Rising from the grave

Burying our loved ones, little do we realize that this grave will one day open forth and human beings will come out of the grave. Century after century this his been the debate by the kuffar – will man be raised up again? Who will bring these dead bones to life? Us and our forefathers?

In Sura Al Waqi’ah, Allah mentions this argument of the kuffar :

They used to ask ˹mockingly˺, “When we are dead and reduced to dust and bones, will we really be resurrected?
And our forefathers as well?”
Sura Al Waqi’ah 47-48

Logic has been provided by Allah in the Qur’an – the one who created the first time is able to raise up again. Allah says in Sura Yaseen – the one who created first time will raise you up again!

Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “They will be revived by the One Who produced them the first time, for He has ˹perfect˺ knowledge of every created being. Sura Yaseen 36:79

What seems impossible, will one day take place. What seems undoable. That is bring the dead back to life again. Our human mind is not able to comprehend this fact, which is why Allah has provided logic – this MUST take place. In addition, the Prophet (PBUH) explained in clear terms exactly what are the events and the exact sequence that will take place.

It was narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, ‘What is between the two Trumpet-blasts will be forty.’ Somebody asked, ‘Forty days?’ But I could not answer. Then he asked, ‘Forty months?’ But I could not answer. Then he asked, ‘Forty years?’ But I could not answer.” Abu Hurayrah added, “Then (after this period) Allah will send water from the sky and then the dead bodies will grow like vegetation grows. There is nothing of the human body that does not decay except one bone; that is the little bone at the end of the coccyx from which the human body will be recreated on the Day of Resurrection.” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4651; Muslim, 2955).

What will our condition be when we are raised up? What will we see? Who will be with us? Will it be daytime or night time? What will be the condition of the land where we place our foot? Will we be clothed or naked?

Nobody remembers the events of the first time we were born and came into this earth from our mother’s womb. At that time we are sinless and are sent to this earth as vicegerent of Allah (SWT) with a clean slate. However, the condition of second raising will depend on our deeds and how we performed in this short life – whether we tried our best to fulfil our responsbilities or we completely forgot why we were sent to this earth and led a life of disobedience and ingratitude to our Creator, the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth, who gave us life after we were nothing, not even mentioned by name.

Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The people will be assembled barefoot, naked, and uncircumcised.” I said, “O Messenger of Allah, will the men and women look at each other?” The Prophet said, “The matter will be too serious for them to notice.”

In another narration, the Prophet recited the verse, “As We began creation, so shall We repeat it, a promise binding upon Us. Surely, We will do it.” (21:104)

Source: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6075, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 5107

The Qur’an explains in details the condition of man when they will rise up from the graves. Some verses are provided below:

When will this resurrection take place? Only Allah knows, and it will take place when He wills:

(1)

ثُمَّ إِذَا شَاءَ أَنشَرَهُ ‎

Then when He wills, He will resurrect them. Sura Abasa 80:22

(2)

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَإِذَا هُم مِّنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمْ يَنسِلُونَ ‎

The Trumpet will be blown ˹a second time˺, then—behold!—they will rush from the graves to their Lord. Sura Yasin 36:51

(3)

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ يَوْمُ الْوَعِيدِ ‎

وَجَاءَتْ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّعَهَا سَائِقٌ وَشَهِيدٌ

Each soul will come forth with an angel to drive it and another to testify. Sura Qaf 50:21

(4)

يَوْمَ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ سِرَاعًا كَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ نُصُبٍ يُوفِضُونَ

the Day they will come forth from the graves swiftly, as if racing to an idol ˹for a blessing˺ Sura Ma Arij 70:43

(5)

خُشَّعًا أَبْصَارُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ الْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُّنتَشِرٌ ‎

With eyes downcast, they will come forth from the graves as if they were swarming locusts, Sura Al Qamar 54:7

(6)

وَنُفِخَ فِي الصُّورِ فَصَعِقَ مَن فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَمَن فِي الْأَرْضِ إِلَّا مَن شَاءَ اللَّهُ ۖ ثُمَّ نُفِخَ فِيهِ أُخْرَىٰ فَإِذَا هُمْ قِيَامٌ يَنظُرُونَ

The Trumpet will be blown and all those in the heavens and all those on the earth will fall dead, except those Allah wills ˹to spare˺. Then it will be blown again and they will rise up at once, looking on ˹in anticipation˺. Sura Zumar 39:68

(7)

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَن تَقُومَ السَّمَاءُ وَالْأَرْضُ بِأَمْرِهِ ۚ ثُمَّ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ دَعْوَةً مِّنَ الْأَرْضِ إِذَا أَنتُمْ تَخْرُجُونَ

And one of His signs is that the heavens and the earth persist by His command. Then when He calls you out of the earth just once, you will instantly come forth. Sura Rum 30:25

May Allah envelop us in His mercy on that fearful Day and protect us from all calamities. May Allah make us do the right deeds that will save us on this Day.

And Allah knows best.