Learn what Islam teaches about the soul, barzakh, and the events that happen after death based on authentic Hadith and Salafi scholars.
Praise be to Allah, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family, and his companions.
What happens to the soul when someone dies?
Imam Ahmad (17803) narrated that al-Bara ibn ‘Azib (رضي الله عنه) said that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
Verily, when the believing slave is about to depart this world and enter the Hereafter, there come down to him angels from heaven with white faces, as if their faces are the sun. They bring with them one of the shrouds of Paradise and some of the perfume of Paradise. They sit with him as far as the eye can see. Then the Angel of Death (عليه السلام) comes to him and sits by his head and says, ‘O pure soul, come out to the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah.’ Then his soul comes flowing out like a drop of water flowing from a cup... Then his soul is returned to his body and two angels come and make him sit up.
Sahih according to al-Albani, Sahih al-Jami‘ 1676
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (رحمه الله) said:
This hadith indicates that the soul will remain after it departs the body, contrary to the misguided teachings of the mutakallimin; and that it will ascend and descend, contrary to the misguided teachings of the philosophers; and that it will be returned to the body; and the deceased will be questioned, then he will be subjected to bliss or punishment.
Ibn Majah (4262) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
Angels come to the dying person and if the man was righteous, they say: ‘Come out, O good soul that was in a good body...’ And this is repeated until it is brought to the heaven above which is Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. But if the man was evil, they say: ‘Come out O evil soul that was in an evil body...’ So it is sent back down from heaven, then it goes to the grave.
Sahih according to al-Albani, Sahih Ibn Majah
These hadiths describe what happens to the soul after death and before burial. If the person was a believer, angels give glad tidings, perfume the soul, and take it up to the highest heaven. Allah records his book in ‘Illiyyun, then the soul is returned to the body for the questioning in the grave. If the person was a disbeliever, angels announce punishment, the gates of heaven remain closed, the soul is returned to the body, and torment begins in the grave.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (رحمه الله) said:
All the sahih, mutawatir hadiths indicate that the soul will return to the body; the idea that the questioning will involve the body without the soul was suggested by some scholars, but the majority disagreed. Similarly, the idea that the questioning will involve the soul without the body was suggested by Ibn Maysarah and Ibn Hazm, but if that were the case, the grave would have nothing to do with the soul.
Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 5/446
These matters are part of the unseen which Muslims must accept, without questioning how they occur, for no one knows the life of al-barzakh except Allah.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymin (رحمه الله) was asked about the return of the soul to the body in the grave. He replied:
It is proven from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that when a person dies, his soul is returned to him in his grave, and he is questioned about his Lord, religion, and Prophet. Allah keeps firm those who believe, and they answer correctly. As for the disbeliever or hypocrite, he will be confused and fail. The life of the soul in the grave (al-barzakh) is unlike this worldly life, and we are only required to accept it.
Fatawa Nur ‘ala ad-Darb, 4/2
And Allah knows best.