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Fatwa CenterReceiving greetings from the Prophet from his grave
Question
Some people allege that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is alive in his grave because he returns people’s greetings, even after his death. How can I refute this allegation?
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad 
is His slave and Messenger.
The prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, are alive in their graves. It was narrated on the authority of Anas 
that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that prophets are alive in their graves and they pray. [Abu Ya‘la and Al-Albaani: Saheeh (Authentic)]
However, it should be known that life in Al-Barzakh (the interval between death and the Day of Resurrection) differs from life in this world. Only Allaah the Almighty knows the realty of this life.
Therefore there is no doubt that:
1- The prophets and martyrs are alive after their death
2- The greetings and blessings that we call to the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, are conveyed to him
3- The earth does not consume the bodies of the prophets
All these beliefs are proved by the authentic Sunnah.
Nevertheless, these facts can never be used to support the opinion of deviated and misled people, who consider asking the prophets for help and who seek refuge with them in distress and ease, because Muslims are forbidden from supplicating or seeking relief even from living beings, such as angels and righteous Jinn.
Moreover, there is no evidence in the Quran or in the Sunnah indicating that it is permissible to supplicate, seek relief, offer vows to any entity other than Allaah the Almighty even though they are prophets or martyrs.
Further evidence that the earth does not consume the bodies of the prophets and that our prayers, blessings and greetings reach them includes:
- The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, stated that the best day is Friday, so he commanded us to send more blessings on him on that day, for our blessings will be shown to him. The companions asked him how they will be shown to him when his body has disintegrated. He, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, replied that Allaah had forbidden the earth to consume the bodies of the prophets, may Allah exalt their mention. [An-Nasaa’i, Abu Daawood and Ibn Maajah].
- The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said that Allaah will restore his soul so that he may return the greetings and blessings that anybody bestows on him. [Abu Daawood] [Al-‘Iraaqi, Al-Albaani: Hasan (Sound)]
- The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned that Allaah has sent angels to travel around the earth and convey to him the greetings and blessings of his Ummah (nation). [Ahmad, An-Nasaa’i] [ Al-Albaani: Saheeh (Authentic)]
Finally, you should be aware that the return of greetings and blessings by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, no matter how much they are, is a matter of the Hereafter, that is to say they can never be compared to matters of this world.
Allaah Knows best.
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