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The Souls of the Living Meeting the Souls of the Dead

Question

Do those who have passed away know what is happening to the loved ones they have left behind? Can they check on their welfare for example. Also with regards to duaa, zakat and sadaqah Jariah done for the deceased does the deceased know that he has been sent this and who sent it?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and Messenger.

It was reported in some narrations that the deeds of living people are presented to their dead relatives, and when the dead see that the living people are negligent, they supplicate for them for guidance.

Anas ibn Maalik  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Your deeds are presented to your relatives and your families from the dead. If your deeds are good, they would be pleased with it, and if it is other than this, then they would say: “O Allah! Do not cause them to die until You guide them in the same way that You have guided us.” [Ahmad, and Al-Albaani classified it as authentic in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah (under No. 2758)]

The reward of deeds that were offered on behalf of the dead reaches them, such as charity, Hajj, ‘Umrah, supplicating for them, and other good deeds. It appears that the dead is informed about the person who did it on his behalf. Abu Hurayrah  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him narrated that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Verily, Allah raises the degree of the pious slave in Paradise, and the slave would say: “O Lord! How (or wherefrom) did I get this?” Allah would say: “It is because of your son asking forgiveness for you.” [Ahmad and Ibn Maajah]

Imam Ibn Qayyim  may  Allaah  have  mercy  upon  him wrote a chapter in his book entitled Ar-Rooh where he elaborated on the souls of the dead meeting the souls of the living people when they sleep. He confirmed that they meet and he mentioned a number of narrations in this regard which you can find in the above mentioned book.

For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 87256, 14368, and 83719.

Allah knows best.

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