Hadiths Narrated by Al-Bukhari on the Punishment of the Grave
In his Sahih, Al-Bukhari recorded several authentic Hadiths that discuss the reality of the punishment of the grave and the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) seeking refuge from it. The following are notable examples of these Hadiths:
Hadiths on the Reality of the Grave Punishment
The existence of grave punishment is a confirmed reality, as illustrated by various Hadiths recorded by Al-Bukhari. The following Hadiths highlight this topic:
- The Prophet (peace be upon him) passed by a wall in either Medina or Mecca and heard the voices of two men being punished in their graves. He remarked: “They are being punished, and they are not being punished for a major sin.” He then added, “Indeed, one of them did not shield himself from urine, and the other used to walk with slanderous gossip.” He called for a palm branch, broke it into two, and placed a piece on each grave. When he was asked why he did this, he replied, “Perhaps their punishment may be alleviated until the branches dry.”
- “There is nothing that I have not been shown in my place, even Paradise and Hell. It was revealed to me that you will be tested in your graves similar to or close to the trial of the Antichrist. You will be asked, ‘What is your knowledge of this man?’ The believer or the certain one will say, ‘He is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, who came to us with clear signs and guidance, and we responded and followed him. He is Muhammad,’ repeating it three times. Then it will be said, ‘Sleep well, for we knew that you were indeed certain of him.’ However, the hypocrite or the doubtful one will reply, ‘I do not know. I only heard the people saying something, and I said it.’
- “When a servant is laid in his grave and his companions turn away, he can hear the sound of their footsteps. Two angels come to him, seating him up and asking, ‘What did you say about this man Muhammad (peace be upon him)?’ He replies, ‘I bear witness that he is the servant of Allah and His Messenger.’ It will be said to him, ‘Look at your place in the Fire; Allah has replaced it with a place in Paradise for you.’ The Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, ‘He will see both places.’ As for the disbeliever or hypocrite, he will say, ‘I do not know; I used to say what the people said.’ It will be said to him, ‘You do not know, nor did you read.’ Then he will be struck with a hammer of iron between his ears, and he will scream in a way that everyone nearby will hear, except the two heavies (humans and jinn).”
Hadiths on Seeking Refuge from Grave Punishment
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) often sought refuge from the punishment of the grave and its trials. Below are a few authenticated Hadiths from Sahih Al-Bukhari that emphasize this point:
- “O Allah, I seek refuge in You from laziness, old age, debt, and sin. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the punishment of the Fire, the trial of the Fire, the trial and punishment of the grave, the evil trial of wealth, the evil trial of poverty, and the evil trial of the Antichrist. O Allah, wash away my sins with snow and hail, and cleanse my heart from sins as a white garment is cleansed from dirt. And keep me far from my sins as You have kept the east far from the west.”
- Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that a Jewish woman once entered upon her and mentioned the punishment of the grave. Aisha then asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) about it, and he confirmed, “Yes, there is the punishment of the grave.” Subsequently, Aisha noted that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would not pray a prayer without seeking refuge from the punishment of the grave.