Question Summary:
Will the deceased see the picture of Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam in the grave?

Question Detail:

Assalamalaykum warahmatulla,when the kafan put in grave the angels of allah asking 3 quedtion.When they come to asking what is your nabi name at that the picture of nabi is showing to the kafa.please tel me jhazakhallah

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
In a Hadith, it is mentioned:
 
يُقَالُ مَا عِلْمُكَ بِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ؟ (صحيح البخاري, ج 1, ص 28: دار طوق النجاة) 
 
Translation: The deceased will be questioned in the grave: “What do you know about this man?” (Sahīh Al-Bukhārī, Vol. 1, Page 28: Dār Tauq An-Najāh)
 
This Hadīth is in Sahīh Al-Bukhārī, thus it is authentic.
 
The Ulemā have various opinions regarding the circumstance and set up of the question.  Since a demonstrative pronoun is used in reference to Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam, some Ulema hold the opinion that the picture of Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam will be portrayed for the deceased.  This view is stated by Mullā Alī Al-Qāri Rahimahullāh in his commentary on Mishkāt Al-Masābīh named Mirqāt Al-Mafātīh. [1]
 
Other Ulemā are of the view that the veils between the deceased and the blessed grave of Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam will be lifted and the deceased will view Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam.  This view is quoted by Allāmah Qastalāni Rahimahullāh.  However Allāmah Qastalānī says after quoting this opinion that he has not seen any narration supporting this view. [2]
 
Another view is of Qādhī Ayādh Rahimahullāh.  He mentions that there is a possibility that the name of Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam will be taken during the interrogation.  Thereafter, the demonstrative pronoun will be used to question the deceased. [3]
 
However, other Ulemā say that the usage of the demonstrative pronoun is not a sufficient proof to prove that Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam will be visible for the deceased.  They say that the indication of the pronoun is towards the information present in the mind.  Hence, once the question is asked, the deceased will automatically know that the question is regarding Nabī Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam.  [4] [5] [6]
 
Whatever the reality of the test is, that is best known to Allah Ta’ala.  Our responsibility is to obey Allah according to the way shown to us by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam.  Hold firm to the Sunnah of Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam in every aspect of life.
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.