Burial

According to the Islamic Shariah, the dead body of the deceased should be buried with full Islamic honor as early as possible after death. When the dead body is taken for the burial, his guardian angels go with his body in company of his soul. During the bath (Ghusl-e-Mayyet ), dressing of Kafan and other burial formalities, the soul feels all those going with his dead body and listen to the screaming of the relatives and the friends. When they take the body to the grave, the soul sees the burying of his dead body in a narrow place - The Grave. After burial, the guardian angels allow the soul to see off his departing relatives and friends. As soon as the relatives leave the grave of the dead person, the guardian angels take the soul into the grave for questions - answers. It is narrated in a hadith, recorded by Shia and Sunni authentic books, that the Holy Prophet (sws) has advised the Muslims to stand by the grave of the dead person after the burial, and should pray to Allah Taala for the forgiveness. The Prophet said, it is the most difficult time for the dead person as he is put to the questions concerning his beliefs and actions. The Talqeen in Shias is recited at this time.

The Barzakh ( Purgatory ) - Resting place of souls.

Barzakh is an Arabic word which means a barrier, i.e., a thing that separates two things. Quran has used this word to inform us that there is another world between this physical world and the eternal world where we will live after our death until the day of resurrection.

Quran says;

“And behind them is the Barzakh till the day of judgment.” (23:100)
Thus, barzakh is the place where every departed soul will live until the resurrection day. No one knows how long the souls will live there as the time of resurrection is known to Allah only. Even the Prophets have expressed their unawareness about it.