Abodes and Ranks of Souls in Barzakh: From Paradise to Punishment
“The Righteous Answers to Wise Questions” – (Part 16)
By: Allamah Zaid bin Muhammad bin Hadi al-Madkhali (May Allah have mercy on him)
Question 22: Where is the abode of souls after they separate from the bodies and transfer to the life of Barzakh (the intermediary realm)?
Answer: There is an immense difference in the stations and ranks of souls in the World of Barzakh:
(1) Highest Ranks:
Some souls are in Illiyyin (the highest of the high) with the loftiest assembly of angels. these are the souls of the Prophets (prayers and peace be upon them all). Even among them, there are differences in rank, just as the Prophet ﷺ saw various Prophets at different levels and stations on the Night of Ascension (Mi’raj).
(2) Souls in Birds:
Some souls reside in the bodies of green birds that fly freely wherever they wish in Paradise (1). These are the souls of some martyrs (Shuhada), but not all; some martyrs are prevented from entering Paradise due to debt or other reasons. As narrated in Musnad Ahmad from Muhammad bin Abdullah bin Jahsh (may Allah be pleased with him), a man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked: “O Messenger of Allah! What will I get if I am martyred in the path of Allah?” The Prophet ﷺ replied: “Paradise.” When the man turned to leave, the Prophet ﷺ added:
“إِلَّا الدَّيْنُ، سَارَّنِي بِهِ جِبْرِيلُ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام آنِفًا”.
“Except for debt; Jibril (peace be upon him) just told me this.” [Musnad Ahmad: 17253, Sahih lighayrihi]
(3) Restricted Souls:
Some souls are held back at the gate of Paradise, as mentioned in another Hadith:
“رأيتُ صاحبَكُم محبوسًا على بابِ الجنَّةِ”.
“I saw your companion restricted at the gate of Paradise.” [Musnad Ahmad; Authenticated by Al-Albani in Sharh al-Aqeedah al-Tahawiyyah]
(4) Imprisoned Souls:
Some souls are imprisoned in their graves and are being punished along with their bodies. An example is the person who misappropriated a cloak from the spoils of war before it was distributed and was later martyred. People said, “Congratulations to him on Paradise,” but the Prophet ﷺ said:
“والذي نَفْسِي بيَدِهِ إن الشملةَ التي غلّها لتشعلُ عليه نارا”.
“By the One in Whose Hand is my soul, the cloak he took from the spoils (before distribution) is burning over him as fire.” [Al-Darimi, Bukhari, Muslim]
(5) Souls in Green Domes:
Some souls reside at the gate of Paradise, as stated in the Hadith of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them):
“الشُّهَدَاءُ عَلَى بَارِقِ نَهَرٍ بِبَابِ الْجَنَّةِ، فِي قُبَّةٍ خَضْرَاءَ، يَخْرُجُ عَلَيْهِمْ رِزْقُهُمْ مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ بُكْرَةً وَعَشِيًّا”.
“The martyrs are at a river called Bariq at the gate of Paradise, in a green dome; their provision comes to them from Paradise morning and evening.” [Musnad Ahmad: 2390, Hasan]
(6) Earthbound Souls:
Some souls are imprisoned on the earth and cannot reach the Mala’ al-A’la (the Lofty Assembly). This is because they were earthly and lowly souls during their life in the world. These souls cannot unite with the lofty celestial souls; just as their rank was not equal in the worldly life, they are not of the same status in the Barzakh or the Hereafter.
(7) Souls Under Punishment: Some souls reside in an “oven” designated for male and female adulterers, while others swim in a river of blood and have stones cast into their mouths. This is detailed in the long Hadith of Samurah bin Jundub (may Allah be pleased with him):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to frequently ask his companions, “Has anyone among you seen a dream?” Then whoever Allah willed would relate their dream. One morning the Prophet ﷺ said: “Last night two visitors came to me and took me away… We came upon a man lying down, and another standing over him with a stone. He would strike the man’s head with the stone, crushing it. The stone would roll away, and by the time he retrieved it, the head would be healed as it was before. He would strike him again… I asked, ‘SubhanAllah! Who are these two?’ They said, ‘Proceed, proceed.’
