English Translation

Abu Hurayrah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When the deceased — or one of you — is buried, two angels, black and blue, come to him. One is called Munkar and the other Nakir. They say: 'What did you used to say about this man?' He says what he used to say: 'He is the servant of Allah and His Messenger. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.' They say: 'We already knew you would say this.' Then his grave is expanded for him seventy cubits by seventy, and it is illuminated for him. Then they say: 'Sleep.' He says: 'Let me return to my family to tell them.' They say: 'Sleep like a newlywed whom only the most beloved person wakes up.' He sleeps until Allah resurrects him from his resting place. If the person was a hypocrite, he says: 'I heard people saying something and I said it too; I do not know.' They say: 'We already knew you would say this.' The earth is told: 'Close in on him,' and it closes in on him until his ribs interlock. He continues to be tormented therein until Allah resurrects him from his resting place." Narrated by al-Tirmidhi.