Also, they say: They claim that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), while in his grave, hears and responds.
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The questioner : Also, in a section of his, he says, O Shaykh, they claim that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), while in his grave, hears and responds. Please clarify for us how that is possible in his life. Those who say this rely on the noble verse [Ali 'Imran 3:169] If the martyrs are alive, how can it be that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is not? This is their claim.
The Shaykh : Yes. We say that as for his (peace and blessings be upon him) hearing and responding, there is nothing strange about it. Abu Dawud narrated in his Sunan that there is no man who greets a man in his grave, whom he knew in this world, but that Allah returns his spirit to him so that he returns the greeting. So there is nothing strange about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returning the greeting when someone greets him, for Allah returns his spirit to him so that he returns the greeting.
As for his being alive in his grave, the martyrs are alive with Allah, and Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) did not say, “Do not think of those who are killed in the cause of Allah as dead, but rather they are alive in their graves.” Rather, He said[Ali 'Imran 3:169] There is no doubt that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was buried, and the funeral prayer was performed over him, and his Companions succeeded him. They did not offer him food or drink, knowing that he had died, as Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) said [Az-Zumar 39:30] and as He (the Exalted) said [Ali 'Imran 3:144] This is a matter known by necessity in the religion, and no one disputes it.
The life of the martyrs with Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is not like the life of this world. That is, it is not a life in which a person needs food, drink, and air, and worships and makes supplication. It is a life of the barzakh (the interval between death and resurrection), and Allah the Exalted knows best its nature.
Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to stand at the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and say, “O Messenger of Allah, intercede for me,” or “O Messenger of Allah, seek forgiveness for me,” because this is not possible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cannot seek forgiveness for anyone after his death, and he cannot intercede for anyone except by the permission of Allah. If you want to ask a correct question, say, “O Allah, grant me the intercession of Your Prophet,” “O Allah, let him intercede for me,” and the like. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh Muhammad.
And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead. Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
وَلا تَحسَبَنَّ الَّذينَ قُتِلوا في سَبيلِ اللَّهِ أَمواتًا بَل أَحياءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِم يُرزَقونَThe Shaykh : Yes. We say that as for his (peace and blessings be upon him) hearing and responding, there is nothing strange about it. Abu Dawud narrated in his Sunan that there is no man who greets a man in his grave, whom he knew in this world, but that Allah returns his spirit to him so that he returns the greeting. So there is nothing strange about the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) returning the greeting when someone greets him, for Allah returns his spirit to him so that he returns the greeting.
As for his being alive in his grave, the martyrs are alive with Allah, and Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He) did not say, “Do not think of those who are killed in the cause of Allah as dead, but rather they are alive in their graves.” Rather, He said
Rather, they are alive with their Lord, receiving provision,
بَل أَحياءٌ عِندَ رَبِّهِم يُرزَقونَIndeed, you are to die, and indeed, they are to die.
إِنَّكَ مَيِّتٌ وَإِنَّهُم مَيِّتونَMuhammad is not but a messenger. [Other] messengers have passed on before him. So if he was to die or be killed, would you turn back on your heels
وَما مُحَمَّدٌ إِلّا رَسولٌ قَد خَلَت مِن قَبلِهِ الرُّسُلُ أَفَإِن ماتَ أَو قُتِلَ انقَلَبتُم عَلى أَعقابِكُمThe life of the martyrs with Allah (Mighty and Majestic) is not like the life of this world. That is, it is not a life in which a person needs food, drink, and air, and worships and makes supplication. It is a life of the barzakh (the interval between death and resurrection), and Allah the Exalted knows best its nature.
Therefore, it is not permissible for anyone to stand at the grave of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and say, “O Messenger of Allah, intercede for me,” or “O Messenger of Allah, seek forgiveness for me,” because this is not possible. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cannot seek forgiveness for anyone after his death, and he cannot intercede for anyone except by the permission of Allah. If you want to ask a correct question, say, “O Allah, grant me the intercession of Your Prophet,” “O Allah, let him intercede for me,” and the like. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O Shaykh Muhammad.