…We came to a man lying on his back and another standing with an iron hook. He would put the hook in one side of the man’s mouth and tear it to the back of his head, and do the same with his nose and eye. Then he would turn to the other side and do the same… by the time he finished, the first side would be healed… I asked, ‘SubhanAllah! Who are these two?’ They said, ‘Proceed, proceed.’
…We came to something like an oven (Tannur). Inside were naked men and women. A flame of fire would come from beneath them, and when it reached them, they would scream… I asked, ‘Who are these?’ They said, ‘Proceed, proceed.’
…We came to a river—red like blood—with a man swimming in it. On the bank stood a man who had gathered many stones. Whenever the swimmer reached the bank, the man on the bank would throw a stone into his open mouth… I asked, ‘Who are these?’ They said, ‘Proceed, proceed.’
…We came to a most hideous-looking man you have ever seen, tending a fire… they told me ‘Proceed.’ We reached a garden full of spring flowers. In the middle was a man so tall I could hardly see his head in the sky. Around him were many children…
…Then they took me up into a city built of gold and silver bricks. We entered and met people who were half beautiful and half hideous. My companions told them to jump into a nearby river of pure white water. They did so and returned perfectly beautiful.
They then explained: The first man (crushed head) was one who learned the Quran then abandoned it and slept through the obligatory prayers. The man with the torn mouth was a liar who spread falsehoods far and wide. The naked people in the oven were adulterers. The one swimming in blood was the consumer of Riba (usury). The hideous man at the fire was Malik, the gatekeeper of Hell. The tall man was Ibrahim (AS), and the children were those who died upon the Fitrah (natural inclination). The half-beautiful people were those who mixed good deeds with bad deeds, whom Allah has forgiven. This city is the Garden of Eden, and that palace is your home…” [Summarized from Sahih al-Bukhari: 7047, 1386]
The Four Houses of the Soul
It is clear that souls do not share a single common abode. Some are in the heights of Illiyyin, some lower, and some are earthbound. After separating from the body, souls experience health or sickness, pleasure or regret. A connection remains between the soul and the body, through which Allah manifests bliss or punishment on both simultaneously as He wills.
Human souls pass through four distinct houses, each larger and more expansive than the last:
- The First House: The mother’s womb, within three veils of darkness.
- The Second House: This world (Dunya), where the soul grows and earns either success or wretchedness.
- The Third House: The World of Barzakh, which is far more expansive than this world.
- The Fourth House: The Final Abode (Dar al-Qarar)—either Paradise or Hell.
Ibn al-Qayyim’s Classification of the Nafs
Regarding the qualities of the soul in this world, Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) categorized them into three:
- The Celestial and Lofty Soul: Its focus is the knowledge of Allah, virtue, and avoiding vice. It finds nourishment in drawing closer to Allah. Angels are the guardians and supporters of such souls.
- The Wrathful and Predatory Soul: It seeks dominance, oppression, and arrogance. It finds pleasure in subjugating others.
- The Animalistic and Lustful Soul: It is preoccupied only with material pleasures—food, drink, and sexual desires.
Conclusion: Every conscious person must evaluate the inclinations of their soul. If one finds good, they should thank Allah; if otherwise, they must strive to correct themselves and flee from the causes of Allah’s anger. A person should live their life in the shade of Allah’s mercy, ensuring their soul is purified so that in the Barzakh and the Hereafter, it enjoys a life of luxury and bliss with its body.
(1) Likewise, the souls of believers stay in the bodies of green birds, flying wherever they wish in Paradise, as established in an explicit Sahih text from the Prophet ﷺ. [Musnad Ahmad: 6/386]
