Explanation Regarding the Squeezing of the Grave of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه
Compiled by: Tawheed.com
Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه was among the distinguished Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, honored with his noble companionship and closeness. Numerous authentic narrations highlight his virtues, one of which mentions that upon his death, the Throne of Allah shook, the gates of the heavens were opened, and seventy thousand angels participated in his funeral. Despite these lofty honors, the grave momentarily squeezed him, after which this constriction was lifted. Below is a detailed explanation of this incident along with key takeaways and references:
➊ In Sunan al-Nasa’i, it is narrated from ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"هَذَا الَّذِي تَحَرَّكَ لَهُ الْعَرْشُ، وَفُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَشَهِدَهُ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ، لَقَدْ ضُمَّ ضَمَّةً، ثُمَّ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057, Book of Funerals)
“This is the man for whom the Throne of Allah shook, the gates of the heavens were opened, and seventy thousand angels attended his funeral. He was indeed squeezed once (by the grave), and then it was relieved from him.”
The Companion being referred to in this narration is Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه.
This same narration is also found in Dala'il al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi (Vol. 4, p. 28), and its chain has been authenticated by hadith scholars.
Other scholars have also graded this narration as authentic (e.g., Sahih Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057).
➊ The Shaking of the Throne
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that at the death of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه, the Throne of Allah shook. (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
Some hadith commentators have interpreted this as a “swaying” (refer to: Fawa'id al-Sunan al-Nasa’i by Hafiz Muhammad Amin حفظه الله, under Hadith 2057).
➋ The Opening of the Gates of the Heavens
The gates of the heavens were opened to welcome his soul. (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
This indicates his lofty status, as even the heavens were prepared to receive him. (See: Dala'il al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 4, p. 28)
➌ The Attendance of Seventy Thousand Angels
The presence of seventy thousand angels at his funeral is a testimony to his position among the beloved servants of Allah. (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
➊ Clarification from the Hadith Itself
The final words of the narration are:
"لَقَدْ ضُمَّ ضَمَّةً، ثُمَّ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
➋ Was This the Punishment of the Grave?
According to various commentaries, this “squeezing” of the grave is not considered a punishment for the believer. Rather, it is an ordeal that becomes either a means of expiation for minor shortcomings or an expression of divine love.
(See: Mirqat al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 1, p. 232; Al-Mawsuʿah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad Imam Ahmad: Vol. 40, p. 327, Hadith No. 24283)
According to Hafiz al-Dhahabi رحمه الله, this squeezing is not considered ʿAdhab al-Qabr (punishment of the grave) for a believer, but rather a universal experience that occurs to every human being (except the Prophets) in order to cleanse minor faults. (Siyar Aʿlam al-Nubala’, Vol. 1, p. 290)
➊ Even Minor Slips of Non-Prophets Require Expiation
Allah Almighty purifies the believer before taking them into His mercy.
➋ Concern for the Hereafter
If a virtuous and honored Companion like Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه was momentarily squeezed in his grave, we should be deeply concerned about our own hereafter.
➌ Virtues and Reverence of the Companions
This incident highlights the honor and status of the noble Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.
Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه was the fortunate Companion whose acceptance of Islam led to his entire tribe embracing Islam. Upon his death:
✔ The Throne of Allah shook
✔ The gates of the heavens were opened
✔ Seventy thousand angels participated in his funeral
Despite these glories, he experienced a brief squeezing of the grave, demonstrating that even the righteous are subject to minor trials.
To be saved from the trials of the grave, every Muslim should strive to correct their beliefs and actions.
At times, Allah elevates the rank of a believer through a small trial.
We must prepare for our Hereafter continuously.
اَللّٰهُمَّ احْشُرْنَا مَعَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَارْزُقْنَا الصُّحْبَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ فِيْهِمْ بِرَحْمَتِكَ۔ آمین
Compiled by: Tawheed.com
Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه was among the distinguished Companions of the Prophet ﷺ, honored with his noble companionship and closeness. Numerous authentic narrations highlight his virtues, one of which mentions that upon his death, the Throne of Allah shook, the gates of the heavens were opened, and seventy thousand angels participated in his funeral. Despite these lofty honors, the grave momentarily squeezed him, after which this constriction was lifted. Below is a detailed explanation of this incident along with key takeaways and references:
① Reference and Text of the Hadith
➊ In Sunan al-Nasa’i, it is narrated from ʿAbdullah ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنهما that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"هَذَا الَّذِي تَحَرَّكَ لَهُ الْعَرْشُ، وَفُتِحَتْ لَهُ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَشَهِدَهُ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا مِنَ الْمَلَائِكَةِ، لَقَدْ ضُمَّ ضَمَّةً، ثُمَّ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057, Book of Funerals)
“This is the man for whom the Throne of Allah shook, the gates of the heavens were opened, and seventy thousand angels attended his funeral. He was indeed squeezed once (by the grave), and then it was relieved from him.”
