Where do the Spirits of the Dead Go?
Question
I am a 19 year old and have a question which is troubling me. I was watching Larry King Live and there was a man who was taking phone calls from people around the world about their dead loved ones. He was somehow communicating with the dead and passing messages from them. Now I am a relatively intelligent person and I know this guy was not a fake. I could not believe it but when people would call in to ask about their dead relatives, he would give them detailed messages which there was no way he could have known. Now what I believe to be the case in Islam is that dead people are punished or rewarded in the graves when they die! However, is there any mention of what happens in the grave in the KORAN? Is it not true that all we know about the actual events right after we die, and just before the day of judgment, is based on hadith ? Is it possible that these hadith may not be true? Is it possible that we Muslims may not know what happens when we die and wait for kayamat . One person told me that there is a place where all the spirits are put and that is where they wait. Which one is the correct answer? The punishment and reward in the grave or the waiting place for the spirits. Obviously both cannot be true. Either one is right or both are wrong! What does the Koran say about this matter? And what about all the people who get information from the dead? Moreover, if the punishment in the grave is true then why is there a need for a judgment day when the person is already being punished in his grave. I know this is a long question but I would appreciate any guidance in this matter... please!! Salam-u-Lakum
Answer
As far as communicating with the dead is concerned, the Qur'an seems to be against this concept. In Surah Al-Muminoon 23: 99 - 100, the Qur'an says: "... till the time that death overtakes any of them, he shall say: 'O my Lord, return me [to the world], so that I do [all the] good deeds that I overlooked earlier'. Absolutely not! This is only a word that he shall utter. Behind him there shall be a veil, till the day that he is risen from the dead." In my opinion, the words, "Behind him there shall be a veil ( barzakh )" imply that there is a veil between the dead and this world, which they are not allowed to cross. What happens to the dead? This is an issue, which is often confused. The confusion apparently originates from the narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) in this connection. However, the confusion originates because of ignoring the difference of the positions between the direct addressees of the Prophet (pbuh) and the people who are born after his demise. According to the law of prophet hood ( risaalat ) when a prophet ( rasu'l ) is appointed in a people, the fate of these people rests with their acceptance of rejection of the message of God. The messenger of Allah reveals the truth to the extent, after which these people are left with no excuse for rejecting the message. Thus, if these people still refuse to accept the message of God, they are then severely punished for their rejection, in the life of this world as well as the hereafter. On the other hand, those who accept the message of God are bestowed with blessings in the life of this world as well as the hereafter. In other words, the final judgment of the people among whom God sends His messenger ( rasu'l ) is not postponed until the Day of Judgment. Their judgment is announced and implemented in the life of this world. This was exactly the case with the Banu Ismael among whom the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was appointed. After revealing the truth to the fullest, those who did not believe in him, were destined to a severe punishment in the life of this world and the punishment of hellfire in the hereafter. Their Judgment had not been deferred until the Day of Judgment, but had been passed and implemented in the life of this world, according to the law of prophet hood. It is for these people that the Prophet (pbuh) said that they are punished in their graves. According to the Qur'an, Pharaoh (the rejecter of one of the messengers - Moses - of God), is subjected to a similar punishment until the Day of Judgment. The Qur'an says that he (the Pharaoh) is presented before the fire of hell day and night. This is the form of punishment that he is facing. It is done exactly because of the same reason that he was the direct addressee of Hadhrat Musa (pbuh) and he refused to accept the truth. Obviously, those people who are not the direct addressees of a Prophet, like all those who were born after the demise of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), are not subjected to this law. Their judgment shall be passed on the Day of Judgment. Till the Day of Judgment, according to the Qur'an, they shall remain in a state of sleep. As far as the physical whereabouts of the place where the spirits are stored is concerned, no information is provided in the Qur'an regarding it, and therefore nothing can be said about it. I hope this explanation answers your question. You can always get back if you are still unclear. However, this is only my opinion in this regard and I admit any chance of mistake in forming this opinion. I would be open to other points of view if based on stronger reasons. May Allah guide us all towards the right path. Note : This response is written by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Amar Ellahi Lone Answer published by Moiz Amjad Discussion(s) regarding this Question Spiritualists and Mediums
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