The Deaf And The Blind – Alahazrat.net

Infinite blessings & peace be upon Allah’s beloved, the Holy Prophet Mohammed , his family, all his companions, and all who rightfully follow him until the day of resurrection.

The issue of addressing persons who have been buried is often a subject that evokes strong emotions and extremely conflicting opinions. It usually sparks a heated debate as to whether it is correct or otherwise to believe that those buried in the graves can actually hear those who are visiting them or calling them from afar. It is not uncommon to hear allegations of outright polytheism (Shirk) & blasphemy being hurled at each other.
In this age of neo-Kharijism it became imperative for me to write about this matter that has become the topic of hot debate. More so because of the constant bombardment of objections and misinformation that makes several rounds through the internet and other media.
If the dead do hear, then is it correct to visit the graves or call upon them for help? However, that is not the subject matter of discussion in this article.
This article will – with Allah’s help – prove that those in the graves are alive, and can hear those that address them.
For the sake of justice & fairness this article will also present & review the so called proofs presented by the opponents.

The Objection & Deception Who Are The Deaf & Blind Responding To The Call Of The Truth In The Sight Of Allah So Who Cannot Listen And Who Does The Conclusion

Those who oppose this fact present some verses of the Qur’an in support of their argument. They claim that these verses are regarding those Muslims who visit graves and address the saints or relatives buried there. We shall examine each, one by one.

[Raad 13:14] Only the prayer to Him is truthful; and whomever they pray to besides Him, do not hear them at all, but like one who has his hands outstretched towards water that it may come into his mouth, and it will never come; and every prayer of the disbelievers remains wandering.
The above verse is obviously regarding the idolaters (or polytheists), who pray to idols or pictures in front of them, and who worship these instead of Allah the Supreme. Therefore the claim that it is regarding the buried & dead is obviously incorrect.

[Shua`ra 26:72] He said, “Do they hear you when you call?”

The above verse is presented by the opponents claiming that the persons in the graves cannot hear. It is extremely unfortunate that they seek to deceive the Muslims by this ugly trick. For the verse is related to the preceding 2 verses in the Holy Qur’an which prove that this statement is that of Syedna Ibrahim who confronted the polytheists who used to worship the idols. The previous 2 verses are:

[Shua`ra 26:70-71] When he said to his father and his people, “What do you worship?” They said, “We worship idols, and we keep squatting in seclusion before them.”
May Allah guide them not to purposely hide the truth!

[Ruum 30:52] For you do not make the dead hear nor make the deaf hear the call when they flee, turning back.

This verse is touted by the opponents as a “strong proof” that the dead cannot hear. But my dear fellow Muslims! Read the full verse and you will note that Allah – the Supreme – is referring to those “deaf” persons who are fleeing – that is, they do not want to listen to the
Holy Prophet when he calls them! So the disbelievers can actually “hear” the call – but they are called “deaf” by Allah! So the verse is regarding the living persons, not the dead! So one may ask – what is meant by the word “dead” in this verse? In the same manner as for the “deaf”, the “dead” here refers to the “dead at heart” – because the call of the Holy Prophet was never meant for those who were buried! And once a person is buried, it is useless to preach Islam to him! We shall prove that on numerous occasions, including this one, Allah – the Supreme – has called the disbelievers as “dead” or “dead at heart”.

In fact the next verse itself makes it clear that the Holy Prophet’s call is heard only by those who believe (in the Truth), so they have become Muslims!

[Ruum 30:53] Nor do you guide the blind out of their error; you only make those hear who believe in Our signs, so they have submitted.

Here too, we have successfully exposed the deception of the opponents, in their trying to misguide the simple minded Muslims.

[Fatir 35:14] If you call them, they do not hear your call; and supposedly if they heard it, they cannot fulfil your needs; and on the Day of Resurrection they will deny your ascribed partnership; and none will inform you like Him Who informs.

The above verse is also presented by the opponents claiming that the persons in the graves cannot hear. Here again, if the full verse it read, it is obvious that this statement is regarding the polytheists who used to worship the deities as partners to Allah – and not for the buried!

