How can one reconcile the Hadith: "The grave is the first stage of the Hereafter; if one is saved from it, what comes after is easier, and if one is not saved from it, what comes after is more severe," with the statement of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah that the torment of the grave is among the expiations for sins?

The Hadith indicates that the grave is the first abode of the afterlife. Whoever is saved from its torment, what comes after will be easier, and whoever is not saved, what comes after will be more severe. It has been reported from Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah that what occurs in the grave by way of tribulation (fitnah), compression (dhaghṭah), and terror (rawʿah) expiates sins. This can be interpreted as the torment of the grave potentially expiating some sins, but not necessarily all of them, as the torment in Hell is more severe. Furthermore, the discussion of "torment of the grave" as an expiation might not refer specifically to the torment of the disobedient, but could include the general tribulation and terror of the grave that afflicts everyone.