The Dead Coming Back to Haunt

Last updated on January 22nd, 2026 at 07:31 pm

Q. Is it true that dead people can come back to haunt other people or the house they lived in?

A. The souls of pious Mu-mineen are in Illiyyeen – a world high in the heavens, whilst the souls of the kuffaar and fujjaar are imprisoned in Sijjeel – a world in the depths of the earth.

These souls, whether in Illiyyeen or Sijjeen cannot leave their respective abodes out of their own accord.

It is another matter if Allah Ta’ala wills a soul to come back to earth for some purpose, such as a soul of a pious person coming back to comfort or help someone. Or such as a wicked soul coming back to put someone in a trial.

Furthermore, shayateen and jinn can also assume forms of the dead.

And Allah Ta’ala knows best.

It is not wise to dabble in these issues. The Shariah has left these issues ambiguous. What the Shariah has left ambiguous should be left as such.

The object of our life on earth after correcting our Basic Aqaaid is to perfect our A’maal and Akhlaaq which the Shariah has elaborately detailed. That is the knowledge and practice we should strive for and concern ourselves with. That is the Path of Eternal Success.

(Khairun Nisa)