The Arabic word Barzakh literally means barrier, partition, or isthmus. In the Islamic context, it refers to the intermediate realm between this worldly life (dunyā) and the afterlife (ākhirah).

Barzakh in the Qur’an

• Allah mentions Barzakh in Surah Al-Mu’minun (23:99–100):

“Until, when death comes to one of them, he says, ‘My Lord, send me back so that I may do good in that which I left behind.’ No! It is only a word he is saying. And behind them is a Barzakh until the Day they are resurrected.”

This shows that after death, every person enters Barzakh, where they remain until the Day of Resurrection.

Nature of Barzakh

• It is not the full Hereafter yet, but a waiting station between death and resurrection.
• Souls experience a preview of their final destiny:
  • For the righteous: peace, comfort, and glimpses of Paradise.
  • For the wicked: punishment, distress, and glimpses of Hell.
• This is why it is sometimes called “the life of the grave” (ḥayāt al-qabr).

What Happens in Barzakh

According to Qur’an and authentic Hadith:

1. Questioning by the Angels (Munkar and Nakīr): After burial, the soul is asked about its Lord, religion, and Prophet.
2. Reward or Punishment in the Grave: Depending on the answers and deeds, the grave becomes either:
   • A garden from the gardens of Paradise, or
   • A pit from the pits of Hell.
4. Waiting until Qiyāmah: The soul remains in this state until the trumpet is blown and all are resurrected.

Importance in Islamic Belief

• It reminds Muslims that death is not the end, but a passage into another form of existence.
• Actions in this life directly influence the comfort or suffering one experiences in Barzakh.
• Hence, Muslims are encouraged to prepare with faith, good deeds, and repentance.