[Fatir 35:22]; and you cannot make those who are in the graves listen.
The above verse is also presented by the opponents claiming that it is not possible to make persons in the graves listen. Here the treachery of the claimants can be gauged from the fact that they hide the previous words of the same verse! The full verse is as follows:-

[Fatir 35:22] And not equal are the living and the dead! Indeed Allah causes them to listen, whomever He wills; and you cannot make those who are in the graves listen.
Here again, if the full verse it read, it is obvious that in Allah’s sight, the believers are ‘living” and the disbelievers are “dead” or “in graves”. If we consider that it refers to those who are buried, even then the explanation is clear: Allah makes anyone listen within the graves – and those who cannot hear inside the graves are those whose fate has been sealed since they died as disbelievers so you cannot make them listen to and follow the truth.

We have amply proved the several ways of deceit resorted to by the neo-Kharjis, and shall further prove the Truth, in the following pages.

May Allah guide these groups not to purposely hide the truth for it is feared they could then deserve the punishment promised in the Holy Qur’an:-
[Surah Baqarah 2:159-160] “Indeed those who hide the clear proofs and the guidance which We sent down, after We made it clear to mankind in the Book – upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of those who curse. Except those who repent and do reform and disclose (the truth) – so I will accept their repentance; and I only am the Most Acceptor of Repentance, the Most Merciful.”

IT IS THE DISBELIEVERS – NOT THOSE IN THE GRAVES!

[Baqarah 2:18] Deaf, dumb and blind; and they are not to return.

[Baqarah 2:171] And the example of the disbelievers is similar to one who calls upon one that hears nothing except screaming and yelling; deaf, dumb, blind – so they do not have sense.

[Maidah 5:71] And they assumed that there will be no punishment, so they turned blind and deaf – then Allah accepted their penance, then again many of them turned blind and deaf; and Allah is seeing their deeds.

[Ana`am 6:39] And those who deny Our signs are deaf and dumb in realms of darkness; Allah may send astray whomever He wills; and may place on the Straight Path whomever He wills.

[Hud 11:20] They will not be able to escape in the earth, nor do they have any protecting friends apart from Allah; they will have punishment upon punishment; they were unable to hear, nor used to see.

[HMSajdah 41:17] And regarding the Thamud, We showed them the right path – so they chose to be blind above being guided, therefore the thunderbolt of the disgraceful punishment overcame them – the recompense of their deeds.

[HMSajdah 41:44] And if We had made it as a Qur’an in a foreign language they would have certainly said, “Why were its verses not explained in detail?” What! The Book in a foreign language, and the Prophet an Arab?! Proclaim “It is guidance and a cure for the believers”; and there is deafness in the ears of those who do not believe, and it is blindness upon them; as if they are being called from a place far away!

The above quotes 7 verses of the Holy Qur’an make it amply clear that Allah refers to the disbelievers as the “deaf” and the “blind”.

THEIR HEARTS & EARS ARE SEALED

[Baqarah 2:6-7] As for those whose fate is disbelief, whether you warn them or do not warn them – it is all one for them; they will not believe. Allah has sealed their hearts and their ears, and on their eyes is a covering; and for them is a terrible punishment.

[HMSajdah 41:5] And they say, “Our hearts are covered against the affair you call us to, and there is deafness in our ears, and there is a barrier between us and you – therefore mind your own business, we are minding ours.”

The above quoted verses of the Holy Qur’an make it evident that the disbelievers’ hearts and ears are sealed.

THE DISBELIEVERS CAN SEE AND LISTEN – YET THEY REJECT THE TRUTH!

[Yunus 10:42-43] And among them are some who listen to you; so will you make the deaf hear even if they do not have any sense? And among them is one who gazes at you; so will you guide the blind even if they cannot perceive?

[Luqman 31:7] And when Our verses are recited to him he haughtily turns away as if he did not hear them – as if there is deafness in his ears; so give him the glad tidings of a painful punishment.

The above quoted verses (among many others) of the Holy Qur’an are proof that the disbelievers can see and listen – but they purposely turn deaf and blind to guidance!

