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Barzakh

Q:

Salam, when we die do the angels take every soul to barzakh? Is Allah present in barzakh? Are we allowed to ask God any question that we asked ourselves about him when we were alive? how will I remember what to ask in barzakh? please explain to me how you know what you’ve answered is accurate.

A:

Waalaykum Salaam,

Every soul whether good or bad has a Barzakh. Allah is ever-present, in every world and in all times and situations. But as for asking Him questions,  nothing, as far as I know, indicates anything to that effect. Regarding barzakh there are many narrations that have reached us from the Prophet (s) and Ahlulbayt (as) and verses of the Qur’an also point to this reality.

For example:
*“The fire; they shall be brought before it (every) morning and evening and on the day when the hour shall come to pass: Make Firon’s people enter the
severest chastisement. “(40:46)*

It means that they will be thrown in fire in the morning and in the evening and when Qiyamat will occur (it will be ordered): Inflict the severest punishment on the followers of Firon.

This is one of those verses of Qur’an, which testify to punishment in Barzakh. The above verse refers to those people of the Pharaoh who drowned in the Nile. Ever since that day, they are regularly brought near fire every morning and every evening. This will continue till the Day of Judgement whereafter they will be given the severest chastisement.

Imam Ja’far Sadiq (a.s) says that there is no morning or evening in the Hereafter, and that the said punishment in morning and evening refers to the world of Barzakh.

The Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.) said, “If the dead person is one of the people of hell, his place in hell is shown to him every morning and every evening in his grave (Barzakh period). If he or she is of the people of paradise, he or she is shown his or her palace in paradise and told that this will be your station in the Hereafter.”

For more information regarding Barzakh you may refer to the book: The Hereafter (Ma’ad) by Ayatullah Dastaghaib which can be found at the following link: The Hereafter (Ma’ad)

A.R.