The Ruling on Visiting Graves and the Benefit the Dead Derive Therefrom

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, if a person dies and is buried in his grave, and his children visit him in the cemetery, does he feel their visit and benefit from it?

Answer:
We were commanded, or rather, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed for us, to visit the graves and to make du'a' for the dead, to greet them and to pray for them. As for their state, and whether they know or do not know, this is among the matters of the heart and the unseen, which no one knows except Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He). We carry out what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prescribed for us, and we do not ask about the state of the dead—whether he feels or does not feel, or knows or does not know—except with valid evidence. Honorable [Shaykh]. There is much talk on this matter, and many stories and tales, but what are the established legal proofs from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)?