The Ruling on Visiting Graves, Greeting the Inhabitants, and Making Du'a for Them

Question:
The questioner, Ali Muhammad, says in his question: My father passed away ten years ago, and I always go to his grave, greet him, and make du'a for him during my visit. However, a person told me that the dead do not hear the living. The question remains: when I go to visit my deceased father and greet him, does he hear my words and return my greeting? Please advise us, may Allah reward you.

Answer:
Visiting graves is prescribed. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: . So the Sunnah is to visit graves, greet the deceased, and make du'a for them. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to visit them and teach his Companions to visit them. So the Sunnah is to visit graves, to greet your father, and to make du'a for him. As for whether he hears your words or knows about it, Allah knows best. This is a matter for Allah the Exalted. There is no authentic hadith indicating that he hears your words or knows about your visit. However, he benefits from this visit, and he benefits from the du'a if you make it for him at home, in the mosque, during the visit, or in any place. Du'a has great benefit in this regard. Charity on his behalf is also beneficial, as is Hajj on his behalf, 'Umrah on his behalf, and the sacrificial animal on his behalf. All of this is something beneficial that benefits him. As for whether he knows you and hears you, that is a matter for Allah. Allah is the One who knows. It is mentioned in some hadiths that are weak in their chains that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "No servant visits a person he knew in this world and greets him, except that Allah returns his spirit to him so that he may return the greeting." But this is subject to scrutiny regarding its authenticity. Yes. May Allah reward you, Your Eminence.