Question
Kindly provide a brief commentary on the following Hadith:
Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) has narrated: “I asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) about the torment of the grave, and he said: ‘Yes, the torment of the grave is real.’”
Sayyidah ‘Aaishah (radiyallahu ‘anha) said, “After that, I never saw Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) offer any Salah but he would seek Allah’s refuge from the torment of the grave.”
Answer
In this Hadith, there are two parts:
a) Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) affirmed the reality of the punishment of the grave, when he was asked about it by Sayyidah A’ishah (radiyallahu’anha). This proves that punishment in the grave is indeed a reality.
b) This Hadith also illustrates how excessively Nabi (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) sought protection from the punishment of the grave. The purpose for this was to guide and teach the ummah how to attain salvation (i.e. by making du’a, repeatedly).
(Refer: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 1372)
For the reference and authenticity of the Hadith, see here.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Farhan Shariff
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar,
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all salvation, from all punishments, in all abodes.