Does the deceased feel the visit of his relatives?

Question:
May Allah bless you. This is a message received from the questioner Abdullah Ahmad, who did not provide an address. It is addressed to the Honorable Shaykh Salih al-Ahli al-Nasir (may Allah have mercy on him) and is presented to Your Eminence, Shaykh Abdul Aziz ibn Abdullah ibn Baz. The questioner says in his message: Does the deceased feel those who visit him in the cemetery? And is it obligatory to stand in front of the grave, or is it sufficient to merely enter the cemetery? Please inform us; may Allah reward you.

Answer:
As for the deceased feeling it, Allah knows best. Some of the Salaf said so, but this is not clear evidence. However, it is a known Sunnah for us to visit the graves and greet them, saying: "Peace be upon you, you who dwell in this abode of believers. We, if Allah wills, are coming to you. We ask Allah for well-being for us and for you. May Allah forgive us and you, the earlier and the later of us." All of this is prescribed. As for whether he is grateful or not, that requires clear evidence; Allah the Exalted knows best. But we are not commanded based on whether he feels it or not. It is incumbent upon us to visit the graves and greet them, even if they do not feel our presence, because this is a reward for us and benefits them. Our supplication for them benefits them, and our visits benefit us because they carry reward and involve the remembrance of death and the Hereafter, so we benefit from them. The deceased also benefits from our supplication for him and our seeking of forgiveness for him; the deceased benefits from that. As for standing at the edge of the cemetery, it is permissible in any state. If one stands at the edge of the cemetery, there is no harm. If one stands at the edge of the cemetery and greets, saying: "Peace be upon you, you who dwell in this abode. O Commander of the Faithful, we, if Allah wills, are coming to you. We ask Allah to grant you well-being. May Allah grant success to those who are settled among the later ones." If one approaches the grave of his father or his brother, it is better and more complete. If one reaches the grave of his father, or his brother, or a relative, or a friend, and stands over it, saying: "Peace be upon you, so-and-so. And the mercy of Allah and His blessings. May Allah forgive you, and have mercy on you, and multiply your good deeds. And we praise Allah." This is better and more complete.