In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Punishment of the Grave (In the Light of Hadith)

The punishment of the grave is a reality

Hazrat A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates that a Jewish woman came to her and mentioned the punishment of the grave, saying to her: “May Allah protect you from the punishment of the grave.” Hazrat A’ishah رضي الله عنها says that I asked the Messenger of Allah ﷺ about the punishment of the grave, and he replied: “Yes, the punishment of the grave is true.” Hazrat A’ishah رضي الله عنها states that after this, I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ perform any Salah (prayer) in which he did not seek refuge from the punishment of the grave.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)

You will be tested in the graves

Hazrat A’ishah رضي الله عنها narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ came to her while a Jewish woman was sitting with her and saying: “You will be tested in the graves (that is, punished).” The Messenger of Allah ﷺ became concerned and said: “Indeed, the Jews will be punished.” Hazrat A’ishah رضي الله عنها says that we then waited for several nights for revelation. Afterwards, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “Revelation has been sent to me that you will indeed be tested in the graves.” Hazrat A’ishah رضي الله عنها states that from then on, I always heard him seeking refuge from the punishment of the grave.
(Sunan an-Nasai)

A lesson-filled incident of punishment of the grave during the Prophetic era

Hazrat Anas رضي الله عنه narrates that a Christian man accepted Islam. He learned Surah al-Baqarah and Surah Aal-Imran and began writing revelation for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Later, he became an apostate and said (seeking refuge with Allah): “Muhammad ﷺ does not know anything; whatever I write for him, that is what he says.”

When Allah caused him to die, the Christians buried him. In the morning, people saw that the earth had cast his body out. The Christians said: “This is the work of Muhammad ﷺ and his companions; since he left their religion, they dug up his grave and threw him out.” They dug another grave for him, made it deeper than before, and buried him again. The next morning, the earth again cast him out. They repeated their accusation, saying it was the work of Muhammad ﷺ and his companions. Then they dug a third grave, making it as deep as they possibly could, and buried him once more. When morning came, the earth again threw him out.

At that point, they realized that this was not the work of the Muslims, but rather a punishment from Allah. Thus, the Christians left his body as it was.
(Sahih al-Bukhari)