Aunt Claims that She Sees Souls of the Deceased
Fatwa No: 85809

Question

My aunt says that she can see the blessed souls of the friends of Allah. Is this possible? My grandfather died five years ago. The aunt says that my grandfather comes and talks to her. She is quite serious. Please tell me if this might be true or are those creatures seen by her evil Jinns? If they are Jinns, what is the solution for this?

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

After the soul separates from the body, it is transferred to Al-Barzakh. This soul never returns to this world. Allah Says (what means): {[For such is the state of the disbelievers], until, when death comes to one of them, he says, "My Lord, send me back. That I might do righteousness in that which I left behind." No! It is only a word he is saying; and behind them is a barrier (Barzakh) until the Day they are resurrected.} [Quran 23: 99-100]

Mujaahid explained Barzakh that it is: ‘a screen between the dead person and returning to this life’. Ibn Zayd said: “What is meant here is: ‘And in front of them there is a barrier that prevents them from returning.’

At-Tirmithi narrated in a sound Hadeeth that the Prophet said to Jaabir: “O! Jaabir! Why are you upset? Jaabir replied: 'I remembered my father who was killed in the battle of Uhud and who left children and debts.” Thereupon the Prophet said: “Don't you want me to bring you glad tidings about what Allah allotted to your father?Jaabir said: “Of course, yes, O Prophet of Allah! The Prophet said: "Allah never Talked to anybody except from behind a screen. (This time) He returned life to your father and talked to him directly saying: "O My servant! Wish anything, I offer it to you." He (the father) said: 'O My Lord! To revive me again so that I am killed for your Sake another time.' Allah, The Almighty, said: "It was already predestined that whoever dies never returns to this worldly life." Then the following verse was revealed. Allah Says (what means): {And never think of those who have been killed in the cause of Allah as dead…} [Quran 3: 169]

From the above you can know that what your aunt claims; i.e.; that she sees the spirits of righteous people - is wrong. In fact, what she sees, if she is right, is but a Jinni (devil) that comes in the image of your grandfather. So, she should recite the last three chapters of the Quran as much as possible and perform Ruqyah to protect herself from the Jinn.

For more benefit on Ruqyah, please refer to Fataawa 4310, 82918, 31469, 13277, 4678, 88660, 81667, and 117025.

Allah knows best.

Related Fatwa