Can Humans Contact the Dead?


Question: Assalamu ‘alaykum. My father has passed away before I could know him, and recently, a person that I have met 5 years ago who I barely know out of nowhere texted me saying that he is talking with my father (since the beginning of this year).  He says my father tells him that he loves me, and I should say he loves my sisters. I do not have much knowledge of what Islam says about this and it makes me confused. Can people talk to people that have died?

Answer:

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

 

Be Careful

I would advise caution when dealing with this individual. We do not have the means of communicating with the deceased. We can donate rewards to them and speak to them at their graves. They can hear us, and they benefit from the reward that is gifted to them.

However, this does not mean that they can speak to us. Sometimes, people are blessed with seeing a late loved one in a dream, but there are many factors at play in dreams.

I do not know which means this individual is claiming to use, but there is no Islamic method to do this. It could be that this person is in need of professional help for underlying mental health conditions, or it could be that this person is trying to manipulate you.

It would be best to stay alert, and certainly not meet this person alone anywhere. Consult with your family to determine the best course of action.

May Allah protect us and our loved ones.
[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History he moved to Damascus in 2007 where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital and he was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.