The life of al-Barzakh begins with the soul being taken and raised, followed by the grave with its constriction and the questioning by the two angels. The believer enjoys the expansion of his grave and is shown his seat in Paradise, while the disbeliever suffers the tightening of his grave and is shown his seat in Hellfire. Each remains in their state of bliss or torment until the Day of Resurrection.
That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind.’ No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected.
The bliss of the grave
For martyrs and the righteous, there is a special life in al-Barzakh in which they enjoy bliss, even though we cannot perceive it with our senses. Even if their bodies are torn apart or decay, the bliss of the grave remains for them. Likewise, those whom Allah punishes in al-Barzakh are indeed punished, even if we do not sense their torment.
Rejoicing in what Allah has bestowed upon them of His bounty, and they receive good tidings about those [to be martyred] after them who have not yet joined them - that there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.
They receive good tidings of favor from Allah and bounty and [of the fact] that Allah does not allow the reward of believers to be lost -
The torment of the grave
Allah has informed us that Pharaoh’s followers are tormented in al-Barzakh morning and evening despite the decay of their bodies, and then on the Day of Resurrection they will be raised with their souls and bodies to be cast into the severest punishment in Hell.
The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening. And the Day the Hour appears [it will be said], ’ Make the people of Pharaoh enter the severest punishment.’
Hypocrites are tormented twice: first in this world, then in their graves, and then on the Day of Resurrection they will be returned to the great torment of Hell.
And among those around you of the bedouins are hypocrites, and [also] from the people of Madinah. They have become accustomed to hypocrisy. You, [O Muhammad], do not know them, [but] We know them. We will punish them twice [in this world]; then they will be returned to a great punishment.
