The Messenger of Allah(ﷺ) entered the garden of the palm trees of Banu al-Najjar. He heard a voice and was terrified. He asked: Who are the people buried in these graves? The people replied: Messenger of Allah! These are some people who died in the pre-Islamic times. He said: Seek refuge in Allah from the punishment of the fire, and the trail of Antichrist. They asked: Why is it that, Messenger of Allah? He said: When a man is placed in his grave, an angel comes to him and says to him: Whom did you worship? Allah then guides him and he says: I worshiped Allah. He is then asked: What was your opinion of this man? He replies: He is Allah’s servant and His Apostle. He will not then be asked about anything else. He will then be taken to his abode in Hell and will be told: This was your abode in Hell, but Allah protected you and had mercy on you substituted for you an abode in Paradise for it. He will say: Leave me so that I may go and give glad tidings to my family. He will be told: Dwell. When an infidel is placed in his grave, an angel comes to him, reprimands him and asks him: Whom did you worship? He replies: I do not know. He will be told: You neither knew nor did you follow(the believers). He is then asked: What was your opinion on this man? He replies: I held the opinion that the other people held. He will then give him a blow between his ears with an iron hammer and will utter a shout which will be heard by all the creatures(near him) with the exception of men and jinn.
Hadith Text & Context
This narration from Sunan Abi Dawud 4751 describes the Prophet's visit to a pre-Islamic graveyard and his subsequent teaching about the grave's trial. The initial fright from an unknown voice serves as a pedagogical moment about the afterlife.
Scholarly Commentary
The grave (al-qabr) is the first station of the Hereafter where the deceased faces questioning by angels Munkar and Nakir. For believers, this encounter brings divine comfort; for disbelievers, severe punishment.
The Prophet's instruction to seek refuge from Hellfire and Dajjal's tribulation emphasizes these as primary concerns for every Muslim's supplications.
The Believer's Trial
When asked "Whom did you worship?", the believer's divinely-guided response affirms Tawhid (monotheism) and acknowledges Muhammad's prophethood. This correct belief transforms their grave from a pit of Hell into a garden of Paradise.
The Disbeliever's Punishment
The disbeliever's vague response "I do not know" reflects their spiritual confusion in life. The iron hammer strike represents the tangible reality of divine punishment for rejecting truth.
Legal & Theological Implications
This hadith establishes the reality of the grave's punishment and reward. It underscores the importance of correct belief (aqidah) and following the Sunnah. The narration also validates seeking refuge from specific tribulations in daily prayers.