What is the ruling concerning one who alleges that the Prophet’s statement, “…whom Allah breathed into him (Adam) His ruh (spirit),” means that the ruh is from Allah’s Divine Essence and Attributes, thus Allah Almighty cannot punish something that is from His Essence? Also, does the punishment of the grave occur on the ruh alone, or the body, or both? May Allah bless you. What are the opinions that have been mentioned in this issue, and what is the preferred stronger opinion of the leading scholars? Furthermore, considering that the ruh does not die at the time of death, but only separates from the body and lives the life of the barzakh, either being punished or receiving pleasure; how will the state of the ruh be when all creatures will die and nothing will remain besides the Face of our Lord Almighty, whereupon He will say, “Whose is the kingdom this Day?” No one will respond to Him, so He will respond Himself, “It is Allah’s, the One, the Irresistible!” هل الروح من ذات الله

Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.

As to what follows:

In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:

1. This understanding is wrong, and is the belief of the people of wahdah al-wujud (unity of existence) who do not make any distinction between the Creator and creation. Allah’s statement:

“…and [when I] breathed into him (Adam) of My ruh.” [Sad 38:72]

does not mean that the ruh of Adam is a part of the ruh of Allah Almighty, rather Allah attributed the ruh of Adam to Himself as an honour and nobility, which is similar to Allah’s statement concerning the she-camel sent to the people of Salih:

“…the she-camel of Allah.” [Al-Shams 91:13]

So He attributed the she-camel to Himself as an honour and nobility. It is also similar to saying, “the House of Allah, the creation of Allah,” and other similar statements. So the attribution here is either an attribution of honour or an attribution of creation. Based on the above, in the question is an understanding based on falsehood, so I advise you to stay away from these statements that do not have any connection to authentic knowledge whatsoever.

2. The principle concerning punishment in the life of the barzakh is that it occurs on the ruh. The body may follow it in that regard.