Salaamun Alaikum Dear Br. Joseph,
Hope things are fine with you and your family, Insha'Allah. Last night, I was reading your article about Azabe Qabr, Masha'Allah very well said and, surprisingly, it resonates with my reasoning that I have been discussing with my family and friends for quite some times, particularly, your final thoughts and "SOME QUESTIONS" were in complete agreement with my thoughts, Alhamdolillah, you and I have reached the same conclusion because our reasoning were based on Qur'an. You have been doing great work and I pray to Allah (SWT) to continue blessing you with wisdom, knowledge, and good health and happiness, Amin.
http://quransmessage.com/articles/grave%20punishment%20FM3.htmLast night, I was with some of my family members and the topic of death came up. Someone said "Angels of death" ask Two questions at the time of death. The person couldn't recall the two questions but send me the following verse.
4:97
Yusuf Ali
When angels take the souls of those who die in sin against their souls, they say: "In what (plight) Were ye?" They reply: "Weak and oppressed Were we in the earth." They say: "Was not the earth of God spacious enough for you to move yourselves away (From evil)?" Such men will find their abode in Hell,- What an evil refuge! -
Pickthal
Lo! as for those whom the angels take (in death) while they wrong themselves, (the angels) will ask: In what were ye engaged ? They will say: We were oppressed in the land. (The angels) will say: Was not Allah's earth spacious that ye could have migrated therein ? As for such, their habitation will be hell, an evil journey's end;
Shakir
Surely (as for) those whom the angels cause to die while they are unjust to their souls, they shall say: In what state were you? They shall say: We were weak in the earth. They shall say: Was not Allah's earth spacious, so that you should have migrated therein? So these it is whose abode is hell, and it is an evil resort
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I tried to read before and after verses to get the context but couldn't get a solid understanding yet. It seems that the conversation might be taking place at the time of death but the following verse 4:98 perplexes me. It appears it may have been on the day of judgement or it could be referring to a particular time and space? I'd really appreciate your quick response. God bless...
Your brother in Islam
4:98
Yusuf Ali
Except those who are (really) weak and oppressed - men, women, and children - who have no means in their power, nor (a guide-post) to their way.
Pickthal
Except the feeble among men, and the women, and the children, who are unable to devise a plan and are not shown a way.
Shakir
Except the weak from among the men and the children who have not in their power the means nor can they find a way (to escape);