Is the torment in the grave restricted to disbelievers?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The torment in the grave is a terrifying, distressful ordeal that Muslims must seek refuge with Allaah from. It is not restricted to disbelievers and hypocrites, rather some Muslims will experience it also, according to the nature of their deeds and the punishment assigned for the sins.

Some Muslims will be punished because of negligence in removing traces of urine or for gossiping. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas the Prophet informed us about two persons who were punished in their graves: one for gossiping and the other for neglecting to cleanse himself properly after urination. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

Some will also be tormented because they have plundered spoils of war. In a Hadeeth on the authority of Abu Hurayrah the Prophet said that fire was set to a man in his grave because of a garment he discreetly took from the war booties. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

However, it should be noted that a believer who deserves torment in his grave may not be punished, because punishment is subject to the will of Allaah. In other words, the torment may be cancelled for reasons like repentance, good deeds that eliminated sin, afflictions that expiated sin, another person’s intercession, or Allaah may pardon him due to His mercy, bounty and forgiveness.

And Allaah Knows best.