THEY HAVE HEARTS AND YET THEY DO NOT WANT TO UNDERSTAND

[Ana`am 6:36] It is only those who hear (with sincere hearts) that accept faith; and Allah will raise these people dead of heart, then towards Him they will be herded.

[Aa`raf 7:179] And indeed We have created many jinns and men for hell; they have hearts in which there is no understanding; and the eyes they do not see with; and the ears they do not hear with; they are like cattle – in fact more astray; it is they who are the neglectful.

[Hajj 22:46] So have they not travelled in the land, to have hearts with which to understand and ears to hear with? So it is not the eyes that are blind, but it is the hearts in the bosoms, that are blind.

From the above it is amply clear that the disbelievers are blind and deaf not because they cannot see or hear – but because they do not use their hearts and minds to ponder, nor do they want to be guided.

YOU CANNOT MAKE THE DISBELIEVERS HEED ADVICE ALTHOUGH THEY SEE AND HEAR!

[Hud 11:28] He said, “O my people! What is your opinion – if I am on a clear proof from my Lord and He has bestowed mercy upon me from Him, so you remained blind towards it; shall we force it upon you although you dislike it?”

[Ambiya 21:45] Proclaim “I warn you only with the divine revelation; and the deaf do not hear the call when warned.”

[Naml 27:66] Has their knowledge advanced so much as to know the Hereafter? On the contrary, they are in doubt concerning it; in fact they are blind towards it.

[Ruum 30:52-53] For you do not make the dead hear nor make the deaf hear the call when they flee, turning back. Nor do you guide the blind out of their error; you only make those hear who believe in Our signs, so they have submitted.

[Zukhruf 43:40] So will you make the deaf listen or show the path to the blind, and to those who are in open error?

Having proven in the previous section that the disbeliever purposely turn deaf and blind to guidance, Allah – the Supreme – says in these verses that you cannot guide them (these deaf & blind), because of their obstinacy!

THEY ARE WORSE THAN ANIMALS

[Anfal 8:22] Indeed the worst beasts in the sight of Allah are those (people) who are deaf, dumb – who do not have any sense.

[Furqan 25:44] Or do you think that most of them hear or understand something? They are not but like the cattle – in fact more astray from the path than them!

The above quoted verses clarify that those who reject the truth – despite being sighted, hearing and having hearts – are actually worse than animals.

BLIND IN THIS WORLD AND BLIND IN THE HEREAFTER.

[b/Israel 17:72] Whoever is blind in this life will be blind in the Hereafter, and even more astray.

[b/Israel 17:97] And only he whom Allah guides, is upon guidance; and whomever He sends astray – you will therefore not find for them any supporters besides Him; and We shall raise them by their faces on the Day of Resurrection – blind, dumb and deaf; their destination is hell; whenever it is about to extinguish, We will inflame it more for them.

[Ta-Ha 20:124-125] “And the one who turned away from My remembrance – for him is a confined existence, and We shall raise him blind on the Day of Resurrection.” He will say, “O my Lord, why have You raised me blind, whereas I was sighted?”

Here again Allah – the Supreme – refers to the disbelievers as “blind” – and will also raise them blind (unable to see), as a punishment on the Day of Resurrection!

THE MUSLIMS HEAR & OBEY

[Ana`am 6:36] It is only those who hear (with sincere hearts) that accept faith; and Allah will raise these people dead of heart, then towards Him they will be herded.

[Noor 24:51] The saying of the Muslims when they are called towards Allah and His Noble Messenger in order that the Noble Messenger judge between them is that they submit, “We hear and we obey”; and it is they who have attained the goal.

[Furqan 25:73] And those who, when they are reminded of the signs of their Lord, do not fall deaf and blind upon them.

[Ruum 30:53] Nor do you guide the blind out of their error; you only make those hear who believe in Our signs, so they have submitted.

The above quoted verses make it amply clear that only those who accept faith have “listened” i.e. the believers “hear” the truth and they obey.

THE DISBELIEVERS HEAR AND DISOBEY

[Baqarah 2:93] And remember when We made a covenant with you and raised the Mount Tur (Sinai) above you; “Accept and hold fast to what We give you, and listen”; they said, “We hear and we disobey”; and the calf was still embedded in their hearts because of their disbelief; say, “What an evil command is what your faith orders you, if you are believers!”

