1 The Virtues of the Surahs that begin with Ha Mim

O people, seek refuge with Allah from thetorment of the grave, for the torment ofthe grave is real.''This chain of narration is Sahih according to theconditions of Al-Bukhari and Muslim, althoughthey did not record it.It was said, `how can this report be reconciledwith the fact that the Ayah was revealed inMakkah and the Ayah indicates that there will betorment during the period of Al-Barzakh?'The answer is that the Ayah refers to the souls (ofFir`awn and his people) being exposed to the Firemorning and evening; it does not say that thepain will affect their bodies in the grave. So itmay be that this has to do specifically with theirsouls. With regard to there being any effect ontheir bodies in Al-Barzakh, and their feeling painas a result, this is indicated in the Sunnah, insome Hadiths which we will mention below.It was said that this Ayah refers to thepunishment of the disbelievers in Al-Barzakh,and that it does not by itself imply that thebeliever will be punished in the grave for his sins.This is indicated by the Hadith recorded by ImamAhmad from A'ishah, may Allah be pleased withher, according to which the Messenger of Allahentered upon A'ishah when a Jewish woman waswith her, and she (the Jewish woman) wassaying, "I was told that you will be tried in thegrave.''The Messenger of Allah was worried and said:Only the Jews will be tested.59إِن َّمَا یُفْتَنُ‏ یَهُودA'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said,"Several nights passed, then the Messenger ofAllah said: