Martyrdom in the Path of Allah
The status of a martyr is one of the highest ranks in the sight of Allah – may He be exalted. Allah has bestowed upon martyrs various honors, one of which is mentioned by the Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him – who said: “The martyr has six privileges with Allah: His sins are forgiven in the first drop of blood, he sees his place in Paradise, he is protected from the punishment of the grave, he is safe from the greatest terror, a crown of dignity is placed upon his head, a single ruby from it is better than this world and everything in it, he is married to seventy-two maidens from the houris, and he is granted intercession for seventy of his relatives.”
Additionally, the Prophet – peace be upon him – stated: “A day and a night spent in guarding is better than a month of fasting and praying, and if one dies, his deeds will continue to count for him, and he will receive sustenance and be protected from the taunts of the grave.” Here, the term “taunts” refers to safety from the trials of the grave and relief from punishment.
Martyrs have proven their sincerity on the battlefield, and thus they enjoy the blessing of being undisturbed by the torment of the grave, as the Prophet – peace be upon him – was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, why are believers tested in their graves except for the martyr?” He responded: “His being struck by the sword is enough of a trial for him.”
Seeking Refuge from Grave Punishment
Despite the exalted status of the Prophet – peace be upon him – with his Lord, he still sought refuge from the blessings of the grave, frequently seeking protection from its punishment in various instances, as follows:
- The Prophet – peace be upon him – taught his companions to seek refuge from the torment of the grave as he would teach them verses from the Quran. Ibn Abbas – may Allah be pleased with them – reported that the Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – said to his companions: “Say: O Allah, we seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hellfire, and we seek refuge in You from the punishment of the grave, and we seek refuge in You from the trial of the Antichrist, and we seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death.”
- The Prophet – peace be upon him – guided his companions to seek refuge from the punishment of the grave after the Tashahhud and before the Tasleem, saying: “If one of you has completed the Tashahhud, let him seek refuge in Allah from four things, saying: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of Hellfire, and from the punishment of the grave, and from the trial of life and death, and from the evil of the trial of the Antichrist.”
The Importance of Reciting Surah Al-Mulk
One of the means of protection from grave punishment is the recitation of Surah Al-Mulk, as reported by the Prophet – peace be upon him – who said: “There is a Surah in the Quran consisting of thirty verses that interceded for its companion until he was forgiven. Blessed is He in whose hand is the dominion.” Moreover, it was also narrated that the Prophet – peace be upon him – stated the significance of Surah Al-Mulk: “Surah Al-Mulk is a protector from the punishment of the grave.”
The companions – may Allah be pleased with them – referred to Surah Al-Mulk as “the protector,” due to its role in safeguarding those who regularly recite it from the punishment of the grave. Therefore, consistently reciting it reflects the reader’s eagerness for forgiveness and protection from grave torment.
Performing Righteous Deeds
Righteous deeds, in their various forms, are among the reasons for being saved from the punishment in the grave. Righteous actions come to assist the righteous in their graves in the form of a handsome man who offers them good tidings of salvation and forgiveness.
The Prophet – peace be upon him – described the condition of those with righteous deeds in the grave: “A handsome man will come to him, with a pleasant appearance and good clothes, smelling of fragrant scents, and he will say: ‘Rejoice with what will please you; this is the day you were promised.’ He will ask: ‘Who are you? Your face brings good!’ He will reply: ‘I am your righteous deeds.’ The deceased will then say: ‘O Lord, establish the hour.’” It is noteworthy that this narration does not specify a particular righteous deed; all righteous acts bring comfort to their possessor in the grave and prevent them from punishment.
Repentance and Self-Accountability
The Prophet – peace be upon him – confirmed that sinful deeds distress their owner in the grave. He stated regarding the condition of one who commits sins: “A repugnant figure will come to him, with an unpleasant face and bad clothes, emitting a foul odor, and will say: ‘Rejoice with what will displease you; this is the day you were promised.’ He will ask: ‘Who are you? Your face brings evil!’ The repugnant figure will answer: ‘I am your wicked deeds.’ The deceased will then declare: ‘O Lord, do not establish the Hour!’”
If a sinner repents in this world, self-reflects on their shortcomings regarding Allah – the Exalted – and endeavors to engage in worship and obedience, it will benefit them in their grave and will protect them from the grave’s punishment. The Prophet – peace be upon him – narrated a sacred hadith where Allah – the Almighty – says: “O son of Adam! If your sins reach to the skies and then you seek My forgiveness, I will forgive you and will not care.”
Indeed, seeking forgiveness, repentance, and self-accountability are causes for a servant to meet their Lord while their sins are forgiven, leaving them free from punishment in the grave and the Hereafter. Allah – the Exalted – has said: “And indeed, I am the Forgiving to whoever repents, believes, and does righteous deeds, and then continues to be guided.” Thus, those who hasten to repent, hold themselves accountable, and perform righteous deeds attain forgiveness from Allah – the Exalted, thereby avoiding punishment in the grave.
The Importance of Physical Purity
Maintaining bodily purity is among the attributes that lead to comfort in the grave, as physical impurity can be a reason for grave punishment. The Prophet – peace be upon him – stated: “Most of the punishment of the grave is due to urine.” Additionally, there is an explicit hadith that confirms that those who do not cleanse themselves from urine will be punished in their graves.
The Messenger of Allah – peace be upon him – once passed by two graves and said: “These two are being punished, and they are not being punished for anything great. One of them did not protect himself from his urine, while the other used to walk in slander.” The phrase “did not protect himself from his urine” indicates that he did not take measures to prevent the impurity of urine from contaminating him, thus showing disregard for obedience and deserving punishment in the grave for his actions.
Avoiding Backbiting and Slander
Backbiting refers to mentioning the flaws of another person while they are absent, while slander involves gossiping between people to create division. Both practices are harmful traits that generate discord within a community. To attain comfort in the grave and be safe from punishment, one must abandon the causes of such behavior.
The Prophet – peace be upon him – highlighted the dangers of slander upon the slanderer, indicating that they would lose the joys of Paradise and suffer punishment in the grave due to their slanderous behavior. He once passed by two graves and remarked: “These two are being punished, and they are not being punished for anything significant. One of them did not protect himself from his urine, and the other used to walk in slander.”