The above quoted verse is a proof that the disbelievers “hear” the truth and yet they disobey.

MUSLIMS ARE SIGHTED & HEARING: DISBELIEVERS ARE BLIND & DEAF

[Ana`am 6:50] Say, “I do not say to you that I possess the treasures of Allah, nor do I say that I gain knowledge of the hidden on my own, nor do I say to you that I am an angel; I only follow what is divinely revealed to me”; say, “Will the blind and the sighted ever be equal? So do you not think?”

[Ana`am 6:104] “Enlightening proofs came to you from your Lord; so whoever observes, it is for his own good; and whoever is blind, it is for his own harm; and I am not a guardian over you.”

[Aa`raf 7:64] In response they denied him, so We rescued him and those with him in the ship, and We drowned those who denied Our signs; indeed they were a blind group.

[Hud 11:24] The example of the two groups is like one being blind and deaf, and the other seeing and hearing; are they equal in condition? So do you not ponder?

[Yusuf 12:108] Proclaim, “This is my path – I call towards Allah; I, and whoever follows me, are upon perception; and Purity is to Allah – and I am not of the polytheists.”

[Raad 13:16] Say, “Who is the Lord of the heavens and the earth?” Proclaim, “Allah”; Say, “So have you appointed such as supporters besides Him, who can neither benefit nor harm themselves?”; say, “Will the blind and the sighted ever be equal? Or will the realms of darkness and the light ever be equal?” Have they appointed such as partners to Allah who created something like Allah did? Therefore their creation and His creation seemed alike to them? Proclaim, “Allah is the Creator of all things, and He Alone is the Dominant over all.”

[Raad 13:19] So will he, who knows that what is sent down upon you from your Lord is the truth, ever be equal to him who is blind? Only the men of understanding heed advice.

[Naml 27:80-81] Indeed the dead do not listen to your call nor do the deaf listen to your call, when they flee turning back. And you will not guide the blind out of their error; and none listen to you except those who accept faith in Our signs, and they are Muslims.

[Momin 40:58] And the blind and the sighted are not equal – and neither are the believers who perform good deeds and the wicked equal; how very little do you ponder!

In these multiple verses Allah – the Supreme – has clearly defined whom He considers sighted & hearing, and whom He considers deaf & blind.

THE DISBELIEVERS ARE BLIND & DEAF BECAUSE THEY DENY THE TRUTH

[Ana`am 6:39] And those who deny Our signs are deaf and dumb in realms of darkness; Allah may send astray whomever He wills; and may place on the Straight Path whomever He wills.

[Anfal 8:23] And had Allah found any goodness in them, He would have made them hear; and had He made them hear they would, in the end, have turned away and gone back.

[Kahf 18:101] The ones whose eyes were covered from My remembrance, and who could not bear to hear Truth.

[Jasiya 45:8] Who hears the verses of Allah which are recited to him, then remains stubborn, proud, as if he did not hear them; therefore give him the glad tidings of a painful punishment.

In these verses Allah – the Supreme – has clearly defined why He considers the disbelievers as deaf & blind.

ALLAH MAKES THEM DEAF & BLIND

[Ana`am 6:25] And among them is one who listens to you; and We have put covers upon their hearts so they may not understand it, and deafness in their ears; and (even) if they see all the signs, they will not believe in them; to the extent that when they come to you to debate with you, the disbelievers say, “This is nothing but stories of former people.”

[Ana`am 6:110] And We revert their hearts and their eyes – the way they had not believed the first time – and We leave them to keep wandering blindly in their rebellion.

[Anfal 8:23] And had Allah found any goodness in them, He would have made them hear; and had He made them hear they would, in the end, have turned away and gone back.

[b/Israel 17:46] And We placed covers upon their hearts so they may not understand it, and deafness in their ears; and when you mention your Only Lord in the Qur’an, they flee turning their backs in hatred.

