Question

I have heard a hadith that says: “Judgement commence immediately after one dies”

Is this authentic?

Answer

This had been recorded as a hadith by Imams Daylami and ibn Abid Dunya (rahimahumallah) in their respective works, on the authority of Sayyiduna Anas (radiyallahu’anhu)

Hafiz al-‘Iraqi (rahimahullah) states that the chain of narrators for this is weak. (Takhrijul-Ihya vol.2 pg.1013, 1231).

The same has been mentioned by Hafiz Muhammad ibn Tahir al-Fattani (Tazkiratul-Mawdhu’at pg.215) and ‘Allamah Zabidi (rahimahullah) in his commentary of Ihya ‘Ulumid Din, (vol.10 pg.380)

Further substantiation

However, the meaning is definitely substantiated by several other such statements narrated from some Sahabah (radiyallahu’anhum). (Refer to ‘Al-Maqasidul-Hasanah, pg.501, Kashful-Khafa, vol.2 pg.279 & Ithafus Sadatil-Muttaqin, vol.9 pg.11 & vol.10 pg.380)

Qiyamah in this case actually means those events which precede the actual day of Qiyamah, such as the questioning in the grave, the punishments and difficulties of the grave etc. As for Qiyamat itself, that will take place on one day in front of the entire creation. This is supported and proven by various verses of the Qur’an as well as hadiths of Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihi wasallam). (see Ihya ‘Ulumid-Din, vol.9 pg.11 – with Ithaf)

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Answered by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar

 

Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar