place

Graveyards

المقابر

Graveyards, known as *maqābir* in Arabic, are more than just places of burial; they are sacred thresholds and profound reminders of life's fleeting nature and the universal reality of death. These tranquil grounds serve to humble the heart, encouraging contemplation on our own inevitable return to Allah. In Islamic tradition, graveyards are not seen as a final end, but as a temporary resting place before the eternal journey. The Quran speaks powerfully about the future resurrection, assuring us that [Allah will resurrect those in the graves]. It vividly describes the Day of Judgment when humanity will [emerge from the graves as if they were locusts spreading], or [rapidly as if they were, toward an erected idol, hastening]. While recognizing the distinct state of [the living and the dead], the presence of graveyards continuously calls believers to reflect deeply on the Hereafter. They inspire a mindful preparation for eternal life, urging us to live righteously and remember that this world is but a brief passage, preparing us for the ultimate reunion with our Creator.

Quran 7 verses

وَأَنَّ ٱلسَّاعَةَ ءَاتِيَةٌ لَّا رَيْبَ فِيهَا وَأَنَّ ٱللَّهَ يَبْعَثُ مَن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ

Wa annas Saa'ata aatiya tul laa raiba feeha wa annal laaha yab'asuman fil quboor

And [that they may know] that the Hour is coming - no doubt about it - and that Allah will resurrect those in the graves.

اور یہ کہ قیامت آنے والی ہے۔ اس میں کچھ شک نہیں۔ اور یہ کہ خدا سب لوگوں کو جو قبروں میں ہیں جلا اٹھائے گا

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Different stages in the development of foetus in mother's womb فَإِنَّا خَلَقْنَاكُم مِّن تُرَ‌ابٍ (We created you from dust - 22:5.) This verse deals with the different stages through which the foetus passes in its mother's womb before taking a human form. There is a detailed hadith on this subject...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: and because the Hour will come whereof there is no doubt uncertainty; and because God will resurrect those who are in the graves.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Evidence of the Resurrection in the creation of Man and of Plants When Allah speaks of disbelief in the Resurrection, He also mentions the evidence of His power and ability to resurrect that is evident from the way He initiates creation. Allah says: يَأَيُّهَا النَّاسُ إِن كُنتُمْ فِى رَيْبٍ مِّنَ ا...

وَمَا يَسْتَوِى ٱلْأَحْيَآءُ وَلَا ٱلْأَمْوَٰتُ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُسْمِعُ مَن يَشَآءُ وَمَآ أَنتَ بِمُسْمِعٍ مَّن فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ

Wa maa yastawil ahyaaa'u wa lal amwaat; innal laaha yusmi'u mai yashaaa'u wa maaa anta bimusi'im man fil quboor

And not equal are the living and the dead. Indeed, Allah causes to hear whom He wills, but you cannot make hear those in the graves.

اور نہ زندے اور مردے برابر ہوسکتے ہیں۔ خدا جس کو چاہتا ہے سنا دیتا ہے۔ اور تم ان کو جو قبروں میں مدفون ہیں نہیں سنا سکتے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: At the beginning of the verse: وَمَا أَنتَ بِمُسْمِعٍ مَّن فِي الْقُبُورِ‌ (And you cannot make hear those who are in the graves - 22.), disbelievers have been likened to the dead and believers, to the living. In congruence to this, the expression: (those in the graves) here means the disbelievers. ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: nor are the living equal to the dead the believers and the disbelievers respectively the addition of the particle lā ‘nor’ in all three instances is for emphasis. Indeed God makes to hear whomever He will to be guided so that such a person then responds to Him by embracing faith. But you cannot make...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Believer and the Disbeliever are not equal Allah says that these antonyms are clearly not equal, the blind and the seeing are not equal, there is a difference and a huge gap between them. Darkness and light are not equal, neither are shade and the sun's heat. By the same token, the living and th...

خُشَّعًا أَبْصَٰرُهُمْ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ كَأَنَّهُمْ جَرَادٌ مُّنتَشِرٌ

khushsha'an absaaruhum yakrujoona minal ajdaasi ka annahum jaraadum muntashir

Their eyes humbled, they will emerge from the graves as if they were locusts spreading,

تو آنکھیں نیچی کئے ہوئے قبروں سے نکل پڑیں گے گویا بکھری ہوئی ٹڈیاں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَكُلُّ أَمْرٍ‌ مُّسْتَقِرٌّ‌ (...while every matter has to be settled....54:3). The literal meaning of the word istiqrar is to settle. The verse means that everything must ultimately reach its end and the matter must become clear. If a veil is fabricated and cast over the truth or reality, eventual...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: with their downcast khāshi‘an a variant reading has khushsha‘an humiliated looks absāruhum is a circumstantial qualifier referring to the subject of the verb yakhrujūna ‘they will emerge’ they that is mankind will emerge from the graves as though they were scattered locusts not knowing where to go o...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The terrible End the Disbelievers will meet on the Day of Resurrection Allah the Exalted says, `O Muhammad, turn away from these people who, when they witness a miracle, they deny it and say that this is continuous magic.' Turn away from them and wait until, يَوْمَ يَدْعُو الدَّاعِ إِلَى شَىْءٍ نُّك...

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ لَا تَتَوَلَّوْا۟ قَوْمًا غَضِبَ ٱللَّهُ عَلَيْهِمْ قَدْ يَئِسُوا۟ مِنَ ٱلْـَٔاخِرَةِ كَمَا يَئِسَ ٱلْكُفَّارُ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْقُبُورِ

Yaaa ayyuhal lazeena amanoo laa tatawallaw qawman ghadibal laahu 'alaihim qad ya'isoo minal aakhirati kamaa ya'isal kuffaaru min as haabil quboor

O you who have believed, do not make allies of a people with whom Allah has become angry. They have despaired of [reward in] the Hereafter just as the disbelievers have despaired of [meeting] the inhabitants of the graves.

مومنو! ان لوگوں سے جن پر خدا غصے ہوا ہے دوستی نہ کرو (کیونکہ) جس طرح کافروں کو مردوں (کے جی اُٹھنے) کی امید نہیں اسی طرح ان لوگوں کو بھی آخرت (کے آنے) کی امید نہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Bai'ah of Women ا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ إِذَا جَاءَكَ الْمُؤْمِنَاتُ يُبَايِعْنَكَ عَلَىٰ أَن لَّا يُشْرِ‌كْنَ بِاللَّـهِ شَيْئًا (0 Prophet, when the believing women come to you, seeking bai'ah [ a pledge of allegiance ] with you that they will not ascribe anything as a partner to Allah, ....60:12). ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: O you who believe do not befriend a people against whom God is wrathful namely the Jews. They have truly despaired of the Hereafter of attaining its reward — despite their being certain of its truth out of obstinacy towards the Prophet even though they know him to be sincere — just as the disbelieve...
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): عَسَى اللَّهُ أَن يَجْعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ الَّذِينَ عَادَيْتُم مِّنْهُم مَّوَدَّةً وَاللَّهُ قَدِيرٌ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ - لاَّ يَنْهَـكُمُ اللَّهُ عَنِ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُقَـتِلُوكُمْ فِى الدِّينِ وَلَمْ يُخْرِجُوكُمْ مِّن دِيَـرِكُمْ أَن تَبَرُّوهُمْ وَتُقْسِطُواْ إِلَيْهِمْ إِنَّ اللَّه...

يَوْمَ يَخْرُجُونَ مِنَ ٱلْأَجْدَاثِ سِرَاعًا كَأَنَّهُمْ إِلَىٰ نُصُبٍ يُوفِضُونَ

Yawma yakhrujoona minal ajdaasi siraa'an ka anna hum ilaa nusubiny yoofidoon

The Day they will emerge from the graves rapidly as if they were, toward an erected idol, hastening.

اس دن یہ قبر سے نکل کر (اس طرح) دوڑیں گے جیسے (شکاری) شکار کے جال کی طرف دوڑتے ہیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: وَالَّذِينَ هُم بِشَهَادَاتِهِمْ قَائِمُونَ (...and those who are upright in their testimonies, [ 70:33] '. The word shahadat is the plural of shahadah. The use of plural number in this verse too indicates that there are many types and categories of 'testimony', and it is necessary to stand firm by ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: the day when they will come forth from the graves hastening to the site of the Gathering as if racing to a standing target nasbin a variant reading has nusubin meaning something that has been erected mansūb such as a flag or a banner
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): The Rebuke of the Disbelievers and the Threat against Them Allah rebukes the disbelievers who, in the time of the Prophet , saw him and the guidance Allah sent him with. They witnessed the magnificent miracles Allah aided him with. Then, after all of this they fled from him and separated themselves ...

أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ مَا فِى ٱلْقُبُورِ

Afala ya'lamu iza b'uthira ma filquboor

But does he not know that when the contents of the graves are scattered

کیا وہ اس وقت کو نہیں جانتا کہ جو (مردے) قبروں میں ہیں وہ باہر نکال لیے جائیں گے

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: Verses [ 100:9-11] وَحُصِّلَ مَا فِي الصُّدُورِ‌ ﴿10﴾ إِنَّ رَ‌بَّهُم بِهِمْ يَوْمَئِذٍ لَّخَبِيرٌ‌ ﴿11﴾ أَفَلَا يَعْلَمُ إِذَا بُعْثِرَ‌ مَا فِي الْقُبُورِ‌ ﴿9﴾ (Does he not then know [ what will happen ] when all that is contained in the graves will be overturned, and all that is contained in the ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: Does he not know that when that which is in the graves in the way of the dead is strewn when it is turned over and brought out that is to say that when they are raised
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ (In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Swearing by the Horses of War about the Ungratefulness of Man and His Zeal for Wealth Allah swears by the horses when they are made to gallop into battle in His path (i.e....

حَتَّىٰ زُرْتُمُ ٱلْمَقَابِرَ

Hatta zurtumul-maqaabir

Until you visit the graveyards.

یہاں تک کہ تم نے قبریں جا دیکھیں

Commentary

Ma'arif-ul-Quran: حَتَّىٰ زُرْ‌تُمُ الْمَقَابِرَ‌Verse [ 2] (until you reach the graves.) Here the words 'reaching the graves' mean 'to die and be buried in the graves', as the following Prophetic Hadith bears testimony to this interpretation. Referring to verse [ 2] of this Surah, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: حَتّ...
Tafsir al-Jalalayn: until you visit the graves either in that you have died and then been buried in them or it means to the extent that you actually count the dead as a something to rival one another by.
Tafsir Ibn Kathir (English): Which was revealed in Makkah بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَـنِ الرَّحِيمِ In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. The Result of Loving the World and Heedlessness of the Hereafter Allah says that all are preoccupied by love of the world, its delights and its adornments, and this distrac...

Hadith 2 traditions

Sahih al-Bukhari 4:82sahih

حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا جَرِيرٌ، عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ، عَنْ مُجَاهِدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ مَرَّ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِحَائِطٍ مِنْ حِيطَانِ الْمَدِينَةِ أَوْ مَكَّةَ، فَسَمِعَ صَوْتَ إِنْسَانَيْنِ يُعَذَّبَانِ فِي قُبُورِهِمَا، فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏"‏ يُعَذَّبَانِ، وَمَا يُعَذَّبَانِ فِي كَبِيرٍ ‏"‏، ثُمَّ قَالَ ‏"‏ بَلَى، كَانَ أَحَدُهُمَا لاَ يَسْتَتِرُ مِنْ بَوْلِهِ، وَكَانَ الآخَرُ يَمْشِي بِالنَّمِيمَةِ ‏"‏‏.‏ ثُمَّ دَعَا بِجَرِيدَةٍ فَكَسَرَهَا كِسْرَتَيْنِ، فَوَضَعَ عَلَى كُلِّ قَبْرٍ مِنْهُمَا كِسْرَةً‏.‏ فَقِيلَ لَهُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لِمَ فَعَلْتَ هَذَا قَالَ ‏"‏ لَعَلَّهُ أَنْ يُخَفَّفَ عَنْهُمَا مَا لَمْ تَيْبَسَا أَوْ إِلَى أَنْ يَيْبَسَا ‏"‏‏.‏

Narrated Ibn `Abbas:Once the Prophet, while passing through one of the graveyards of Medina or Mecca heard the voices of two persons who were being tortured in their graves. The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "These two persons are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid)." The Prophet (ﷺ) then added, "Yes! (they are being tortured for a major sin). Indeed, one of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine while the other used to go about with calumnies (to make enmity between friends). The Prophet (ﷺ) then asked for a green leaf of a date-palm tree, broke it into two pieces and put one on each grave. On being asked why he had done so, he replied, "I hope that their torture might be lessened, till these get dried

ہم سے عثمان نے بیان کیا، کہا ہم سے جریر نے منصور کے واسطے سے نقل کیا، وہ مجاہد سے وہ ابن عباس رضی اللہ عنہما سے روایت کرتے ہیں کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ایک دفعہ مدینہ یا مکے کے ایک باغ میں تشریف لے گئے۔ ( وہاں ) آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے دو شخصوں کی آواز سنی جنھیں ان کی قبروں میں عذاب کیا جا رہا تھا۔ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا کہ ان پر عذاب ہو رہا ہے اور کسی بہت بڑے گناہ کی وجہ سے نہیں پھر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا بات یہ ہے کہ ایک شخص ان میں سے پیشاب کے چھینٹوں سے بچنے کا اہتمام نہیں کرتا تھا اور دوسرا شخص چغل خوری کیا کرتا تھا۔ پھر آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے ( کھجور کی ) ایک ڈالی منگوائی اور اس کو توڑ کر دو ٹکڑے کیا اور ان میں سے ( ایک ایک ٹکڑا ) ہر ایک کی قبر پر رکھ دیا۔ لوگوں نے آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم سے پوچھا کہ یا رسول اللہ! یہ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے کیوں کیا۔ آپ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فرمایا اس لیے کہ جب تک یہ ڈالیاں خشک ہوں شاید اس وقت تک ان پر عذاب کم ہو جائے۔

Sahih Muslim 6:252sahih

حَدَّثَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا يَعْقُوبُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْقَارِيُّ - عَنْ سُهَيْلٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏ "‏ لاَ تَجْعَلُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ مَقَابِرَ إِنَّ الشَّيْطَانَ يَنْفِرُ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ الَّذِي تُقْرَأُ فِيهِ سُورَةُ الْبَقَرَةِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏

Abu Huraira reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying:Do not make your houses as graveyards. Satan runs away from the house in which Surah Baqara is recited

حضرت ابو ہریرہ رضی اللہ تعالیٰ عنہ سے روا یت ہے کہ رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نے فر ما یا : " اپنے گھروں کو قبرستان نہ بنا ؤ شیطان اس گھر سے بھا گتا ہے جس میں سورہ بقرہ پڑھی جاتی ہے ۔

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