When people leave after a burial the dead person, lying in his grave, hears the sound of the retreating footsteps. Just then appear two angels savaging the Earth with their terrible teeth. They look terribly dreadful. They have black bodies with very dark eyes the size of big cauldrons and very long teeth. One of the angels is Munkir while the other is called Nakeer.
They shake the dead ruthlessly into awakening and start interrogating him in a cruel and callous tone. The three questions they ask the dead are:
1. Who is your Lord?
2. What is your Religion?
3. What do you say about this man? (where upon the Prophet will appear in front of him).
If the dead is a Muslim, his reply to the first question will be, ‘Allah (the Almighty) is my Lord’. In reply to the second question he will say, ‘My religion is Islam’. And in reply to the third question the dead will say ‘He is none but the Messenger of Allah’. The angels will then ask the dead who taught him. His reply will be that he learnt from the Holy Quran, believing it to be a true Book of ALLAH.
In another Hadith it is narrated that the interrogating angels, after getting correct replies from the dead will say that they were aware that the latter will reply as he has done. This will be followed by an echo from the sky saying, ‘My slave has spoken the truth, arrange for him a heavenly bed, clothe him in heavenly clothing and open to him the door of Paradise. The door will then open allowing in the gust of breezes and soothing fragrances from Paradise.
The grave will expand and widen to as far as his gaze reaches and he will be asked to sleep in it as blissfully as a bridegroom sleeps. The privilege will, however, be exclusive only for those who enjoy a special status of spiritual sublimity. This can be made available to other Muslims also if ALLAH (the Almighty) so wills. The expanse and comforts in the grave are allowed to the dead in accordance with their spiritual position.
These privileges and comforts are reserved only for the righteous and truthful Muslims but those who are sinners and insincere in their faith, will remain deprived of and will be subjected to various degrees of punishment according to the gravity of their sins. The sinners might, however, be spared if the saints, Imams and other enjoying the favour of ALLAH (the Almighty) intercede on their behalf and that ALLAH (the Almighty) accedes to their intercession.
According to one Hadith it is narrated that the punishment inside the grave of a Muslim sinner is continued only until the night of Friday. As soon as the night descends, the Punishment is lifted. It is clear that if a Muslim dies on the night or day of Friday or on any other night or day in the Month of Ramadan, he will be exempted from the ordeal of interrogation by the terrible angels Munkir and Nakeer.
The opening of the window to Paradise in the grave of a Muslim will be preceded by the opening of the window to Hell where from will rush in the flames of the terrible Fire, waves of scorching winds and gusts of unbearable stench.
This window, opened in the left side of the grave will then immediately be closed with an admonition to the inhabitant that you will have been subjected to all these sufferings but for the correct replies to the questions of Munkir and Nakeer.
This will be done in order to make the person concerned realise the value of the blessings of his Lord who has saved him from such a harrowing spell of Catastrophe and tribulations and has favoured him with such soothing comforts.
For a Munafiq (hypocrite Muslim), however, this process will be just the opposite. In his grave, it will be the window to Paradise which will be opened first so that he might see for himself the glimpses of the Heavenly comforts the soothing fragrance, refreshing coolness and so many other pleasant things. This window will immediately be shut and then will open the window facing Hell.
The hypocrite will then realise what a great wealth he has lost by not being true to Prophet Muhammad (may ALLAH shower him with Blessings, AMEEN). In reply to each question of Munkir and Nakeer the Munafiq will say, ‘Alas I know nothing’.
According to another narration he will say ‘I used to hear people talk about these things and I used believe these things myself’. A mysterious voice will then call out saying, ‘He is a liar, lay out for him a bed of fire, clothe him with clothing of fire and open to him the window of Hell’. The angels will then open the window through which will gush in the flames of fire from Hell. Two angels, deaf and dumb will deputised to unleash painful sufferings on the hypocrite.
They will equipped with iron rods so awesome that they could even break mighty mountains into pieces. The angels will persistently keep beating the hypocrite with those rods while venomous reptiles will bite him. His sins, assuming the shapes of dogs and wolves, will constantly harm and hurt him. In contrast to this, the virtuous deeds of the righteous people will thrill and entrance them in many ways.