The Companion being referred to in this narration is Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه.
This same narration is also found in Dala'il al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi (Vol. 4, p. 28), and its chain has been authenticated by hadith scholars.
Other scholars have also graded this narration as authentic (e.g., Sahih Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057).
② Manifestations of the Greatness of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه
➊ The Shaking of the Throne
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said that at the death of Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه, the Throne of Allah shook. (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
Some hadith commentators have interpreted this as a “swaying” (refer to: Fawa'id al-Sunan al-Nasa’i by Hafiz Muhammad Amin حفظه الله, under Hadith 2057).
➋ The Opening of the Gates of the Heavens
The gates of the heavens were opened to welcome his soul. (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
This indicates his lofty status, as even the heavens were prepared to receive him. (See: Dala'il al-Nubuwwah, Vol. 4, p. 28)
➌ The Attendance of Seventy Thousand Angels
The presence of seventy thousand angels at his funeral is a testimony to his position among the beloved servants of Allah. (Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
③ The Squeezing of the Grave (Ḍammatu’l-Qabr)
➊ Clarification from the Hadith Itself
The final words of the narration are:
"لَقَدْ ضُمَّ ضَمَّةً، ثُمَّ فُرِّجَ عَنْهُ”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, Hadith No. 2057)
➋ Was This the Punishment of the Grave?
According to various commentaries, this “squeezing” of the grave is not considered a punishment for the believer. Rather, it is an ordeal that becomes either a means of expiation for minor shortcomings or an expression of divine love.
(See: Mirqat al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih, Vol. 1, p. 232; Al-Mawsuʿah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad Imam Ahmad: Vol. 40, p. 327, Hadith No. 24283)
According to Hafiz al-Dhahabi رحمه الله, this squeezing is not considered ʿAdhab al-Qabr (punishment of the grave) for a believer, but rather a universal experience that occurs to every human being (except the Prophets) in order to cleanse minor faults. (Siyar Aʿlam al-Nubala’, Vol. 1, p. 290)
④ Important Lessons from This Incident
➊ Even Minor Slips of Non-Prophets Require Expiation
Allah Almighty purifies the believer before taking them into His mercy.
➋ Concern for the Hereafter
If a virtuous and honored Companion like Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه was momentarily squeezed in his grave, we should be deeply concerned about our own hereafter.
➌ Virtues and Reverence of the Companions
This incident highlights the honor and status of the noble Companions of the Prophet ﷺ.
⑤ Conclusion
Sa'd ibn Mu'adh رضي الله عنه was the fortunate Companion whose acceptance of Islam led to his entire tribe embracing Islam. Upon his death:
✔ The Throne of Allah shook
✔ The gates of the heavens were opened
✔ Seventy thousand angels participated in his funeral
Despite these glories, he experienced a brief squeezing of the grave, demonstrating that even the righteous are subject to minor trials.
To be saved from the trials of the grave, every Muslim should strive to correct their beliefs and actions.
At times, Allah elevates the rank of a believer through a small trial.
We must prepare for our Hereafter continuously.
اَللّٰهُمَّ احْشُرْنَا مَعَ الصَّالِحِينَ وَارْزُقْنَا الصُّحْبَةَ الْحَسَنَةَ فِيْهِمْ بِرَحْمَتِكَ۔ آمین
❖ Important References
- Sunan al-Nasa’i: Hadith No. 2057, Book of Funerals
- Dala’il al-Nubuwwah by al-Bayhaqi: Vol. 4, p. 28
- Siyar Aʿlam al-Nubala’ by Imam al-Dhahabi: Vol. 1, p. 290
- Al-Mawsuʿah al-Hadithiyyah, Musnad Imam Ahmad: Vol. 40, p. 327, Hadith No. 24283
- Mirqat al-Mafatih Sharh Mishkat al-Masabih: Vol. 1, p. 232
- Fada’il al-Sahabah by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal: Vol. 1, Hadith No. 63
