What is the belief of the people of the Sunnah and the community regarding the punishment of the grave?

Question:
A questioner asks: What is the belief of the people of the Sunnah and the community regarding the punishment of the grave? Is it upon the soul only, or upon both the soul and the body?

Answer:
Among the beliefs of the people of the Sunnah and the community is belief in the punishment and bliss of the grave. The deceased is either granted bliss or subjected to punishment. The people of the Sunnah and the community believe in this, and the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) informed us of it. The grave is either a garden from the gardens of Paradise or a pit from the pits of the Fire.
Therefore, the Muslim must believe in this. Allah showed His Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) two people who are being punished: one was a talebearer, and the other did not clean himself after urination.
The people of the Sunnah believe in the punishment and bliss of the grave, and that it is a reality for both the soul and the body, though the soul’s share is greater. As Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) said regarding the family of Pharaoh: [Ghafir: 46]. Likewise, the righteous deceased is granted bliss in his grave, and the unrighteous is punished in his grave. On the Day of Resurrection, the punishment is more severe and the bliss is greater after the resurrection on the Day of Rising.