As for the disbeliever and the hypocrite, he says, ‘Ah, ah! I do not know. I used to say what people said. I heard people saying something, so I said it.’ He is told, ‘You neither knew nor followed!’ He is struck with an iron hammer between his ears and lets out a scream heard by those nearby, except mankind and jinn.”

People hold “three views” concerning such matters. Some deny altogether that the deceased is made to sit up, because his body is surrounded by stones and earth that would prevent him from sitting. He may be enclosed tightly within rock, or something may be placed upon his body and later uncovered, only to be found unchanged, and so forth. For this reason, some have concluded that the punishment of the grave affects the soul alone, as Ibn Maysarah and Ibn Hazm maintain. This view is rejected by Sunni Muslims generally.

Others hold that the body itself sits up, according to their understanding of the texts. Still others appeal to Allah’s power and the report of the truthful Messenger, without considering what is known through sense perception and direct observation. Allah’s power is real, and the truthful Messenger’s report is true; the issue, however, lies in their understanding.

When it is understood that a sleeper remains asleep while his soul sits up, stands, walks, goes about, and speaks, and various actions and activities take place within his body in conjunction with his soul, bringing pleasure and torment to both his body and soul—even though his body is lying down, his eyes are closed, and his mouth is shut