Sirat Bridge (Pul e Sirat) 7 Passes and 7 Questions

According to tradition, Sirat, which in Arabic means “a path or a road,” is a bridge or road that runs from the top of hell. According to a Hadith, Pul-e-Siraat is a bridge that is hotter than fire, sharper than a sword, and thinner than a hair. True believers will traverse the Hereafter quickly, while others will stumble and plunge into the depths of Hell. Those who have trouble crossing the Hereafter will finally find respite. The likeness of Pul-e-Siraat (Sirat Bridge), according to Shaikh Abbas Qummi in Manazelul Akhera, is of “The Right Path” (Siraat al-Mustaqim) of this world, which is the path of our Ahlul Bayt (peace be upon them); in Sura Fatiha, Siraat al-Mustaqim relates to both of these paths: the Pul-e-Siraat and path of the Ahlul Bayt.

No one will be able to get away from crossing this bridge, not the residents of Paradise nor the inhabitants of Hell.  Allah says in the Qur’an: “And there is not one of you but shall come to it, this is an unavoidable decree of your Lord. And we will deliver those who guarded (against evil), and we will leave the unjust therein on their knees.” (19:71-72)  This bridge has seven Passes (Aqabat), according to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) who narrated it. Each Pass will have stations, each measuring 70 Farsakh (1 Farsakh is equal to 5.5 km), and 70,000 Angels will be stationed there.

Also Read: Malak-ul-Maut: Angel of Death in Islam

Those who reach the Abode of Permanence (Dar al-Baqa), after safely navigating all seven Passes, will have a trouble-free, eternal life. Together with the Prophets and Imams (peace be upon them all), the martyrs, and the pious among His slaves, they shall live close to Allah. However, if a person is halted at a pass and neither their good deeds nor Allah’s Mercy reaches them, they will trip over themselves and fall into the fire of Hell. (E’teqadat al-Imamiyah). Let’s learn about the 7 Passes of the Sirat Bridge.

Sirat Bridge (Pul e Sirat) 7 Passes and 7 Questions

First Pass: Question about Faith

The first station on this bridge is for preserving womb relationships (Silat al-Rahm), and that is where we shall stop first. The individual who does not show mercy to his parents and other family members in this life will have a brief life, not succeed, and will be stopped on the first station of Pul-e-Siraat in the Hereafter. “And be careful of your duty to Allah, by whom you demand one of another (your rights), and to the ties of relationship,” Allah forewarns us in the Holy Qur’an (4:1). It is a virtue that has been continuously emphasized to us through numerous traditions since it results in Allah’s pleasure, prevents a lot of bad things from happening, and lengthens one’s Rizq (sustenance) and longevity. Silat al-Rahm includes visiting our kin when they are unwell, aiding them when they are in need, granting their wishes, and paying them visits on significant occasions like Eid.

The second station on this Pass is trust (Amanah), which can refer to either the money or thing that someone has entrusted you with or the secret that they have asked you to keep secret. Similarly to this, it will be considered a breach of trust if something is borrowed and not returned within the allotted time. It has been said that if a person has broken trust or cut ties with family members, none of his good deeds will help him when he crosses Pul-e-Siraat; he will plummet straight into the pits of Hell.

The love of Ahlul Bayt is the third station (Wilayah). Both Shia and Sunni publications have cited numerous traditions to clarify that Wilayah refers to Imam Ali’s Love (peace be upon him). Great Ahlul Sunnah scholars Allama Huwainee and Tabari cite the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying: “O Ali! Anyone who rejects your love will be prevented from moving forward by Pul-e-Siraat.” Ali’s love is undoubtedly the secret to crossing this terrifying bridge without difficulty.

Second Pass: Salat (Prayers)

A person traveling on this Pass will be stopped and questioned about their five daily prayers, their elapsed prayers (Qada), and the Prayer of Signs (Salat al-Ayaat). “Woe to the praying ones who are unmindful of their prayers,” Allah declares in the Qur’an (107:4- 5). Those who do not pray to die thirsty and will also awaken from the dead thirsty.

Imam Sadiq (peace be upon him) stated in his final will and testament that people who undervalue prayer would never benefit from the intercession of our Ahlul Bayt. (

Biharul Anwar, Volume 82, Page 227)

While it may seem that this Hadith refers to people who regularly skip their daily prayers, Ayatollah Dastaghaib Shirazi explains that this Hadith refers to those of us who do not give Salat its proper importance, such as by skipping the Fajr and Dhuhr prayers or by offering them at sunrise or sunset.

“O you who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is men and stones.” (66:6) Thus, we are obligated to warn our family and friends of Allah’s wrath by enjoining them to do good (Amr bil Ma’ruf) and prohibiting evil in addition to protecting ourselves with these religious requirements (Nahi anil Munkar).

Third Pass: Zakat and Khums

Any person who fails to pay the Khums or Zakat that are owed to him, even if they total just $1, will undoubtedly be stopped at this Pass. According to the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), the individual who did not pay the Zakat on the Day of Judgment will have a python named Aqra, whose hairs have come off due to the potent poison in it, tied around his neck. Narratives also indicate that Khums will be subjected to questions that are even more severe than those directed at Zakat.

According to the Qur’an, “On the day when it shall be heated in the fire of Hell, then their foreheads and their sides and their backs shall be branded with it; this is what you hoarded up for yourselves, therefore taste what you hoarded.” (9:35)

According to Imam Sadiq, one of the most challenging situations on the Day of Judgment would be when the legitimate Khums beneficiaries grab hold of the end of the payer’s shirt and demand their due on this Pass, preventing him from crossing the bridge until he does. When the Interceders (the Ahlul Bayt) themselves petition the populace for their own rights (Khums), the issue will only get worse.

