WHAT ARE DEAD PEOPLE DOING RIGHT NOW
In Islamic belief, Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala (glorified and exalted be He) created us, and by His will, He will take our souls back. Upon death, a person falls into one of two categories: happy or miserable. This classification is contingent upon their faith and deeds during their lifetime.
The Fate of the Believer
For a person who lives with true faith in Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala, performing righteous deeds and good actions, the end promises a state of happiness. Conversely, a person who either disbelieves or lives a life of disobedience to Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala, without repentance (tawbah), will face a miserable end.
The Final Moments of a Believer
When the time comes for a believer to leave this world, the process is described in detail through Islamic teachings. The angel of death, Malak al-Mawt, approaches the head of the believer and gently calls the soul to come out. This process is described as the soul leaving the body in stages:
Feet and Legs: The soul leaves the feet, causing them to become motionless.
Knees: The soul then exits the knees, resulting in their immobilization.
Stomach: The soul moves up to the stomach, and the lower body ceases to function.
Chest and Throat: Finally, the soul ascends to the chest and throat, and at this point, the angel of death extracts it from the body, as smoothly as a drop of water emerging from a bottle.
The Ascension of the Soul
Upon being taken by the angel of death, the soul of the believer is handed over to the angels of mercy. These angels enshroud the soul in a heavenly shroud (kafan) from Jannah (Paradise) and begin the ascension through the heavens:
First Heaven: The gates are opened as the angels of the first heaven praise the soul.
Subsequent Heavens: This process continues through each of the seven heavens, with each level welcoming and praising the soul.
Upon reaching the seventh heaven, the soul stands before the Throne of Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala. Here, it is decreed that the soul’s record is inscribed in `Illiyyun, the highest place of honor in Jannah. Following this, the soul is commanded to return to its earthly body.
Return to the Body and the Grave
The soul is returned to the body in the grave, where two angels, Munkar and Nakir, arrive to question the deceased. The questions are straightforward:
Who is your Lord?: The believer, eager to pray as if the sun is setting, will answer, “My Lord is Allah.”
What is your religion?: The believer will confidently respond, “My religion is Islam.”
Who is your Prophet?: Without hesitation, the believer will declare, “My Prophet is Muhammad sallallahu alayhi wasallam.”
The Rewards in the Grave
Upon answering correctly, a voice from the heavens proclaims the truthfulness of the believer. The grave is then furnished with comforts from Jannah, and the believer is dressed in garments from Paradise. A gate to Jannah is opened, allowing the believer to see and smell its delights.
A personification of the believer’s good deeds appears, bringing glad tidings and confirming the rewards earned through righteous living. The believer will see the beauty and fragrance of their good deeds, symbolized by this figure, and will eagerly await the Day of Judgment to fully enter Jannah.
Conclusion
This process highlights the importance of faith and righteous deeds in Islam. For believers, it offers a reassuring and detailed depiction of the soul’s journey after death, promising eternal happiness for those who live a life devoted to Allah subhanahu wa’ta’ala. The story serves as a profound reminder of the transient nature of this world and the everlasting rewards of the hereafter.