Leaving Space For The Sitting Of The Mayyit

First and foremost, it should be understood that in the light of Shari’ah, the Qabr is not merely a hole in the ground, rather it is another life and a world known as Alam-e-Barzakh or Alame-Qabr. “Barzakh” in the light of Shari’ah refers to the time between death and resurrection. When a person dies, his Rooh (soul) passes on from this world, known as the Dunyah, to the world of Barzakh. The system of the world of the Barzakh is very different from the system of this world and cannot be entirely understood by the human mind. For example, the manner of the questioning of one who is eaten by a wolf or drowns in water is also established, but difficult to understand by the human mind.

Likewise, the questioning in the Qabr and other such occurrences take place in the Alam-eBarzakh and therefore do not have to be accommodated for by those in this Dunyah. For instance, consider the method of burial know as As-Shiqq, wherein the body is placed into the ground with the wooden planks placed almost directly on top of the body. This method of burial has been found from the era of Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. 

Mufti Mahmood Saheb Rahimahullah has mentioned that when the angels of questioning will come, they themselves will make space for the Mayyit to sit. In conclusion, there is no need to leave extra space for the coming of the angels, nor space for the sitting of the Mayyit. The reality of this will only be understood after one passes away. May Allah Ta’aala ease the questioning in the Qabr for all the believers. Ameen!