Question
A Salafi says that once a person has died there is no possibility of him/her hearing or knowing of the presence of someone who visits his/her grave. The inmate of the grave is unaware of the recitation at the graveside. The dead cannot hear. They are dead as stone. Please comment on this view.
Answer
Stones are not dead. While a stone seems 'dead' to us, it too has life. The Qur'aan confirms in numerous places the life of all things in creation. One aayat says: "The seven heavens and the earth and whatever is therein recite His Tasbeeh. Everything recites His Tasbeeh, but you do not understand." Athaab of the Qabr (the punishment of the grave), the questioning of Munkar and Nakeer and the life of Aalam-e-Barzakh are fundamental beliefs of Islam. Punishment and reward in Barzakh are for the living, not for lifeless things. Earthly death is not extinction. It is merely a transference from one abode to another – from one phase of existence to another phase. In fact, the 'dead' will be more alive in the Qabr.
The dead benefit much from the Qur'aan recitation, Dua and acts of Thawaab which those on earth perform on their behalf. There are numerous episodes narrated by the Auliya confirming that the inmates of the graves are aware of those who visit their graves. While it cannot be said that every inmate of the grave is aware at all times, this reality may not be denied.
- Source
- themajlis.co.za
- Published in
- The Majlis Vol 22 No 12
- PDF page
- 12
Appears under Questions and Answers (approximate).