How was the deceased questioned in the grave before Islam, if he is now questioned about his Lord, his religion, and his Prophet?

Scholars have differed on whether the questioning in the grave is exclusive to this nation (Ummah) or to other previous nations. Al-Qurtubi and Ibn Al-Qayyim held the view that it is general to all nations. On the other hand, Abu Abdullah Al-Tirmidhi was of the opinion that it is specific to this nation, explaining that previous nations were afflicted with punishment if they rejected their messengers, whereas for this nation, punishment was withheld and the sword was given, leading to the emergence of hypocrisy. Thus, the questioning in the grave serves to distinguish the bad from the good. Ibn Al-Qayyim commented on Al-Tirmidhi's statement, saying that it does not indicate the exclusivity of the questioning to this nation, and what is apparent is that every prophet with his nation will be punished in their graves after the questioning and the establishment of proof. The preponderant view is that the questioning by the two angels is general to this nation and to those who preceded it, and belief in it is obligatory.