Q: The noble Messenger (peace be upon him) said: The grave is either a garden of Paradise or a pit of Hellfire. Whether the person is destined to enter Paradise or Hellfire, all we know is that the body decomposes in the earth and worms eat it. In the Hadith our noble Messenger (peace be upon him) stated that Allah forbade the earth to decompose the remains of Prophets. Is this regarding the Prophets only? If the person is destined to Paradise, does their body decompose in the grave, or does it remain and can enjoy the fragrance of Paradise? We hope you will explain this. A: It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When one of you dies, they are shown their place (in the Hereafter) morning and evening; if they are among the people of Paradise, they are (shown their place) among the people of Paradise; and if they are among the denizens of Hell, they are (shown their place) among the denizens of Hell, and it will be said to them, 'That is your abode until Allah raises you on (Part No. 2; Page No. 480

A: It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: When one of you dies, they are shown their place (in the Hereafter) morning and evening; if they are among the people of Paradise, they are (shown their place) among the people of Paradise; and if they are among the denizens of Hell, they are (shown their place) among the denizens of Hell, and it will be said to them, 'That is your abode until Allah raises you on (Part No. 2; Page No. 480) the Day of Resurrection.' (This is the wording of Al-Bukhari) It is one of the basic tenets of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama`ah (adherents to the Sunnah and the Muslim mainstream) that bliss and punishment are experienced by the soul, and that the body undergoes the same during Barzakh (period between death and the Resurrection), also, that bliss and punishment are experienced by the person whether the body remains or decomposes. We do not know how this happens, because it is a matter that belongs to the realm of Ghayb (the Unseen) about which we know nothing. We just have to believe in this, based on the evidence from the Qur’an, the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet), and Ijma` (consensus of scholars).May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.