Name the angels who are appointed to put Questions to the dead’s in their graves?

The correct answer is Munkar and Nakeer (AS).

In Islamic tradition, the encounter with Munkar and Nakeer represents the very first stage of the "Barzakh," the intermediary realm between death and the Day of Resurrection. According to various Hadiths, most notably those narrated in Sahih Bukhari and Sunan Abi Dawud, these two angels visit every soul immediately after the funeral procession has departed and the person has been laid to rest in the grave.

Characteristics and Appearance

Munkar and Nakeer are described in classical Islamic texts as having a formidable and awe-inspiring presence. The word "Munkar" translates to "The Denied" or "The Unknown," and "Nakeer" means "The Unrecognized," reflecting the idea that the deceased has never seen such beings before. Traditions describe them as having blue-black complexions and eyes that glow like lightning. Their appearance is intended to reflect the gravity of the moment, as the soul transition from the physical world to the metaphysical reality of the hereafter.

The Three Questions of the Grave

The primary duty of these angels is to conduct a trial or "Fitna" of the grave. They ask three fundamental questions that define the essence of a person’s earthly life and faith:

1. 
   

   "Who is your Lord?" (Man Rabbuka?)

   
   


2. 
   

   "What is your religion?" (Ma Dinuka?)

   
   


3. 
   

   "Who is this man who was sent among you?" (Man hadha al-rajul?—referring to the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him).

   
   

According to Islamic theology, the ability to answer these questions is not a matter of memory or rote learning. Instead, the tongue is said to be moved by the strength of the individual's "Iman" (faith) and the righteous deeds they performed during their lifetime. For a believer, the answers come with ease and clarity, whereas for those who lacked faith or lived a life of hypocrisy, the tongue will falter despite knowing the answers intellectually while alive.

The Role of Hazrat Jibra’eel, Izra’eel, and Mekael

To understand why Munkar and Nakeer are distinct, one must look at the specific hierarchy of angels in Islam. Hazrat Jibra’eel (AS) is the archangel of revelation, responsible for delivering Allah's message to the Prophets. Hazrat Izra’eel (AS), often referred to as the Angel of Death (Malak al-Maut), is tasked with the extraction of the soul from the body at the time of death. Hazrat Mekael (AS) is responsible for the forces of nature, such as rain and the distribution of sustenance. Unlike these archangels who interact with the living or the cosmos, Munkar and Nakeer operate specifically within the domain of the grave.

Theological Significance

The questioning by Munkar and Nakeer serves as a precursor to the final judgment. It is believed that after the successful completion of this questioning, the grave is either expanded and illuminated for the righteous or becomes a place of constriction for the wicked. This event serves as a central pillar in the Islamic concept of accountability, emphasizing that the consequences of one's spiritual and moral choices begin immediately upon departure from the physical world.