Paradise, while we are unaware of it. What lies within the graves is known only to the Knower of the unseen. Thus, the matter of punishment in the grave belongs to the realm of the unseen; had the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, not informed us of it, we would not have known. Hence, when the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, entered upon Aisha while a Jewish woman was with her, and the woman said, “Have you heard that you will be tested in the graves?” Aisha said: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was alarmed and said, “It is only the Jews who will be tested.” Aisha said: We remained for several nights, then the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Have you heard that it has been revealed to me that you will be tested in the graves?” Aisha said: Thereafter, I heard the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, seeking refuge from the punishment of the grave. (1)

Yet Allah Most High may disclose it to whomever He wills among His servants, just as He showed His Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, the two men who were being punished: one of them used to spread malicious gossip, while the other did not take care to avoid urine. (2) The wisdom behind making it one of the matters of the unseen includes the following:

First: Allah, Mighty and Majestic, is the Most Merciful of those who show mercy. If we were to see the punishment of the graves, we would die, for if a person were to see his father, brother, son, wife, or relative being punished in the grave, while being unable to deliver him from it, he would be distressed and unable to find rest. This is among the blessings of Allah, Glorified be He.

Second: It better conceals the deceased’s condition. Allah may have concealed this deceased person’s sins against his Lord from us; we do not know of the sins that lay between him and his Lord. Then, when he dies, if Allah were to show us