BARZAKH

The literal meaning of Barzakh is ‘a curtain which stands between two things and does not allow the two to meet’. Barzakh is a realm kept by Almighty between this world and hereafter maintaining their individual limits. After entering the world of Barzakh, one does not feel physical pains. In Barzakh people will have Misali bodies which appear as worldly material bodies. The Misali body will be finer than air. It can see anything and every thing from every where and every time. For example, if one happens to see his dead father in dream, one will observe him in his worldly material body while his body (and matter) is in the grave. In dreams we see Misali bodies. Barzakhi body may be compared with what we see in a mirror. Misali body travels immeasurable distances in split of a second. Better taste, fragrance, and good looking faces etc are available to Misali body. In Holy Qur’an, Allah says: “Do not think of those slain for the cause of Allah, they are alive with their Lord and receive sustenance from Him.” (3:169) Also “…..After death they will be behind a barrier until the day of their Resurrection.” (23:100)

In one of the Traditions, The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “In my dream, I saw my uncle Hamza, after his martyrdom that he was eating pomegranate. All of a sudden, I saw that it turned into dates. I asked him as to what kind of deeds are beneficial there. He replied 1) giving water to thirsty, 2) reciting Durood, 3) love of Imam Ali (a.s.). Animals hear the voice of the dead. I was grazing sheep before I was made a messenger. During those days I observed that goats and sheep while grazing suddenly became still. After I began getting revelations, I asked Jibreel about it and he told me that in the realm of Barzakh, sinners get Divine punishments. Their cries are heard by all except men and jinn. Such voices shock the animals and they stop taking their food.”

Every son and daughter of Hazrat Adam has to die. Barzakh is the period from the moment our Rooh leaves our bodies (death) to the Day of Resurrection (Qiyamat). This last journey of human beings can be divided into different segments. The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) and his Pure Progeny are the personalities who are most familiar with the life hereafter, hence we shall enumerate their directives to follow for each segments.

First Segment is the time when one experiences the pangs of death. This is an extremely hard time. On one side is the crying of family members, thoughts of separation from children, spouse, wealth and comforts of life and on the other side is the pain and sickness and also numbness of body which refuses to respond. Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said: “If any one wishes to make the pangs of death easy and light, he should maintain good relations with his relatives and should be kind and gentle with his parents. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) had recommended us to recite Surah al-Yaseen, Surah al-Safaat, and also recite in daily prayers the following Dua’a in “Qunoot”: “La Ilaha Illalah Al-Hamidul Karim” meaning “There is no power except Allah, the Forbearing and Gracious.”

Second Segment is Satanic Thoughts in death. It is the turning away from Truth to the Falsehood. As Shaitaan is the sworn enemy of the human beings and continues to distract Mumineen from the right path. He tries utmost to distract his victims at the last moments of life by creating doubts in their minds so that he may die an infidel. There are Traditions which encourages Momineen to remember “Usool-e-Deen” with proofs during the life time so that at the time of “Talqeen”, reminded at the time of death brings certainty to his faith. Dua’a-e-Adeela should be read at the death bed. The other beneficial things which are practiced during life-time are: (a) Reciting Tasbeeh-e-Fatima Zehra (s.a.), (b) wearing Aqeeq (Carnelian) ring, and reciting Surah al-Mu’minun on Fridays, reading “Bismillahi La Hawla Wa La Quwwatah Illah Billah” after Fajr and Maghrib prayers.

Third Segment is the Wahshat al Qabr or Fear and Horror of the Grave: This is more severe and fearful than the previous stages. Since this is a very fearful time hence the dead body should not be taken directly to the grave but give three breaks (Manzil) so as to prepare the dead for the grave. The soul of the deceased still remains near the body as it has interest in the body. The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said: “The most fearful time for the dead is their first night in the grave. Help your dead in this time of need by giving charity on their behalf and by praying for them (Salaat al-Wahshat). In this prayer, in the first rakaat, after Surah al-Hamd recite “Ayatul Kursi” and in the second rakaat, after Surah al-Hamd recite Surah al-Qadr ten times.

Fourth Segment is the Constriction in the grave. This is also a difficult time. The graves calls out every day: “I am the rest-house of the travelers. I am a house of Horror and also of Respect. For some, the grave will be a garden amongst the gardens of Heaven and for others it will be a pit from the pits of the Hell. Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said that no body can escape this constriction, but there are practices which can prove helpful in this regard. E.g. 1) Imam Ali (a.s.) has said that reading of Surah al-Nisa every Friday will save one from the constriction. 2) One who makes a habit of reading Surah al-Zukhruf will remain safe from constriction and beasts in the grave. 3) Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) has said that whoever dies between Thursday noon and Friday noon will be spared constriction. 4) Imam Ali al-Riza (a.s.) has said that the habit of night prayers keeps one safe from the constriction. 5) The Noble Prophet (s.a.w.s.) has said that reciting of Surah al-Takasur before sleeping helps to ward-off the constriction. 6) People buried in the sacred land of Najaf are also spared the constriction.

Fifth Segment is the Questioning by Munkir and Nakir:  Imam Jaffer al-Sadiq (a.s.) said that one who does not believe that questioning will not take place in the grave is not a true faithful. Reading Taqleen twice before the burial is completed is very beneficial  especially if the person has these beliefs in his life time.

Sixth Segment is the Day of Judgment. It is the harshest and severest. There are fifty stations in the Day of Judgment; each more severe than the previous one.