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What Is Barzakh in Islam
In this article, we will learn what Barzakh actually is. Many people may think that there are only three stages in a person’s existence: the first stage is life in this world, the second is the Day of Judgment, and the third is either Paradise or Hell. Most people only keep these three stages in mind: life, the Day of Judgment, and Paradise/Hell.
However, there is another stage called Barzakh, which I will discuss in this article today. Barzakh is a stage in a person’s existence where they have already died, but the Day of Judgment has not yet occurred, and they have not entered Paradise or Hell. It is the period between this life and the Day of Judgment. Death. Here, a person simply waits for that day (the Day of Judgment).
Now, a question may be running through your mind: does the person in Barzakh have any knowledge of this world? Can that person feel anything? What exactly happens immediately after a person passes away? In this article, InshaAllah, I will answer all of these questions.
What Is Barzakh?
Barzakh is an Arabic word that means “barrier.” It can also be described as a partition or separation. It is a stage in itself that serves as a barrier between a person’s worldly life and the Day of Judgment. Allah says:
“And behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.” (Surah Al-Mu’minun 23:100)
Allah clearly tells us in the Quran that Barzakh is the barrier between life and the Day of Judgment, where a person remains after they have passed away.
Moment After Death
When a person dies, angels come to take that person’s soul. There are two possible situations.
First, if the deceased person was righteous, the angels will come respectfully. They will give that person glad tidings, and they will gently extract the soul with ease.
However, if a person’s deeds were displeasing to Allah, or if that person was sinful, the angels will come, but not in their normal appearance. Rather, they will appear very frightening, and without any delay, they will pull out that person’s soul with great force. This causes a level of pain that you and I cannot even imagine.
Then the angels will take the righteous person upward through the heavens. For a righteous believer, the gates of Heaven are opened, and that person is welcomed with great honor. Eventually, that person’s soul is returned to the grave, where it will remain until the Day of Judgment arrives.
Now let us talk about a disbeliever and a sinful person. That person will be taken upward with harshness. When they reach the gates of Heaven, the gates will not be opened for them, and they will be brought back down and placed in the grave, where they will face severe punishment.
Barzakh is a stage that acts as a bridge between life and the Day of Judgment. Here, the righteous receive comfort and peace, while the disbelievers and sinful people face severe punishment.
Many people think that those in Barzakh are in an unconscious sleep. However, during the stage of Barzakh, a person can feel comfort, punishment, and everything else. They are also aware of their surroundings, although only to a limited extent.
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Can The Dead Benefit From The Living?
Yes, it is possible for a person who has passed away to continue receiving benefits after death.
For example, through dua. If a living person asks Allah to forgive the deceased, Allah certainly hears that supplication and may reduce their punishment to some extent.
Giving sadaqah (charity) can also benefit a deceased person. Therefore, people should give whatever charity they can in that person’s name.
Righteous children are another source of benefit. If the children of the deceased are righteous, their supplications can have a great impact. Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said that if the children of a deceased person follow the right path, Allah also grants reward to their parents.
Finally, the knowledge that a person taught to others during their lifetime continues to benefit them. It will always be of use to them and can become a means of relief from punishment.
Conclusion
So, I hope you enjoyed today’s article and learned something about Barzakh. Barzakh is not the end of the story. It is a temporary place, just as this world is a temporary place. We will not remain in Barzakh forever. Rather, we will stay there only until the Day of Judgment arrives.
On the Day of Judgment, Allah will bring every person back to life. At that time, they will emerge from the stage of Barzakh. After the Day of Judgment takes place, Allah will decide who will enter Paradise and who will enter Hell.
And that will be a person’s final destination, where they will remain forever.
That was it for today. We will meet again in our next article. Until then, take care of yourself and your family. May Allah forgive all our sins and accept our supplications. Ameen.