Fourth Pass: Siam (Fasting)

People will be asked about their required fasts on the fourth pass. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: “For the one who fasts, there are two good tidings for him: one at the time of breaking the fast (Iftar), while the second when he shall meet his Lord – either at the time of death or when crossing Pul-e-Siraat. He will pass over the bridge easily and enter the presence of his Lord.”

Fifth Pass: Pilgrimage (Hajj)

If a person does not undertake the Hajj within his or her lifetime, he or she will be stopped at this Pass. He will hear the words, “You have died the death of a Jew or a Christian; you are not linked with Islam,” as he passes away. Imam Ali has said: “By Allah, by Allah, keep the House of your Lord in mind. Do not disregard it as long as you remain alive, because surely if it is ignored, then He shall not look towards you with His Mercy.” (Bihar al-Anwar)

Sixth Pass: Cleanliness

Taharah, or cleanliness, is a component of faith. Those who neglect cleanliness and purification will be stopped at this Pass, particularly men and women who don’t perform the ceremonial bath (Ghusl Janabat) properly or at the appointed time. The other baths (Ghusl Haiz, Nifaas, and Iztihaza) should be performed with care, and women should be aware of the relevant Fiqh regulations. According to this, a person who does not maintain himself clear of contaminants would likewise have a painful death.

Seventh Pass: Madhalim (Rights)

Aqba Haqq al-Naas (Valley of People’s Rights) and Aqba Adl (Valley of Justice) are other names for this Pass. Regarding this Pass, the Holy Qur’an states: “Most certainly, your Lord is watching.” (89:14) According to Shaikh Abbas Qummi, “According to this verse’s interpretation, certain people will pass by Pul-e-Siraat in such a way that they will be holding it with their hands. While the Angels will be standing on both sides, others will be walking so that one of their legs will be slipping and they will be using their second leg to support them. As bats descend to the earth, people will be plummeting into the inferno of Hell.

The individual who is fortunate enough to experience Allah’s mercy and blessings will cross the bridge without difficulty and will exclaim, ‘All thanks be to Allah, for indeed He has increased my reward and finished my good actions with His mercy and blessings.” I give thanks to Him for granting me freedom through His beneficence and kindness when I had given up all hope.’

“If a person has troubled someone with no fault of his, he will be imprisoned for five hundred years on this Pass, to the extent that his bones will break. If a person has usurped another’s wealth, he will be imprisoned for forty years on this Pass before being thrown into the fire of Hell. It is narrated in traditions that in exchange for one usurped dirham, seven thousand accepted prayers of the usurper will be given to the person whose dirham he acquired.”

How to Cross the Sirat Bridge: Virtuous Deeds that will help

It has been learned that reciting Durood upon the Beloved prophet (pbuh), will make it easier for the recitationist to cross the Siraat Bridge. As a result, we ought to recite Durood upon the Beloved Rasool in a prodigious manner. Such more noble activities have been mentioned in blessed Ahadees by the blessing of carrying them out in order to get ease on the Siraat Bridge.

1. Relieving a Muslim’s Worry

On the Day of Judgment, Allah Almighty would create for him two such branches of Noor on the Siraat Bridge, whose light will illuminate so many worlds that no one else can count them but Allah Almighty for those who relieves a Muslim of any Worry. This is according to the Beloved Rasool, .  (Al-Mu’jam-ul-Awsat, vol. 3, pp. 254, Hadees 4504)

2. Paying Sadaqah

The Beloved Rasool has declared: The one who does Sadaqah in the world in the correct way will pass over the Siraat Bridge. (Hadees 3874, Hilya-tul-Awliya, vol. 3, p. 256)

3. Trust and courtesy with family members

The Beloved Rasool has stated that Entrustment and Silah Rihmi (excellent treatment with family) will be sent, and they will stand on the right and left sides of the Siraat Bridge. (Hadees 329, Sahih Muslim, p. 106)

When it comes to this great Hadees Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi, has stated that both of these traits will be held in the highest regard and that they will be made to stand on the right and left of the Siraat Bridge for intercession and complaint, respectively. Their intercession will bring salvation, while their complaint will bring punishment. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 7, pp. 424)

4. Advising someone to perform a good deed

The Beloved Prophet (pbuh) said: The person who goes to take the plea of his Muslim brother to the king or to get respite for a poor person, Allah Almighty will help him cross the Siraat Bridge on the day when people [people’s feet] will be slipping. (Majma’-uz-Zawaid, vol. 8, pp. 349, Hadees 13709)

5. Upholding a Muslim’s honor

Hakeem-ul-Ummat Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi رَحْمَۃُ اللہِ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ has said: The one who protects the honour of a Muslim who is being backbitten, an angel will cover him with its wings and will make him cross the Siraat Bridge so that the heat of the fire of Hell will not reach him. (Mirat-ul-Manajih, vol. 6, pp. 572)

6. Doing Miswak

The benefits of using Miswak are innumerable. One of them is that it will enable faster-than-light crossing of the Siraat Bridge. (Pp. 69 of Haashiya-tut-Tahtaawi ‘ala Maraqil Falah)

May Allah (SWT) grant us the ability to carry out actions of righteousness that will make it easier for us to cross the Siraat Bridge!

Is Pull e Sirat mentioned in Quran?

Despite the fact that the phrase “Bridge of Sirat” isn’t found in the Qur’an, it is cited in traditions and hadiths. For instance, Imam Sadiq (as) used this phrase to describe the word “mirsad” in verse 14 of Surah Fajr, describing it as a bridge that crosses Hell.