[Kahf 18:57] And who is more unjust than one who, when reminded of the signs of his Lord, turns away from them and forgets what his hands have sent forward? We have put covers on their hearts so as not to understand the Qur’an, and deafness in their ears; and even if you call them to guidance, they will never attain the right path.

[Mohammed 47:23] It is these whom Allah has cursed, so He made them deaf to the Truth and blinded their eyes.

The disbelievers who constantly deny the truth & advance in their stubbornness are therefore destined never to be able to accept faith – so finally they have their hearts sealed, and are made deaf & blind! May Allah protect us!

IT IS THE STONE IDOLS THAT CANNOT LISTEN OR RESPOND!

[Aa`raf 7:195] Do they have feet to walk with? Or have they hands to hold with? Or have they eyes to see with? Or have they ears to hear with? Say, “Call upon your ascribed partners and conspire against me, and do not give me respite.”

[Shua`ra 26:71-72] They said, “We worship idols, and we keep squatting in seclusion before them.” He said, “Do they hear you when you call?”

THE DEAD DO LISTEN! – PROOFS FROM QUR’AN AND HADEETH!

Proofs from Quran

The Prophets , the Truthful, the Martyrs, the Virtuous & the obedient – they are all alive!

[Baqarah 2:154] And do not utter regarding those who are slain in Allah’s cause as “dead”; in fact they are alive, but it is you who are unaware.

[A/I`mran 3:169-171] And do not ever assume that those who are slain in Allah’s cause are dead; in fact they are alive with their Lord, receiving sustenance.Happy over what Allah has bestowed upon them from His grace, and rejoicing for those who will succeed them, and have not yet joined them; for on them is no fear nor any grief. They rejoice because of the favours from Allah and (His) munificence, and because Allah does not waste the reward of the believers.

[Nisa 4:69-70] And whoever obeys Allah and His Noble Messenger, will be with those upon whom Allah has bestowed grace – that is, the Holy Prophets and the truthful and the martyrs and the virtuous; and what excellent companions they are! This is Allah’s munificence; and Allah is Sufficient, the All Knowing.

The preceding 6 verses are solid proof of the post-isthmus life of the Prophets, the truthful, the martyrs and the virtuous – in fact for all who obey Allah and His Noble Messenger!

The Disbelievers can listen in their graves – but they cannot answer as they are tortured.

[Aa`raf 7:79] Saleh therefore turned away from them and said, “O my people! Indeed I did deliver my Lord’s message to you and wished you good, but you do not want well-wishers.”

[Aa`raf 7:93] So Shoaib turned away from them saying, “O my people! Indeed I did deliver my Lord’s message to you and gave you sound advice; so why should I grieve for the disbelievers?”

In the preceding 2 verses it is proven that the Prophets of their time addressed the disbelievers after they had died – as did our Holy Prophet whilst addressing the disbelievers slain in the battle of Badr.

Proofs from Hadeeth

The Prophets & Sahaba are alive, and they can listen & see from their graves.

Narrated Abu al-Darda’ : The Holy Prophet said, “Make abundant invocations of blessings upon me the day of Jum’a, for that day is witnessed by the angels. Verily, no one invokes blessings upon me except his invocation is shown to me until he finishes it.” Abu al-Darda’ said: “Even after death?” The Holy Prophet replied: “Even after death! Truly Allah Most High forbade the earth to consume the bodies of Prophets. Therefore the Holy Prophet of Allah is alive and sustained!” (Ibn Majah)

Narrated Aws ibn Aws : The Holy Prophet said: Among the most excellent of your days is Friday; on it Adam was created, on it he died, on it the last trumpet will be blown, and on it the shout will be made, so invoke more blessings on me that day, for your blessings will be submitted to me. The people asked: Apostle of Allah , how can it be that our blessings will be submitted to you while your body is decayed? He replied: Allah, the Exalted, has prohibited the earth from consuming the bodies of Prophets (Abu Dawood)

Narrated Hazrat Ibn Umar : The Holy Prophet Muhammad said: “The one who after Hajj visits me, after my death (i.e. the Holy Rawdhah) is like one who has visited me while I was alive.” (Baihaqi, Mishkaat).

Narrated Hazrat ‘Aisha : “When I used to go in my room after my husband and father were buried there, I would take off my overcoat. I never took it off after Hazrat ‘Umar was buried. Because, he was not my near kin. I was restrained by my sense of modesty because he was there.” (Imam Ahmad and Hakim)

The Prophets are alive, and they perform prayers inside their graves!

“The Prophets are alive in their graves. They perform salaat.” (Baihaqi, Ibn ‘Asakir, Ibn Hajar)

Syedna Anas b. Malik reported Allah’s Apostle as saying: I came to pass by Moses on the occasion of the Night journey near the red mound (and found him) saying his prayer in his grave. (Muslim)

The Disbelievers are punished in their graves – but their cries cannot be heard by all.

Narrated Hazrat Abi Ayyub : Once the Prophet went out after sunset and heard a dreadful voice, and said, “The Jews are being punished in their graves.” (Bukhari)

Narrated Syedah `Aisha : The Prophet said, “They (the disbelievers killed in the battle of Badr) now realize that what I used to tell them was the truth.” And Allah said, ‘Indeed the dead do not listen to your call nor do the deaf listen to your call, when they flee turning back. (27:80) (Bukhari)

Narrated Hazrat Hisham’s father: It was mentioned before Syedah `Aisha that Ibn `Umar attributed the following statement to the Prophet “The dead person is punished in the grave because of the crying and lamentation of his family.” On that, Syedah `Aisha said, “But Allah’s Apostle said, ‘The dead person is punished for his crimes and sins while his family cry over him then.” She added, “And this is similar to the statement of Allah’s Apostle when he stood by the (edge of the) well which contained the corpses of the pagans killed at Badr, ‘They hear what I say.’ She added, “But he said now they know very well what I used to tell them was the truth.” `Aisha then recited: “[Ruum 30:52] For you do not make the dead hear nor make the deaf hear the call when they flee, turning back”. And “[Fatir 35:22]…. and you cannot make those who are in the graves listen”:that is, when they had taken their places in the (Hell) Fire. (Bukhari)

Narrated Hazrat Ibn `Umar : The Holy Prophet looked at the people of the well (in which the bodies of the pagans killed in the Battle of Badr were thrown) and said, “Have you found true what your Lord promised you?” Somebody said to him, “You are addressing dead people.” He replied, “You do not hear better than they but they cannot reply.” (Bukhari)

Kindly note that it is the disbelievers who can hear, but cannot reply from the graves, as they are being punished. However, the Muslims can reply as is proven in the Ahadeeth given below.

All Muslims in the graves are alive, and they can listen and respond!

Narrated Hazrat Abu Hurairah : The Holy Prophet said while standing near the graves of the martyrs of Uhud, “I bear witness that you are alive in the sight of Allah.” Then turning towards those present he said, “So visit them, and greet them – I swear by the One in whose power lies my life, they will answer back to whoever greets them until the Last Day.” (Hakim, Baihaqi)

Reported Syedah ‘A’isha (that whenever it was her turn for Allah’s Apostle to spend the night with her) he would go out towards the end of the night to (the graveyard of) al-Baqi’ and say: “Peace be upon you, abode of a people who are believers. What you were promised would come to you tomorrow, you receiving it after some delay; and Allah willing we shall join you. O Allah, grant forgiveness to the inhabitants of Baqi’ al-Gharqad.”(Muslim)

AlHamdolillah! With the above noted radiant & irrefutable evidences, we have conclusively proven the following:

The Deaf, Dumb & Blind – referred to in the Holy Qur’an – actually refers to the disbelievers, or to the idols whom they worship.

It does not refer to the Holy Prophets & saints who are buried.

The Holy Prophets and all other virtuous Muslims enjoy a life after death (called Barzakh) – prior to resurrection; i.e. they are alive in their graves. They can see, hear and reply.

May Allah guide us on the Straight Path. Aameen.

All Praise is for Allah, the Lord of the Creation. Infinite blessings & peace be upon our Master, Mohammed – the leader of the creation – and upon all the Prophets; and upon all those who rightfully follow him, until the day of resurrection.

Post Views: 2,220