Question
Is there any reliable Hadith which mentions that a person will be punished in the grave for missing Salah?
Answer
Neglecting Salah due to laziness will certainly be a cause of punishment in the grave.
There is a lengthy Hadith recorded in Sahih Ibn Hibban, Mustadrak Hakim and other Hadith collections on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu), which states that when a Believer is placed in his grave, Salah and other good deeds come to his defence and aid. Salah will protect a person from any punishment afflicting him from the direction of his head….”
(Sahih Ibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 3113, Mustadrak Hakim, vol. 1 pg. 379/380)
Imams Ibn Hibban (rahimahullah) has declared this Hadith authentic.
Based on this Hadith, those who neglect Salah, will not be protected from punishment, as Salah will not come to his aid.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar