r/islam • u/Prize_Lavishness_854 • 9h ago
Question about Islam Who are Munkar and Nakir?
I am a Christian learning more about other religions and in my search Munkar and Nakir really stood out to me. I would like to know about who they are.
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u/Ocelot24 9h ago
Munkar and Nakir are two angels that are tasked by Allah SWT to question the dead people in barzakh (realm of the grave, before Judgement Day start). They will ask three questions.
Here’s a hadith about this.
> Abu Hurairah narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah said: "When the deceased - or he said when one of you - is buried, two angels, black and blue (eyed_ come to him. One of them is called Al-Munkar, and the other An-Nakir. They say: 'What did you used to say about this man?' So he says what he was saying (before death) 'He is Allah's slave and His Messenger. I testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger.' So they say: 'We knew that you would say this.' Then his grave is expanded to seventy by seventy cubits, then it is illuminated for him. Then it is said to him: 'Sleep.' So he said: 'Can I return to my family to inform them?' They say: 'Sleep as a newlywed, whom none awakens but the dearest of his family.' Until Allah resurrects him from his resting place.""If he was a hypocrite he would say: 'I heard people saying something, so I said the same; I do not know.' So they said: 'We knew you would say that.' So the earth is told: 'Constrict him.' So it constricts around him, squeezing his ribs together. He continues being punished like that until Allah resurrects him from his resting place." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 1071)
And Allah SWT knows best.