What happens to the deceased if those burying him leave?

[ابوالوليد المسلم]

What happens to the deceased if those burying him leave?

‘Abdullah bin Hamoud al-Furaih


What happens to the deceased if those burying him leave?

If the deceased is buried and his companions leave him, he hears their footsteps as they are leaving. Here there is a great separation between two situations: between the situation of the one who will leave the graveyard to continue their journey in the world after burying the deceased so he mixes with his family and (other) people as usual and the one who is in the pit of the grave and hears the footsteps of the living ones who have left and his situation is heading towards another life in Al Barzakh. No family, wealth, companions, people or anyone sitting mixes with them; (they are) alone. We ask Allah Almighty for peace from the trials of that pit.


Proof to that: the Hadith of Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "When a human being is laid in his grave and his companions return and he even hears their foot steps, two angels come to him and make him sit and ask him: What did you use to say about this man?..."[1]
Benefit: Al Barzakh in the words of the Arabs is: the barrier between two things. Allah Almighty says:
{ وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَهُمَا بَرْزَخاً }
“And He placed between them a barrier and prohibiting partition.” [Al Furqan: 53]

Meaning: a barrier. Al Barzakh in the Shariah is: the home that is after death and before resurrection. Allah Almighty says:

{ وَمِن وَرَائِهِم بَرْزَخٌ إِلَى يَوْمِ يُبْعَثُونَ }
“And behind them is a barrier until the Day they are resurrected” [Al Muminoon: 100]
Al Mujahid (may Allah be pleased with him) said: "it is what is between death and resurrection."
It was said to Al Sha'bi (may Allah be pleased with him): so and so (person) died. He said: "he is neither in the home of this world nor in the Hereafter".[2]
Then after that we go to the life of Al Barzakh and that is: the grave. For you is a discussion. The light of your grave is by your good deeds.

[1] Narrated by Al Bukhari number (1338). Narrated by Muslim number (2870)

[2] Look at: At-Tadhkirah by Al Qurtubi (page 177)