Introduction
In Islam, the concept of life after death is a fundamental belief that has a significant impact on the lives and actions of Muslims worldwide. The teachings of Islam provide a detailed account of what happens after a person’s death, including the stages of the afterlife, the questioning by Munkar and Nakir, and the final judgment.
For more information about the day of judgment, please visit this link: Day of Judgement in Islam—Signs of Qiyamah.
Angels are significant in the Islamic faith. The Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) delivered revelations from Allah (SWT) to the prophets (AS). Apart from Jibreel, recording angels meticulously track every person’s actions. Islamic texts explain that angels have crucial roles in managing the universe. Among these celestial beings are Munkar and Nakir, the angels of the grave, who are responsible for testing the deceased’s faith in their final resting places.
For more information about angels, visit the following link: 4 Angels of Islam and Their Duties.
Who are Munkar and Nakeer in Islam?
Munkar and Nakeer are two angels in Islamic belief who are responsible for questioning the deceased in their graves. They appear to the soul immediately after death and inquire about its faith and deeds during its lifetime.
They ask questions to assess the individual’s sincerity and commitment to Islam. If the person has lived a righteous life, they will correctly answer the questions and receive peace in their grave. However, if they have led a sinful life, they may struggle to answer and face punishment in their grave.
The encounter with Munkar and Nakir is a significant event in the Islamic study of the afterlife, as it marks the beginning of the afterlife and determines the individual’s fate in the Hereafter.
The Concept of the Grave in Islam
In Islam, the grave serves as the first stage of the afterlife and carries significant spiritual significance. It is commonly referred to as “Barzakh,” which translates to “barrier” or “partition.” The grave serves as a transitional phase between earthly life and the Day of Judgment. During this period, the soul is believed to exist in a state of sleep or suspended reality until the resurrection.
To learn more about Barzakh, please click on Barzakh: The Intermediate Realm Between Death and Resurrection.
After the funeral prayers (Salat al-Janazah), it is customary for close family members or community members to place the deceased in the grave. This is a final act of service and respect. The body is laid in the grave on its right side, facing the Qiblah (the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca). They then cover the grave with earth and offer prayers for forgiveness and mercy.
The grave is believed to be a place of comfort or suffering based on a person’s life deeds. Refer to this as Azab al-Qabr (punishment of the grave) or Na’im al-Qabr (blessings of the grave).
The concept of the grave in Islam powerfully reminds us of the impermanence of earthly life and the importance of living a righteous life, as per Islamic teachings.
Munkar and Nakir in the Quran and Hadith
The Quran does not mention Munkar and Nakir by name, but various Hadiths describe their roles. These Hadiths emphasize the significance of leading a life of faith and righteousness to prepare for the questioning in the grave.
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “When the deceased – or He (SAW) said when one of you – is buried, two angels, black and blue (eyed_ come to him. One of them is called Al-Munkar, and the other An-Nakir. They say: ‘What did you use to say about this man?’ So he says what he was saying (before death) ‘He is Allah’s slave and His Messenger. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.’ So they say: ‘We knew that you would say this.’ Then his grave is expanded to seventy by seventy cubits, then it is illuminated for him. Then it is said to him: ‘Sleep.’ So he said: ‘Can I return to my family to inform them?’ They say: ‘Sleep as a newlywed, whom none awakens but the dearest of his family.’ Until Allah resurrects him from his resting place.”If he was a hypocrite he would say: ‘I heard people saying something, so I said the same; I do not know.’ So they said: ‘We knew you would say that.’ So the earth is told: ‘Constrict him.’ So it constricts around him, squeezing his ribs together. He continues being punished like that until Allah (SWT) resurrects him from his resting place.”
[Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1071]
The Three Questions in the Grave
According to Islamic teachings, after death, individuals must face three questions in the grave to test their faith and knowledge. Here are the questions and their correct answers as per Islamic belief:
The correct answer is,
The correct answer is,
The correct answer is,
Who Will Give Correct Answers?
The ability to answer these questions correctly is believed to be granted to those who have true faith and have lived by Islamic principles. The answers are not only verbal but also reflect a person’s genuine belief and commitment to these truths during their lifetime:
- Believers: Those who have faithfully followed the teachings of Islam, believed in Allah (SWT) without associating partners with Him (SWT) (Shirk), accepted Muhammad (peace be upon him) as the last prophet, and practiced Islam sincerely, will be able to answer confidently. It is said that their graves are a place of peace and a window to Paradise may be opened.
- Disbelievers and Hypocrites: Those who rejected the faith, lived in doubt, or were hypocritical in their practices, might find themselves unable to answer these questions. Their failure to answer correctly is believed to lead to punishments in the grave, which are described as constricted and filled with suffering.
To correctly recall and answer these questions during challenging times in the grave is a mercy and blessing from Allah (SWT). This emphasizes the significance of unwavering faith throughout one’s life.
Appearance of Munkar and Nakir
Islamic tradition often describes Munkar and Nakeer as hard and challenging. They design their appearance to reflect their serious role in questioning the deceased about their faith and life.
In Islamic traditions, Munkar and Nakir appear as large, black, and scary figures. They have rough appearances, speak with voices like thunder, and their eyes emit dazzling lights and fire.
These descriptions highlight the severity of the interrogation and the potential consequences of not answering the questions correctly.
Allah (SWT) Ask Questions on Judgment Day
On the Day of Judgment, Allah (SWT) asks comprehensive questions that cover a broader range of actions, intentions, and the details of people’s lives. These questions go beyond faith claims and explore how people lived out their faith through their actions and decisions. Examples include:
- How did you spend your life and youth?
- How did you earn and spend your wealth?
- What did you do with the knowledge you had?
On the Day of Judgment, these questions aim to consider the totality of your life by examining your deeds, intentions, and moral choices. The answers will determine your final abode—Paradise (Jannah) or Hell (Jahannam).
Are Munkar and Nakir scary?
The belief that Munkar and Nakir might appear scary mainly depends on how well a person has prepared for the afterlife. For those who have led good, faithful lives according to Islamic teachings, these angels, while still unique, may not seem as scary. However, these angels may appear far more frightening for those not closely following the teachings.
Conclusion
Munkar and Nakir hold a significant place in Islamic theology. These angels question the deceased about their faith and conversion to Islam. Their role underscores the profound Islamic belief in accountability and the continuation of the soul’s journey beyond death. Munkar and Nakeer’s Questioning in the Grave critically considers your life choices and spiritual faith.
Munkar and Nakeer’s challenging questions powerfully remind Muslims of the importance of living with Islamic principles. They highlight the necessity of preparing yourself for this world and, importantly, the afterlife. This preparation involves maintaining steadfast faith, performing good deeds, and constantly being mindful of how others will judge your actions.
