What does Barzakh mean? Will the sinning Muslim experience the life of Barzakh?

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 term Barzakh linguistically means a barrier between two things. Islamically, it refers to a period of time that every dead person, whether Muslim or disbeliever, righteous or unrighteous, will inevitably pass through. During this period, the trial of the grave takes place and this includes the questioning by the two angels followed by delight or punishment.

There are three abodes:

1- This worldly life

2- Al-Barzakh (intervening stage)

3- The Hereafter

Life in Barzakh is different from the life of this world; in Barzakh the soul is somewhat connected with the body. Even though it may sometimes leave the body, it returns to it at other times such as at the time of questioning, receiving bliss or punishment and so on. In fact, only Allaah The Almighty is Aware of the reality and nature of this life.

To conclude, the sinning Muslim, just like any other person, must go through the stage of Barzakh where he is either in a state of delight or torment until Allaah The Almighty raises him on the Day of Resurrection.