The Life of the Prophet ﷺ in the Grave

Question

A religious scholar in our locality said in a speech that when Hazrat Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal ﵀ went to the blessed grave of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, he said: “People say that you are alive, but I am not prepared to accept this.” An answer came from the noble grave: “I am alive.” He said again: “I will not accept it; I will accept it only if you appear before me.” Thereupon the noble grave split open, and he ﷺ brought out his blessed hand from it, shook hands (musafaha) and said: “I am alive.

Answer

I have not seen this report in any book of hadith or fiqh. The discussion of his ﷺ being alive in the purest grave is a separate matter; the verified conclusion of the scholars of truth is that he is alive there, and there are proofs for this as well.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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