Al-Barzakh

Al-Barzakh is the intermediate world: the state in which the soul exists between death and resurrection. The Quran names it (23:100) as a 'barrier' that cannot be crossed to return. In it takes place everything that follows death before the Day of Resurrection: the questioning of the two angels, the comfort or punishment of the grave, and the companion of the materialised deeds. A life of a special kind — neither like the life of this world nor like the permanent life of the Hereafter.

The Word in the Quran — when death comes to the disbeliever he implores: 'Lord, send me back that I may do good in what I left behind.' The response comes: 'No! It is merely a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier (barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected' (23:99-100). Al-barzakh is thus the barrier from which there is no return. The same word was used for the barrier between fresh and salt water (25:53, 55:20) — two worlds side by side without mixing.

An Intermediate Life — al-barzakh is not nothingness: it is a life of a special kind proper to the grave. The soul in it is in a conscious state. In al-barzakh takes place everything the texts describe in the grave: the questioning of Munkar and Nakir, the widening or constriction of the grave, the companion of materialised deeds, and the beginning of comfort or punishment.

The Martyrs Are Alive in It — the Quran gives decisive evidence of this intermediate life regarding the martyrs: 'Do not think of those killed in the cause of Allah as dead. In fact, they are alive with their Lord, being provided for' (3:169). An apparent death hiding a real life in al-barzakh.

Punishment and Comfort Begin in It — al-barzakh does not wait for the Day of Reckoning. The Quran mentions the fate of Pharaoh's people before the Resurrection: 'The Fire, they are exposed to it morning and evening. And on the Day the Hour arrives, it will be said: "Admit the people of Pharaoh to the severest punishment"' (40:46) — punishment in al-barzakh then more severe punishment on the Day of Resurrection.

The word 'barzakh' is Quranic (23:100). Its precise nature (the life of the grave) is established by the sum of hadiths about the grave and the consensus of Sunni scholars on the life of al-barzakh (punishment and comfort of the grave). The Quran confirms the intermediate life in the case of the martyrs (3:169) and Pharaoh's people (40:46). The exact modality belongs to the unseen: we believe in it without seeking the how.

Al-barzakh gives its real meaning to what is often said: death is not an end but a crossing. Between the last breath and resurrection is a world — an aware waiting in which each one tastes early the taste of their destiny. It changes the view of death: not annihilation but a gate to another stage. And it recalls the importance of good deeds here: for the one who pleads 'Lord, send me back' the response is: the time has passed.

...Devant eux se dresse une barrière (barzakh) jusqu'au Jour où ils seront ressuscités.

23:100

Ne crois surtout pas que ceux qui sont tombés en défendant la cause d'Allah soient morts. Ils sont bel et bien vivants, comblés auprès de leur Seigneur.

3:169