Are there any hadiths in al-Bukhari and Muslim which speak about bliss in the grave?
Bliss in the grave is proven in the authentic prophetic Sunnah, and the hadiths that speak about that are many, including those which clearly state that and those which refer to it.
The reports in al-Bukhari and Muslim which clearly refer to bliss in the grave for the believer include:
1.
The report narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), who said: “Hasten with the bier, for if (the deceased) was righteous, then it is something good to which you are taking him, and if he was other than that, it is something bad of which you are ridding yourselves.” Narrated by al-Bukhari (1315) and Muslim (944).
It says in al-Mafatih fi Sharh al-Masabih (2/429):
The words “then it is something good to which you are taking him” mean that his state in the grave will be good, so hasten with him so that he may reach that good state quickly. End quote.
Al-Qastallani said in Irshad as-Sari (2/420):
“For if (the deceased) was good, then it is something good…” means: he is going to something good, namely reward or honour that will be bestowed upon him in his grave. End quote.
As-Sa`di said in Bahjat Qulub al-Abrar (p. 84):
This hadith affirms the bliss and torment of al-barzakh. Mutawatir hadiths concerning that have been narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). That begins when the deceased is placed in his grave, once the burial is complete. Hence in that situation it is prescribed to stand around the grave and offer supplication for him, pray for forgiveness for him and ask Allah to make him steadfast [when questioned by the angels]. End quote.
Ibn `Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him) said in Fat-h Dhi’l-Jalali wa’l-Ikram (2/578):
Regarding the words “then it is something good to which you are taking him”, yes, if the person was righteous, then you are taking him to something good, because you are taking him towards paradise, for the first stage of his bliss is his grave, so when you take him to the grave, you have taken him to something better than this world and everything in it. End quote.
2.
The report narrated from `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), according to which the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “When one of you dies, he is shown his place morning and evening. If he is one of the people of Paradise, then (he is shown his place) among the people of Paradise, and if he is one of the people of Hell, then (he is shown his place) among the people of Hell. And it is said: This is your place, until Allah resurrects you to it on the Day of Resurrection.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1379; Muslim, 2866.
Ibn al-Malik said in Sharh al-Masabih (1/133):
“If he” – that is, the deceased – “is one of the people of Paradise” that is, what will be shown to him is the places of the people of Paradise so that he will increase in gratitude and joy at the good thing that is shown to him and how sublime it is. End quote.
Ibn Hubayrah said in al-Ifsah (4/131): What we understand from this is that the punishment and bliss of the grave are real. As for the believer, he will be shown his place (in Paradise) every morning and evening. What I think is that in the grave that will be shown to him by way of giving him glad tidings, and to see whether he will ask for more and be given it, or he will wish for anything and he will be granted it. It is also like something to make him be patient in al-barzakh and to make the waiting period easy for him, because of what he is expecting of joy. As for the disbeliever, it is make him scared of the punishment and leave him in that state of fear until the punishment happens. End quote.
There are also hadiths in books other than al-Bukhari and Muslim which clearly affirm the bliss of the grave. We have quoted them previously in the answer to question no. 21713.
And Allah knows best.
