergo questioning. Does the soul remain within the body after this questioning? If not, where does it go? When the body experiences comfort or punishment, is the soul present in the body, or does it have any connection to it? Are the soul and body punished separately?
❖ Answer
✿ The Return of the Soul After Death
According to Islamic teachings, when a person dies and is buried, the soul is returned to the body so that the process of questioning in the grave may take place. This questioning is conducted by two angels, Munkar and Nakir, who ask the deceased about their faith and deeds.
❖ The State of the Soul After Questioning
Regarding whether the soul remains in the body after the questioning, there are various narrations. However, scholars generally agree that the soul is indeed returned to the body. Nevertheless, this connection between the soul and body is not like that of worldly life. After the questioning, the soul transitions into the realm of Barzakh, yet at times, it maintains a special link with the body. This link is beyond our material perception.
❖ The Nature of Punishment and Comfort
In the grave and Barzakh, both punishment and comfort affect the soul and the body. The state of comfort or torment in Barzakh is beyond our worldly comprehension, as it pertains to the unseen. The experience of punishment or reward is not restricted to just the body or soul alone; rather, it occurs through a unique interconnection between the two. This means both the soul and body are affected by these experiences.
❖ The Mutual Relationship Between Soul and Body
The relationship between the soul and body in Barzakh differs significantly from their worldly connection and is imperceptible. When a person experiences torment or comfort, both the soul and body are involved, and this experience is jointly endured. However, the torment or comfort experienced by the soul may differ in nature from that of the body, as the reality of Barzakh is beyond human comprehension.
Summary
① In the grave and Barzakh, both the body and soul are subject to comfort or punishment.
② The connection between the soul and body continues even after the questioning, although the nature and condition of this relationship transcend human understanding.
③ The soul and body experience Barzakhī punishment or comfort together, all of which occurs under the knowledge and power of Allah ﷻ.
