According to some narrations, the elemental bodies of the Prophet (S) and the infallible Imams (AS) are not in the same land where they were buried. In fact, their pure bodies are with their Lord in the divine ‘arsh[1] but that land is honored and respected due to the Prophet’s and Imams’ bodies which were buried there at first. Since the angels descend and are considerate of their pilgrims, that place remains sacred and holy, even though their pure bodies have been moved to the divine throne.[2]
As we read in the narrations:
1. Imam Sadiq (AS) says: “No Prophet nor any of their trustees posthumously remain more than three days[3] in the earth but their soul, bones, and flesh will be carried to the heavens and only their burial places will be visited and the salutations will be communicated to them from afar and they will hear them in the proximity of their burial places.”[4]
2. Abdullah bin Bukayr Arjani asked Imam Sadiq (AS): “If Imam Hussein’s grave is dug up, do they find anything therein?”
Imam Sadiq (AS) answered: “O son of Bukayr, you have asked a very big question! …If they were to dig up the grave when he was buried, they would find him there, but he is alive and he receives sustenance from his Lord looking at his army and the Throne … and saying: “O Lord, fulfill Your promise to me. He looks at his pilgrims.  He knows them, their names, ranks and status with God more than you know your children and what you have in your house.  He sees those who weep for him and he intercedes for them with Allah to forgive them. All those angels who were in the heavens and the Hāeir (the land in which the Imam’s body is buried) hear the pilgrims’ cry; they seek their forgiveness and they go out of that land when they have no sins with them.”[5]

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